2025 vs. 2026 HVAC and Connectivity observations

deutsch100 · 05-27-2025, 02:31 PM

2022, 2023 and 2025 iX...I always kept my HVAC to Auto 70F and medium fan intensity.

2026 iX...Auto 70F and low fan intensity.

Since I was in HOT So. California for 30+ years and am now in HOT Arizona....very comparable temps and sun intensity.

BMW seems to have increased 2026 iX hvac fan power and the A/C feels even colder (and I had zero complaints with my 2025 iX). It might also be now that I do not have the HOT pano glass roof, I need less A/C to cool and maintain the cabin. No glass roof might be my fav thing!!

Sending remote commands almost always worked with 22-25 iX, but they could be very slow! Either BMW improved telematics, or I am having a few great days with the app. Sending a remote climate command is almost as fast as the Tesla app. Super impressed.

And a little happy finding...steering wheel buttons are now matte and show no fingerprints. 22-25 steering wheel buttons...my OCD was always cleaning them

LuisBoston · 05-27-2025, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deutsch100

And a little happy finding...steering wheel buttons are now matte and show no fingerprints. 22-25 steering wheel buttons...my OCD was always cleaning them

It’s funny - I prefer the glossy to the matte. I think glossy is still on some 2026s, as I was browsing pics of some and they had gloss. When I find them, I’ll post a pic.

Edit: here’s a 26 with glossy buttons. Maybe it’s only on the non MSport models

deutsch100 · 05-27-2025, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

It’s funny - I prefer the glossy to the matte. I think glossy is still on some 2026s, as I was browsing pics of some and they had gloss. When I find them, I’ll post a pic.

The glossy look better, in a more expensive, upscale way. I am just so damn ocd with smudges, that I welcome the more "basic" look of the matte.

Maybe matte with M round wheel and silver interior and gloss with bronze interior bits?

LVBMW · 05-27-2025, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deutsch100

The glossy look better, in a more expensive, upscale way. I am just so damn ocd with smudges, that I welcome the more "basic" look of the matte.

Maybe matte with M round wheel and silver interior and gloss with bronze interior bits?

Does your center panel still have the wood or the high-gloss high-fingerprint style? I forget which combination of options you have since I know that determines wood vs. non-wood.

deutsch100 · 05-27-2025, 06:36 PM

I lost the matte wood my 2025 had.

Since I have the silver interior accents and silver crystals, this seems to come with the high gloss fingerprint magnet center console

Bronze/Gold interior accents and gold crystals seems to have the easy to live with, matte wood center console.

So, I just do not touch the finger magnet high gloss center console, LOL. I use the iDrive controller and voice commands 99% of the time

I do love the round, thick M steering wheel and silver accents and silver crystals, but I do miss the matte wood center console.

It would have been awesome if BMW offered a matte, black wood with the silver accents.

But, as much as I loved the matte wood, it was always kind of odd, since there is wood nowhere else.

Just snapped 3 quick pics:

Ozzie8 · 05-27-2025, 06:56 PM

Thanks deutsch100 for all of the smaller changes you are noticing. Keep them coming for those of us contemplating an upgrade.

kwickag · 05-27-2025, 07:08 PM

You didn't mention the memory setting button is not glass anymore, at least it was in my '24.

javapro · 05-27-2025, 08:08 PM

As far as wood in the center console and crystal seat memory buttons go, you loose them with the M Sport design. It's because M Sports adds "M Dark Silver Interior Trim" which replaces bronze trim pieces with dark silver ones, crystal seat memory buttons with dark silver ones (provided you have glass controls as part of the executive package), and wood panel in the center console with the glossy black one. That's how it was for MY25 where "M Dark Silver Interior Trim" was part of the interior design package, so nothing really changed here for the LCI.

P. S. There was a note in the 2025 ordering and pricing guides as well as online configurator that if you add glass controls with the interior design package, wood panel would not be included. I don't see any such notes for 2026 but the same still applies.

LuisBoston · 05-27-2025, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwickag

You didn't mention the memory setting button is not glass anymore, at least it was in my '24.

That changed in 2025. It’s such a weird choice that BMW removed the glass on the memory buttons, adding yet another material on the door panel.

