Recirculation button a practical joke?

I know this has been discussed before but I still need to bring it up. I'm in the process of replacing our 2006 E90 330i and still laugh every time I look at the 2009's and see that recirculation toggle button on the steering wheel. Does BMW honestly think that's an improvement over the programmable buttons on the older models?? I'm still thinking it's some kind of practical joke and there really is a way to change it back to a somewhat useful button that people would actually use. Up, up, down, down, left, right anyone?? Why not mute or anything else useful? Too me it's just too funny. Oh well - it's not enough to stop me from buying one but it is enough to write another post about and laugh a bit at that BMW 'ingenuity.'

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Yeah, I think it sucks. I like my programmable buttons on my '07. I *never* use the recirc button.

I don't follow? I just bought a 06 330i and use the recirc button on the steering wheel often, like when I get behind a diesel truck. It's nice not having to take your hands off the wheel. I must be missing something.

I dunno about you but I never use my steering wheel buttons. To me the ease of reaching over to change the volume is similar to the one using on the wheel.

i agree wholeheartedly, i rather it be a mute button -

You know what freaks me out? How there's an auto recirculation button. HOW DOES THE CAR KNOW WHEN STUFF SMELLS BAD OUTSIDE?!

*twilight zone music*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zell

You know what freaks me out? How there's an auto recirculation button. HOW DOES THE CAR KNOW WHEN STUFF SMELLS BAD OUTSIDE?!

*twilight zone music*

I can't wait to test it out, there are a bunch of cow pastures by my house and in late summer the smell can be brutal.

There's buttons on the steering wheel?w

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zell

You know what freaks me out? How there's an auto recirculation button. HOW DOES THE CAR KNOW WHEN STUFF SMELLS BAD OUTSIDE?!

*twilight zone music*

you do know there are reasons to use recirc besides eliminating bad smell from coming in right?

The auto function, i believe will measure the amount of pollen concentration of the air coming in and will determine based on this, whether to switch to cabin air or outside air. This helps lower the allergens in the cabin itself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjnptel1

you do know there are reasons to use recirc besides eliminating bad smell from coming in right?

What if someone inside the cabin has retched flatulence? Then hitting the button on the wheel to pull outside air in would be more convenient then the time it takes to reach to the main HVAC controls.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yomama69

What if someone inside the cabin has retched flatulence? Then hitting the button on the wheel to pull outside air in would be more convenient then the time it takes to reach to the main HVAC controls.

this is a good point. you don't want to be rude and reach over to press the recirc button, you can discretely push the recirc button without offending anyone.

Dem Germans are so polite.

Recirc button on the wheel = FAIL.

Programmable buttons on the wheel = WIN.

My programmable buttons: mute (extremely useful), and change audio source (fairly useful).

Recirc on the steering wheel? WTH? Might as well put the hazard lights button on the steering wheel. I use it about as much.

Personally I feel like the filter should be on all the time and you should have to turn it off when you don't want it. Who wants to smell exhaust? I get tire of having to turn it on. The button on the steering wheel sucks, it should be a button to activate voice texting or even Siri.