Merv the Derv

I like the I drive it makes the car much more interesting especially in traffic jams

The thing I hate about the pro nav version is how it seems disconnected from the controller its too slow by any standard. The bus nav that I had in my first E60 was instant to the touch and the sat nav could be programmed within seconds

red-max

I agree, the iDrive is a good idea, but poorly executed.

I test-drove a new E92 with full Nav and I couldn't believe how s-l-o-w the iDrive was in that car - in fact it was so bad I specified an E92 without Nav to avoid iDrive altogegther in my new car.

I really cannot understand why BMW can't put a USB 2.0 interface in the cars to avoid taking a whole day to do a software update. Madness.

upf7

USB 2.0 mmmmmmmm That would really be easy to hack. Could you imagine the warranty claims after restoring the software to the "before" version.

dlevi67

If the iDrive cannot figure out what I tell it to do, then it's too damned slow

madoon

i think its ok.. but i wount even bother trying to teach my mother how to use it, shes not a computer person at all...
suprisingly my father knows how to use it, i was a bit suprised to see he was confident in changing radio stations... so i guess the system is not as complicated as we think, it just takes a little time to understand how the knob works...

what the idrive need is something under the entertainment menu other than radio, i have the small screen, so no tv, and in trafic jams i hope there was some kind of game, that like the tv would close at speed,, what can i say i really get bored in trafic jams...

no i dont think it will be an easy hack, even if it could hook up to normal USB port in ur PC, you wont be able to controll it without special software, probably some hardware too, and good luck findin the drivers for that... wont be simple at all, probably even more complicated...

znod

Figuring it out is one thing. But, whether or not it is a well executed piece of equipment is another, of course. I put the iDrive right up there iwht the voice command system. I rarely use it because it can't understand what I think is pretty decent rendition of US English. Half the time it can't even understand when I say "yes." And, when I say "dial Betty cell," it invariably replies "audio" and takes me to the audio menu. When I say "dial Betty home," it invariably says "I couldn't understand you." Then, when I repeat, it says "do you want to be connected to Betty home?" Then, I say "yes," and see above. The voice-command system needs to be "adjustable" so it can adapt to one's voice. And on and on. And, then there's the navigation system. Need I say more.

Will I buy a 550i? Probably so. I'll even get nav so I'll have the big screen--so I can split it and have entertainment on one side and something else on the other in living color. I like my 545i a great deal, but I don't care much for its electronics--including, of course, it CIP/PROGMAN updates. Siemens-VDO out to be fired with a Japanese company being hired, IMO.