In praise of the cruise control switches of the BMW E36

The world would be a better place if all car manufacturers were required to use this control stick. It's almost as if they consulted with the American Sign Language dictionary before designing it.

Want to go faster? Simply make a slight gesture with the back of your fingers against the control, as if to say "It's OK, Go On..." so it moves forward toward the front of the car. You could actually even use the ASL motion to engage it. Sign for FASTER | ASL Sign Language Video Dictionary

Want to go slower? Make a slight gesture with the pad of your fingers against the back of the control, moving the stick toward you. As if to say, "let's hang back a little." Remarkably similar to what you might se in ASL to say slow down. How to Sign slow down - ASLSearch.com
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My experience with other bimmers is limited, I've never driven anything pre- E36.

Sadly the E90 3 series and F10 5 series I test drove recently had different, not-as-intuitive controls.

 

Getting off subject, What engine does your F11 have? As a separate question, do you find the throttle to be as responsive as you'd like?

On the 2011 528i F10 I test drove, Frankly I didn't spend much time messing with the cruise control, because I was was turned off by the slight pull to the right and the poor throttle response of the particular example 2011 F10 I drove. Which my research tells me are both common issues for the F10.

I would love to find a gently used F11 with a manual transmission.