I have an M235i with the tech package, plugging my iPhone 5 into the USB port is ROCKIN'!!!! Once you plug your iPhone into the USB port, located in the center arm rest, start the BMW Connected App and you get access to the Connected Drive apps on your iDrive. The iDrive then basically is an extension of apps that run on your phone. Apps like WikiLocal, web radio, eco pro analyzer, are all built into the BMW Connected App on your phone.
My personal fave is the M Lap Timer. It gives you a killer lap timer with G-Foce readout on your iDrive. Here's a video describing the M Lap Timer:
To me (a masssive geek), just having the M Lap Timer is worth the extra $$ for the tech pkg.
If you'd like a more complete review of what Connected Drive gets you, I can take a video and show you what you want to know.