[PR3CI5N]

iDrive is awesome and I personally love the NAV. My 07' 335i didn't have the idrive/nav system and yeah I loved the car but now that I have my 2010 E90 335i M-sport fully loaded I could never go back to my basic 07'. If you don't get the NAV I think you'll regret it but who knows, maybe you won't. I say if you don't 110% love the car then don't get it because you'll probably have regrets later on.

[carjon]

It is a truly bad navigation system. My 3 year old $120 Garmin has more features, easier to use, and more accurate.
Saying that, the display looks great, showing album covers is really great. I run split screen with the map on the big part and album covers on the right.
Even the music display portion could be better organized and show more. The system shows things like this is the 5th song that I had played since I turned on the system this time - who cares.

So if I had to do it over again - I'm not sure. It surely isn't really worth the money but it is neat.

[M-Steep]

Originally Posted by amill411

I find the double hump dashboard to be hideous.

I just like the feel of the plain and simple dash.

As for the nav, there are plenty of substitutes.

Amen.

[Yvette]

you will regret getting w/o nav.

[Shahdog]

I have nav

I love it

Great visual effect

Shows album art with phone integration and media adapter

Can play DVD movies at stop

Has split screen capability


All thumbs up

Did I mention 3d ish panoramic views

[AndreyT]

The older low-res screens - avoid them at all costs. They are an eyesore that destroys the interior of the car. You will definitely regret getting a car with such screen.

The newer higher-res screens are still mediocre, but notably better than the old ones. So, see for yourself whether you like the quality or not. Until they start using an iPad-quality screen in the car, any built-in screen is a major no-no for me. Your standards might be different though.

In any case, if you see that 335i as a supposedly more driver-oriented car, then any screens or other comfort- and convenience-oriented options are not welcome. Driver's car must be as barebone as possible.

If you see it as a comfort-oriented luxury transportation appliance, then by all means get then Nav. Note that the system itself is pretty poor by itself, but some of the other features provided by the built-in screen are rather nice.

And no, you will not regret not getting Nav in a 335i.

[Baypistolman]

I have no nav on my 335i and wish I had it. I might just add a double din aftermarket with the iphone integration.

[chrisk03]

If I were ordering a new 3 today, I'd probably pull the trigger on the nav/idrive, even though I think it's way overpriced and have read some horror stories about the BMW system for nav routing. My Google Nav on my phone works just fine and some days I wish I had idrive/nav and other days I'm indifferent. The best advice is to go check one with and one without and see which you like better. Good Luck.

[Philz BMW]

I am a man. I don't need maps or navigation.

[Blackhawk55]

FWIW, I find that Google Maps on my Android phone surpasses my Nav system in almost every way except the screen size of course.

[karkid]

didn't read the thread just responding with my personal opinion.

Idrive dash looks a lot nicer than the other dash.
iDrive is a lot more than just GPS it really is like a computer for your car!

[dreamingat30fps]

I can't say I ever had any issues with the nav in my 09. Always got me where I wanted to go. It was also MUCH more convenient than using my iphone (unless I have a passenger to navigate). That being said I have never used a standalone nav like garmin or what not so that may indeed be better.

[Fun w/N54]

In case these matter...will cost $199 to update it and is NOT covered under CPO warranty.

[Yvette]

idrive is not just for nav, why do you guys tell OP to go buy aftermarket gps for $200?

[AndreyT]

Originally Posted by e90sexion

idrive is not just for nav, why do you guys tell OP to go buy aftermarket gps for $200?

The question is about Nav, not about iDrive.

[JBE90335]

M-sport > Nav

Although I will say that the nav makes the interior look less bland. It's nice being able to see songs,contacts lists, and what not on a big screen. All of my passengers look at me like I'm performing rocket science every time I use mine lol.

[Baypistolman]

I have started to look at aftermarket navigation now. Here is another member's Kenwood double din. They seem to flow with the contours of the dashboard.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by AndreyT

The question is about Nav, not about iDrive.

If you could have one without the other then that would be a valid argument. Unfortunatley on the 335 idrive/nav are a package deal. I personally would not say I'm looking for a car with idrive if I were more interested in the idrive features than I was in the nav. I would just say nav.

[Gripster]

I paid ~$2k to get nav/iDrive when I ordered my car. You will get it for a fraction of the cost in the used market. It all depends if you're the kind of person that likes fiddling with gadgets. On my 2006 the nav opens up functionality that is not otherwise available.

I got nav on my Z4 too, but even though it is newer than the E90 it is not iDrive nav and is not nearly as integrated with the car. Still, it is helpful to have on those days when I get lost in the twisties and need to find a quick route home.

[mo2566]

Originally Posted by Baypistolman

I have started to look at aftermarket navigation now. Here is another member's Kenwood double din. They seem to flow with the contours of the dashboard.

I like that, I wonder if steering wheel controls still work?

[jcarv20s]

I have it; friend doesn't. He wants it. I'm glad I have it. The end - P.S. the dash looks so 1997 without it. Just plain imo.

[ronmeister]

You eventually get accustomed to whatever you have...but after using the iDrive nav for 3 years...I can't imagine not having it. This was recently re-enforced when I rented a car on a business trip - truly disappointing. (disappointing on multiple levels when you own a BMW...but for the purposes of this post - particularly disappointing not to have nav nor the fun and easy access to music).

My .02