Worthless iDrive Statement

Stinger · 07-12-2007, 01:56 PM

I just have to say that thanks to this board I added iDrive to my options list before getting my E93 ordered. Well, I have the car now and iDrive is one of my favorite features of the car. It is a great system that is so misunderstood by the media and should be a top option pick for those who love technology. I'm so glad I included it in my order.

BK · 07-12-2007, 02:51 PM

Yes, for all of its annoyances (and frankly, I don't think it has many), having iDrive is way better than not having iDrive.

I've noticed that car reviewers are slowly warming to it. Before, they'd blast it completely. Now they say things like, "The car was equipped with iDrive, which took some getting used to but is not as bad as the abomination that used to haunt the 5- and 7-series."

DPritchett · 07-12-2007, 03:57 PM

But not Consumer Reports, which blasted the X-5 for its complicated i-Drive system in the last issue.

zenmaster · 07-12-2007, 06:06 PM

I'm not saying there isn't room for improvement on the iDrive, but these media folks are probably among the same idiots that couldn't set their VCR clocks.

Zirenz2006 · 07-12-2007, 07:47 PM

I have it. I had it on my last BMW also. I love it and can't figure out how people think it is confusing.

cn555ic · 07-12-2007, 08:11 PM

I-drive is like a gadget to fiddle around in while driving...Like a toy....it passes time and makes things a whole lot easier especially a person that likes to fiddle around with the radio

Josh49 · 07-12-2007, 08:36 PM

Glad you're enjoying it.. I think it's great as well..

Kruz · 07-12-2007, 09:06 PM

If you can work a mouse and understand OSs, Idrive is very intuitive.

japac1 · 07-13-2007, 06:17 AM

I do miss my touch screen Lexus Navi, but I love i-drive. It's very intuitive and not all difficult to manage. I also pass the time playing with it. The knob couldn't be in a better location.

FrankoQ · 07-13-2007, 07:00 AM

I love my Idrive.
I'm really glad I have it.

It has its kinks but I can live with that.

LarrySinNJ · 07-13-2007, 08:32 AM

Since they added POI search, iDrive becomes much more useful.

Now, if they could only add artist search to Sirius.

Larry

SteveMD · 07-13-2007, 09:31 AM

I wouldn't have a BMW without it. Having said that, it is woefully inadequate in the Nav and Sat Radio areas, the split screen is a good idea except (IMO) they forgot to implement it fully (how hard would it be to put Sirius in the RHW?).

All BMW designers had to do was look at after market Sat Radios and GPS units and mimick them. Apparently they did not.

I believe that the designers assumed that voice commands would be the primary user interface. But VC is slow and you need complete silence in the car to do it.

iDrive was supposed to clean up the dash by negating the need for buttons and switches except BMW had to add 6 more buttons to make iDrive functional.

The upside is that the next gen can only be better (we hope).

ksfrogman · 07-13-2007, 09:38 AM

iDrive is easy to use, but since it is unique, the uninitiated (i.e., the Press) don't give themselves enough time to figure it out. My only grievance is that the functions take so long to respond to user input, which is very annoying. The car performs well in practically every other aspect to driver input (throttle, steering, braking, cornering), but iDrive? The slowest damn thing on earth.

Sundance62 · 07-16-2007, 12:02 PM

+1 I had the perfectly configured car in the showroom but without iDrive, I just couldn't do it. Two weeks later I got the same color/interior options with iDrive, and am very glad I waited. It is too well integrated into the car to be adquately replaced by a TomTom, Garmin, or the like (imo).

Anyone who can use a modern cellphone, or iPod can figure out iDrive fairly quickly. I think reviews just got confused because the dial does 3 things (moves, pushes, and rotates) and somehow that was just too much for them.

rambalu80 · 08-05-2007, 02:39 AM

+ 1! I think it is great too!

mets335 · 08-05-2007, 09:14 AM

I was just reading the latest Car and Driver which had road tests of the New M3 and the New Merc C-Class. I-Drive was mentioned 4 or 5 times, none positive. I don't have my car yet, but from what I have read, it seems that the NAV part needs some work. Some say the time delay from selections is slow, and other quirks like having to enter a category to do a POI is nonsense. I can't see why these things couldn't be addressed.

They should also add a touchscreen feature. I could care less about fingerprints (they can be cleaned off) if it makes the interface that much better and faster.

Should have my car in 6 weeks so we'll see.....

Black Chili · 08-05-2007, 11:02 PM

I was at odds with my iDrive at first too, then at peace. The Germans have a very innovative society IMO, but I can completely see where some hate the iDrive- it's not American intuiative - no touch screen - just that stupid wheel/knob/button thing and the column thing.

