Is the iDrice really worth it?

Thespillmonkey · 05-17-2011, 04:35 PM

I use my iphone for GPS and directions. What else other than nav itself makes the iDrive worth it ? Im looking for an 08 328ci with specific packages, and the nav is really hurting me finding the right car.

If i dont care about GPS as the main option, do I really need it ?

domrep · 05-17-2011, 04:40 PM

I find it really convenient for looking at songs, using bluetooth with my phone, seeing contacts etc. I'm lazy so I dont like being my arms alot, I just lay back and let my fingers do the work.

tomtom11 · 05-17-2011, 04:42 PM

i love idrive, is idrice the new version or something?

frozenfire · 05-17-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domrep

I find it really convenient for looking at songs, using bluetooth with my phone, seeing contacts etc. I'm lazy so I dont like being my arms alot, I just lay back and let my fingers do the work.

+1

yeah i really like having my idrive (mostly cause i think the interior looks good)... i mean the gps is pretty horrible on it (if you ask me) and it isnt the most intuitive system ever created but I like the way my cars interior looks a whole lot more than i like the way my friends idriveless e90 looks...

Thespillmonkey · 05-17-2011, 04:48 PM

I like the interior with the screen too, but there have been no fully loaded black 08 ci's on auction for months now with he right colors and nav.
Also, the 08 is the older iDrive, and i hear its a lot slower anyways.
Dunno. I have the opportunity to get everything I want in a very clean car, it just doesnt have iDrive and im trying to convince myself its not needed

sourphish · 05-17-2011, 05:17 PM

Like the others, I like how the interior looks with the I-drive. Seems to look a little less plain while adding some extra comfort and convenience (GPS, songs, checking the car's systems). Nowadays, it almost feels as if you have to have the GPS for your car to be more current (which will probably help re-sale slightly down the road).

I'm going to upgrade my CCC to CIC in 2-3 weeks, so I'll be putting up the CCC for sale soon :P

Thespillmonkey · 05-17-2011, 05:21 PM

How crazy hard would it be to eventually install a nav system after the fact? Like if i bought your CCC?

How much extra would I need to purchase ?

sourphish · 05-17-2011, 05:29 PM

Honestly, I'm not too sure since a some coding may be involved. As for hardware though, you would need to get the dash and center console trim (to allow for the i-drive controller) and I believe that may be it. This is assuming you get the CCC parts (which someone would get if bought from me after I do my CIC retrofit).

If anyone can chime in that'd be great!

Thespillmonkey · 05-17-2011, 07:13 PM

I found the -Drive Navigation Retrofit thread. Ive installed several carputers before, but it looks decently tough, and it also looks like i would be killing my warranty.

Dunno. Maybe if i end up not getting one, and really feel the need for it, I can just get the dash and build a car computer.

Deltari09 · 05-17-2011, 08:12 PM

It's the difference between looking 70-80 degrees away from the road at your hand and looking like 10 degrees down towards the 8 inch screen (which, by the way is 5 inches larger than your phone) and also, isn't it ILLEGAL to use a handheld phone while driving?

Thespillmonkey · 05-17-2011, 08:48 PM

Well in my current car i have a nice holder for the iphone. It sits in there charging and can display gps fine without being held. It probably takes less work to swap locations on the iphone than with the idrive nob.

Im really not trying to troll here. I just really want my new car, and one has finally showed up that has everything i want but no nav.

Its just a tough decision. Do I wait further into the summer hoping that one comes along, or do I settle for it Navless. The longer I wait, the harder it will be to find one. There have been no parts coming out of japan for months now, and the used car inventory is down to about 1/3 of what it normally is at the auctions out there.
Even if the BMW parts aren't being affected (which some still may be), the market itself is driving prices up while dealers are sitting on inventory more because they know there will be even less to be had in the market in another 2 months.

Dunno. Ive been looking for 2 months now and am going crazy

I'm sure most people here have gone through the anticipation stage of waiting for their new car in some form or another.

I just feel there's a big time limit ticking over mine.

I do agree though that the nav dashes just look nicer even if you never used it. And regardless of how much functionality actually gets used, its still cooler to have.

autobahnsoul · 05-17-2011, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deltari09

It's the difference between looking 70-80 degrees away from the road at your hand and looking like 10 degrees down towards the 8 inch screen (which, by the way is 5 inches larger than your phone) and also, isn't it ILLEGAL to use a handheld phone while driving?

+1

I searched and searched for the right car, and when all that was available were '08s with Nav, I just couldn't bring myself to pay the premium the dealers wanted for the available '08s knowing they had the old Nav system (I did not seriously consider the retrofit systems because of all the Issues you have to live with periodically if you take the car to the dealer).

I waited until a car with the newer Nav came along and am glad I did.

Thespillmonkey · 05-17-2011, 11:41 PM

Yea, Id like a CIC idrive, but I cant affort an 09'
34-35k is my cap.

Thespillmonkey · 05-18-2011, 08:38 PM

Hell, i guess i could dip into savings.. hehe
09's are even tougher to find though. Most leases seem to be at least 3 year.

