[kennymacks]

I have noticed complaints of electrical problems/malfunctions relating to the E90 series. Would there be more problems with iDrive models because of more sophisticated integration or would the frequency of problems be the same regardless of iDrive?

PS: I have been trolling these forums for a few months now and decided to make my first post today!

[ska///235i]

why, are you planning to buy an E90?

6 months with the car...no Idrive prblm (knock on wood)

[deutschmann59]

Hey, welcome to the forum!

About your question...I don't know what the actual stats are, but I would think it's more likely you'd have problems with iDrive rather than if it weren't there. I'm only saying this because I have iDrive, and I noticed many times it fails to boot, or gets screwed up somehow (of course, since I got the software update, I haven't had any problems to speak of since then).

I guess you've got to look at it as are you willing to deal with a few small problems now and then if that means you've got a cool looking dash, and more convenience, in that all the major controls are all GUI...like setting the clock, navigation, address book, etc. I guess it's all personal preference in the end, because the system is really pretty stable for me, now that the software was updated.

[kennymacks]

Yes, I was shopping the E90 a couple of months ago, which is what lead me to this great forum. I was able to see how all the E90 owners were enjoying their car. I test drove both the 325i and 330i and was pleased with the handling and build quality of the cars. BMW salespeople can be pushy though, but I guess it's the same at any dealership.

In the end, I bought a fully loaded 2006 Toyota Avalon Limited in non-metallic black. It's definitely not as exciting or stylish as an E90 would have been, but it was the best decision for me at the moment. I am a 22-year-old working college student and it would have meant dumping almost all of my money on the E90 to make payments reasonable.

I would have chosen the E90 if I wasn't trying to save up for a house! Even after going with the Toyota, I still enjoy coming here to read the forum, you guys are quite a cool bunch! (Some of you are awesome photographers too.)

[poldim]

Originally Posted by kennymacks

Yes, I was shopping the E90 a couple of months ago, which is what lead me to this great forum. I was able to see how all the E90 owners were enjoying their car. I test drove both the 325i and 330i and was pleased with the handling and build quality of the cars. BMW salespeople can be pushy though, but I guess it's the same at any dealership.

In the end, I bought a fully loaded 2006 Toyota Avalon Limited in non-metallic black. It's definitely not as exciting or stylish as an E90 would have been, but it was the best decision for me at the moment. I am a 22-year-old working college student and it would have meant dumping almost all of my money on the E90 to make payments reasonable.

I would have chosen the E90 if I wasn't trying to save up for a house! Even after going with the Toyota, I still enjoy coming here to read the forum, you guys are quite a cool bunch! (Some of you are awesome photographers too.)

Wow, a 22 year old in an Avalon. Its a completely different breed form the E90 , as you already know. I'm 20, but I would never see myself going from looking at a 3 series to an avalon. I did want the 2003 540, but gas/insurance was too much for it. At any rate...


Probability will probably tell you that since there are more things to break in a more complicated system, its more likely that they will. Personally, I have not experience a single fault in my iDrive (knock on wood). I actually have only experienced one problem, twice, which was the steering wheel lock, but that is not iDrive related, and solved by actually having to take the key out of my pocket and inserting it into the car.

[MoreCowbell]

I have never had a problem with my I-Drive(Knock on Burl Walnut) but i'll be the first to admit that it needs a lot of work and improvements.

A buddy of mine just test drove the TL and the IS and told me that e90 is WAY BEHIND when it comes to Nav and I-Drive(or the I-Drive type interfaces in the other cars.)

[KL2DC]

Whoa that doesn't make sense. A 325i with the basic goodies such as xenons and Sport package wouldn't have cost much more than a full boat Avalon Limited. A quick calculation for a 325i with ZSP, metallic paint, sat prep and xenons summed up to about $32,480 not including TTL (this is for an attainable $500 over invoice price). If you factor in Euro Delivery prices, you can save even more...

I am guessing your top-of-the-line Avalon Ltd is about $31-32k, right?

On another topic, I read a recent edmunds report about quality/reliability concerns with the 2006 Avalon. I hope you are not experiencing any problems. IMHO though, I think the Avalon looks very attractive .. its just a different direction.

[siriusinvestor]

18 Y/O w 330i w/ iDrive. No problems what so ever (Also Knock on Wood), Only complaint about iDrive is that I wish the response time was quicker.

[kennymacks]

I know my local Toyota dealer's General Manager, who gave me a really awesome deal on the Avalon. My car has every option (NAV, dynamic cruise, stability control, etc...) and stickered at just over $38K; I bought it for $33K brand new.

The two BMW dealers that I went to weren't nearly as flexible, I could only get them to give me $1K discount and was getting ripped-off for my trade.

I could have had a 325i very easily, but I am a leadfoot. Nothing less than the 330i would have satisfied me, since most of the miles I cover are on the freeway.

The acceleration is very strong at all speeds, I pulled ahead of my friend's 2004 Acura TL (5-speed auto) and kept leaving him further and further behind during a street race. The gas mileage is really good as well. I use regular unleaded and get over 22 MPG mixed driving. The new Avalon cannot be compared with any previous Avalon models.

I'll drive it for a few years to pay it off and then I'll see if I can't afford a 335i Coupe, Convertible, or Sedan. Until then, I'll still be hanging around here!