If you take the time to misunderstand it you will understand it and then it all makes sense and is actually pretty cool when you invest the time to use and learn it- it actually makes sense. An automotive magazine that looks at many cars a month will give up after a few minutes.

I read about the G37 and envy some of it's electro-gizmo features, but the 335 is a better car everywhere else so i can overlook that, plus it's already heavy enough.

bavarian19 · 08-06-2007, 06:49 AM

I also love my idrive. Yes, it can be improved, but life with it is much better than life without it.

IMO, the ipod integration with idrive is the best feature!!!

07-12-2007, 01:56 PM	#1
Stinger Major 112 Rep 1,040 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern California iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i E93 [7.00] 1993 318is [0.00] 1996 Z3 1.9 [0.00]	Worthless iDrive Statement I just have to say that thanks to this board I added iDrive to my options list before getting my E93 ordered. Well, I have the car now and iDrive is one of my favorite features of the car. It is a great system that is so misunderstood by the media and should be a top option pick for those who love technology. I'm so glad I included it in my order. __________________ http://e93fanatic.blogspot.com Last edited by Stinger; 07-12-2007 at 02:16 PM..
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07-12-2007, 02:51 PM	#2
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Yes, for all of its annoyances (and frankly, I don't think it has many), having iDrive is way better than not having iDrive. I've noticed that car reviewers are slowly warming to it. Before, they'd blast it completely. Now they say things like, "The car was equipped with iDrive, which took some getting used to but is not as bad as the abomination that used to haunt the 5- and 7-series." __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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07-12-2007, 03:57 PM	#3
DPritchett Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2011 F10 528i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lynchburg, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E90 325xi [0.00]	But not Consumer Reports, which blasted the X-5 for its complicated i-Drive system in the last issue. __________________ 2011 528i Space Gray - Black - Light Wood Trim 2006 325xi \|SG - Terra - Walnut \| Steptronic \| Premium Package - Nav \| Zenon Adaptive Headlights \| Blacklines; iPod Adapter
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07-12-2007, 06:06 PM	#4
zenmaster Brigadier General 1577 Rep 3,888 Posts Drives: '17 M2 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (1)	I'm not saying there isn't room for improvement on the iDrive, but these media folks are probably among the same idiots that couldn't set their VCR clocks.
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07-12-2007, 07:47 PM	#5
Zirenz2006 Brigadier General 1535 Rep 4,555 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Comp IOMG Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: US - NE iTrader: (0)	I have it. I had it on my last BMW also. I love it and can't figure out how people think it is confusing. __________________ Current: 2021 ///M3 Competition Isle of Man Green Ordered: 2024 ///M2 Zandvoort Blue Past: 2018 X3 ///M40i \| 2012 *328i* \| 2009 *335i* \| 2007 *335i Coupe* \| 2005 *545i* \| 2001 *325i*
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07-12-2007, 08:11 PM	#6
cn555ic 441 Rep 18,331 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: US iTrader: (6)	I-drive is like a gadget to fiddle around in while driving...Like a toy....it passes time and makes things a whole lot easier especially a person that likes to fiddle around with the radio
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07-12-2007, 08:36 PM	#7
Josh49 Major General 252 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	Glad you're enjoying it.. I think it's great as well.. __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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07-12-2007, 09:06 PM	#8
Kruz Major 22 Rep 1,083 Posts Drives: 2021 M2C 6MT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (4) Garage List My garage spot [0.00] 07/07 BMW 335xi [8.50] 2001 Honda CBR600F4i [0.00] 2007 Husqvarna SM610 [0.00] 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71 [0.00] 2005 Harley Davidso ... [0.00] 2007.9 335xi [6.50]	If you can work a mouse and understand OSs, Idrive is very intuitive.
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07-13-2007, 06:17 AM	#9
japac1 Major 21 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Keller, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335xi [0.00]	I do miss my touch screen Lexus Navi, but I love i-drive. It's very intuitive and not all difficult to manage. I also pass the time playing with it. The knob couldn't be in a better location. __________________ [FONT="Garamond"]2007 E90 335 xi, Monaco Blue, Beige, Prem, Cold, Step, Navi, Sat, iPod
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07-13-2007, 07:00 AM	#10
FrankoQ Deny everything 217 Rep 11,378 Posts Drives: 2006 330i; 2015 X6, S1000RR Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Beautiful MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 BMW X6 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	I love my Idrive. I'm really glad I have it. It has its kinks but I can live with that. __________________ I need a drink
