[autobahnsoul]

Hi all--new to the forum and in the market for a 335i or xi (sedan with 6MT and Sport pkg) in the next 6 months. It looks to me from reading posts that the pre-'09 iDrive is frustrating and slow and that the overhaul to it with the LCI model brought many improvements. I am interested in whether, in the opinion of those who have used both systems, an '09 with updated iDrive (and, of course, styling updates) is better enough to justify the extra $$$ the newer model year requires (which looks like about $5-7k over an '08, currently).

For those with '06-'08 E90/92s with iDrive, is the system frustrating enough that you never or seldom use it? Avoid using it if possible? Do you regret even having gotten it?

Any other thoughts on why an '09 would be worth the extra $$$ would also be appreciated. Given how good an iPhone 4 (with Navigon) is, I am thinking about saving the money and just getting a non-nav '07 or '08 CPO car. Thanks!

[jayy178]

I have an 07 Idrive and used to have a 07 Lexus IS navigation. Completely different and frustrating using the IDrive system. I actually don't think it was worth it for me to get the Idrive system given the price tag, but thats just me personally especially since I barely use nav as it is.

[NiVeDh]

I like my '08 iDrive but the '09 one is a lot better.

[scrufy]

Well, I have a loaded '07 and I actually like my iDrive (now that they replaced the CCC and it works without random reboots- that was a problem for lots of them but fixable).
I don't find it frustrating at all.
Ive used the new one for a week 2 times on loaners when servicing and I really don't see the big deal.

The only things I miss is:

The ability to go full screen on the maps (the half screen method works just fine though and is easy to read).

The ability to watch dvd movies(unless you tear the dash apart and mod it, you can only watch them in park anyway..big deal, I have other ways to see a dvd if I'm not driving).

I don't have a usb plug for mem sticks( I just plug in my android phone and play mp3s or you could get the ipod (idevice) integration kit installed for $300 and go that way too..so no big deal).

As you can tell, I'm quite happy with my nav etc..like I said, Now that it is fixed after 3 tries at BMWunder warranty.
Just my 2c..

[ChasVS]

I have the 07 iDrive and admit initially it was a bit of a confusing pain. But now I wouldn't want my BMW without one! Takes a little getting used to, but once you know how to do the things you need, it's an awesome addition to a fine automobile.

Later versions are better, but I wouldn't spring for a newer model just to get a better iDrive. But of course, always buy the most car you can afford if you're looking to to get the latest and greatest!

[autobahnsoul]

I sure appreciate the helpful replies! I'm continuing to follow the thread if anyone else would like to offer their opinions.

[reign528]

I have the 07 iDrive and I think its pretty easy to use... But the 09 iDrives have a ton more features. My biggest problem with the 07 iDrive is the DVD based maps... They load slow IMO. Personally if i could afford I would have went with an 09 model just for the new iDrive.

You can do a retrofit for the newer iDrive for about 3k... And personally i could not live with my iDrive... I enjoy even my 07 version even if its not as feature rich as the 09+ models

[vantage_coupe]

This is my first car with navigation and I love the system in my 07. I played with the LCI HD based navigation with google maps and as everyone above mentioned it's clearly more 'updated' and will make you happy if you're into the latest and greatest. Otherwise the 07/08 nav is a fine system imo.

[michael1284]

I love the new iDrive in the LCI's. I have an 07 with the older iDrive and although it is a bit clumsy, it's not too terribly bad. I don't usually use it for navi though, I just like that I can see all my ipod songs on the screen. That alone is worth it to me...but if I had a choice, I would definitely spring for the new one.

[Kolyan2k]

07 idrive is fine..... u are buying a car not idrive. If u have and want to spend more on 09 then do it, just not for idrive.

[Trojan4evr]

the only difference between two is that 09 offers more shortcuts.

[E90Alex]

i have the 06 325i with idrive and im not sure what people are complaining about. My idrive works well and does everything well. I even like it more than my stepmom's lexus nav which i think is horrible.

[kefler]

I have an 08 w/ idrive. I recently played with a 2011 loaner, and while some stuff is better, there's surprisingly a lot of things I didn't like.

1) No shortcuts with the controller knob.. In the 07/08 you can hold the knob forward 3 seconds for phone, backward 3 seconds for music, right 3 seconds for navi, etc. I guess the buttons around the knob do the same thing but they aren't as elegant or easy.

