sos

Novetec,

You don't say where you are based?

UK cars didn't come with VR, even with pro-nav on the earlier spec cars. It's a ?180 retrofit.

As others have said, earlier cars have a split "menu/voice" button by the i-drive. Later cars, post 2007 don't have this split button, but can/do still have VR through the steering wheel control.

dagdisco03

I have VR in my 06 xi and no NAV but the button on the center console is the single menu button and not split with the menu/voice. I think the split button is only in cars with NAV.

545felix

you don't have full voice recognition, only the commands for the phone. the VR we're talking about lets you dial directly from your phone's phonebook (yours can voice dial but you have to program the entries into the car first, whereas this one simply reads your phone's list directly), change audio sources, program the navigation, etc.

it sounds cooler than it is. it kinda works, but the delays are so long that you're usually much better off just using the idrive controller. i just use it for the voice dialing.

jprovence

the more and more I use it, the more I find it usefull. Like jumping directly to certain menus that would take 3 or 4 idrive button or scrolling, like jumping to phone contacts, or nav information

pjinca

I have now used all of 4 times in 2+ years, definitely one of the more useless functions I have. Would've gladly given this up for an iPod adapter, anyone know where I can find info on installing one?

novetec

sorry I am in the us and have the split buttons next to the shiffter

ponnu

I use all the time, it takes time to learn, but really useful to me..

az525i

Hello everyone. I'm new to the Forum and I was wondering about this as well. I don't have the split button by the center console, I only have the big Menu button. I can see my address book on the iDrive, but if I say "Dial Name" after pressing the VR button on the steering wheel, it tells me "The phone book is empty" So if I understand correctly, if I want to use VR to dial one of my contacts, do I need to first save the name (teach VR)?

By the way, I would have also taken an ipod / iphone adapter anytime over this particular feature.