[rrandyy]

Originally Posted by scollins

Also, without iDrive, I get a little cubby hole for stuff, which I like.

LOL!

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

With bluetooth and without the Idrive the name of the person calling (as long as they are in your phone book) shows up on the radio dial. you also have hands free voice command calling.

You mean it shows up on the MID but regarding the voice command dialing, it's not the same thing. With the low version of the computer, which does not include speech-to-text support, you have to train the Bluetooth system for each number you want stored

The high version (CCC) does not require any training and, with a compatible mobile, any name that is stored can be dialed (,,Dial Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck mobile´´ is sufficient and no training is required).

[Dipdidi]

Anyone know if the HTC 6800 / HTC Touch is compatible with the iDRIVE?

[Yeahas]

if you are comfortable with computer then go for it, personally i dont like on board computer coz it makes driving so much complicated (at least for me). i just dont like too many buttons

[tintivilus]

Originally Posted by 328fan

i know you can adjust the daytime running light settings with idrive.

DRLs can be configured without iDrive.

Originally Posted by Josh49

AS for functionality, did anyone mention all of the settings you can change? Locking confirmation, door locking, lighting, etc,.

Unless you have a big "etc" all of these can be configured without iDrive as well.

Originally Posted by JSpira

You mean it shows up on the MID but regarding the voice command dialing, it's not the same thing. With the low version of the computer, which does not include speech-to-text support, you have to train the Bluetooth system for each number you want stored

The high version (CCC) does not require any training and, with a compatible mobile, any name that is stored can be dialed (,,Dial Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck mobile´´ is sufficient and no training is required).

This can be an advantage, too: the resident phonebook and speaker-dependent VR of the non-iDrive system is wholly independent of the phone, which can be handy if you change phones a lot.

I don't mean to disparage iDrive, but I omitted it for mainly aesthetic reasons and have no regrets. I think the tire pressure readout would be handy, and having the well integrated video screen would open up some neat possibilities (like soft gauges), but on the other hand I dislike the double-scoop dashboard and like having the extra storage cubby where the iDrive knob goes.

EDIT: one feature nobody's mentioned yet is seat heating: you get more fine-grained seat-vs-back control with iDrive.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by tintivilus

EDIT: one feature nobody's mentioned yet is seat heating: you get more fine-grained seat-vs-back control with iDrive.

I mentioned that there were climate features though This is one of them.

[Revlis]

Originally Posted by Yeahas

if you are comfortable with computer then go for it, personally i dont like on board computer coz it makes driving so much complicated (at least for me). i just dont like too many buttons

This doesn't make any sense, one of i-drives primary benefits is the elimination of the dozens of buttons all over todays modern luxury/near luxury cars.

While I agree that there is a certain "computer" feel to it, once you actually get used to it, or comfortable with the i-drive interface you quickly find that it's much more intuitive, efficient, and effective than individual buttons. It's much less distracting than traditional buttons once you get used to it.

i-drives biggest problem is the slightly steep learning curve discouraging the non-tech out there. Well that and the press sorta of lambasting it cause they are too thick to make it work effectively.

[Tommy420]

The integration of the IPOD with the navigation system ROCKS!

[cooldude]

i don't have an i-Drive.
thought that 2k would be better spent in buying a real computer which i could use more efficiently

[Excelsior]

Wow, first topic on here and I got two pages...

looks like I'll spring the extra for the Nav, thanks to all who replied

[David1]

You don't get the stopwatch feature without Idrive.

[SRDV]

have it in my 07 530... the only reason I'd not get it... is if I am in a tight budget (which I might be, if I happen to order 335). that's all, otherwise it's a great system. I like the double hump, rather than plain-Jane iDrive-less dashboard.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by Revlis

This doesn't make any sense, one of i-drives primary benefits is the elimination of the dozens of buttons all over todays modern luxury/near luxury cars.

