iDrive speed on Non-Nav versus Nav
01-29-2006, 05:03 AM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Just moved to Rocket City (Huntsville, AL)
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had the chance to drive a 530xiT for a couple of days before my 530xi arrived. The xiT was an "early" 2006 (ie - no Start Button) model without Nav, and the standard US radio (whatever that means for that production day). My xi is a November 2006 build (I have a start button) with Nav and Premium Sound (Logic7). My two questions are this:
1 - Why is the iDrive so much more responsive on the xiT (that does not have nav)? I can be at the main menu and push the controller in any direction on any menu, and, POW - there's the next menu/option. On my Nav-equipped machine, I can push the controller and count to three before the iDrive actually does anything. This is in just about every menu option. Even changing the track on a CD. Before someone blames my CCC, I have had two CCC's and CIP 19.x and 20.x. The behavior was the same.
2 - This one is hard to describe: when selecting MP3 files from a long list: On the non-Nav xiT, I could scroll around quickly and easily, and the iDrive controller knob would not "kick back" when I got to the bottom of the screen, which was not the bottom of the list. The display would just scroll very smoothly. On my Nav xi, when I get to the bottom of the screen, but not the bottom of the list, the iDrive knob "kicks back" (like there are no more entries), pauses for a second (like it is retrieving more data), and then displays more of the list. The same thing happens while scrolling through my phone's address book via iDrive. It's like the non-Nav cars have more memory for buffering these entries, while the Nav-equipped cars can only buffer a little bit at the time and have to keep pausing while they retrieve more data.
3 - When playing MP3 files, why is it that Non-Nav cars show the MP3 "tags" for the song currently playing, while my Nav-equipped car only shows the file name? I played the same CD in my xi and the xiT and took pictures of what I mean (attached below).
Sure: this is whining for parts 2 & 3, but the speed issue in #1 is aggravating. Any ideas?
My Car (530xi with Nav):
530xiT without Nav:
1 - Why is the iDrive so much more responsive on the xiT (that does not have nav)? I can be at the main menu and push the controller in any direction on any menu, and, POW - there's the next menu/option. On my Nav-equipped machine, I can push the controller and count to three before the iDrive actually does anything. This is in just about every menu option. Even changing the track on a CD. Before someone blames my CCC, I have had two CCC's and CIP 19.x and 20.x. The behavior was the same.
2 - This one is hard to describe: when selecting MP3 files from a long list: On the non-Nav xiT, I could scroll around quickly and easily, and the iDrive controller knob would not "kick back" when I got to the bottom of the screen, which was not the bottom of the list. The display would just scroll very smoothly. On my Nav xi, when I get to the bottom of the screen, but not the bottom of the list, the iDrive knob "kicks back" (like there are no more entries), pauses for a second (like it is retrieving more data), and then displays more of the list. The same thing happens while scrolling through my phone's address book via iDrive. It's like the non-Nav cars have more memory for buffering these entries, while the Nav-equipped cars can only buffer a little bit at the time and have to keep pausing while they retrieve more data.
3 - When playing MP3 files, why is it that Non-Nav cars show the MP3 "tags" for the song currently playing, while my Nav-equipped car only shows the file name? I played the same CD in my xi and the xiT and took pictures of what I mean (attached below).
Sure: this is whining for parts 2 & 3, but the speed issue in #1 is aggravating. Any ideas?
My Car (530xi with Nav):
530xiT without Nav:
01-29-2006, 06:12 AM
#2
Members
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London UK
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 535d Sport Carbon Black/Black Leather
Media Pack,Visibility Pack,Through Load,Logic 7,Electric Seats,Sun Protection Glass,Maple Wood,Lumbar Adj,Heated Seats,Folding Mirrors
idrive without Professional Nav or any of the other options is a lot quicker. I have a 535d with Professional Nav and a few other options and the response is slow and takes a while to boot up when I start the car, I've had a 530i loaner which had a basic spec but response times were much quicker.
Seems BMW could do with adding some memory or processing power!
