I have a number of cars with remote for unlocking, etc.

The interesting thing is that I one I thought was the most strange at first I like the best. The MB remote (the one without the key/ IR?) is the easist to use and looks the least beat up.

Now my new TL remote after just 3 months looks scratched and I find it to be the most awkward to use. Yes I know the buttons do not move around but I always seem to be pushing on the wrong side of the remote.

 

I completely agree. I noticed this the first day I got my new TL. The TL's keyfob looked worse in one day than the MB's looked in one year. This is because the TL's keyfob is painted with a paint that chips right off, while the MB's keyfob (and BMW's) doesn't have any paint on it. The MB is made out of textured black plastic that looks nice and is durable, and the MB logo shines and is durable.

The other thing is the placement of buttons and the tactile layout of the keyfob. The MB keyfob has a satisfying feel when you press the buttons, and each button is large and is indented differently so you can easily feel where they are. The TL's remote, on the other hand, has relatively tiny unlock and trunk release buttons, and they are not as noticeably indented, so it is harder to distinguish one side of the remote from the other without looking.

Hate to say it, but the MB keyfob kicks the sh*t out of the TL's. But it costs a lot more, so I guess you get what you pay for. Also, they both do the same job just fine (except the MB requires IR line of sight to roll the windows up and down, and the TL keyfob can't roll the windows up)