While I agree that there is a certain "computer" feel to it, once you actually get used to it, or comfortable with the i-drive interface you quickly find that it's much more intuitive, efficient, and effective than individual buttons. It's much less distracting than traditional buttons once you get used to it.

i-drives biggest problem is the slightly steep learning curve discouraging the non-tech out there. Well that and the press sorta of lambasting it cause they are too thick to make it work effectively.

I am an IT pro and I know a mediocre user interface when I see one.

That being said I would not get a BMW without IDrive. Hopefully they will continue to refine the interface.

[Corinthian]

My advice is, if you want the navigation and/or use your ipod alot get it, if not you can pass it.

I had it on my 745i, but not on the 335i. I am also very familiar with the Lexus interface. The is no comparison. The BMW system is light years ahead despite all the bad publicity from the press. The Lexus touch screen is distracting to use when driving.

Regarding the increased functionality, it was easier to program the 745 with the i-drive vis a vis the 335 without it, had to read the manual to do it, and you have more options with the i-drive. But in all of the years with the i-drive never changed the initial settings, so this is more or less a one time issue. I can see where it would be easier to navigate through the ipod lists with the i-drive and this is the only positive besides the navigation part of it.

Cheers

[Royalecosse]

I had integrated sat nav in my last car and this time round went for Tomtom 730 traffic and hope to upgrade to HD when it comes out. Integrated Sat Nav is cool but expensive. Most functionalities other than sat nav can be had without iDrive and it's probably quicker to access heating etc. Traffic (TP) on the radio is available without iDrive and if you want decent traffic info, get the Tom tom HD lead when it comes out - it tracks Vodafone signals so good for A roads too (for US folk that's the tiddly roads we have in the UK just one step below our small motorways (freeways?). Interesting point - the auxillary power socket under the arm rest is configured so it is difficult to fit a power adaptor and put the arm rest down - my last car, Saab 93, had this socket angled so it would fit AND a notch was provided at the edge to feed a cable through - those clever Scandinavians! (must have been a Friday afternnon job at BMW??)

[Royalecosse]

Oh, quick mention of IPod control without iDrive - radio screen is nice and clear but iDrive would show much more info. Also a pain to keep scrolling from the top each time I change artist/ album (maybe I will find a way round this) - sound with Logic 7 v good compared to my last BMW - the HK system in that car had a problem - the speakers distorted at even low volumes (horrible) - me Saab system made my ears bleed but the Logic 7 seems more HiFi than Ghetto blaster!

[doobie]

Originally Posted by tintivilus

EDIT: one feature nobody's mentioned yet is seat heating: you get more fine-grained seat-vs-back control with iDrive.

i dont have that option in idrive on my car...

[cipher5]

Originally Posted by doobie

i dont have that option in idrive on my car...

Where is this? I have a Nov '07 build (2008 vehicle).

[holson]

Originally Posted by john0213

with the nav screen, it tones up the whole interior and gave it a very techy mood.

I agree.

I had a friend's 325i with the iDrive - trust me, I was with the rest of the i drive haters and i wanted to save the $$.. but one day in the 325i just messing about with it and finally sitting in the demo without it, I had to have it.

yes it sucks compared to Garmin, no touch screen, etc. if anything it just makes the interior look that much more modern.

[StarrDlux]

idrive is cool but worth the money? hmm

its cool.

my dash express smokes the navigation.


i like the curves of the dash with idrive.

other than playing mp3's on the 8.5GB DVD+R DL media i am not really sure its worth a hoot.

i think on a 1 series its ridiculous; 3 series its a waste; and probably should come standard on a 5 series since they cost so much.

and no its not compatible with a htc mogul 6800

Originally Posted by Dipdidi

Anyone know if the HTC 6800 / HTC Touch is compatible with the iDRIVE?

Yes. Fully compatible.

[Staszek]

Am I the only one that thinks the E90/91/92/93 dash looks aweful without the double hump?

I wouldnt buy any of these cars without the idrive just because I couldnt stand the dash. If I didnt have idrive I would rather have put my E46 dash in the e90 because it just looks odd like they didnt know what to do with the rest of the top of the dash so they left it straight.

Anyway sorry for the rant lol.