Car and Driver "Five at Fifty" Comparison in Sep 2009 issue
07-30-2009, 05:19 AM
#21
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Originally Posted by Allen' post='959271' date='Jul 30 2009, 07:43 AM
The last time I drove an Audi, it drove very nice, and handled like a BMW. But I hate the aluminum dash board on those things...I think most of them have it...hideous! In fact I hate the alunimum on my 535i steering wheel, but it's part of the Sports package, so I'll just have to get used to it.
07-30-2009, 05:58 AM
#22
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My Ride: 2008 550I LOADED, all options except HUD and NV
Originally Posted by craigm1841' post='958853' date='Jul 29 2009, 06:12 PM
+1. you know what? if you cant get with the times, it is time for you to move on, bring in a younger crowd. i work with a guy that is like 65. he is horrible on comuters, which our job revolves around. i dont know what he used to do, maybe he was a smoke signal analyst or a telegraph intercept operator. now this guy is trying to work with high-tech devices. he doesnt even know what is going on around here... so he might think some of our technology is bad. guess what? TIME TO GO OLD MAN.
All the bad tech reviews come from the people that get mad when blockbuster doesnt have VHS tapes for them to rent anymore. Get with the program. in with the new. out with the old.
in the past 50 years on this planet, we have seen incredible technological advances. now the old timers are out of the loop and cant keep up. move over and let this 26 year old have your job. that is how i feel about MY job, that is how i feel about old men reviewing the i-drive. why dont you go review polydent.
All the bad tech reviews come from the people that get mad when blockbuster doesnt have VHS tapes for them to rent anymore. Get with the program. in with the new. out with the old.
in the past 50 years on this planet, we have seen incredible technological advances. now the old timers are out of the loop and cant keep up. move over and let this 26 year old have your job. that is how i feel about MY job, that is how i feel about old men reviewing the i-drive. why dont you go review polydent.
My dad would probably just grumble to himself trying to figure it out
07-30-2009, 07:07 AM
#23
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My Ride: 2008 535xi-
Alpine White, Natural Brown Interior, Sport Pack, Premium Pack, Comfort Access, 20 way Multi-contor seats, Navigation, 18" rims, Cold Weather Pack
My only gripe is that if everything else on the car is great like handling and performance- wise, why choose to slam the the car for an i-drive that might not be the best but is very functional. If you bash BMW for the i-drive why not buy a civic that doesn't have any of that annoying technology
07-30-2009, 07:39 AM
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Ah C&D. I used to read it, but one day realized if I really want to take a nap I can just count sheep. Seriously the most lifeless magazine on the planet. It's Top Gear or nothing for me!
I'm not surprised the MB came in last, I haven't read a good review yet on the new one (non AMG).
I'm not surprised the MB came in last, I haven't read a good review yet on the new one (non AMG).
07-30-2009, 07:55 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550I LOADED, all options except HUD and NV
Originally Posted by mnmike' post='959475' date='Jul 30 2009, 08:39 AM
Ah C&D. I used to read it, but one day realized if I really want to take a nap I can just count sheep. Seriously the most lifeless magazine on the planet. It's Top Gear or nothing for me!
) any day.
07-30-2009, 07:59 AM
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My Ride: 1985 325e (sold it in 1996) // 2001 Z3 2.5 / White / Blk Lthr / 5-spd (wife's) // 04 530i / Metallic Blk / Beige Lthr / 6-spd / Logic7 / 19" 166 Michelin Pilot Sp
Actually, the i-Drive controller itself is quite efficient from a human factors perspective. After consideration of many input and navigation designs, it made the short list for Orion as the seated controller to interface with the display units. (I recommended it based on my experiences with it in my e60 and the envisioned operator tasks--it was rejected, however.)
07-30-2009, 09:38 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
So exactly how much advertising did Audi have to buy to secure the top spot?? 
07-30-2009, 10:02 AM
#28
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My Ride: '07 550i with SP, Nav, Logic7
I-Drive does take some getting used to. Once you're comfortable, it becomes the second nature.
Most of the reviewers do not spend more than a couple hours with the car so I can understand why they're frustrated.
Most of the reviewers do not spend more than a couple hours with the car so I can understand why they're frustrated.
07-30-2009, 10:46 AM
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I understand the fuss - THIS IS A BMW FORUM .... But, I bet the M-B forums are really buzzing ... even the Jag and M45 outranked them.
I believe Audi has been doing its homework. They produce very nice cars. Some of them actually might drive better than some BMWs.
I believe Audi has been doing its homework. They produce very nice cars. Some of them actually might drive better than some BMWs.
07-30-2009, 04:13 PM
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My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i
2006 BMW X3
I've now had 3 generations of iDrive. I first learned it with an '06 650i. I got used to it but disliked how cumbersome many functions were to use. The '08 550i version is a step in the right direction.
However, the latest iDrive (in my '9 Z4) is a big step forward. Its MUCH faster and easier to navigate between functions. There are a few things the '08 does better (such as storing nav addresses) but maybe I haven't learned the most efficient ways of using the new one.
I wonder which version was in the 535i?
However, the latest iDrive (in my '9 Z4) is a big step forward. Its MUCH faster and easier to navigate between functions. There are a few things the '08 does better (such as storing nav addresses) but maybe I haven't learned the most efficient ways of using the new one.
I wonder which version was in the 535i?