Pre 2009 135 Owners - Help Me Please

[Dec540]

Hi Guys,

I'm currently shopping for a new car. Originally I was going to get an e92 335 but finding a 6sp manual 335 is like a needle in a haystack so they attract a high premium. One that I just can't justify. I was thinking I'd just get an auto but I rarely get to drive any more and think I would miss having a clutch and gears.

So as a result I figure a 135i might be more suitable. The smaller size will probably suit too as I live in the city and rarely have more than 1 passenger or need the boot space. They are also far easier to find in a 6sp manual

Having said that, they don't come standard with iDrive and Nav . It also seems like it's quite a rare option. Now I don't mind waiting for a decent one to come up with iDrive but i'm just wondering whether or not it's worth the wait. I.e. If I find one in a good colour combo in good condition for a good price but one that doesn't have iDrive, should I let it go just because it doesn't have iDrive?

Now, I doubt i'd use the nav system very often as the nav system in my loaner car is crap so I don't even use it. Having said that, I imagine the nav is better in BMW's than it is in Subaru's so maybe it would be used more.

Those of you that don't have iDrive in your 135, do you miss it? Wish you had optioned it / waited for one that had it optioned?

Those who have iDrive, do you swear by it or think it's over rated?

Any input, advice or recommendations is appreciated. Thanks guys!

PS: The reason I filtered this to pre 2009 is I doubt i'd be lucky enough to get a car with CIC Nav as they are a bit more than i'm willing to spend

[chachacha28]

I wish i had idrive sometimes, but more for the ipod than the nav. I wanted idrive when i bought my car. I got a good deal on mine, with low miles and the sport package. I would have paid 4 grand more for the cheapest car with idrive around me.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

For me, I had to have nav. More features, classier ambience, a bit more tech (also was coming from an iDrive equipped car)

Others don't care. If you're on the fence about it, I reckon it's not a big issue for you so you'll be happy in a non-iDrive car.

[BBK]

I love iDrive, no idea what people complain about. The old version sucked, but this one is fine.

Oh I just realised that pre-2009's had the old idrive... errr... it was crap. I have a 2009 with the newer iDrive though? You can get them in in manual now for low $50k?

[BMW86]

Theres a good thread about this from about 3-4 weeks ago. Some good feedback in there. I think he ended up buying a car with idrive.

The old idrive sucks, you don't want that. If you can get one with the new idrive then go for it. My car is 11/08 build and has new idrive.

[micha3l]

I don't have it, in 2 1/2 years I've had the car there are probably 2 or 3 times I wished I had it.

If there were 2 cars on the showroom floor exactly the same except I-drive v non I-drive I'd definetly get it, but wouldn't not buy a car just cos it was non I-drive.

[qship]

What's iDrive?

[Dec540]

Originally Posted by bmroxm5

For me, I had to have nav. More features, classier ambience, a bit more tech (also was coming from an iDrive equipped car)

Others don't care. If you're on the fence about it, I reckon it's not a big issue for you so you'll be happy in a non-iDrive car.

What year is yours Stu?

I'm pretty into tech and love having the latest gadgets so it's probably a good idea for me to hold out for one with nav..

Originally Posted by BMW86

Theres a good thread about this from about 3-4 weeks ago. Some good feedback in there. I think he ended up buying a car with idrive.

The old idrive sucks, you don't want that. If you can get one with the new idrive then go for it. My car is 11/08 build and has new idrive.

Yeah CIC nav was introduced in late 08, I rounded up to 2009

I would love CIC vav and could get an auto 135 with CIC but don't see the point. I'd rather have a manual. Also for the money it costs for a manual with CIC nav it's going to cost similar money to a manual 335.

I know it's around 3k to upgrade to CIC in an e92. I think that the dash is different between the two in the e82 so probably not worth upgrading.

[sbce90]

I would get a car with idrive. It is something you should expect in a BMW in this day and age. I would not buy a car without idrive now.

[sparoz]

Dec. Not necessary if you go pre 09. The old idrive is pretty hopeless, and better off without it. Just mount your iphone/galaxy. Metroview gives great directions - much better than the BMW nav.

(For the record, I would always get a idrive so I don't have to plug my phone in if you are getting CIC).

[Zuzu]

I had the 08' 135i with pro navigation idrive and I had no problems what so ever with it..
Absolutely loved it and had more functions than I ever had to use..

So of you are in the market for a 08/09, make sure you look for the professional navigation and NOT the business nav..

Now in saying that, I now have a 2011 idrive/pro nav, and it is amazing.. You cant even compare to the old unit..

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by Dec540

What year is yours Stu?

I'm pretty into tech and love having the latest gadgets so it's probably a good idea for me to hold out for one with nav..



Yeah CIC nav was introduced in late 08, I rounded up to 2009

I would love CIC vav and could get an auto 135 with CIC but don't see the point. I'd rather have a manual. Also for the money it costs for a manual with CIC nav it's going to cost similar money to a manual 335.

