Your experience with iDrive/Navi

ierrahh · 01-09-2006, 06:57 AM

I'm gonna be ordering my E90 by the end of the month and I'm considering getting the Navi pkg. I know there have been a lot of complaints with iDrive in the 5 & 7 Series but I know they've simplified it for the 3 series. What is you guys impession of it...was it worth it?

325 Baller · 01-09-2006, 07:28 AM

I personally love it, but then again, im a tech person. its kinda , i dont wanna say hard but distracting to put in coordinates or use more advanced features with the knob while driving but in all i love it.

Mc Bimmer · 01-09-2006, 07:43 AM

You will regret not getting it!!!

jmcphillips1 · 01-09-2006, 08:15 AM

I love it on my 330. If it were not for that I would not like the car near as much. It totally changes the apperance of the interior and gives it a more luxurious feel. Voice Recognition is wonderful and high function On board computer is great. In a nut shell--It rocks!!!

fideba · 01-09-2006, 08:19 AM

I really don't get why people find the iDrive hard to use. It takes about 10 minutes to get used to. Than it's simply easy to use.
If you can read and write messages on e90post, then you have enough technically knowledge to use iDrive

bimmer4me · 01-09-2006, 08:24 AM

iDrive is sooooo much better than not having it and using some aftermarket stuff!! GET iDrive!!!!!

ierrahh · 01-09-2006, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcphillips1

I love it on my 330. If it were not for that I would not like the car near as much. It totally changes the apperance of the interior and gives it a more luxurious feel. Voice Recognition is wonderful and high function On board computer is great. In a nut shell--It rocks!!!

To be honest I like the fact that it changes the look of the interior as much as it does, I really don't like the way the interior looks without it. Might be a stupid question but does anyone have first-hand knowledge as to weather or not having the Navi makes it more diffictult to have an after-market dvd player/Stereo hooked up. It doesn't look like there's any room for an in dash DVD or even a regular deck.

croaker · 01-09-2006, 08:54 AM

I went back and fourth when deciding if I wanted i-drive when I ordered my car. This was mostly due to the fact that every review I ever read about any BMW with i-drive said it sucked. I finally went with it because I live in Germany and really wanted nav, but didn't want to mess with aftermarket stuff. I have now had the car a month and cannot imagine living without it. I'd say it took me about a half hour of sitting down and playing with it to figure it all out. The voice commands make doing things like brining up the map and changing from Radio to CD easy.

I honestly don't understand the hatred of this system by the critics. Maybe they just do not take the time to learn how to use it. Bottom line, get it, you will be glad you did.

Make sure to throw in Comfort Access while your at it. It is 500 bucks well spent believe me.

-Croaker

ap1994 · 01-09-2006, 09:35 AM

It is so easy to use. I dont understand the complaints either. It took me about 10 minutes to figure it out. Some of it requires too many clicks, but nothing is perfect. Im glad I added it at the last minute.
Andy

jcoo085 · 01-09-2006, 10:50 AM

I don't know how I lived without a navigation system. I never need to look at a map. Just punch in the destination and go (although I do keep a map in the car for those times when I want an overview).

For the rest of iDrive, it's pretty straight forward. I just played around with it for a while and occasionally referred to the manual (or read a few posts).

saalim · 01-09-2006, 10:53 AM

Get the i-Drive. Its worth it.

ierrahh · 01-09-2006, 10:58 AM

Has anybody put in an after market deck to replace the stereo? Is it possble with the Navi? ...Oh and do you have to pay monthly for the svc?

jcoo085 · 01-09-2006, 11:09 AM

The only costs associated with navigation is the initial price, and then new navigation DVD's (I think they're released twice a year?) if you want updated maps etc. Keep in mind you don't always have to buy the latest DVD. You could use the 2006 for the life of the car but streets change so it might be an idea to get a new one every 2-3 years.

ierrahh · 01-09-2006, 11:47 AM

How much are the DVD's ...do you know?

bimmer4me · 01-09-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcoo085

... (although I do keep a map in the car for those times when I want an overview).

