I-Drive . . . there's no turning back
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,517
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From: North Carolina, USA
My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i
2006 BMW X3
One thing I didn't like about the M45 interface is the far reach to the controller and its soft touch. I couldn't get used to it while just sitting at a car show. You had to be to gentle and precise, hard to do while driving. The iDrive controller works better.
A new Acura TL has a poor interface, IMO. There are many buttons in an odd arangement. I tried to program a lady's bluetooth and had to give up after 1 hour!!! The whole interface seemed convoluted compared to the simple "concept" of the iDrive.
The downfall to the iDrive (referencing an '08 550i) is the multiple areas in each menu. IE, having to go up or down between sections, especially on the nav menu. Apparently the '09 3 & 7 and '10 5 fixes that.
PS: I need to adjust the center vent frequently in the spring and fall. At least the '08 shortcut button makes it easier than the '06 version. Every morning I switch it to warm. Every afternoon I switch it to cool. Especially when the car is hot after work, you still have to wait for the accept screen, OK it (or let it time out), and then pull up the menu and change it. In the mean time, the auto A/C has blown hot air in your face for minutes.
A new Acura TL has a poor interface, IMO. There are many buttons in an odd arangement. I tried to program a lady's bluetooth and had to give up after 1 hour!!! The whole interface seemed convoluted compared to the simple "concept" of the iDrive.
The downfall to the iDrive (referencing an '08 550i) is the multiple areas in each menu. IE, having to go up or down between sections, especially on the nav menu. Apparently the '09 3 & 7 and '10 5 fixes that.
PS: I need to adjust the center vent frequently in the spring and fall. At least the '08 shortcut button makes it easier than the '06 version. Every morning I switch it to warm. Every afternoon I switch it to cool. Especially when the car is hot after work, you still have to wait for the accept screen, OK it (or let it time out), and then pull up the menu and change it. In the mean time, the auto A/C has blown hot air in your face for minutes.
Members
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 150
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From: Perth WA
My Ride: 2004 E60 530i TITANIUM SILVER METALLIC
19 INCH RIMS
SPORTS SUSPENSION
SPORTS SEATS,DVD PLAYER,SPORTS STEERIN WHEEL, FULL ELECTRICS, REAR SPORTS SPOILER
Hey I have no problems with my IDRIVE, it was a big step for me AND MUCH FASTER THAN MY HOME PC "THE COMMODORE 64"
Senior Members
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,158
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From: New York und Wien
Originally Posted by Richard in NC' post='836510' date='Apr 4 2009, 09:07 PM
A new Acura TL has a poor interface, IMO. There are many buttons in an odd arangement. I tried to program a lady's bluetooth and had to give up after 1 hour!!! The whole interface seemed convoluted compared to the simple "concept" of the iDrive.
Members
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10
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From: Bay Area, CA
I will need to be paid if I go into details. Are you working for BMW R&D I-drive department?
I'm software UI designer and I know about I-drive issues before I got the car last year but I did not know that I-drive is that slow. Anyway BMW knows this well and I hope they're going into right direction with 09 3 series.
I'm software UI designer and I know about I-drive issues before I got the car last year but I did not know that I-drive is that slow. Anyway BMW knows this well and I hope they're going into right direction with 09 3 series.
Originally Posted by JSpira' post='836591' date='Apr 4 2009, 10:15 PM
care to finish that sentence? Regardless, just concerning the first part of what you said, the MMI has very illogical menu sequences and the button layout around the MMI knob is not only counter-intuitive but it also requires the driver to look down to see which button to push.
What codes are you talking about?
What codes are you talking about?
Senior Members
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,158
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From: New York und Wien
Originally Posted by korg_em1' post='836634' date='Apr 5 2009, 12:28 AM
I will need to be paid if I go into details. Are you working for BMW R&D I-drive department?
I'm software UI designer and I know about I-drive issues before I got the car last year but I did not know that I-drive is that slow. Anyway BMW knows this well and I hope they're going into right direction with 09 3 series.
I'm software UI designer and I know about I-drive issues before I got the car last year but I did not know that I-drive is that slow. Anyway BMW knows this well and I hope they're going into right direction with 09 3 series.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,119
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From: San Jose, California, USA
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by JSpira' post='836593' date='Apr 4 2009, 08:16 PM
Looks like three separate committees designed it and didn?t speak to one another.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: New York und Wien
Originally Posted by swajames' post='836655' date='Apr 5 2009, 12:52 AM
Which in fairness is, of course, a criticism that could equally have been leveled at the early iterations of the iDrive user interface. That also suffered from its own design inconsistencies.
The Acura's overall dash and tech design is so compartmentalized that it really looks like different committees were involved that did not even try to communicate.
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