2) The contrast of the roads drawn on the map sucks

3) I couldn't find a view where it would label the street names properly. The big streets were often unlabeled and some random small street nearby was labeled.

4) It's not very fast switching between menus. I expected super instant fast, but if you tap left/right to go through menus there is a pause which seems no better than the pause I have now.

5) Still not really many customizations on how to display music. You can't for example see the name of the .mp3 playing off your memory stick overlaid on the map. It just shows USB and the track # with no title. So in the end you are left having to keep the song list on the big part of the screen.


Overall it is an improvment but not nearly as big as I thought it would be. And you can't update maps without going to the dealer to update your harddrive.

[spiike32]

I got mine just for looks because I like the hump (dash to me looks boring without it). I window mount my sprint htc evo to use google navigation which is leap years ahead of bmw's pre lci nav.

[Clarence Watson]

Originally Posted by NiVeDh

I like my '08 iDrive but the '09 one is a lot better.

Agreed. Some say the pre-LCI iDrive is not intuitive. I disagree. I think it's just plain inefficient because of how many levels of menus one must go through to perform a function. '09 iDrive uses a wonderful interface that makes the system a pleasure to use. Plus, the screen resolution has improved a great deal.

I originally had no intention (and did not really want) iDrive. Although the '08 system interface is inferior, I'm still glad I have it and I do use it. It works well with an iPod or iPhone.

[Nightfly]

Being able to send destination info to the nav via Google Maps is alone worth the price of admission.

[electro-house]

I have an 08, and had a loaner recently also with the new updated navigation. Cooler configuration, but I didn't think it was all that much better. I don't use my nav much anyway, got it because it looks cool mainly, bad look interior wise without the nav. The only thing I really liked was that it can go full screen, whereas the 07-08 cannot show the map in full screen (must do a split screen).

I never understood how people say the i drive is so hard to use. It's way easier than the E46 navigation system where you turn the volume nob left and right to enter everything in, which is what I came from.

[autobahnsoul]

Many thanks to each of you for the different perspectives!

I am now not as likely to avoid the earlier system--but know a little better what to expect. I'm surprised to find a few people found disappointments about the new one!

Continuing to follow the thread for more pearls of wisdom...

[username604]

I have the preLCI nav and its not "slow". I still use it all the time, and having the newer nav would be great. Higher res screen and whatnot.
However 5-6k for an update idrive is not worth it. Infact, right now, i could care less if i didn't have idrive. Its really great the first month of so, but when it comes down to it, it doesn't really matter. I admit, the interior feels missing without the nav to break it up, but the standard radio does most of the things the nav can.
If i could go back, i'd trade $2k and get the standard radio. Nav on your phone is enough to be honest.
If you plan on keeping the car for years to come, the nav is just going to seem more and more dated as the technology around you changes.

[anerbe]

Pre-LCI Nav is really not as bad - many people don't know that there are shortcuts which are a bit less intuitive (it doesn't have a separate button for each function like LCI). Many people comment on the speeds of the systems, and this is because there's a lack of shortcut buttons on the Pre.

For example: You are in the communications screen, and you want to bring up the perspective map. Most people would probably press the menu button to get to the main screen, then press right for Navigation, then press down 3 times to get to the map selection, then scroll to perspective and press down on controller to select.

Pre-LCI Shortcuts from comm screen (as mentioned earlier)
- Voice commands: probably the best to navigate: press the voice command button and say "Perspective". Done
- Hold down right on the controller for 3 sec: it will bring you to the last screen you had in the Navigation option. If it was the perspective map, it'll bring it up right away.

Speed wise, both take a bit of time to boot up. the LCI probably take almost as long becuase it has many more options and is more graphic intensive.

If you're a big tech guy, go for the LCI. If you're more for the driving experience and want to put that saved money towards mods, get the Pre.

[CptJack]

I remember when I was researching the 07 that I wound up buying that one of the professional reviews listed the availability of the 07 without iDrive as a plus for that model year. Mine doesn't have iDrive (and as a result, no nav) but I hardly ever used the nav in my last car, preferring phone-based nav anyway. I think nav in cars is way overpriced for the feature set you get.

[Ferg]

One beneift of the pre-LCI is that you can download updates onto DVD without having to pay for an unpdate from the dealership. Although, I'm still jealous of the updated LCI graphics, features, etc.