LVBMW · 05-27-2025, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

That changed in 2025. It’s such a weird choice that BMW removed the glass on the memory buttons, adding yet another material on the door panel.

Extremely weird. Keep the crystal seat controls but change the memory buttons? Why??

NomoTesla · 05-27-2025, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVBMW

Extremely weird. Keep the crystal seat controls but change the memory buttons? Why??

Cost. If they keep this up, the iX may eventually feel as downmarket as a Tesla.

LVBMW · 05-27-2025, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NomoTesla

Cost. If they keep this up, the iX may eventually feel as downmarket as a Tesla.

I look forward to you shifting your ire accordingly.

Current targets - Tesla, tech bros, dependence on technology. Coming soon... BMW??

deutsch100 · 05-27-2025, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwickag

You didn't mention the memory setting button is not glass anymore, at least it was in my '24.

What is odd, is the memory seat buttons still appear to be crystal if you have the bronze interior trim. Odd choice for BMW to make silver interior trim get silver crystals for seat control, but non-crystal for seat memory. BMW is super weird sometimes!

deutsch100 · 05-28-2025, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozzie8

Thanks deutsch100 for all of the smaller changes you are noticing. Keep them coming for those of us contemplating an upgrade.

Each day I find little changes here and there. Some not affecting much.

Today...you have to hold down the headlight button for several seconds to turn off Auto headlamps, and it instructs you to do so on the head up display. 22-25 models, it was just one quick push of the button.

Maverick241 · 05-28-2025, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVBMW

I look forward to you shifting your ire accordingly.

Current targets - Tesla, tech bros, dependence on technology. Coming soon... BMW??

LOL he complains plenty about BMW too...

Maverick241 · 05-28-2025, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deutsch100

Each day I find little changes here and there. Some not affecting much.

Today...you have to hold down the headlight button for several seconds to turn off Auto headlamps, and it instructs you to do so on the head up display. 22-25 models, it was just one quick push of the button.

Most important thing though.....

Did you test the sync function yet??

exxxviii · 05-28-2025, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deutsch100

Each day I find little changes here and there. Some not affecting much.

Today...you have to hold down the headlight button for several seconds to turn off Auto headlamps, and it instructs you to do so on the head up display. 22-25 models, it was just one quick push of the button.

You use stuff in your BMW that I have never or rarely touched...

I have not used a headlight control since I bought the car. I did not know the car even had a headlight button. I don't think I brought up the HVAC interface in many months - mine has been on Auto since I bought the car. And I have never used rear sync, so I'm not sure I even understand the problem. I eagerly await more TILs from you..

deutsch100 · 05-28-2025, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick241

Most important thing though.....

Did you test the sync function yet??

2026 SYNC function

Crazy that BMW is so pig headed. They ruined how SYNC has worked for decades with an OTA and SYNC still works as it used to in many current models. I will n e v e r understand why they will not fix via OTA what they ruined via OTA. Obviously SYNC can be managed/changed with OTA. #FUBMW

deutsch100 · 05-28-2025, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exxxviii

You use stuff in your BMW that I have never or rarely touched...

I have not used a headlight control since I bought the car. I did not know the car even had a headlight button. I don't think I brought up the HVAC interface in many months - mine has been on Auto since I bought the car. And I have never used rear sync, so I'm not sure I even understand the problem. I eagerly await more TILs from you..

I know most do not use or even care about (or know about) the headlight button...but if I am pulling into my home garage, in my "ocd mind" why have the headlights come on for 5 seconds?

Before I enter my garage, I just turn the AUTO headlights off.

Of course when I am driving and it is getting dark, or will enter an underground garage...I keep the headlights on AUTO.

NomoTesla · 05-29-2025, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVBMW

I look forward to you shifting your ire accordingly.

Current targets - Tesla, tech bros, dependence on technology. Coming soon... BMW??

I'm equal opportunity.

NomoTesla · 05-29-2025, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deutsch100

2026 SYNC function

Crazy that BMW is so pig headed. They ruined how SYNC has worked for decades with an OTA and SYNC still works as it used to in many current models. I will n e v e r understand why they will not fix via OTA what they ruined via OTA. Obviously SYNC can be managed/changed with OTA. #FUBMW

This is what lawsuits are for.