05-17-2011, 04:35 PM	#1
Thespillmonkey Enlisted Member 6 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2008 e93 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Is the iDrice really worth it? I use my iphone for GPS and directions. What else other than nav itself makes the iDrive worth it ? Im looking for an 08 328ci with specific packages, and the nav is really hurting me finding the right car. If i dont care about GPS as the main option, do I really need it ?
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05-17-2011, 04:40 PM	#2
domrep Captain 42 Rep 993 Posts Drives: AW E93 335i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (3)	I find it really convenient for looking at songs, using bluetooth with my phone, seeing contacts etc. I'm lazy so I dont like being my arms alot, I just lay back and let my fingers do the work.
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05-17-2011, 04:42 PM	#3
tomtom11 Captain 84 Rep 703 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Earth iTrader: (1)	i love idrive, is idrice the new version or something?
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05-17-2011, 04:48 PM	#5
Thespillmonkey Enlisted Member 6 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2008 e93 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	I like the interior with the screen too, but there have been no fully loaded black 08 ci's on auction for months now with he right colors and nav. Also, the 08 is the older iDrive, and i hear its a lot slower anyways. Dunno. I have the opportunity to get everything I want in a very clean car, it just doesnt have iDrive and im trying to convince myself its not needed
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05-17-2011, 05:17 PM	#6
sourphish Lieutenant Colonel 115 Rep 1,544 Posts Drives: '22 i4 M50 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (20) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 335i [7.26]	Like the others, I like how the interior looks with the I-drive. Seems to look a little less plain while adding some extra comfort and convenience (GPS, songs, checking the car's systems). Nowadays, it almost feels as if you have to have the GPS for your car to be more current (which will probably help re-sale slightly down the road). I'm going to upgrade my CCC to CIC in 2-3 weeks, so I'll be putting up the CCC for sale soon :P __________________ 2022 i4 M50, Dravit Grey. fully loaded minus the carbon fiber bits and 20" wheel package 2007 E92 335i, 6MT, Sparking Graphite, ZPP, ZSP, Nav, Logic7 (Sold)
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05-17-2011, 05:21 PM	#7
Thespillmonkey Enlisted Member 6 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2008 e93 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	How crazy hard would it be to eventually install a nav system after the fact? Like if i bought your CCC? How much extra would I need to purchase ?
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05-17-2011, 05:29 PM	#8
sourphish Lieutenant Colonel 115 Rep 1,544 Posts Drives: '22 i4 M50 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (20) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 335i [7.26]	Honestly, I'm not too sure since a some coding may be involved. As for hardware though, you would need to get the dash and center console trim (to allow for the i-drive controller) and I believe that may be it. This is assuming you get the CCC parts (which someone would get if bought from me after I do my CIC retrofit). If anyone can chime in that'd be great! __________________ 2022 i4 M50, Dravit Grey. fully loaded minus the carbon fiber bits and 20" wheel package 2007 E92 335i, 6MT, Sparking Graphite, ZPP, ZSP, Nav, Logic7 (Sold)
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05-17-2011, 07:13 PM	#9
Thespillmonkey Enlisted Member 6 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2008 e93 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	I found the -Drive Navigation Retrofit thread. Ive installed several carputers before, but it looks decently tough, and it also looks like i would be killing my warranty. Dunno. Maybe if i end up not getting one, and really feel the need for it, I can just get the dash and build a car computer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-17-2011, 08:12 PM	#10
Deltari09 Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 291 Posts Drives: 2011 3-Series Coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Hawaii, USA iTrader: (0)	It's the difference between looking 70-80 degrees away from the road at your hand and looking like 10 degrees down towards the 8 inch screen (which, by the way is 5 inches larger than your phone) and also, isn't it ILLEGAL to use a handheld phone while driving?
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05-17-2011, 08:48 PM	#11
Thespillmonkey Enlisted Member 6 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2008 e93 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Well in my current car i have a nice holder for the iphone. It sits in there charging and can display gps fine without being held. It probably takes less work to swap locations on the iphone than with the idrive nob. Im really not trying to troll here. I just really want my new car, and one has finally showed up that has everything i want but no nav. Its just a tough decision. Do I wait further into the summer hoping that one comes along, or do I settle for it Navless. The longer I wait, the harder it will be to find one. There have been no parts coming out of japan for months now, and the used car inventory is down to about 1/3 of what it normally is at the auctions out there. Even if the BMW parts aren't being affected (which some still may be), the market itself is driving prices up while dealers are sitting on inventory more because they know there will be even less to be had in the market in another 2 months. Dunno. Ive been looking for 2 months now and am going crazy I'm sure most people here have gone through the anticipation stage of waiting for their new car in some form or another. I just feel there's a big time limit ticking over mine. I do agree though that the nav dashes just look nicer even if you never used it. And regardless of how much functionality actually gets used, its still cooler to have.
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05-17-2011, 11:41 PM	#13
Thespillmonkey Enlisted Member 6 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2008 e93 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Yea, Id like a CIC idrive, but I cant affort an 09' 34-35k is my cap.
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05-18-2011, 08:38 PM	#14
Thespillmonkey Enlisted Member 6 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2008 e93 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Hell, i guess i could dip into savings.. hehe 09's are even tougher to find though. Most leases seem to be at least 3 year.
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