iDrive

[mtw]

What's the general consensus here on iDrive?
I've never personally had a chance to try it, and I've certainly heard the criticisms of it by the media, but at the same time I think it adds an upscale look to the interior, probably increases the resale value of the car, and like any other red-blooded male, I enjoy having some fancy gadgets in the car to play with. In addition to all that, you actually get the benefits that are associated with a Nav system.

So on those points, is iDrive worth looking into for this car in your opinions? I'm well aware that it's a pricey option and probably isn't anywhere as useful as the price suggests, but there's just something about it that keeps pulling me back to it. I also read here that due to the low-end/purist nature of the 1er (read: 2002), that a Nav system doesn't belong in a car like this.

Thoughts?

[imported_mega]

it's the worst nav system on the market

I would not pay for it, we had a couple company 745il's with it, it's just a horrible system, a garmin is so much better

on a long trip the wheel is not bad, because you only set it once, but for day to day trips, I HATE it, I brought my own hand held on trips


if they get rid of the wheel and make it touch screen I would consider it

[ChrisK]

I have never owned a BMW with iDrive, but I used it on a friends 7. My 1 hour review: It was usable, but someone from Japan <wink> needs to show BMW what is available in 2007

I will probably get it on the 135i since I love technology.

[mtw]

How have the new updates (ie. simplifications) of iDrive been? Isn't it due for a new version sometime really soon, and wouldn't that mean the 1er gets the update if that's true?

[Maximus Decimus]

I wouldn't get it personally, but there are certain advantages to the integrated system. I like the fact it lowers the volume of the radio when it gives instructions.

Even if it were the best oem system available I would never think its worth the money. The technology is changing everyday and what you have today will likely be outdated tomorrow. Supposedly Apple is developing a system with MB that will include Google Earth. That sounds promising, but all this tech will trickle down to mobile phones and the like very soon and will be a lot cheaper.

[Spoonie]

Sucks.

[imported_MPower]

Have used it on nearly every model of BMW and dont see what everyone is complaining about. It is simple to use and understand. In the 7er, iDrive is about a generation behind, for whatever reason. But even then, as long as you have the "Menu" button, iDrive is simple, especially with voice activation.

[larryn]

I have it and like it. There are better systems, but it saves me arguing with the wife over her "less than optimal" map reading skills. I would have been in divorce court after navigating Madrid and Barcelona during my ED, if I had to depend on her map skills.

What I'm concerned with is the smaller screen on the photos. The e9X's nav screen is much wider and has a separate multi function pane to the right. The E8X's have a narrower screen that omits that dual use screen.

[ChrisK]

The screen size is not a problem. It looks the same size that was in my wife's X3. It's quite readable.

[larryn]

It's not that it's not readable. It's that you lose the dual display functionality where the nav can be on one portion, and telephone (or audio) on the other portion of the screen. I frequently use it for nav on the larger portion, and arrow display on the smaller portion of the screen.

[ChrisK]

This is true.

[imported_tdc]

Originally Posted by larryn

It's not that it's not readable. It's that you lose the dual display functionality where the nav can be on one portion, and telephone (or audio) on the other portion of the screen. I frequently use it for nav on the larger portion, and arrow display on the smaller portion of the screen.

There is a split screen option. It just won't be as large as the 16:9 screens on the 3, 5, 6, 7, X5.

[larryn]

The aspect ratio on the e90 is way wider than 16:9. Are you sure there's a split screen? If so, even if it's with smaller real estate, I'd still be sold.

Found a pic of the "split screen" on the 1er, but there are not 2 selectable areas, where you can have each show different info, like radio and nav, or phone and nav. This one looks more 16:9 too.

[ice13water]

so they are not touch screen

that sucks!!

[kindtree]

It's not that it's hard to use; I just don't want it. I can get around fine without it, and I just don't want another distraction or item to break.