regretting IDrive... do I have options?

miatawnt2b · 07-03-2012, 12:38 AM

I am really regretting getting the CIC Idrive in my new to me 2009 convertible.
I orig. elected to get the idrive because I didn't want to deal with aftermarket NAV and bad visibility of the screen when the top was down. After a couple of weeks trying to work through the CIC's clunkiness and general poor UI, I am questioning my decision.

So I am wondering if I have any options? Has anyone removed the CIC to retro an aftermarket unit that has better functionality? I'd really like to see if anyone has retro'd something that either has a screen that fits in teh standard CIC location or uses the stock screen (don't know if the screen is a standard interface)

Any ideas?
-J

Johndong888 · 07-05-2012, 10:34 AM

I think the CIC is a vast improvement from the CCC. It's by no means fast but it sure isn't slow either.

As for the aftermarket nav, i don't know much about it

NiVeDh · 07-06-2012, 12:08 AM

If you don't want your CIC, I'll take it.

Mr.E92 · 07-06-2012, 02:39 AM

You can look into the Dynavin aftermarket unit. Not sure if anyone here has one. But thats one that I am considering.

Lorde · 07-06-2012, 09:43 AM

Really OP? Only those with CCC idrive are allowed to bitch.

Rmk392 · 07-06-2012, 11:35 AM

you should try a 2008 navi then ...

slingxshot · 07-06-2012, 11:45 AM

oh man the 2009 nav is 10x more superior than 2008... 2008 is like an old nintendo hehe

onebadmofo · 07-06-2012, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slingxshot

oh man the 2009 nav is 10x more superior than 2008... 2008 is like an old nintendo hehe

Negative, at least I could play Mario on NES, you can't even do that with old iDrive

N55 · 07-06-2012, 07:14 PM

I have had the 08 Navi and let me tell you, the new one is a HUGE improvement.

miatawnt2b · 07-07-2012, 07:24 AM

I'm not saying it's not an improvment over CCC, I am saying it's UI is clunky, hard to use and generally sucks. Browsing music on a thumb drive or the Iphone is very difficult. The NAV is really poor compared to 3rd party. I do like the wheel interface, I think that's a good setup. It wouldbe nice if someone would hack these things to run custom code.

Anyhow, If I could find a good option to put something aftermarket in the orig screen location I would probably do it in a heartbeat and sell off the CIC. I looked into buying a car without NAV and adding a Dynavin. I think it's a great option, but with a convertible the Dynavin screen is not adequate due to the glare issues.

-J

miatawnt2b · 07-07-2012, 07:29 AM

I'm not saying it's not an improvment over CCC, I am saying it's UI is clunky, hard to use and generally sucks. Browsing music on a thumb drive or the Iphone is very difficult. The NAV is really poor compared to 3rd party. I do like the wheel interface, I think that's a good setup. It wouldbe nice if someone would hack these things to run custom code.

Anyhow, If I could find a good option to put something aftermarket in the orig screen location I would probably do it in a heartbeat and sell off the CIC. I looked into buying a car without NAV and adding a Dynavin. I think it's a great option, but with a convertible the Dynavin screen is not adequate due to the glare issues.

-J

DoD74 · 07-10-2012, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miatawnt2b

I am really regretting getting the CIC Idrive in my new to me 2009 convertible.
I orig. elected to get the idrive because I didn't want to deal with aftermarket NAV and bad visibility of the screen when the top was down. After a couple of weeks trying to work through the CIC's clunkiness and general poor UI, I am questioning my decision.

So I am wondering if I have any options? Has anyone removed the CIC to retro an aftermarket unit that has better functionality? I'd really like to see if anyone has retro'd something that either has a screen that fits in the standard CIC location or uses the stock screen (don't know if the screen is a standard interface)

Any ideas?
-J

I never noticed anything specifically wrong when I had my '09 model. Is there a particular issue that you are having or just unhappy with it in general? The UI in the '09 is actually vastly improved over the previous gen, and the new iDrive with the side buttons is so much more user friendly than when it was just the single round control. This was also the first year in the 3 Series with the new software, have you visited a dealership to see if there are any updates that may improve the functionality? If you have an early model it's possible some of the issues got addressed in later releases. A buddy of mine got his '09 M3 upgraded recently and he said there was a definite improvement over the original software.

