[328fan]

This topic may probably be discussed already.

I am thinking whether i should order this option as i use the Nav a lot. But i seem to hear a lot of complaints about it.

For those of you who have iDrive, what are your likes and dislikes about it? Any regrets on getting iDrive?

[choiffer]

I have no problems with it at all. No lagging No nothing. I have 08 coupe so I guess I have a newer version, I think some people had problems with the older version. The Navi is mediocre, it could be much better but works perfectly for me.

[Gig103]

Here's my list of Likes/Dislikes. I went to the dealership and played with it for about 15min and quickly got the hang of it ... based on my list below, I decided to order Nav.

Likes:
-Integrated into dash - looks cleaner than any portable, even the hardwired BMW/Garmin one
-Can't be stolen like portable units (very common these days)
-Entertainment controls move to screen
-Makes bluetooth and iPod/6FL options tons better
-I like the split screen with the 'Assistance Window'
-Programmable buttons
-Voice controls
-Additional car control through i-Menu
-Edit: Dead reckoning means always getting there (see BK's post)

Dislikes:
-Cost
-Point-of-Interest searching is very poor and incomplete
-Slow compared to other options (both portable and other company OEM)
-Garmin nuvi I've used works faster, better, cheaper
-Can't get software (firmware) updates unless yours is broken/has an issue
-Can't upload new POIs in any easy manner, since it's all DVD based

[BK]

Like: if a warning light turns on, I don't have to figure out what the hell the confusing little icon means. iDrive provides an explanation for warning lights.

Like: integrates very well with the Bluetooth phone and phonebook.

Like: for MP3 CDs, having an iDrive screen lets you easily scroll through songs and directories to find/choose the song.

Like: dead reckoning and electronic compass means my nav map updates and orients correctly even when I'm in a tunnel, a concrete jungle, or parking garage.

Dislike: not responsive enough.

Dislike: not customizable enough (colors, background image, what info is displayed where, etc.).

[SKY888]

I love everything about iDrive. My only dislike is having to hit "accept" every time it turns on.

[BK]

Originally Posted by SKYPWR

I love everything about iDrive. My only dislike is having to hit "accept" every time it turns on.

This was "fixed" in a Progman update. Later versions, the screen shows for a few seconds, then goes away, no need to click "accept."

[SoYank]

True, but those "few seconds" sometime seem like minutes.

[SKY888]

Originally Posted by BK

This was "fixed" in a Progman update. Later versions, the screen shows for a few seconds, then goes away, no need to click "accept."

Oops, I never noticed that it eventually goes away.

[McLuVan]

Originally Posted by Gig103

Here's my list of Likes/Dislikes. I went to the dealership and played with it for about 15min and quickly got the hang of it ... based on my list below, I decided to order Nav.

Likes:
-Integrated into dash - looks cleaner than any portable, even the hardwired BMW/Garmin one
-Can't be stolen like portable units (very common these days)
-Entertainment controls move to screen
-Makes bluetooth and iPod/6FL options tons better
-I like the split screen with the 'Assistance Window'
-Programmable buttons
-Voice controls
-Additional car control through i-Menu
-Edit: Dead reckoning means always getting there (see BK's post)

Dislikes:
-Cost
-Point-of-Interest searching is very poor and incomplete
-Slow compared to other options (both portable and other company OEM)
-Garmin nuvi I've used works faster, better, cheaper
-Can't get software (firmware) updates unless yours is broken/has an issue
-Can't upload new POIs in any easy manner, since it's all DVD based

wow....thats a pretty good review

[japac1]

So far I have no fault in the Idrive and would surely get this option again.

[Dragonman4]

Originally Posted by SKYPWR

I love everything about iDrive. My only dislike is having to hit "accept" every time it turns on.

same

However, my iDrive lags for a bit when I first turn the car on and I set the nav to a previous location, it takes a while for it to load up. It's worst when I go into the route list for the directions, I get a blank screen for about 20-30 seconds while it loads up.

btw, does anyone else experience this? Whenever I switch tracks while playing my mp3 CD, it pauses, plays 1 second of the current track really loudly, then lags for a second, then loads the next track. It's annoying.

[LOLrance]

No complaints about my idrive here.

[NegativeIons]

I'm reasonably happy with my idrive...I would much rather have it than not have it..but overall my 2004 Acura TL that I traded in had a 1000x better nav system. The controls were much more responsive, quicker to navigate and the POIs were much better. It's funny, if I didnt' have NAV in the Acura I would be ecstatic about idrive..but I got somewhat spoiled by it.

Not unhappy with idrive..but wish it just had better functionality like the Acura.

If any of that made any sense, haha

[OverDrive]

i love it

[zamboni]

Just drop the puck order the idrive you won't regret unlike the portable unit which is number 1 stolen item from your vehicle.

[nmcampbell]

I got my car 1/15/08 with idrive. It's my first car with a nav system, much less the "idrive" type arrangement. So while I don't have something to compare it to like the rest of you, I've found it to be easy to use and have no gripes. I'm sure there's better systems but I can't think of anything I would want differently. The screen location is great (as compared to my wife's MB which forces you to really take your eyes off the road), brightness is good, system works fast enough, even with my ipod. No complaints here.

[iatacs19]

Like:
+ works well for routing and it's fast when switching routes
+ good integration of all controls
+ you can use it while driving (HUGE plus)

Dislike:
- slow
- no touchscreen
- 6FL could be improved

[E90SLAM]

Don't really like POI set up.
Difficult to customize POI search.

[bimmernupe]

POI search is the worst. You should be able to put in the name of what you are looking for, instewad of going through the sub-menu before entering the name.
This is my only issue

[Kev]

1. POI is really POS. 99% of the time I can't find what I want

2. The response time of iDrive is SLOW, and I mean SLOW

3. Cannot zoom to different level in the main map vs the small map

4. Does not sync well at all with Nokia N-Series

5. It will be confused of its location if there are two highways running parallel right next to each other

[Mark]

I'm personally waiting for the day when it comes with increased connectivity and you can use it to surf the web, download program modules and possibly your music collection from home 'over the air'.

That day is coming im sure

[samwoo2go]

POI search sucks balls