[idrift4wd]

Boring, but does what i need. Thank god i have logic 7.

[Popsrcr]

New owner here w/o iDrive. Buying used it didn't factor in one bit. I dislike built in Nav. I do like toys, but meh. As to the look, I like the dash a little better without, but wouldn't have been a deal breaker either way.
I *do* wish I had USB or....something.

[VIZSLA]

No.
The i Drive screen looks like an after thought.

[1slowbmw]

i would never buy a BMW without idrive, wall high end cars have built in nav, it make the interior look 100x better and less boring. but idrive is more than the nav, it controls my whole car, i love that. it it was just nav it would be different but it has such integration into the car that if you dont get it you miss out on a some cool features and makes the other features easier to use. for example i couldnt imagine changing the logic 7 EQ without idrive since i change it few times a day

[damascus]

Originally Posted by roundle

I don't believe in built-in Nav for a couple of reasons:

*I keep my cars for a while
*The technology is changing/improving too quickly
*A $200 Garmin or TOMTOM offers better NAV features and is easier to update
*Nothing more lame than a perfectly good car with useless technology (e.g. my perfect 1998 328i w/ factory "car phone" or a 2001 740iL with totally-useless Nav).

Just my grumpy old-man opinion...

[rbtamms]

I prefer w/o idrive/navi so I can concentrate on my driving. My wife's X3 has idrive & I get easily destructed whenever I'm using it.

[koreez88]

Had a 2006 325i before with no navi for years. Now have 2011 335d with navi and can't imagine live without it.

But old pre-2010 navi looks like crap, so I could see how some might render it useless.

[edirtaynine]

on e9x, i think the dash looks way cleaner withOUT the double hump of the nav/info screen. I think the new Lexus GS and the new Audi's have the cleanest integration of nav screens onto the dash.

[vantage_coupe]

Originally Posted by e60oholic

I love the iDrive nav system. Its so much more than Nav. Plus you can see what channel your on if your wearing polarized sunglasses.

Agreed

That said, I've really warmed up to the idrive. I just got the upgraded 2013 map disc and I found a sweet shortcut on my way to work I wouldn't have noticed otherwise saving me from driving through a sh!tty construction zone.

It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for me. It adds to my enjoyment of the car for sure.

[nightops]

Originally Posted by fresh_LA

I love my iDrive and navi... real time traffic updates in SoCal is crucial!!!

I also updated it with a free download from one of the threads.

Lets be honest now... if you were given the iDrive/Navi option for free, each and everyone of yall would jump on it and love it. I know sometimes money is an issue, but dont hate on it cause you dont have it.

"double hump looks mutant like" - nonsense.

I mean no disrespect, just speaking the truth.

I bought it to control my ipod and like the look of it- but i didnt know it did real time traffic updates- do you have to subscribe to a service or does it come up automatically? sorry havent had time to play too much with the navi..

[koss2010]

I felt the no navi look is more classic, I have mine with dark wood with a black interior. Plus it would be a nightmare if the iDrive stopped working, I don't want to have to worry about that.

[ibarry92]

Originally Posted by nightops

I bought it to control my ipod and like the look of it- but i didnt know it did real time traffic updates- do you have to subscribe to a service or does it come up automatically? sorry havent had time to play too much with the navi..

The RTT (Real Time Traffic) updates automatically. I don't think you have to be subscribed to BMW Assist because, I'm not and, I still get the updates.

[JunkStory]

It's obviously nice to have for a lease car but if you're planning to keep the car for a long time, the iDrive is a potential failing point that is more difficult to repair, than say, a leaky exhaust.

[Freki371]

I bought an an used 328i from the dealership and the iDrive/Navi wasnt an option. I dont regret my purchase but if i could do it all over again i would of waited for one with the iDrive. The Navi itself doesnt call my attention, but all the options and the easier Music Browsing does. I looked into retrofit but i'm better off waiting for a 335i w/ Navi trade-in.

[cbad335]

Originally Posted by vexx786

How do you do this? Assign radio preset to turn off the display.

Certain iDrive functions can be stored on the programable memory keys. To assign a key to switch off the display, press the option button > highlight switch off display > press the desired key for longer than two seconds.

Now pressing that key will switch off the display. I programmed it to the 1 key.

[JustinGTP]

Originally Posted by koreez88

But old pre-2010 navi looks like crap, so I could see how some might render it useless.

pre-2009*

[ryan stewart]

I dont, I prefer it without a stupid screen being shoehorned in. Besides, my android phone is a superior navigation and entertainment system and i control the software on it instead of being locked into whatever BMW installs/updates.

[sonitm]

Any gadget inside the car will distract from the pleasure of driving. WHo cares what the car looks like? The important thing is what it feels like to you.

[gogunbaba]

I have both. 09 E92 with Nav and 08 E90 without. I prefer the non I drive, less electronics, less distraction during driving.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by RicheyBMW

For those of you without the idrive/navi screen in your interior, how do you feel about it? Do you think it makes your interior look less modern or too plain? I know some have said with idrive your car becomes out of date as technology progresses. Others have said idrive makes the car look more rich inside. Thoughts?

I think that nav bump looks like a ridiculous after thought. I think it ruins an otherwise great looking dash.

[atl530i]

I do not have iDrive. Doesn't bother me at all.

[amill411]

Something about that double hump thing makes me wanna

I love the clean look