Thread dig. So the SMG shift speed switch in my M3 had become a bit sticky. I think a tiny spot of soft drink or something had gotten in. I pulled the switch out and sure enough there was a very tiny little splash of something gooey on one side - a spot at best. Easy to clean up.

I looked a bit closer at the PCB and what do you know, another non soldered header. This switch isn't used very often and this one has never played up that I noticed.

First one in this thread was from the 2007 E91, this one was from a 2004 E46 so a different model run and quite close to the end of the model.

The switch is mounted to the centre console and has a fairly long cable the plugs into it so certainly no chance of stress on the cable. Even then I'd take a soldered connection over some kind of press fit.

BMW can't be serious that this is a good idea in an automotive environment can they?

So I'll be soldering this one too. The first fix I did has worked perfectly for 2.5 years.