Why keep the map? Why not just zoom out?!?

thd13 · 01-09-2006, 12:46 PM

It's great. I agree with MC Bimmer when they say that you will regret it if you don't get it.

jcoo085 · 01-09-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ierrahh

How much are the DVD's ...do you know?

I think they're somewhere between $200 and $250.

jcoo085 · 01-09-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer4me

Why keep the map? Why not just zoom out?!?

I have Business Navigation, which only has arrows and no map. I couldn't really justify the extra €1000.

JSpira · 01-09-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ierrahh

Has anybody put in an after market deck to replace the stereo? Is it possble with the Navi?

No aftermarket units available for MOST cars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ierrahh

Oh and do you have to pay monthly for the svc?

For what service?

bimmer4me · 01-09-2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcoo085

I have Business Navigation, which only has arrows and no map. I couldn't really justify the extra €1000.

Makes sense.

ben1364 · 01-09-2006, 01:59 PM

I have no desire to own a car with I-drive and prefer aftermarket navigation systems.

croaker · 01-09-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcoo085

I think they're somewhere between $200 and $250.

Yeah that price is about right. By the way. The case on my DVD says it has traffic jam notification. Anyone have any idea how to use that?

-Croaker

01-09-2006, 06:57 AM	#1
ierrahh Enlisted Member 5 Rep 33 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mtl iTrader: (0)	Your experience with iDrive/Navi I'm gonna be ordering my E90 by the end of the month and I'm considering getting the Navi pkg. I know there have been a lot of complaints with iDrive in the 5 & 7 Series but I know they've simplified it for the 3 series. What is you guys impession of it...was it worth it? __________________
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01-09-2006, 07:28 AM	#2
325 Baller Colonel 264 Rep 2,576 Posts Drives: X3 28i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boca Raton, Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	I personally love it, but then again, im a tech person. its kinda , i dont wanna say hard but distracting to put in coordinates or use more advanced features with the knob while driving but in all i love it. __________________ ----------------------------------------------------
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01-09-2006, 07:43 AM	#3
Mc Bimmer Bimmer 90 0 Rep 26 Posts Drives: E 90 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tampa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Regret You will regret not getting it!!! __________________ de-badged \| SG \| gray leather \| burl \| ZPP \| ZSP \| CA \|step \| I Drive-Nav \| spoiler \| xenon \| chrome tips \| Logic 7 \| blacklines \| Huper 30 \| delivered : 12/16/05 (oOO \ (\|\|\|\|)(\|\|\|\|) / OOo)
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01-09-2006, 08:15 AM	#4
jmcphillips1 Captain 60 Rep 667 Posts Drives: 2012 128 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW 128i Coupe [0.00]	I love it on my 330. If it were not for that I would not like the car near as much. It totally changes the apperance of the interior and gives it a more luxurious feel. Voice Recognition is wonderful and high function On board computer is great. In a nut shell--It rocks!!! __________________ Current Daily Driver: 2015 X4 35i Retired: 2012 128i Coupe M-Sport Retired: 2009 X6 35i Retired: 2003 X5 4.6is Retired: 2006 330i Post September
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01-09-2006, 08:19 AM	#5
fideba Private 6 Rep 82 Posts Drives: 320D Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	I really don't get why people find the iDrive hard to use. It takes about 10 minutes to get used to. Than it's simply easy to use. If you can read and write messages on e90post, then you have enough technically knowledge to use iDrive __________________ E91 320D Arctic/CA/Nav/Bluetooth/Voice/CD Changer/Xenon/Elec Sportseats/Sunroof
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01-09-2006, 08:24 AM	#6
bimmer4me Captain 52 Rep 996 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	iDrive is sooooo much better than not having it and using some aftermarket stuff!! GET iDrive!!!!! __________________ 2006 330i Monaco Blue \| Grey \| Walnut ...Manual \| Sports \| Premium \| Cold \| Nav \| Comfort Access \| PDC \| Sirius \| Sunshade ...M-Tec Steering Wheel \| M-Tec Shifter \| TLC ...Performance Center Delivery \| Oct 14, 2005
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01-09-2006, 08:54 AM	#8