Seems BMW could do with adding some memory or processing power!
01-29-2006, 06:22 AM
#3
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Prague, Czech Rep. - Europe
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 BMW 530I steptronic, Orient Blue, Dakota Black Leather, Finishers Aluminium with Wave Cutting interior, NAVIgation, Radio PROFESSIONAL, CD in-dash, Hi-Fi extended sound system, PDC system, Bi-Xenons lights with washers, cruise-control, heated seats, Extended AC, auto"shade" mirrors, auto lights sensors, rain/wiper sensor, M-tech leather multifunction steering wheel, side airbags rearseats, sliding armrest, smoker's package (I don't smoke!), velour floor mats, spare wheel and jack, 122 style rims winter setup, M135 style rims summer setup
[color=red]Mods:[/color]
[color=blue]M tech sport steering wheel with M5 SMG paddles working retrofit done !
Trunk lid opening button retrofit done.[/color]
[color=blue]3M window 35% tint done
Chrome grilles
E60.net Clings
[/color]
I've also realized one thing.... the I-drive has some kind of pre-boot up process if you open the car with the remote key.....
I mean if you unlock the car with the remote and get in right away the I-drive is on right away as soon as turn the keyin the ignition
as opposed when you open already unlocked car the I-drive will take a few sec to boot up after ignition.
and yes, I have nav
I mean if you unlock the car with the remote and get in right away the I-drive is on right away as soon as turn the keyin the ignition
as opposed when you open already unlocked car the I-drive will take a few sec to boot up after ignition.
and yes, I have nav
01-29-2006, 07:08 AM
#4
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ohio, USA
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 530xi. Deep green with beige interior. 6 speed manual. Premium package.
Originally Posted by RobertB' post='231362' date='Jan 29 2006, 09:03 AM
I had the chance to drive a 530xiT for a couple of days before my 530xi arrived. The xiT was an "early" 2006 (ie - no Start Button) model without Nav, and the standard US radio (whatever that means for that production day). My xi is a November 2006 build (I have a start button) with Nav and Premium Sound (Logic7). My two questions are this:
1 - Why is the iDrive so much more responsive on the xiT (that does not have nav)? I can be at the main menu and push the controller in any direction on any menu, and, POW - there's the next menu/option. On my Nav-equipped machine, I can push the controller and count to three before the iDrive actually does anything. This is in just about every menu option. Even changing the track on a CD. Before someone blames my CCC, I have had two CCC's and CIP 19.x and 20.x. The behavior was the same.
2 - This one is hard to describe: when selecting MP3 files from a long list: On the non-Nav xiT, I could scroll around quickly and easily, and the iDrive controller knob would not "kick back" when I got to the bottom of the screen, which was not the bottom of the list. The display would just scroll very smoothly. On my Nav xi, when I get to the bottom of the screen, but not the bottom of the list, the iDrive knob "kicks back" (like there are no more entries), pauses for a second (like it is retrieving more data), and then displays more of the list. The same thing happens while scrolling through my phone's address book via iDrive. It's like the non-Nav cars have more memory for buffering these entries, while the Nav-equipped cars can only buffer a little bit at the time and have to keep pausing while they retrieve more data.
3 - When playing MP3 files, why is it that Non-Nav cars show the MP3 "tags" for the song currently playing, while my Nav-equipped car only shows the file name? I played the same CD in my xi and the xiT and took pictures of what I mean (attached below).
try when you are playing hte song to click on it with the idrive and there is a selection for show info or someting like that, then it will display the information you want
Sure: this is whining for parts 2 & 3, but the speed issue in #1 is aggravating. Any ideas?
My Car (530xi with Nav):
Attachment 14842
530xiT without Nav:
Attachment 14843
1 - Why is the iDrive so much more responsive on the xiT (that does not have nav)? I can be at the main menu and push the controller in any direction on any menu, and, POW - there's the next menu/option. On my Nav-equipped machine, I can push the controller and count to three before the iDrive actually does anything. This is in just about every menu option. Even changing the track on a CD. Before someone blames my CCC, I have had two CCC's and CIP 19.x and 20.x. The behavior was the same.
