No product is perfect (sorry, Apple). The measure of a product, then, is how far from perfect it is as judged by its perspective buyer. Some imperfections can be identified immediately, while others take time to fully "appreciate". Take my new (for me) BMW 3-series wagon (I completely disregarded my pledge to never drive a wagon). There are some details that are beautifully done, such as the small lights under the outside door handles and the cruise control management system and associated dash display. And then there are some details that completely miss the mark.

BMW's 3-series dashboard is loved by some and detested by others. In general, I think it looks dated, and I'm surprised that they've kept with such a linear layout and the red/black display color scheme for so many years. That aside, there are a few "features" that bug the #@*$! out of me. The worst of the lot is the temperature control(s). I'm sure the great Engineers at BMW had justifications for creating 4 separate controls to manage 1 feature, but I'd love to understand why.

As you'd expect, the first control is a knob that sets the "exact" temperature. The second and third controls are push buttons that turn the A/C and max A/C on and off. This seems unnecessary since you've already set the exact temperature, but the situation only gets worse. There is a fourth control, a rotating knob, which supposedly controls the warmth or coolness of the air that is pushed out of the vents. Huh? 4 separate controls to manage 1 feature, cabin temperature, which you are able to set to a specific number digitally? I don't get it. It's funny getting to know a big-ticket item like a car after you've already bought it. There's no going back really. You just have to hope that the drink holders are designed well (hint: they're not).