[Shift]

I'm getting ready to spec my E93 for ED and would like some forum feedback on whether you gals/guys like the new I-Drive option? I spent an hour yesterday at the dealership getting familiar with the system and came away pretty unimpressed. Other than phone and navigation options I would probably not use much of the system (and navigation rarely). Your thoughts?

By the way, I'll be in Detroit next Thursday to see the E93 in person.

[JSpira]

Besides iDrive and satnav, since by ordering iDrive you also get the high version of the computer, or CCC, there is a lot of additional functionality not to mention the greatly improved screen real estate.

[wj4]

Make sure you get the iVtec option!

LOL I had to do that. I got the iDrive because my last 2 cars...I thought to myself, I won't use the navigation that much. Several months later, I always end up kicking myself.

[scm6079]

I really went back and forth, mostly for the phone functions, and then decided to NOT get the i-drive. When I finally got my car, I was very pleasantly surprised to find all of the phone features work like a champ w/o I-Drive. I can voice dial from the steering wheel, sync. my address book, dial by number w/ voice recognition, etc. My Nuvi seems to provide much better nav. than the BMW nav, so I think the "bling" factor was really the only loss I've felt.

As far as I have been able to tell, and I'd love for a forum member to correct me, the only 2 features I don't have are voice control of various non-phone functions, and "auto-vent" -- which will let you schedule a time to vent the car.

So in hind-sight, I think I would not order i-Drive again. It's now 1 year, 11 months before my next new car, so I've got time...

_Scott

[Barry626]

For Sure!
Car looks way better with it let along all the features!

[astra]

Originally Posted by Barry626

For Sure!
Car looks way better with it let along all the features!

+1

interior looks nicer IMO... and nav is always handy (i know i use mine alot)

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by astra

+1

interior looks nicer IMO... and nav is always handy (i know i use mine alot)

+1

I ache for iDrive, I wouldn't be without it

Some features such as navigation are brilliant even when you know where you are going, for instance on a highway trip, the distance to go works well with distance to empty so you can plan refuling etc.

I also find the trip computer is better, easier to use and more informative - all the information is on one screen, rather than scrolling through the information. Service information is also easier to access and monitor - for instance when I had an oil leak problem, I was constantly watching the oil level and other check control messages until I got to the dealer.

In short it has been more useful in many unexpected ways beyond the techo factor. But, like all things, at the end of the day it is personal taste, but personally I have not regretted getting it, and it is now a standard must-have for any BMW order I place in the future.

If you came away unimpressed, then maybe spend your money on other options you like better such as Comfort Access, Adaptive Xenons, better sound or Active Cruise. It is your car, and you have to live with it, so get what you know you will love, not what others convince you you will like.

IMHO

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by scm6079

As far as I have been able to tell, and I'd love for a forum member to correct me, the only 2 features I don't have are voice control of various non-phone functions, and "auto-vent" -- which will let you schedule a time to vent the car.


_Scott

You are missing speech to text recognition for placing phone calls and the trip computer just to name two things. But there are more things missing - there was just a thread about this - maybe after I have Kaffee.

[jimf15e]

A common justification for not getting iDrive is not planning on using the navigation system. However, ask anybody and you'll see that once you have Nav, you can't live without it. I promise! The first time you type in an unknown address and get perfect directions, you'll be hooked. If money is an issue, then decide whether or not it's worth the added cost. Don't take it out of consideration because you don't think you'll use it. To me it's as essential an option as comfort access, and easily provides the return on investment.

[scm6079]

Originally Posted by JSpira

You are missing speech to text recognition for placing phone calls and the trip computer just to name two things. But there are more things missing - there was just a thread about this - maybe after I have Kaffee.

Speech to text works w/o iDrive. I thought before I got my car (from this forum) it wouldn't -- but it works great w/o iDrive. I just say "Dial name" to do it.

I'd love to know about more features I don't have, however, so I know if I should order it with my next car (or my wife's next car if she moves away from Lexus!)

Here's how I mounted my Navigation, w/o iDrive (Nuvi 660):

It pops right on/off the cupholder, so it's out of the way when I don't want it.

_Scott

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by scm6079

Speech to text works w/o iDrive. I thought before I got my car (from this forum) it wouldn't -- but it works great w/o iDrive. I just say "Dial name" to do it.

Just to clarify, since according to BMW speech to text is only available with the CCC, you do not have to train the system and can use speech to text to dial anyone in your mobile's phone book without adding them to the local directory?

[mharrigan]

My advice is that if you do not want navigation, do not buy iDrive.

However, I concur with several other posts that once you have navigation you will use it a lot. I leave my iDrive in the navigation screen all the time with the Assistance Window showing Current Position. It's great for finding gas stations, ATMs, etc. Plus it's not that big an investment - you'll get it back when you sell or trade-in. The portable nav systems are OK but not nearly as good as the built-in in terms of ease of use, visibility, screen size, etc.

[mharrigan]

My advice is that if you do not want navigation, do not buy iDrive.

However, I concur with several other posts that once you have navigation you will use it a lot. I leave my iDrive in the navigation screen all the time with the Assistance Window showing Current Position. It's great for finding gas stations, ATMs, etc. Plus it's not that big an investment - you'll get it back when you sell or trade-in. The portable nav systems are OK but not nearly as good as the built-in in terms of ease of use, visibility, screen size, etc.

[Lucid4000]

I say I-Drive. You get some very nice features and customization inside the car. Also I am not sure about non-idrive cars but you can turn off your daytime running lights. And I don't know about you but this small feature comes in handy once and a while. The Nav. But hey thats just me.

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by JSpira

Just to clarify, since according to BMW speech to text is only available with the CCC, you do not have to train the system and can use speech to text to dial anyone in your mobile's phone book without adding them to the local directory?

Yes, I drove a demonstrator with it that didn't have iDrive, and all those features worked fine.

iDrive or not that woman still irritates me when she doesn't understand you and says "Sorry!? Please speak!" like it is my fault!

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by JamieA

Yes, I drove a demonstrator with it that didn't have iDrive, and all those features worked fine.

Most people here have reported that they do not have speech to text if they do not have iDrive, and that they have to manually save and train names / Numbers.

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by JSpira

Most people here have reported that they do not have speech to text if they do not have iDirve, and that they have to manually save and train names / Numbers.

OK I am with you now... The US only has one version of iDrive, while other markets have two. Your version comes with the full speech recognition meal deal, while the default recognition is as you say - manual storage of names and numbers in the spoken phone book.

I have the Business iDrive/Nav package which has the speech control only for the telephone.

My bad