Curious what the differences are?

[sapphireblack]

Steering wheel controls.

I've been aware for a while there are differences on the E70/71. On my older 2009 car the right side switch has a rhomboid and a star, these have multi choice functions selected in the i-drive menu, amongst them, either way round, are the fixed choices on some switches of next entertainment source and fan/blower on

Is this a feature determined by specification or a 'reduction' of features on later year builds?

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If anyone knows why, it will satisfy my curiosity.

Similarly, although it's never really used in my case the paddle shift system differences are to me odd.
SSG as on my car is surely more useful than SMG, although clearly BMW dont agree. Push/pull paddles on both sides is surely more efficient than one way pull for down and pull for up only on each side. Is this a case of progress too or simplifying again?

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[Jayx5]

I think the buttons changed when the new style idrive came out just before the facelift.

[sapphireblack]

I think the buttons changed when the new style idrive came out just before the facelift.

Ah yes, sound logical, but it does mean a reduction in options. I wonder why?

[Jayx5]

Isn't it because the options missing are now on the buttons around the newer idrive?

[sapphireblack]

I dont know. If the two buttons on the later steering wheel have one function each, then the earlier cars controls offer more choices it seems?