2009 5 Series and 6 Series iDrive
09-30-2008, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by alexf9496' post='681819' date='Sep 30 2008, 10:18 AM
The people on the boards will know the difference, but will the average BMW buyer know or care? I'm talking about the non-enthusiast average car buyer (ie. suburban husband and wife). The people on this board are but a fraction of the sales that BMW depends upon. On top of that, there're a fair amount of buyers here that will purchased a used E60.
Sales will be affected by economics (ie. household tightening up their budgets and holding onto cars longer) more than the changes to the iDrive.
Sales will be affected by economics (ie. household tightening up their budgets and holding onto cars longer) more than the changes to the iDrive.
Good Points. I guess I was thinking about myself. I would consider moving to a new 535xi from my 530xi, but not without the new iDrive.
09-30-2008, 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Iceman' post='681800' date='Sep 30 2008, 12:52 PM
It does makes sense.
They don't need two different controllers anymore.
They start using the new one this year allready. So they don't need to have two different ones. All get the same.
Much easier for them.
The buttons will work, so the new MY gets a little improvement.
But not the new iDrive software.
They don't need two different controllers anymore.
They start using the new one this year allready. So they don't need to have two different ones. All get the same.
Much easier for them.
The buttons will work, so the new MY gets a little improvement.
But not the new iDrive software.
And when I say "redisign the controller," I'm talking about the controller and all that goes along with it in/on the console, i.e. the wood, mounting holes, positioning, etc.
09-30-2008, 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by GT Premi' post='681925' date='Sep 30 2008, 09:18 PM
Your logic makes some sense, but it doesn't look at the big picture. If one of us has a controller go dead, is BMW going to replace it with the new layout? Of course not! They'll still have (typically) a 5 - 10 year stock of the current controller. So it's not like it would cost them anything to continue the current controller in the '09 E60. I still say that the '09 will be upgradable (software-wise) to the new interface. Otherwise, I still say it was a bigger waste of money to redesign the controller just for the '09 E60. Why put the controller in with no hope for upgrading it to the latest and greatest??
And when I say "redisign the controller," I'm talking about the controller and all that goes along with it in/on the console, i.e. the wood, mounting holes, positioning, etc.
And when I say "redisign the controller," I'm talking about the controller and all that goes along with it in/on the console, i.e. the wood, mounting holes, positioning, etc.
It does make sense if YOU think about the big picture.
The production is just-in-time, btw. They don't stock all the controllers.
Just think about it from an economic point of view, as if it was your company.
Continuing to build the E60 with the current controller costs much more than just use new controllers on all models.
Think about what they need to do/change to make everything work. Everything needs to communicate with the new computer. You can't just switch it.
However, it's not our decission and they have made theirs.
09-30-2008, 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by nicke60gre' post='681936' date='Sep 30 2008, 09:28 PM
...
Will the 7 Series sell more than 5 Series? I really don't get it....
Will the 7 Series sell more than 5 Series? I really don't get it....
09-30-2008, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by rhnorb' post='681814' date='Sep 30 2008, 01:11 PM
Buying a new 2009 5 series is like buying a new computer with DOS, while all the other computers have switched to Windows (e.g. 1, 3 and 7 series). This has got to hurt the E60 sales until the F10 comes out.
I dunno - there are always folks who prefer to buy a car in its last year of production, thinking that it will be the pinnacle of quality, with as many bugs and issues worked out as possible. I know several folks, mostly those who keep their cars a very long time who think and purchase cars this way. These folks likely won't care for bleeding edge, and to be honest - based on the bias they show by making purchases in that manner, don't trust the new technology.
I certainly like new stuff, but we can't deny the fact that quality improved from 2004 to 2006. I'm sure the 2009s will be better than the 2007/8s that had to deal with hashing out new technology that got introduced in those years.
09-30-2008, 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by BMW NA Customer Relations' post='681061' date='Sep 29 2008, 02:59 PM
I'm with BMW of North America, LLC. We want to clear up some confusion that appears to exist regarding iDrive. You may have noticed in the "build your own" section of BMWUSA.com or in some pictures posted on forums, that the new iDrive controller and buttons will be installed in the 2009 model year 5 Series and 6 Series. The software and functionality of the iDrive, however, will remain unchanged from the 2008 Model Year in these vehicles. In Model Year 2009, the 1 Series, 3 Series and 7 Series will be equipped with the new version of iDrive. We hope this answers any questions that you may have had regarding the iDrive in the 5 Series and 6 Series. As always, if you have any questions, please contact us at 800-831-1117 or via email at customer.relations@bmwusa.com.
09-30-2008, 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by UUronL' post='681962' date='Sep 30 2008, 12:58 PM
I dunno - there are always folks who prefer to buy a car in its last year of production, thinking that it will be the pinnacle of quality, with as many bugs and issues worked out as possible. I know several folks, mostly those who keep their cars a very long time who think and purchase cars this way. These folks likely won't care for bleeding edge, and to be honest - based on the bias they show by making purchases in that manner, don't trust the new technology.
09-30-2008, 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by alexf9496' post='681973' date='Sep 30 2008, 01:03 PM
That was exactly my reasoning when in February 2004, I picked up one of the last E39s (build date late 2003). I wasn't sold on the first year E60.
I would like to buy a 2009 for that very reason (its probably the best yet)....except I think in today's computer age the new iDrive will be critical to be able to take advantage of the sure to come major technology improvements. The new iDrive will keep you old e60 "new" for years. Conversely, the old iDrive (which I generally like) is a dead end as far as updating your car as time passes.
09-30-2008, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by subarashi' post='681966' date='Sep 30 2008, 04:01 PM
Thanks for the info! And..of course..welcome to the Forums!!
They may not post as much as the rest of us but they're usually lurking and checking things out!
