Actually I have iDrive on my BMW E91 and I do not think it is as horrible as people claim. Typically these claims come from people that do not have it, and might only have tried it on a short testdrive. Having said that it definitely needed a major update, and it just so happens that it just got a major update! The BMW 3-series 2009 models (manufactured from September 2008) and the new 7-series have a brand new iDrive system which is a MAJOR improvement.
Exactly right Rob. The iDrive is only terrible to people who are too stupid to learn how to use it. Your CA should explain it all to you when you buy the car, and you should read your manual as well. Then again, it's not hard to learn as it is. The only thing you might have to read or be told is that holding it to one direction goes straight to that direction's screen (settings, nav, entertainment, climate, clockwise from the top).
However, I do agree. The new iDrive looks AMAZING. Part of the reason I got a lease on my car is because I never keep a car for more than a couple of years, I don't drive many miles, and I always want new. Unfortunately, I took delivery in May and this is already out, so I have some waiting to do still, haha.
I think iDrive is alright. My dad has an '07 that I drive when I'm in town, and it works pretty well. They've refined it over the years, it used to be worse from what I understand.
Still has plenty of room for improvement. The UI is consistent, but unintuitive enough that even after using it 10 or 15 times I still make mistakes. But my 70 year old dad has it down pat. He's not a computer guy, but is moderately open to learning new technologies.
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please please please replace there idrive crap
Actually I have iDrive on my BMW E91 and I do not think it is as horrible as people claim. Typically these claims come from people that do not have it, and might only have tried it on a short testdrive. Having said that it definitely needed a major update, and it just so happens that it just got a major update! The BMW 3-series 2009 models (manufactured from September 2008) and the new 7-series have a brand new iDrive system which is a MAJOR improvement.
Just have a look here at the new system:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179330
Exactly right Rob. The iDrive is only terrible to people who are too stupid to learn how to use it. Your CA should explain it all to you when you buy the car, and you should read your manual as well. Then again, it's not hard to learn as it is. The only thing you might have to read or be told is that holding it to one direction goes straight to that direction's screen (settings, nav, entertainment, climate, clockwise from the top).
However, I do agree. The new iDrive looks AMAZING. Part of the reason I got a lease on my car is because I never keep a car for more than a couple of years, I don't drive many miles, and I always want new. Unfortunately, I took delivery in May and this is already out, so I have some waiting to do still, haha.
Garmit + a decent audio system (separate system) > iDrive
I think iDrive is alright. My dad has an '07 that I drive when I'm in town, and it works pretty well. They've refined it over the years, it used to be worse from what I understand.
Still has plenty of room for improvement. The UI is consistent, but unintuitive enough that even after using it 10 or 15 times I still make mistakes. But my 70 year old dad has it down pat. He's not a computer guy, but is moderately open to learning new technologies.