[m_bazeepaymon]

I hate the I Drive on my 06, because it was the first production year. I drive is very laggy and it just agitates me on its glitches.
I hear the 2008 I drive is a lot better (besides traffic monitoring etc.) is it faster than the original? anybody have problems with it?
I have till tomorrow morning to cancel I drive so please give feedback on it
Thanks

[AltecBX]

From what I know, the 07 and 08 are the same idrive with traffic. The new software makes the render quicker but search time is the same, since is DVD based.

[montreal red]

i say forget the idrive and go for an aftermarket nav unit... besides, aftermarket navs can be changed every year (as newer more powerful models come out) .... they are also much cheaper and they are more user intuitive than idrive... my dad has a 7 series with idrive and to be honest i like the nav on my garmin nuvi with its touch screen a lot more than having to fiddle with the idrive knob...

[alexckma]

forget I-Drive, not worth it

[KillDork]

Get the Idrive, much better than small scrawny aftermarket units cluttering up the windshield! If you haven't upgraded your old Idrive, the new should be faster just because of the (newer) software version. You also get the new programable favourite buttons. My november 05-production E90 is just fine, even before I got it upgraded a couple of months a go.

[Kamando]

Having gone from a 2006 to a 2008 I can honestly say the 2008 iDrive is much better than the old 2006 version. BMW removed the force feedback which was the main reason iDrive was slow (took too much processing power). Without the force feedback, iDrive is MUCH faster I don't miss the feedback one bit. The menu's are laid out much more logically and finding everything is a lot quicker. With the 6FL ipod option, scrolling through the ipod is nice and fast (with most up to date progman). The 2008's also have the programmable memory buttons which comes in very handy. You can program them to a radio station, nav destination, phone number, etc. Overall the 2008 iDrive is leaps and bounds over the iDrive found in the 2006's.

[m_bazeepaymon]

thanks guys...

[dmz]

Speaking of portable GPS. I just read in the news that one of the major reason thieves break in to cars is now is to steal portable GPS units. If you use a portable GPS unit make sure you leave no trace of it on the dash when you park the car, not even the mounting bracket.

[BMdblU]

^^ This is very true.

Haven't used iDrive on an 06 so I can't comment on that.

But I have no issues with mine. I've been seeing a new girl for the past week, she's been in the car 3 times, and has figured out how to use most of the features without me explaining anything. Not exactly the most techy girl either.

[jpsimon]

just get the idrive

[T Bone]

I have iDrive in my 06 M6 and the 08 335xi iDrive is definitely much faster

[bighindu79]

I've come across many "I-Drive or no I-Drive" threads and every single opinion focuses just on the navigation functionality. True, navigation is the main purpose of the system and the after market navigation systems put the I-Drive navigation functionality to shame. However, also look at the other aspects of the I-Drive system rather than just focusing on the navigation bit. It makes it so much easier to access the sound system controls, vehicle settings, and best of all your IPOD (given you get the 6FL option as well) along with a host of other functions. Just look at some of the complaints posted by the non-idrive drivers. The most common complaint is the cumbersome steps you have to go through to access the settings through a small radio display. Just try scrolling through thousands of songs on your IPOD with a small radio knob and the radio display that goes line by line. So, my point is, don't focus on one aspect of the system rather look at the whole picture and ask yourself if thats worth it for you. Its called I-Drive, not I-Navigation.

[jpsimon]

plus, gotta love the syncing capabilities with phones. Having all your contacts displayed on the screen... taking and receiving calls... etc etc.

[GregL]

I also say forget iDrive, get everything but. Plus an aftermarket system doesn't have to be stuck to the windshield, a nice widescreen Garmin unit on a Kuda dash mount with hidden wiring is very nice:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...9&postcount=17

[KillDork]

If you plan on getting the Bluetooth option, way better to scroll through your phone contacts on the Idrive-screen...

[m_bazeepaymon]

true on that
I heard the ipod interface is a lot better if u get the Ipod adapter and I drive together

[jimi_hoffa]

IDrive is totally worth it, as mentioned, for all the other control you get with the Navi. While I will never argue that the navigation system isn't perfect, it is 120% passable, usable, and intuitive. I do wish it had a few more features, but it more than does it's job, quickly at that, as well as I-Drive itself providing me with a host of other features that just helps sell the car as the luxury vehicle I purchased.

I can promise you that you will never regret getting I-Drive, while it's very probably you will regret not having it, especially if you have the iPod and Bluetooth integration.

[youyou]

I don't care what anybody says... No aftermarket unit will give you the whole experience like Idrive will.
Yes it might be slower then the new garmins or Tom Tom's but you get it all with Idrive.
Whoever tells you otherwise is simply because they don't have it in their car.