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07-13-2007, 08:32 AM	#11
LarrySinNJ Lieutenant 122 Rep 425 Posts Drives: 2019 330i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Since they added POI search, iDrive becomes much more useful. Now, if they could only add artist search to Sirius. Larry __________________ 2019 G20 330i xDrive Med. Blue/Cognac Leather ZCV\|ZPP\|ZPX\|HK\|Remote Start (Ret'd) 2016 F06 640i xDrive Med. Blue/Red Leather MSport\|B&O\|Driver Asst+\|Cold\|Night (Ret'd) 2013 F30 335i xDrive Mineral Grey/Black Leather (Ret'd) 2011 E90 328i xDrive Space Grey/Black Leather(Ret'd) 2009 E90 328i xDrive Monaco Blue/(Ret'd) 2007 E90 328i xDrive Graphite (Ret'd)
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07-13-2007, 09:31 AM	#12
SteveMD Colonel 193 Rep 2,485 Posts Drives: 2016 F10 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Raventown! iTrader: (3)	I wouldn't have a BMW without it. Having said that, it is woefully inadequate in the Nav and Sat Radio areas, the split screen is a good idea except (IMO) they forgot to implement it fully (how hard would it be to put Sirius in the RHW?). All BMW designers had to do was look at after market Sat Radios and GPS units and mimick them. Apparently they did not. I believe that the designers assumed that voice commands would be the primary user interface. But VC is slow and you need complete silence in the car to do it. iDrive was supposed to clean up the dash by negating the need for buttons and switches except BMW had to add 6 more buttons to make iDrive functional. The upside is that the next gen can only be better (we hope). __________________ 2006 E90 330i (retired) 2009 E90 335i (retired) 2012 E70 X5 50i M Sport (retired) 2016 F10 535i M Sport
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07-13-2007, 09:38 AM	#13
ksfrogman Major General 570 Rep 6,750 Posts Drives: E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	iDrive is easy to use, but since it is unique, the uninitiated (i.e., the Press) don't give themselves enough time to figure it out. My only grievance is that the functions take so long to respond to user input, which is very annoying. The car performs well in practically every other aspect to driver input (throttle, steering, braking, cornering), but iDrive? The slowest damn thing on earth. __________________
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07-16-2007, 12:02 PM	#14
Sundance62 Private 2 Rep 51 Posts Drives: '07 328i - SG w/black leather Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Ramon, CA iTrader: (0)	+1 I had the perfectly configured car in the showroom but without iDrive, I just couldn't do it. Two weeks later I got the same color/interior options with iDrive, and am very glad I waited. It is too well integrated into the car to be adquately replaced by a TomTom, Garmin, or the like (imo). Anyone who can use a modern cellphone, or iPod can figure out iDrive fairly quickly. I think reviews just got confused because the dial does 3 things (moves, pushes, and rotates) and somehow that was just too much for them.
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08-05-2007, 02:39 AM	#15
rambalu80 Major 78 Rep 1,240 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 340i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Katy TX iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	+ 1! I think it is great too!
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08-05-2007, 09:14 AM	#16
mets335 New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: Soon - E90 335i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	I was just reading the latest Car and Driver which had road tests of the New M3 and the New Merc C-Class. I-Drive was mentioned 4 or 5 times, none positive. I don't have my car yet, but from what I have read, it seems that the NAV part needs some work. Some say the time delay from selections is slow, and other quirks like having to enter a category to do a POI is nonsense. I can't see why these things couldn't be addressed. They should also add a touchscreen feature. I could care less about fingerprints (they can be cleaned off) if it makes the interface that much better and faster. Should have my car in 6 weeks so we'll see.....
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08-05-2007, 11:02 PM	#17
Black Chili IT geek 6 Rep 187 Posts Drives: M4 Black Saphire Metalic Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Huntington Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	I was at odds with my iDrive at first too, then at peace. The Germans have a very innovative society IMO, but I can completely see where some hate the iDrive- it's not American intuiative - no touch screen - just that stupid wheel/knob/button thing and the column thing. If you take the time to misunderstand it you will understand it and then it all makes sense and is actually pretty cool when you invest the time to use and learn it- it actually makes sense. An automotive magazine that looks at many cars a month will give up after a few minutes. I read about the G37 and envy some of it's electro-gizmo features, but the 335 is a better car everywhere else so i can overlook that, plus it's already heavy enough.
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08-06-2007, 06:49 AM	#18
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	I also love my idrive. Yes, it can be improved, but life with it is much better than life without it. IMO, the ipod integration with idrive is the best feature!!!
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