Quote:
Originally Posted by davidhunternyc 
^^^ Yes, about the finish. Are the metallic parts real metal, or are they spray painted plastic that looks like metal? I can't stand this. My father has a BMW 750iL and the iDrive knob is spray painted plastic that looks like metal. It is just shameful. For that matter, all these expensive cars use a spray painted metallic finish.
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Several reasons.
- real metallic finishes for knobs are hard to maintain. They tend to tarnish, stain, or oxidize in contact with skin oils
- real metal conducts temperature. Try touching a metal dial after it's been baking in the sun for a while. Ouch.
- A real solid metal knob would be heavier. Plastic is lighter. Cars are already too heavy these days.
- And of course cost, the car would have cost a lot more if they used metallic parts everywhere. but the other reasons are just as valid.