Why are the window switches in the center console?

[einhander]

Because you touch yourself at night.

[nando]

I hate having them on the door - I have to take my focus off the road and mess with the buttons (I primarily drive with my left hand, since the right hand is also used for shifting).

I also hate those stupid trunk release latches inside the car. How retarded are those things? So, you want to get into your trunk. First, get out your keys, and unlock your door. then pull the stupid lever hidden next to the drivers seat. now, walk back your open trunk.

or.. just use the key to unlock the trunk and open the damn thing right there. which makes more sense?

[AndrewBird]

I think the trunk release is used if you are already in the car. Say you have something in the trunk and arrive home. You pop the trunk from inside, get out, lock the door and get your stuff, then close the trunk.

[nando]

or just lock it when you close the trunk? :p

[djmossm42]

Simpler to operate with the shifting hand.

I sat in my car one day and analyzed the setup and came to the same conclusion. I looked at it from drivers point of view and being that the car was built for driving. Meaning nothing should distract from that. If you drive a manual Trans you mainly hold the steering wheel with the hand on the same side as your seat and shift with the other. With the window controls in the center you dont have to switch hands on the steering wheel. Also you are not shifting continuously so the other hand is more than likely free and if there were an obstacle while you were rolling your windows down there would not be a moment where you have to switch both hands.

Sent from my SGH-T769

[J.Rizo]

Because if they weren't there, BMW would have had to put cup holders there.

lolololol +1

[Silverdogz]

Anti-theft?

[JasonC]

If they put them in the door, they probably would put them in an annoying place like the door handles lol :P

[anokES]

I hate having them on the door - I have to take my focus off the road and mess with the buttons (I primarily drive with my left hand, since the right hand is also used for shifting).

I also hate those stupid trunk release latches inside the car. How retarded are those things? So, you want to get into your trunk. First, get out your keys, and unlock your door. then pull the stupid lever hidden next to the drivers seat. now, walk back your open trunk.

or.. just use the key to unlock the trunk and open the damn thing right there. which makes more sense?

What's worse is that there is no button to press to open it from the outside, so even if the car is unlocked you have to open it with your damn keys

[AwakenNoMore]

Simpler to operate with the shifting hand.

Exactly this.
Also less wiring length.

[AndrewBird]

or just lock it when you close the trunk? :p

Have to have central locking for that, which a lot of cars don't. ;-)

[E30NJ]

be careful that the switches havent melted from the transmission being so close. had to change mine. wasn't terrible but there should have been something to protect them

[srvE30]

switches in middle cuz racecar.

[camshaftgsxr]

less switches, less wires in the doors, easier access for both driver and passenger. and no chance of them getting wet, buddy of mine left my windows down in the hardest rain we've ever had (yeah we're still friends) and none of the switches were wet.

[AntiScope]

Simpler to operate with the shifting hand.