[tock172]

When I was searching for a 135i, I did not consider iDrive a make-or-break option. Now, after owning two of them with CCC-generation iDrive, I consider it a necessity. I'm a big fan of the live traffic functionality, and I've got a few addresses that I commonly visit programmed to the preset buttons, so I just punch one and have an ETA for heading home or elsewhere. The satellite imagery still looks nice, and my car is new enough to display and read text messages and more. Viewing the album art and other things is neat too. I've really grown accustomed to it and have the entire system setup exactly how I want it. I still use Waze, and have my V1 radar detector hardwired, but the iDrive system sort of completes the full array.

The system used in the 135i after 2009 (not sure on the date, just make sure its the larger screen) is worlds better Than the early CIC-generation that originally debuted on the E65. Early 2008 135i's sometimes come with system, and it uses a flip-up screen.