Lankster · 07-11-2012, 04:39 PM

I have CCC... you really should try using this dinosaur... you will immediately like your CIC, I want to retrofit CIC in my car but am unwilling to pay aftermarket dealers for the unit

vapore0n · 07-12-2012, 10:30 AM

I think OP is comparing the BMW unit with a after market unit, and he is right.

I came from a Kenwood unit with an awesome gps/radio/dvd/mp3/ipod support to the 2010 idrive nav. I was dissapoint. The bmw one doesnt even do automatic night mode!
Ipod support sucks, browsing mp3s suck, maps suck, etc.

What can you do. I learned my lesson. Be sure to play with the radio/nav first before buying.

miatawnt2b · 07-12-2012, 12:53 PM

I am really hoping that I can get an aftermarket unit and run an external video feed to the Idrive screen.

Anyone know if there is a video adapter for the idrive sceen to use an external source?
-J

idrift4wd · 07-12-2012, 01:11 PM

trade me your dash, i dont have i-drive so you dont even have to worry about navigation. LOL you can add a dynavin navi screen for a clean look.

BOBKUR · 07-19-2012, 11:57 PM

Have a 08 328i and installed the BMW/garmin unit which is very slick. Runs thru car audio system and performs well.

07-03-2012, 12:38 AM	#1
miatawnt2b Private 6 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 Monaco Blue Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	regretting IDrive... do I have options? I am really regretting getting the CIC Idrive in my new to me 2009 convertible. I orig. elected to get the idrive because I didn't want to deal with aftermarket NAV and bad visibility of the screen when the top was down. After a couple of weeks trying to work through the CIC's clunkiness and general poor UI, I am questioning my decision. So I am wondering if I have any options? Has anyone removed the CIC to retro an aftermarket unit that has better functionality? I'd really like to see if anyone has retro'd something that either has a screen that fits in teh standard CIC location or uses the stock screen (don't know if the screen is a standard interface) Any ideas? -J
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07-05-2012, 10:34 AM	#2
Johndong888 John 75 Rep 885 Posts Drives: '12 M3, '18 S560, '16 G63 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ iTrader: (9)	I think the CIC is a vast improvement from the CCC. It's by no means fast but it sure isn't slow either. As for the aftermarket nav, i don't know much about it __________________ Current - 2012 AW/FR E92 M3 \| 2014 AW X5 \| 2015 MB S550 \| 2016 RR V8 (White FTW) Mods - BPMTune Stg1/Servo, Euro Visors & Side Mirror, IND Gloss Blk Pkg, OEM Perf. CF Trim/Spoiler, Grills, Lights, Pedals, Umnitza V4 AE, ModeCarbon GTS V1, 19" HRE P40 Sold - 2008 BSM/Black E92 335i
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07-06-2012, 12:08 AM	#3
NiVeDh Major General 426 Rep 8,003 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i, '99 E36 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, TX & Atlanta, GA iTrader: (132) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Sedan [8.66]	If you don't want your CIC, I'll take it.
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07-06-2012, 02:39 AM	#4
Mr.E92 Captain 33 Rep 679 Posts Drives: 2012 328i E92 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orlando/Fort Walton Beach Florida iTrader: (6) Garage List 2012 328i Coupe [0.00]	You can look into the Dynavin aftermarket unit. Not sure if anyone here has one. But thats one that I am considering.
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07-06-2012, 09:43 AM	#5
Lorde Ya ya ya, I am Lorde, ya ya! 267 Rep 2,772 Posts Drives: E90 M3, 2015 SQ5 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Snig iTrader: (10) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 E90 [0.00]	Really OP? Only those with CCC idrive are allowed to bitch.
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07-06-2012, 11:35 AM	#6
Rmk392 First Lieutenant 29 Rep 367 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	you should try a 2008 navi then ...
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07-06-2012, 11:45 AM	#7
slingxshot Second Lieutenant 58 Rep 209 Posts Drives: BMW 2014 528i xDrive Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Long island iTrader: (0)	oh man the 2009 nav is 10x more superior than 2008... 2008 is like an old nintendo hehe
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07-06-2012, 07:14 PM	#9