croaker First Lieutenant 56 Rep 340 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I went back and fourth when deciding if I wanted i-drive when I ordered my car. This was mostly due to the fact that every review I ever read about any BMW with i-drive said it sucked. I finally went with it because I live in Germany and really wanted nav, but didn't want to mess with aftermarket stuff. I have now had the car a month and cannot imagine living without it. I'd say it took me about a half hour of sitting down and playing with it to figure it all out. The voice commands make doing things like brining up the map and changing from Radio to CD easy. I honestly don't understand the hatred of this system by the critics. Maybe they just do not take the time to learn how to use it. Bottom line, get it, you will be glad you did. Make sure to throw in Comfort Access while your at it. It is 500 bucks well spent believe me. -Croaker __________________ E90 330i Monaco Blue, Black Leather, Aluminum Trim, Six Speed, Aluminum Pedals, M-Shifter, Sport Package, Premium Package, Winter Package, Comfort Access, Navigation Holding a space for Racing Green Lotus Elise
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01-09-2006, 09:35 AM	#9
ap1994 Private 7 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Middlebury, CT iTrader: (0)	It is so easy to use. I dont understand the complaints either. It took me about 10 minutes to figure it out. Some of it requires too many clicks, but nothing is perfect. Im glad I added it at the last minute. Andy __________________ 330i Titanium Silver, Black, Aluminum trim, Comfort Access, Heated Seats, Sport, Bluetooth, Nav, Sat prep
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01-09-2006, 10:50 AM	#10
jcoo085 Lieutenant 43 Rep 463 Posts Drives: E90 320d Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stuttgart, Germany iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320d [0.00]	I don't know how I lived without a navigation system. I never need to look at a map. Just punch in the destination and go (although I do keep a map in the car for those times when I want an overview). For the rest of iDrive, it's pretty straight forward. I just played around with it for a while and occasionally referred to the manual (or read a few posts). __________________ E90 320d - Black Ext/Fluid Grey Int \| Steptronic \| Business Navigation \| PDC \| Sunroof \| Alarm Exterior Pictures \| Interior Pictures \| Video
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01-09-2006, 10:53 AM	#11
saalim Non Resident 32 Rep 265 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Get the i-Drive. Its worth it. __________________ Regards SM 2006 325i \| 6MT \| Black Sapphire Metallic/Terra Leather/Burl Walnut \| ZPP/ZCW \| Premium Sound/Navigation/Xenon/PDC/Satellite Radio
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01-09-2006, 10:58 AM	#12
ierrahh Enlisted Member 5 Rep 33 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mtl iTrader: (0)	Has anybody put in an after market deck to replace the stereo? Is it possble with the Navi? ...Oh and do you have to pay monthly for the svc? __________________
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01-09-2006, 11:09 AM	#13
jcoo085 Lieutenant 43 Rep 463 Posts Drives: E90 320d Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stuttgart, Germany iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320d [0.00]	The only costs associated with navigation is the initial price, and then new navigation DVD's (I think they're released twice a year?) if you want updated maps etc. Keep in mind you don't always have to buy the latest DVD. You could use the 2006 for the life of the car but streets change so it might be an idea to get a new one every 2-3 years. __________________ E90 320d - Black Ext/Fluid Grey Int \| Steptronic \| Business Navigation \| PDC \| Sunroof \| Alarm Exterior Pictures \| Interior Pictures \| Video
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01-09-2006, 11:47 AM	#14
ierrahh Enlisted Member 5 Rep 33 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mtl iTrader: (0)	How much are the DVD's ...do you know? __________________
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01-09-2006, 12:46 PM	#16
thd13 Major 46 Rep 1,445 Posts Drives: A07 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Murrland iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	It's great. I agree with MC Bimmer when they say that you will regret it if you don't get it. __________________ My other ride is your mom.
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01-09-2006, 01:59 PM	#21
ben1364 Captain 14 Rep 940 Posts Drives: E90 330iA Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Georgetown, TX iTrader: (0)	I have no desire to own a car with I-drive and prefer aftermarket navigation systems.
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