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Automotive

Whether we like it or not…

 

Buttons will not make a full return for two reasons - cost and the most relevant automotive markets. The cost reason will remove most of them for good, even if some more buttons will now return for one intermediate generation before disappearing for good. Both the development and production cost of physical buttons is higher and no OEM wants this.
As for the customers, in the key markets customers are so thoroughly used to touch screens in all walks of life that they don’t want or need buttons.
Many here still appreciate the tactile feedback and the ability to control things ‘blind’ while driving. Sadly the majority of traffic nowadays doesn’t happen on unrestricted highways or fun mountain passes but with a distance adjusted cruise control at just above walking speeds, where there’s all the time in the world to operate the touchscreen 🤷🏻‍♂️

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36 Comments view entire thread 

1986 Mercedes-Benz 190 2.3 Cosworth.

 
By: amanico : October 1st, 2025-07:37
I am sure some of us will remember this one. One which made me dream, despite the fact it is a 4 doors. Typically austere interior and dashboard. Best, Nicolas ...  

How could I forget!

 
By: KMII : October 1st, 2025-07:42
My father had one and it was a neat little thing. Remember some long road trips in it and lots of overtaking 😁 And the dogleg manual gearbox, if I remember correctly (didn’t even know these came as automatics) 🦾 In many ways as fine as the E30 M3, especia... 

Oh yes!! I do remember...

 
By: The Swiss guy : October 1st, 2025-07:48
...gone are the days with analog dials and real switches and knobs on the interior....sadly!! (I hate those smugdy screens full of finger prints and flashy but unnecessary gimmicks to adjust very basic functions! (like AC, radio, etc etc)

Whether we like it or not…

 
By: KMII : October 1st, 2025-07:54
Buttons will not make a full return for two reasons - cost and the most relevant automotive markets. The cost reason will remove most of them for good, even if some more buttons will now return for one intermediate generation before disappearing for good.... 

Not to return, sadly…

 
By: KMII : October 1st, 2025-07:58
Even for players like Bentley and Rolls Royce the OEMs need to fo ce suppliers to make stuff for them by packaging the projects together with mainline BMW and VE ones, otherwise no one would want to do it 🤷🏻‍♂️

I thought I read this week or last that VW and MB are in fact bringing buttons back. To some degree.

 
By: Jay (Eire) : October 1st, 2025-23:21
I had a decision a little while back on more modern or slightly older. I will not lie, the slightly older car that had a flight deck of buttons was way more appealing. There were some other factors, but the buttons were not an insignificant one!

As you said…

 
By: KMII : October 2nd, 2025-05:19
To some degree for one intermediate generation. A last hurrah, if you wish to please some European markets. And don’t get me wrong - I like buttons but they are destined for the dustbin of history irrespective 🤷🏻‍♂️

Another classic wolf in sheep's clothing from my past a beautiful 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190 2.3 Cosworth.

 
By: Marc Obermann : October 1st, 2025-08:18
Whilst this is no E500 but then what is it was still a real surprise of a car and not least of all as it used a Cosworth engine. Marc

I remember it fondly !

 
By: Time to watch : October 1st, 2025-09:48
Was an awesome drive , and great for gathering friends with its four doors Unlike the one pictured above , mine was a manual. 190E 2.3-16 valve ...  

Wonderful car..

 
By: Soul_wolfin : October 1st, 2025-13:50
When i was a teenage boy in 1990, my dream car was this version: MB 190E 2.5-15 EVO II ...  

I prefer a functional analog dashboard and simple interior.

 
By: S F : October 1st, 2025-15:43
I can’t multi task fiddling around with 200 functions on a digital screen when I drive 😂

True dream car back then . I owned a 190E 2.6 in my early 20s . Such a great car.

 
By: Watchonthewrist : October 2nd, 2025-06:18
But on top of my list then and still is the 190E 2.5 evo 2 . Saw this one at a local car show beginning of the year ...  

Amazing looking car !

 
By: bimbeano : October 9th, 2025-18:57
Back in the days I had the chance to try one out, the 2.3 Cosworth but unfortunately with the auto gearbox which was quite sluggish. Nonetheless a very very enjoyable car. The local meat 'baron' had a manual 2.3-16 (and a 928S as well) and it was driven v...