[doggiedog]

Excuse me if this question has been asked before but is there any way to swap which sides the volume and channel buttons are on?

I have a manual and I find it odd that the volume is on the left was the channel is on the right. I would think you would use the channel button more often than the volume button. It's a bit annoying for me to be honest.

[doggiedog]

Is there no way to swap the wires connecting volume and channel selector?

[madman]

Why not use the buttons on the steering wheel?

[I335]

I think he is referring to the buttons on the steering wheel...

[doggiedog]

Originally Posted by I335

I think he is referring to the buttons on the steering wheel...

Yes. I am talking about the buttons on the steering wheel.

I would think that having a stick shift, your left hand would be on the wheel more often than the right. Also, I think you tend to switch radio stations or songs more often than volume so I don't like the fact that the channel selector is on the right side. All of my previous cars with steering wheel controls had the channel selector on the right side if not both the volume and channel selectors. I'm wondering if there is any way to swap or rewire the controls so the are on opposite sides.

[kentgbr]

Originally Posted by doggiedog

Excuse me if this question has been asked before but is there any way to swap which sides the volume and channel buttons are on?

I have a manual and I find it odd that the volume is on the left was the channel is on the right. I would think you would use the channel button more often than the volume button. It's a bit annoying for me to be honest.

You can't easily swap individual buttons but you can swap all the left functions to the right and vice-versa. The buttons can't be moved so the functions won't match the symbols properly. I did it as a fun hardware hack but ended up switching back to the original setup. Here's a DIY on it.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...+wheel+buttons

[CV335]

This is funny...I believe my TSX's steering wheel had the volume on the right and the rw/fw controls on the left side. I've had my car for 2 months and I still skip songs when all I really want to do is increase the volume. Ohhh well...I guess in 2-3 months I've trained myself to the new arrangement.

[doggiedog]

Originally Posted by kentgbr

You can't easily swap individual buttons but you can swap all the left functions to the right and vice-versa. The buttons can't be moved so the functions won't match the symbols properly. I did it as a fun hardware hack but ended up switching back to the original setup. Here's a DIY on it.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...+wheel+buttons

You're awesome!!

Thanks! I will try this out.

[PTinVT]

I've always felt the volume buttons belong on the left side of the wheel in a left-hand-drive car - esp. if you keep the factory head unit but bump up the amps/speakers. This allows you to turn the volume down as you slow down/stop at intersections, and raise it as you're taking off. Even moreso since you're driving a proper BMW with a manual stick-shift transmission

But when you say "channel" do you mean using it to scroll through pre-set radio stations? I don't have an I-pod and only have a single-disc player in my E92 but I gave up on radio years ago. I can't believe it's any better where you are?

[SunshineSail17]

When you say it is not easy to switch buttons do you mean mechanically or electrically?

I find it screwy how the up down buttons work in an idrive equipped car. For example, I would expect the down buttom to go down the list as viewed on the screen rather than down a number.

Can the up / downs be flipped using your method?

[kentgbr]

Originally Posted by SunshineSail17

When you say it is not easy to switch buttons do you mean mechanically or electrically?

I find it screwy how the up down buttons work in an idrive equipped car. For example, I would expect the down buttom to go down the list as viewed on the screen rather than down a number.

Can the up / downs be flipped using your method?

Electrically it would not be trivial to switch sides for individual functions. However, it is very easy to move all functions to the opposite sides. A simple swapping of two connector pins.

I posted in an earlier thread on flipping the up/down functions. It could be done but would require some modifications on the PCB inside the switch modules. The individual buttons short out portions of a resistive voltage divider giving different voltages for each function. Identifying and swapping the up and down resistors would do the trick. The OP in the other thread said he might try it. If you're interested in more detail I can crack open my spare switch harness and take another look.

[SunshineSail17]

kentgbr, thanks for the reply...I design pcbs for a living, I could probably handle swapping the resistors without any troubles. Should I be worried about handling the airbag? That sounds scary...

[HighVoltage]

Originally Posted by SunshineSail17

kentgbr, thanks for the reply...I design pcbs for a living, I could probably handle swapping the resistors without any troubles. Should I be worried about handling the airbag? That sounds scary...

No, if you can handle 0603 SMTs then you have more than enough grace to handle the airbag. Look for M3 or Mtech steering wheel retrofit posts...

[kentgbr]

Originally Posted by HighVoltage

No, if you can handle 0603 SMTs then you have more than enough grace to handle the airbag. Look for M3 or Mtech steering wheel retrofit posts...

True, the airbag is surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it. Popping open the switch/button enclosures is harder.

[noles82]

I am having a problem with the channel up/down buttons on the steering wheel. It seems that this control only works once you press one of the preset buttons on the face of the radio. A "check mark" is displayed and the steering wheel control will work, but after a few days the check mark disappears from the display, and you have to press another preset before the steering wheel control will work again.

Is this normal? Any help in this matter will be much appreciated.


2007 328i Sedan