[sam2428]

I bought my car without nav for two main reasons:

1. I've lived in houston for about 20 years, and know the city well enough to not need nav very often.
2. I already had a portable tomtom for when i travel and need it. (my phone also has AGPS)

Anyway, even though i hear that iDrive isnt too great....i still regret not getting it sometimes due to being able to control my ipod much easier. I have the y-cable for my ipod, and although it works decently...choosing a particular song to listen to is almost impossible. I usually just have it on shuffle.

I know i can make playlists...but even then. A 120GB ipod with over 5000 songs....you do the math.


Anyone else feel this way?

[335iseb]

Too much weight, slows you down......

On a serious note it's nice to have a GPS if you do a lot of traveling. I stay in the same area most of the time so I don't need one. Also have an Android phone so it has turn by turn directions which are very nice and responsive, no need for iDrive although I'm sure it has it's advantages.

[Dan in PA]

I didn't have it on my E90 and do have it on my E92. I love it, I don't understand why everyone complains about it being difficult to use. It's extremely simple to use and more than just nav.

[flip4335]

I wanted to drive my car, not mess with anything else that would distract me.

I know someone who has the nav/iDrive and maybe it's a nice to have, but I personally find it too busy.

The only thing that I fiddle with is the DTC or DSC and that is enough distraction for me. LOL!

[John 070]

Not at all, you have to pay even more for an extended warranty with that. Nuvi can be moved from car to car and tells me where the red light and speed cams are.

[galahad05]

No. Back in 2007, the last-generation iDrive didn't have storage space to upload my mp3s. That's the only thing I really like about the new iDrive.

[Noc57]

Yes, I regret it all the time. (Especially as I have an 09 model)....missed out on the upgraded I-drive

Honestly I would've got it on my car, but right as I was ready to place my final order my dealer had just unloaded the exact car I wanted onto the lot (minus I-drive).

I drove it home that day vs. waiting 6-8+ weeks for delivery.

I'm a huge music junkie, so yes....that half inch display screen is painful to select songs from.

[Javier]

Yes.

[Outlaw 06]

Q: "Do you regret not getting iDrive?"

A: Not at all.

[dcat151]

I've got it and like it. I don't use the actual navigation part of it all that much. But, I do use the ipod integration regularly.

[E90 87ss]

Nope, was so happy it had no i drive. I like looking to my left for nav. Plus i don't really need i drive's other features. Although I really wish HUD was an option.

[Bama335]

Originally Posted by Dan in PA

I didn't have it on my E90 and do have it on my E92. I love it, I don't understand why everyone complains about it being difficult to use. It's extremely simple to use and more than just nav.

I agree - I didnt have it on the 2007, used a TomTom and was fine with it - I wouldnt have ordered it on the 2009, but I found a 6MT program car that just happened to have it (same deal with active steering)

The new interface on the 2009 is much better than the previous version, it's convenient to have the GPS, Sat radio, ipod and mp3 disc all integrated into the one screen. It's easy to use.

Is it worth $2K? only you can decide - as for me, next time we'll see - with the escalating prices of BMW lately, I may decide to leave the $2K out and go back to the TomTom again

[Majikthese42]

No.

I tend to keep my cars long after the warranty expires ... so I'd likely eventually be annoyed looking at a blank, lifeless screen for years.

Easier to just buy a new nuvi every few years, and throw the old one out when it breaks.

[NiVeDh]

I don't regret it because I got iDrive.

[Kraven]

Originally Posted by Majikthese42

No.

I tend to keep my cars long after the warranty expires ... so I'd likely eventually be annoyed looking at a blank, lifeless screen for years...

Why would the screen be lifeless?

[Alexander]

I liked Idrive in my loaner but it was too flashy for me. I'm all about stripped ZSP only BMWs.

[sam2428]

Originally Posted by Kraven

Why would the screen be lifeless?

yea...what he said..

[phistyle]

I got a 2007 coupe so no, I don't regret not getting idrive, but if I were getting a 2009 or later then I would definitely get the idrive so I can store my music on and with the upgraded navi and interface...

[piggelin]

yes

[HoustonScott]

In ten years or maybe even five when your screen has pixels out and its to dim to read the question is do you regret getting iDrive? When the GPS in the car is no longer supported and can't be updated anymore will you regret iDrive? When the mechanical parts are warn out and can't be replaced without buying a rebuilt old unit will you regret iDrive? While those of us whom bought cars without enjoy the latest version of Garmin's NUVI for less then $200 and turn and push old fashion buttons that still look new will you regret iDrive? Think hard about it if plan on keeping the BMW for awhile...

HS

[rolling18]

i wish I had it but only for the functions OTHER than Nav.

its good for re-sale.

I would only get Idrive if it becomes touch screen..

maybe they could somehow get rid of that housing or redesign it so it looks more integrated

[Zero.7]

Originally Posted by Noc57

Yes, I regret it all the time. (Especially as I have an 09 model)....missed out on the upgraded I-drive

Honestly I would've got it on my car, but right as I was ready to place my final order my dealer had just unloaded the exact car I wanted onto the lot (minus I-drive).

I drove it home that day vs. waiting 6-8+ weeks for delivery.

I'm a huge music junkie, so yes....that half inch display screen is painful to select songs from.

Noc,
Always says what he truly feels...good or bad. Ahhh, an honest sole

J/K. Just giving the noniDrive guys a hard time.