LVBMW · 05-29-2025, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NomoTesla

This is what lawsuits are for.

A lawsuit because a sync function doesn't work right... (?) Seems unlikely to succeed...

05-27-2025, 02:31 PM	#1
deutsch100 Brigadier General 5899 Rep 3,130 Posts Drives: iX, M8, 911, LR Defender Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona iTrader: (0)	2025 vs. 2026 HVAC and Connectivity observations 2022, 2023 and 2025 iX...I always kept my HVAC to Auto 70F and medium fan intensity. 2026 iX...Auto 70F and low fan intensity. Since I was in HOT So. California for 30+ years and am now in HOT Arizona....very comparable temps and sun intensity. BMW seems to have increased 2026 iX hvac fan power and the A/C feels even colder (and I had zero complaints with my 2025 iX). It might also be now that I do not have the HOT pano glass roof, I need less A/C to cool and maintain the cabin. No glass roof might be my fav thing!! Sending remote commands almost always worked with 22-25 iX, but they could be very slow! Either BMW improved telematics, or I am having a few great days with the app. Sending a remote climate command is almost as fast as the Tesla app. Super impressed. And a little happy finding...steering wheel buttons are now matte and show no fingerprints. 22-25 steering wheel buttons...my OCD was always cleaning them
	Appreciate 6 exxxviii3772.50 LVBMW4553.00 darylp3101724.50 KRS_SN15359.00 Ozzie81098.50 chanders69.00 Tweet Quote

05-27-2025, 06:36 PM	#5
deutsch100 Brigadier General 5899 Rep 3,130 Posts Drives: iX, M8, 911, LR Defender Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona iTrader: (0)	I lost the matte wood my 2025 had. Since I have the silver interior accents and silver crystals, this seems to come with the high gloss fingerprint magnet center console Bronze/Gold interior accents and gold crystals seems to have the easy to live with, matte wood center console. So, I just do not touch the finger magnet high gloss center console, LOL. I use the iDrive controller and voice commands 99% of the time I do love the round, thick M steering wheel and silver accents and silver crystals, but I do miss the matte wood center console. It would have been awesome if BMW offered a matte, black wood with the silver accents. But, as much as I loved the matte wood, it was always kind of odd, since there is wood nowhere else. Just snapped 3 quick pics: Attached Images Last edited by deutsch100; 05-27-2025 at 10:44 PM..
	Appreciate 3 darylp3101724.50 LVBMW4553.00 vitaman10.50 Quote

05-27-2025, 06:56 PM	#6
Ozzie8 Captain 1099 Rep 779 Posts Drives: 2025 BMW iX M60 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 Porsche Taycan ... [0.00]	Thanks deutsch100 for all of the smaller changes you are noticing. Keep them coming for those of us contemplating an upgrade.
	Appreciate 2 deutsch1005899.00 vitaman10.50 Quote

05-27-2025, 07:08 PM	#7
kwickag Private First Class 224 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 25 M850i Gran Coupe 26 iX 60 Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0) Garage List 2026 BMW iX xDrive 60 [0.00] 2025 BMW M850i xDri ... [0.00]	You didn't mention the memory setting button is not glass anymore, at least it was in my '24.
	Appreciate 1 deutsch1005899.00 Quote

05-27-2025, 08:08 PM	#8
javapro Generalissimo 1179 Rep 1,877 Posts Drives: 2024 iX xDrive50 Sport Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	As far as wood in the center console and crystal seat memory buttons go, you loose them with the M Sport design. It's because M Sports adds "M Dark Silver Interior Trim" which replaces bronze trim pieces with dark silver ones, crystal seat memory buttons with dark silver ones (provided you have glass controls as part of the executive package), and wood panel in the center console with the glossy black one. That's how it was for MY25 where "M Dark Silver Interior Trim" was part of the interior design package, so nothing really changed here for the LCI. P. S. There was a note in the 2025 ordering and pricing guides as well as online configurator that if you add glass controls with the interior design package, wood panel would not be included. I don't see any such notes for 2026 but the same still applies.
	Appreciate 2 LVBMW4553.00 deutsch1005899.00 Quote