iDrive: fast n furious

Yobyot · 04-19-2007, 06:25 PM

I was in a BMW dealer today to have my E90's Bridgestone run-flat stones replaced with MUCH better riding Conti RFTs and got a chance to sit in a new X5 with the ignition on.

iDrive was fast.

Then, I sat in an 11/06 production 335i. Back to molasses.

That experience makes me think that they've changed processors in the X5. Or, maybe it's the new bus in the X5.

Whatever it is, it's the way iDrive should perform in our cars. If BMW had shipped it this way in the beginning, I think it would've made a difference. But now, I think it's too late to change the conventional wisdom that iDrive is terrible.

Ryan335 · 04-19-2007, 07:18 PM

Although i don't own one, it is my understanding that the march production 3ers iDrive is fast as well.

rebirth24 · 04-19-2007, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan335

Although i don't own one, it is my understanding that the march production 3ers iDrive is fast as well.

Would be nice if a March+ production owner could validate that. I too have played around with iDrive on an older production unit and it seemed slowER than what it should be.

zenmaster · 04-19-2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebirth24

Would be nice if a March+ production owner could validate that. I too have played around with iDrive on an older production unit and it seemed slowER than what it should be.

My March prod iDrive is fast. The interface could probably be improved some by providing better context and shortcuts for certain settings. The programmable memory buttons are a good idea.

There are still some functions that take time, like route calculation, and reading a lot of MP3 file names from a DVD directory, however. I bet they could speed those up if they wanted. I wonder if DVD seeking would be any faster if the DVD just had local map data?

c56250 · 04-19-2007, 09:18 PM

iDrive in my 328i (March production) is fast.

matt_435xi · 04-19-2007, 11:09 PM

iDrive in my March production e92 is smokin fast suckas!! :rocks:

LEDZEP · 04-20-2007, 06:49 AM

Mine is really fast! March 2007

bavarian19 · 04-20-2007, 06:57 AM

does this have to do with progman updates, or processing abilities???

zenmaster · 04-20-2007, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bavarian19

does this have to do with progman updates, or processing abilities???

Software changes only, as the update itself makes it more responsive.

CnoteMD · 04-20-2007, 09:27 AM

I wonder how much of the improved speed is due to software vs. hardware. I have a July 2005 build car and iDrive is definitely faster after the update, but I would like to compare it to one of the newer 2007 build cars.

LEDZEP · 04-20-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bavarian19

does this have to do with progman updates, or processing abilities???

Not sure, but I do have a lot of vacuum tubes sticking up on the dash!

louIstat · 04-20-2007, 11:37 AM

March Production-> nice & Fast

"

bmw0perat0r · 04-20-2007, 11:42 AM

I visited the dealer yesterday to check the 335xi I ordered - it is a March prod vehicle. The iDrive was smooth and fast - I have not messed with any other iDrive before so i'm not sure how the older versions performed.

I found it quite a lot of fun to play with, I pick the 335xi up tomorrow and will have time to play with it more and maybe leave a better review.

First impressions...whats the fuss about? It was just as fast as I expected it to be - just like a computer.

04-19-2007, 06:25 PM	#1
Yobyot Major 505 Rep 1,047 Posts Drives: MY19 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	iDrive: fast n furious I was in a BMW dealer today to have my E90's Bridgestone run-flat stones replaced with MUCH better riding Conti RFTs and got a chance to sit in a new X5 with the ignition on. iDrive was fast. Then, I sat in an 11/06 production 335i. Back to molasses. That experience makes me think that they've changed processors in the X5. Or, maybe it's the new bus in the X5. Whatever it is, it's the way iDrive should perform in our cars. If BMW had shipped it this way in the beginning, I think it would've made a difference. But now, I think it's too late to change the conventional wisdom that iDrive is terrible. Last edited by Yobyot; 04-19-2007 at 10:17 PM..
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04-19-2007, 07:18 PM	#2
Ryan335 Lieutenant 107 Rep 428 Posts Drives: Macan GTS Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Although i don't own one, it is my understanding that the march production 3ers iDrive is fast as well.
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04-19-2007, 09:18 PM	#5
c56250 Private First Class 18 Rep 154 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Sedan Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	iDrive in my 328i (March production) is fast.
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04-19-2007, 11:09 PM	#6
matt_435xi Colonel 245 Rep 2,377 Posts Drives: Perfomance Model 3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 BMW 435xi Gran ... [10.00]	iDrive in my March production e92 is smokin fast suckas!! :rocks: __________________ '18 Tesla Perfomance Model 3 White on White Performance Upgrade Pkg & EAP RETIRED 2015 435xi GC [f36] \| 2012 335i [f30] \| 2009 z4 35i [e89] \| 2007 335i coupe [e92] \| 2001 325Ci [e46] RETIRED
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04-20-2007, 06:49 AM	#7
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 429 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Mine is really fast! March 2007 __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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04-20-2007, 06:57 AM	#8
bavarian19 General 547 Rep 18,849 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	does this have to do with progman updates, or processing abilities???
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04-20-2007, 09:27 AM	#10
CnoteMD Commander in Chief 38 Rep 1,034 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 535i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M5 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	I wonder how much of the improved speed is due to software vs. hardware. I have a July 2005 build car and iDrive is definitely faster after the update, but I would like to compare it to one of the newer 2007 build cars. __________________ 2008 BMW 535i Space Gray, Black Leather, Dark Bamboo Trim\| Sport Automatic with Paddles \| Sport Package 2008 BMW M5 (gone, but not forgotten) Space Gray, Silverstone Merino Leather, Madeira Walnut Wood Trim \| 7speed SMG \| All options Mods: Corsa Exhaust \| RPI Ram Air Intake \| H&R Sport Springs \| Rogue Engineering 12mm spacers
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04-20-2007, 11:37 AM	#12
louIstat Enlisted Member 0 Rep 41 Posts Drives: n/a Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	March Production-> nice & Fast "
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04-20-2007, 11:42 AM	#13
bmw0perat0r Lieutenant 53 Rep 582 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Austin Yellow Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	I visited the dealer yesterday to check the 335xi I ordered - it is a March prod vehicle. The iDrive was smooth and fast - I have not messed with any other iDrive before so i'm not sure how the older versions performed. I found it quite a lot of fun to play with, I pick the 335xi up tomorrow and will have time to play with it more and maybe leave a better review. First impressions...whats the fuss about? It was just as fast as I expected it to be - just like a computer.
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