2 - This one is hard to describe: when selecting MP3 files from a long list: On the non-Nav xiT, I could scroll around quickly and easily, and the iDrive controller knob would not "kick back" when I got to the bottom of the screen, which was not the bottom of the list. The display would just scroll very smoothly. On my Nav xi, when I get to the bottom of the screen, but not the bottom of the list, the iDrive knob "kicks back" (like there are no more entries), pauses for a second (like it is retrieving more data), and then displays more of the list. The same thing happens while scrolling through my phone's address book via iDrive. It's like the non-Nav cars have more memory for buffering these entries, while the Nav-equipped cars can only buffer a little bit at the time and have to keep pausing while they retrieve more data.
3 - When playing MP3 files, why is it that Non-Nav cars show the MP3 "tags" for the song currently playing, while my Nav-equipped car only shows the file name? I played the same CD in my xi and the xiT and took pictures of what I mean (attached below).
try when you are playing hte song to click on it with the idrive and there is a selection for show info or someting like that, then it will display the information you want
Sure: this is whining for parts 2 & 3, but the speed issue in #1 is aggravating. Any ideas?
My Car (530xi with Nav):
Attachment 14842
530xiT without Nav:
Attachment 14843
01-29-2006, 07:59 AM
#5
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Just moved to Rocket City (Huntsville, AL)
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
01-29-2006, 07:42 PM
#6
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Just moved to Rocket City (Huntsville, AL)
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That was it - at the very bottom of the menu there is a "Details" checkbox. Once I selected that, then the MP3 ID tags are displayed.
w00t!
Now if I could only fix the scrolling issue, and the responsiveness of iDrive...
w00t!
Now if I could only fix the scrolling issue, and the responsiveness of iDrive...
01-30-2006, 09:49 AM
#7
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,573
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 530i Sport
Silver Gray - Black Leather - Anthracite Maple
Manual Transmission
Premium Audio
Cold Weather Package
Rear sunshade
Sirius Radio
Autobahnd Roadblock (3M) film kit
Originally Posted by RobertB' post='231729' date='Jan 29 2006, 11:42 PM
That was it - at the very bottom of the menu there is a "Details" checkbox. Once I selected that, then the MP3 ID tags are displayed.
w00t!
Now if I could only fix the scrolling issue, and the responsiveness of iDrive...
w00t!
Now if I could only fix the scrolling issue, and the responsiveness of iDrive...
Well, the force-feedback should be something that could be varied by BMW, but I imagine it's set the way it is to prevent the user from inputting lots of command requests that would likely be queued and then executed once the CCC got to them. This could be quite annoying - especially if you were to input too many while the CCC was pausing. We've all experienced this sort of thing with other devices - navigating past the point we intended because we were too impatient with a slow UI.
Also, I don't think there is any force-feedback on the non-Nav cars which would explain the lack of the pushback, but not the difference in speed.
01-30-2006, 10:24 AM
#8
Members
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RobertB, you're absolutely right, the idrive is much slower w/ Nav -- to the point of frustration. It's downright shameful that BMW didn't foresee this and put more processing power in Nav-equipped cars.
Hell, I've nearly wrecked screwing with this thing.
I had heard this is only a 5-series issue (the 7-series doesn't have this problem, even with the more 'complicated' version of i-drive) and that a change (not necessarily retroactive) is on the horizon.
Hell, I've nearly wrecked screwing with this thing.
I had heard this is only a 5-series issue (the 7-series doesn't have this problem, even with the more 'complicated' version of i-drive) and that a change (not necessarily retroactive) is on the horizon.
01-30-2006, 11:18 AM
#10
Contributors
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Stourbridge, UK
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 535D Sport Auto
I have the same problem with my Pro Nav :thumbsdown: On my last E60 I had the Business Nav with the small screen and the response was instantaneous. Also bus nav can calculate a route within a few seconds.