Should I order or avoid iDrive?

HKlein · 05-05-2006, 12:44 PM

I've just ordered the 330xi and REALLY want navigation. However, I'm struggling fto ind anyone, anywhere, that can say anything good about iDrive. Part of me says that I'm technologically-savvy and won't understand why everyone is so down on it, and part of me says that I should avoid iDrive like the plague and buy an after-market TomTom Go.

Help! I ordered the car (with iDrive)and want to make sure I'm not making a mistake before it's too late and goes into production!

vladinecko · 05-05-2006, 01:02 PM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10907
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9763
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=389
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18186
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6636
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=591

just for example...

BMW335PA · 05-05-2006, 01:47 PM

as vladinecko pointed to, there are tons of threads about it. But I would say keep your order as is, with the idrive and Nav. It truely adds SO much to the car, visually the dash looks up to date, and stylish. Functionally it adds many things that are not avail. without idrive, personal, custom tayloring type things.
Idrive is SO simple to use, as is the Nav.
Def. recommend it!

London320d · 05-05-2006, 01:49 PM

It *Does* take some getting used to - even for the Techies (of which I am one). Expect for it to be a week before you are basically happy finding your way around it and a month before you can use it with your eyes closed (Don't try this whilst driving!!!! or at least simulate closed eyes by looking at the road instead

)

It *Does* have its annoying points (slow response) and some things could have been done better. It is best used in conjunction with voice control.

However the degree of integration with the rest of the car overcomes these down points in my opinion. It's not for everyone but the "tech savvy" will get along with it just fine.

I also prefer to have the NAV as part of the car. No unit to have to remember to remove when I leave the car unattended, and it can take dead reckoning info from the car which handhelds cannot - but it costs significantly more and the technology will age (although it's fine at present). There is a clear advandtage in the Pro nav package. If you have ordered business nav (if indeed its an option in your area) reconsider.

The display is VERY clear and easy to read.

My verdict, as long as you can handle the tech - Don't leave home without it!.

HKlein · 05-05-2006, 02:18 PM

Thanks for the feedback folks. From your initial responses, it looks like I'm going to keep the order with iDrive as is (which is what I was really hoping to do!).

Now, about that ski bag.......

afocoryw20 · 05-05-2006, 02:25 PM

It's one of those things that if you get, you be happy you got it. As stated in many threads it's not perfect...but.....I am very happy that I got it and if I had to do it over again I would still opt for it.

MoreCowbell · 05-05-2006, 04:51 PM

I have it...the nav is great. Could I-Drive be better...yes MUCH better...but the entire package is still worth the cash.

Secondly...it completely changes the interior look of the car for the better.

330eye · 05-05-2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gluck75

I have it...the nav is great. Could I-Drive be better...yes MUCH better...but the entire package is still worth the cash.

Secondly...it completely changes the interior look of the car for the better.

WHAT HE SAID!

05-05-2006, 12:44 PM	#1
HKlein Enlisted Member 0 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 330xi/monaco blue/gray leather Join Date: May 2006 Location: Northeast iTrader: (0)	Should I order or avoid iDrive? I've just ordered the 330xi and REALLY want navigation. However, I'm struggling fto ind anyone, anywhere, that can say anything good about iDrive. Part of me says that I'm technologically-savvy and won't understand why everyone is so down on it, and part of me says that I should avoid iDrive like the plague and buy an after-market TomTom Go. Help! I ordered the car (with iDrive)and want to make sure I'm not making a mistake before it's too late and goes into production!
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05-05-2006, 01:02 PM	#2
vladinecko Brigadier General 299 Rep 3,924 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [9.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00] 1994 BMW 325i [0.00]	http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10907 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9763 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=389 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18186 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6636 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=591 just for example... __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - IB/Beige/Sycamore Wood/6MT/EDC/ZPP2/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/iPod-USB/Enh. Audio 2008 E92 335i - Montego Blue/Black/Gray Poplar/6MT/ZPP/ZSP/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/HDRadio/iPod-USB - *Sold* 2006 E90 330i - Mystic Blue/Black/Aluminum/6MT/ZPP/iDrive/PDC/Heated Seats/Sat. Prep - *Sold* 1994 E36 325i - Boston Green/Beige/Automatic/ZPP/Heated Seats/Premium Sound - *Sold*
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05-05-2006, 01:47 PM	#3
BMW335PA Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 240 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Haverford, PA. iTrader: (0)	as vladinecko pointed to, there are tons of threads about it. But I would say keep your order as is, with the idrive and Nav. It truely adds SO much to the car, visually the dash looks up to date, and stylish. Functionally it adds many things that are not avail. without idrive, personal, custom tayloring type things. Idrive is SO simple to use, as is the Nav. Def. recommend it! __________________ 2008 335i: Platinum Bronze/Terra/Burl, Prem, Sport, Cold, I-Drive/Nav., Comfort Access, Logic 7, I-Pod/USB, Paddle Shifters, Alarm 2006 325i: JetBlack/Terra/Burl, Prem, Sport, Cold, Xenon, I-Drive/Nav., Alarm. - DECEASED (totaled by 19yo driver)
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05-05-2006, 01:49 PM	#4
London320d Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 275 Posts Drives: '06 E90 320dSE Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: London, England iTrader: (0)	It Does take some getting used to - even for the Techies (of which I am one). Expect for it to be a week before you are basically happy finding your way around it and a month before you can use it with your eyes closed (Don't try this whilst driving!!!! or at least simulate closed eyes by looking at the road instead ) It Does have its annoying points (slow response) and some things could have been done better. It is best used in conjunction with voice control. However the degree of integration with the rest of the car overcomes these down points in my opinion. It's not for everyone but the "tech savvy" will get along with it just fine. I also prefer to have the NAV as part of the car. No unit to have to remember to remove when I leave the car unattended, and it can take dead reckoning info from the car which handhelds cannot - but it costs significantly more and the technology will age (although it's fine at present). There is a clear advandtage in the Pro nav package. If you have ordered business nav (if indeed its an option in your area) reconsider. The display is VERY clear and easy to read. My verdict, as long as you can handle the tech - Don't leave home without it!.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-05-2006, 02:18 PM	#5
HKlein Enlisted Member 0 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 330xi/monaco blue/gray leather Join Date: May 2006 Location: Northeast iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the feedback folks. From your initial responses, it looks like I'm going to keep the order with iDrive as is (which is what I was really hoping to do!). Now, about that ski bag.......
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05-05-2006, 02:25 PM	#6
afocoryw20 Lieutenant 13 Rep 456 Posts Drives: X3 + 325xi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Jerz iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325XI [0.00] 2005 X3 [0.00] 1990 Mercedes Benz ... [0.00]	It's one of those things that if you get, you be happy you got it. As stated in many threads it's not perfect...but.....I am very happy that I got it and if I had to do it over again I would still opt for it.
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05-05-2006, 04:51 PM	#7
MoreCowbell Lieutenant Colonel 530 Rep 1,701 Posts Drives: 24 i5M60 23 X740 23 Vette Z06 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester, NY iTrader: (0)	I have it...the nav is great. Could I-Drive be better...yes MUCH better...but the entire package is still worth the cash. Secondly...it completely changes the interior look of the car for the better.
	Appreciate 0 Quote