[anerbe]

Buy the option for the iDrive features, not the navigation features alone.
iDrive helps so much more for:
- Media management
- Additional climate and vehicle settings you would otherwise need to code
- Phonebook/Bluetooth management

I also find the built in Nav useful for navigating around traffic during my morning commute. I have 2 shortcut buttons to automatically guide home and to work. It will warn me of any traffic backups and I will take different routes. I don't like google maps with my iPhone, since it will route me, but not tell me what the traffic backups are - only red lines.

Those who say it will look out of date in X amount of years...perhaps, but I would rather have this than some aftermarket GPS unit plastered on the windshield - makes it look like a rental car. The worst are the E60 5 series with the iDrive hump and a Garmin unit plastered on the windshield.

I personally don't mind the GPS units on the older vehicles. It fits with the rest of the out-of-date interior. I can't say that peeling buttons on an E46 interior are "classic" while the nav screen is horrid. The whole thing is classy but obviously shows it's age.

It all comes down to personal preference / wants / needs. If you just need nav, iDrive isn't the best. If you want all the other features, it's wonderfully integrated into the car.

[Baypistolman]

Originally Posted by mo2566

I like that, I wonder if steering wheel controls still work?

You can get a steering wheel control module that you can buy at the dealer that interfaces with aftermarket radios but I am not sure how well that works.

[VMRWheels]

Get the navi. I honestly believe you'll use it and it won't be sitting there collecting dust. Good investment and better resale value

[electro-house]

The 07-08 i-drive is nice, still worth getting if it is not the 09 to current i-drive.

Many forums on this topic. Really do not use the navigation much, the screen just enhances the interior which most feel looks rather cheap without nav (for a car this expensive at least).

Having my ipod hooked up, and all my songs displaying on the screen, and being able to scroll through my tracks with the i drive knob is the main thing that pleases me. Hooking up your cell phone to the i drive with bluetooth is also nice, all calls go through the i drive instead of your cell phone.

The i drive does a lot more than nav, and in the end most don't even end up using the nav much. It's a must have for me.

[middleagedhippie]

I don't have Nav, didn't want it, don't regret it. Once you get to be middleaged, you don't care what others might say about your portabe gps unit, at least I don't. As for music, I'm perfectly happy with Satellite Radio. I have an IPOD but never use it anyway. I am very computer literate, been using them since 1989 . . BUT IN MY OFFICE AND AT HOME. I don't need a damn computer in my car also, other than those that keep the car going.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

Get the navi. I honestly believe you'll use it and it won't be sitting there collecting dust. Good investment and better resale value

thats probably true. Good point.

[AndreyT]

Might have an effect on trade-in value. Has no effect on resale value whatsoever.

[mo2566]

Originally Posted by Baypistolman

You can get a steering wheel control module that you can buy at the dealer that interfaces with aftermarket radios but I am not sure how well that works.

Nice

[chrisk03]

Originally Posted by AndreyT

Might have an effect on trade-in value. Has no effect on resale value whatsoever.

Bingo. I'm trying to find the article, but one came out in the past year or so basically saying Nav has no effect on resale value. It's hardly an investment, just like your car. Ha

[ibanatl]

Get the nav, not necessarily for the gps, but it makes navigating the options much easier. Plus you can watch movies/videos with it!

[Jonjt]

Ended up not getting the nav because I decided I'd rather have the M-Sport package. I don't use nav much however, being able to access media with actual buttons while not having to take my eyes off the road is a wanted feature. Maybe I'll retrofit.

[Baypistolman]

I have no nav and I regret it. Try to find one with it or plan on using your data phone.

[Cuttyrahb]

Must have! Navi and iDrive is a fabulous addition to an already fantastic car! Best of luck in your decision.

[e1001usa]

Yeah Im lucky I found my car with idrive and nav I couldnt be happier

[mbferrari]

Originally Posted by MWhy

I have to say I absolutely hate the Nav system in my 2012 335is. Maybe I havent figured it out yet, but I find it's just so hard to input destinations. The wheel character selector is so non-intuitive. Wish they'd have gone with a qwerty and used the tilt knob to move about.

The guidance itself is not very good IMHO. It does not seem to indicate the street name of the next turn, only that you have to turn soon.

Searching for POIs takes forever.

My 03 Acura MDX has a ten year old touchscreen Nav that's a hundred times better. And even my old Android phone had a Nav app that was way better.

All that said, I am happy I got the system, if only for the iDrive and how it handles audio, mobile phone, etc. I will probably rely on my iPhone for Nav tho.

I have to agree that the NAV system is not intuitive, but I wonder if that is just because I am over 40 and didn't grow up with this stuff...in any case it is growing on me, but I still need someone in the DC area with I-drive to PM me and teach me all the tricks on this thing since I bought mine in GA.

One of the salesmen at BMW of Fairfax was really cool and helped me set up a few things two days ago, but I still need help.

Signed,
Slow iDrive learner - LMAO!

[pimp4cheddar]

I don't care for navi...it's not important to me.

My car had everything that I really wanted: Sports Package, 6speed, Comfort Access. The Logic 7 was a bonus that I didn't care about.


Navi is all personal choice...

[Otruba_843]

I found a 2009 335 with monaco blue and saddle brown interior with everything except the nav. I went with the 2009 328i with the nav, same colors, and every package possible. It is all up to you. I personally like having it. It makes everything easier and more accessible. Also i think it makes the car look 100 times better.

[NotQuickEnough]

Sorry to bump an old thread. But I'm in the same boat. Has anyone tried integrating an ipad mini/7in android tablet to create the f30 look?

[Jonjt]

Originally Posted by NotQuickEnough

Sorry to bump an old thread. But I'm in the same boat. Has anyone tried integrating an ipad mini/7in android tablet to create the f30 look?

You bumped an old thread and it's off topic. Create a new thread.

[Jamrockbwoy]

you're gonna regret it if you don't get the Nav and iDrive

[Jonjt]

Originally Posted by Jamrockbwoy

you're gonna regret it if you don't get the Nav and iDrive

I've had teh car for almost 3 years, without NAV or idrive. No regrets.

[BOTUS]

I wouldn't own a BM without idrive