[535iNM]

Originally Posted by Bimmerforlife

So as I see it there is a single button to get you to tele, CD, Radio, etc right next to the wheel. If that's the case along with the scroll on the steering wheel for iPod or phone lists, I would say that's alot of enhancements which I'm sure all tie into the new MyInfo. What's the button below the tele say?

When I enhance the picture, it looks like the button in question reads "NAV". Make sense to me. So that means that the overall button arrangement, vehicle left to right front to back looks like it should read: "CD", "MENU", "TEL", "RADIO", "MENU", "NAV", Selector Knob, "BACK", "OPTION" (probably programable).

[dadogus]

too many buttons...i don;t like it..i like the simplicity of i-drive right know..i think is the best comparing to audi-mmi and mercedes..i drove an audi a5 and i've got dizzy of so many buttons

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by collin

I used to think the idrive was a good tradeoff for the ability to do stuff while the car was in drive, but after experiencing it, i realized that it is so slow to program in an address using the knob that i might as well have pulled over to do it. there are times like on the freeway on a long trip that changing destinations is ok and you have a lot of time to do it but on most touchscreen navs you can search and enter in less than 30-40 seconds. on the idrive, it is more like 1-2 minutes.

I will disagree with you on this. Touch screen is no faster and less safe, you must take your eyes completely off the road to use it, the iDrive does not require this.
If you use voice commands you can skip most of the layers within iDrive and just say things, destinations for example works very well. And once you get the feel of the system it is truly ingenious. Both of my systems have the haptic feedback, the 2008 cars do not and that may be a bit different, I have not logged many miles in 2008 versions of the system.

iDrive is not at all perfect right now but BMW has taken the criticism and learned from it, I expect this new system to be better than the previous and also leave the door open for future software enhancements.

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by dadogus

too many buttons...i don;t like it..i like the simplicity of i-drive right know..i think is the best comparing to audi-mmi and mercedes..i drove an audi a5 and i've got dizzy of so many buttons

The amount of buttons is not that dizzying. The placement of the buttons makes it more like a computer mouse in the sense that you are not moving your hand away from the controller, just your fingers. This is where Audi/MB went wrong. The Audi system is great, the MMi-3 will be compared shortly to iDrive on the site.

There are few reasons for the number of buttons.... mainly people were unable to learn the "slide" of the current controller and that it worked in every menu as a shortcut to another.

Our sources at BimmerFile.com tell us there are a few other tweaks in this system as far as the actual controller goes. We will bring you that news as soon as it can be confirmed. We try to bring you the latest news accurately and not just spread rumors.... anyone can do that.

There are also big changes in the actual UI due to the added controls on the steering wheel and introduction of several exclusive features that ties in with "MyInfo".

You may even see wireless music streaming in the not so distant future.

There are LOTS of new advances in technology and BMW has to keep updating it to compete. This year just happens to be when it has all been finalized to compete with the new A4 (in the EU).

Best of luck!

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by dadogus

too many buttons...i don;t like it..i like the simplicity of i-drive right know..i think is the best comparing to audi-mmi and mercedes..i drove an audi a5 and i've got dizzy of so many buttons

couldn't disagree more. i-drive is slow and restrictive. true that the other systems are more complex, but with this complexity comes functionality. good that bmw is getting with the program.

[undecided]

If there was no hump and it was faster I would have gotten it.

[535iNM]

I am hoping that the Double Clutch Transmission, the ZHP Performance Package as well as the M Styling Package will be avalable on the 2009 facelifted E90 335xi.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by rhonig

I am hoping that the Double Clutch Transmission, the ZHT Performance Package as well as the M Styling Package will be avalable on the 2009 facelifted E90 335xi.

I think you're hoping for too much b/c people who just bought '08s would be b*tching like crazy.

[Year's_End]

btw what's ZHT? You mean ZHP?

[dadogus]

what is ZHP?

[R12ax7]

Originally Posted by rhonig

I am hoping that the Double Clutch Transmission, the ZHT Performance Package as well as the M Styling Package will be avalable on the 2009 facelifted E90 335xi.

Seriously, I am a couple weeks away from taking delivery of my e90 335xi, this news makes me tempted to cancel my order and find something to drive for a year until that happens!

[Greeney]

Originally Posted by Bluesummer

first look is cool...but why would you need every button for every option on the iDrive menu??

It works well for Audis MMI.

[Chips335d]

Originally Posted by R12ax7

Seriously, I am a couple weeks away from taking delivery of my e90 335xi, this news makes me tempted to cancel my order and find something to drive for a year until that happens!

I really doubt the ZHP Performance Package will be available on the xi's. BMW currently doesn't even offer a sport suspension with any AWD model.

Also, does anyone else think this is the ZHP model? I haven't seen that aluminum cube trim or perforated leather parking brake since my previous ZHP 330i.

[jetblk328i]

Acura+ Infiniti+Audi=new Idrive...

[ianbiz]

Looks good.

[535iNM]

Originally Posted by R12ax7

Seriously, I am a couple weeks away from taking delivery of my e90 335xi, this news makes me tempted to cancel my order and find something to drive for a year until that happens!

I'm thinking that one could take delivery of an '09 335xi in 5 months, September '08. Should look like this reposted image:


That's what I'm thinking of, for myself, instead of waiting another year for the new body style awd 5 series.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by Big Windy

couldn't disagree more. i-drive is slow and restrictive. true that the other systems are more complex, but with this complexity comes functionality. good that bmw is getting with the program.

Restrictive? How so?

iDrive offers as much if not more functionality than other cockpit controller systems.

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by JSpira

Restrictive? How so?

iDrive offers as much if not more functionality than other cockpit controller systems.

restrictive in the sense that it only allows you one way of getting information. for example, try using the search function imbedded in NAV. you are restricted to whatever categories BMW picked for you. you can't just do a flat out search. this is really annoying to be and is the sign of poor design.

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by Chips335i

I really doubt the ZHP Performance Package will be available on the xi's. BMW currently doesn't even offer a sport suspension with any AWD model.

Also, does anyone else think this is the ZHP model? I haven't seen that aluminum cube trim or perforated leather parking brake since my previous ZHP 330i.

i should have double quoted instead of double posting here, but that aluminum "cube trim" is in the 135i.

[BMW-320i-Touring]

Thats looks very good. Like Audi.

Robert

[beemrZ]

man i was going to get a e90 but i guess i can waite. What other updates for 09?

[Dubbedoutbimmer]

thank god im in a 24 month lease....I knew this was going to happen but couldnt resist the 335