I know it's around 3k to upgrade to CIC in an e92. I think that the dash is different between the two in the e82 so probably not worth upgrading.

The year model changes 9th month of each year. I intentionally delayed my build so I would definitely have the new version. My compliance was done in 09 which is when it was first registered so on all the paperwork it's an 09.

My advice is to find a 135i with iDrive. It's the only option I would get if I could do it all over again.

[Dec540]

Originally Posted by Zuzu

I had the 08' 135i with pro navigation idrive and I had no problems what so ever with it..
Absolutely loved it and had more functions than I ever had to use..

So of you are in the market for a 08/09, make sure you look for the professional navigation and NOT the business nav..

Now in saying that, I now have a 2011 idrive/pro nav, and it is amazing.. You cant even compare to the old unit..

The business nav has the smaller screen right? The auto 135 with CIC had the smaller screen. The larger CIC screen looks amazing and i'd love to have it but it means separating with more money than i'm willing to spend.

I guess I also need to consider that this is essentially a weekend car as I live in the city and don't use my car at all during the week except maybe to go out on the odd occasion.

I've used the "old" iDrive in a friends car and it seemed alright. I didn't think it was crap although it was the professional system with the larger screen (e9X), I assume the e82 is similar but with a smaller screen. Obviously not as good as CIC though.

There is also the option to install my galaxy tab 7.7 in the car somewhere but I'm a bit over custom interfaces etc. and just want OEM when i'm spending 45-50k

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by Dec540

The business nav has the smaller screen right? The auto 135 with CIC had the smaller screen. The larger CIC screen looks amazing and i'd love to have it but it means separating with more money than i'm willing to spend.

I guess I also need to consider that this is essentially a weekend car as I live in the city and don't use my car at all during the week except maybe to go out on the odd occasion.

I've used the "old" iDrive in a friends car and it seemed alright. I didn't think it was crap although it was the professional system with the larger screen (e9X), I assume the e82 is similar but with a smaller screen. Obviously not as good as CIC though.

There is also the option to install my galaxy tab 7.7 in the car somewhere but I'm a bit over custom interfaces etc. and just want OEM when i'm spending 45-50k

I've got the Pro Nav larger screen. It's worth the extra $$$ but the smaller screen does exactly the same thing. The advantage of the larger screen is the option to split screen. I've always left NAV on permanently on the right side so I can still scroll through my music or phone contacts etc. I also think the Pro Nav looks cleaner too, the smaller screen looks odd to me but it's better than having no Idrive at all. I wouldn't bother trying to retrofit the iDrive in, just wait for the right car to come along with the options you're interested in.

[TimMc]

I didn't order mine with iDrive & I've never missed it. I spent the money on the top end sound system instead - which is absolutely fantastic. When I do need nav I just use the TomTom app on my eyephone. It's much easier & cheaper to update maps on the phone too.

[Dackelone]

I do not have iDrive on my car and I do not regret it at all. When I travel I use a TomTom navi. I also have 6FL option (USB/iPod aux) and there is no way I could live without THAT option! The only thing I regret is not getting HK sound system and maybe rear PDC sensors.

Early iDrive cars have the flip screen on the dash. That Nav sw is pretty crappy from what I gather. The 2nd gen bmw Nav with the HD based system (larger Nav screen and it is fixed into the center of the dashboard) was on late 2009's build's (I believe?). It is a much better system. But still has its limits. I think any portable Nav/GPS or iPhone apt would put it to shame.

[BFD99]

I have it and love it, mainly for the display and iPod function, but I do use the map every once in a while. I also love the premium sound system. Everytime I get in a car without iDrive, I miss it.

[Knightelf]

Do I need it? No.

Do I want it? Yes. I just want a screen in my car, because it's kinda lame there's no screen in a car that costs 80k on road...

Having said that I bought a non-iDrive car because I got a pretty good deal so I gave up waiting.

[Superdaws]

I delayed the order of my car to wait for the new CIC iDrive and 2010 build date... iDrive was defintiely worth it for me.

[John_01]

Don't bother getting iDrive and Nav - I didn't spec it in mine.

1) It is super ugly the way it sticks out of the dashboard.
2) BMW navigation is very poor. Poor route planning, no lane guidance, no spoken street names. bad screen resolution etc.
3) Its expensive to update the maps. ie 2~3 times the price of a new top spec TomTom.
4) In a couple of years the old-tech nav will look like a museum piece and probably lower the appeal of the car.

[Tit]

Love my pronav iDrive. Surely the 2nd hand prices between with/without isn't that much different?

[woosh]

Originally Posted by ianf

It is more than just for the NAV function.... music & multimedia, phone integration, car info (oil, service, TPMS etc) all make it well worth it. I wouldn't think on a 2nd hand car it makes much difference to the price.

Yeah maybe 1-2k premium if that