N55 ⒸⒺⓇⓉⓘⒻⒾⒺⒹ✬ⓃⒾⓃⒿⒶ 137 Rep 1,476 Posts Drives: 🚀 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (3) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2012 BMW 335IS (SOLD) [6.84] 2011 BMW 335XI (SOLD) [4.66] 2008 BMW 335xi (SOLD) [10.00]	I have had the 08 Navi and let me tell you, the new one is a HUGE improvement. __________________ 2008 335xi E90 - Sold - > 2011 335xi E90 - Sold - > 2012 335IS E92 Crimson Red - SOLD > 2015 M4 Yas Marina Blue SOLD> 2019 McLaren 570s SOLD 2015 Lamborghini Huracan
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07-07-2012, 07:24 AM	#10
miatawnt2b Private 6 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 Monaco Blue Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	I'm not saying it's not an improvment over CCC, I am saying it's UI is clunky, hard to use and generally sucks. Browsing music on a thumb drive or the Iphone is very difficult. The NAV is really poor compared to 3rd party. I do like the wheel interface, I think that's a good setup. It wouldbe nice if someone would hack these things to run custom code. Anyhow, If I could find a good option to put something aftermarket in the orig screen location I would probably do it in a heartbeat and sell off the CIC. I looked into buying a car without NAV and adding a Dynavin. I think it's a great option, but with a convertible the Dynavin screen is not adequate due to the glare issues. -J
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07-07-2012, 07:29 AM	#11
miatawnt2b Private 6 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 Monaco Blue Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	I'm not saying it's not an improvment over CCC, I am saying it's UI is clunky, hard to use and generally sucks. Browsing music on a thumb drive or the Iphone is very difficult. The NAV is really poor compared to 3rd party. I do like the wheel interface, I think that's a good setup. It wouldbe nice if someone would hack these things to run custom code. Anyhow, If I could find a good option to put something aftermarket in the orig screen location I would probably do it in a heartbeat and sell off the CIC. I looked into buying a car without NAV and adding a Dynavin. I think it's a great option, but with a convertible the Dynavin screen is not adequate due to the glare issues. -J
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07-11-2012, 04:39 PM	#13
Lankster Sigma Alpha Epsilon 38 Rep 425 Posts Drives: 2007 335xi Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Encinitas iTrader: (1)	I have CCC... you really should try using this dinosaur... you will immediately like your CIC, I want to retrofit CIC in my car but am unwilling to pay aftermarket dealers for the unit
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07-12-2012, 10:30 AM	#14
vapore0n Captain 40 Rep 669 Posts Drives: 2010 335i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	I think OP is comparing the BMW unit with a after market unit, and he is right. I came from a Kenwood unit with an awesome gps/radio/dvd/mp3/ipod support to the 2010 idrive nav. I was dissapoint. The bmw one doesnt even do automatic night mode! Ipod support sucks, browsing mp3s suck, maps suck, etc. What can you do. I learned my lesson. Be sure to play with the radio/nav first before buying.
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07-12-2012, 12:53 PM	#15
miatawnt2b Private 6 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 Monaco Blue Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	I am really hoping that I can get an aftermarket unit and run an external video feed to the Idrive screen. Anyone know if there is a video adapter for the idrive sceen to use an external source? -J
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07-12-2012, 01:11 PM	#16
idrift4wd Brigadier General 151 Rep 3,549 Posts Drives: Three Hundred and Thirty Five Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yonkers NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW [7.00]	trade me your dash, i dont have i-drive so you dont even have to worry about navigation. LOL you can add a dynavin navi screen for a clean look.
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07-19-2012, 11:57 PM	#17
BOBKUR Major 20 Rep 1,361 Posts Drives: 2008 E 90 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: CALIFORNIA iTrader: (2)	Have a 08 328i and installed the BMW/garmin unit which is very slick. Runs thru car audio system and performs well.
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