Felix

Clearly I-Drive is the way to go. One single button/knob that controls a multitude of functions. I love the fact that once you become familiar with it you almost don't have to take your eyes off the road while using it. IMO people who complain about it are simply too lazy or lack the patience to familiarize themselves with the device and the menues. As long as the frequently used functions are easy to reach with a few movements of the knob, I don't mind if rarely used settings are buried a little deeper. Anyway, such items are not meant to be accessed while driving. It is still a lot easier to change settings via a nice menu than pulling fuses and using a certain sequence of turn signals and other controls just to change the door lock settings as it was the case on a Pontiac Grand Prix that I owned.

Sure, there is always room for improvement, like menue structure etc. E.g. the introduction of a limited number of programmable buttons seems to be a good idea (probably just a matter of time until the journalists start complaining about that).

And, as rtl2 mentioned, if one really can not figure it out, one can still use voice command. But then one would have to learn the commands...

I love the I-Drive, the more control the better.

Roleez

iDrive may have its good and bad points, but overall, it's a great interface. I admit that it could do without the extra menus when trying to simply change a radio station or CD#. But then again, there's a quick alternate: voice command. Then of course there are those who would rather have a button to press without consuming too much time toggling through a few menus or waiting for the voice command to beep and wait for your response. Regardless, iDrive is a great feature that I believe is getting pounded on by those who aren't quite computer literate. And I still find it odd that those who've tried the iDrive copycat in a Benz (COMAND) find that interface more intuitive despite the fact that it contains WAY MORE menus vs. BMW's. Go figure.

swajames

As a concept, iDrive is undoubtedly the right way to go and BMW deserves credit for having the balls to do it first. In execution, however, both BMW's software and (most specifically) its user interface are utterly appalling. In my opinion, other manufacturers (most specifically Audi, Mercedes and Jaguar with their latest flash-based interface) do indeed do it better. It's got nothing at all to do with being computer or IT literate - the issue is that it's simply a third rate implementation of a first rate idea, and BMW needs to do better.

info@trinityautosport

+1. i mastered it probably after 2 to 3 days. just one knob/one button... its easy and i love it.

CWG

I have about 250 mile on the 08 550i and am still learning the idrive, but had to chime in that I don't really see what all the fuss is about. I am sure after a little more playing with it I will be very comfortable with it, and I am enjoying using it at this point

MacSid

I LOVE I-Drive, and agree with all the comments re:
- it is definitely the only way to efficiently control so many systems
- BMW is certainly ahead of time with the concept and the improvements that have been made (and those which surely will continue to come)
- the concept is certainly being copied by other manufacturers

It does do a lot for you, and all it takes is about an hour or two with the manual, plus a little exploring and experimenting, to learn what it can do for you and how to get it to do all that stuff. I think the auto journalists are doing a serious injustice to the benefits of the system simpy because they have neither the interest nor the time to (a) learn about the thing and (b) actually use it in practice over a period of time. That knob's a mouse, just like the one on our desks, and just as easy to use ... if one bothers to use it!

It could be made a little more intuitive, perhaps, but you could argue how much intuitiveness is related to plain old familiarity with where things are. It could also have more depth to the menus and options than it currently does. On the whole, though, I'd rather have it, than not.

MacSid

bmw093

+100% I purchased with lots of doubt, and have loved every second of the thing. You just have to take the time to learn it, and it becomes second nature. It's like using a mouse over function keys--a no brainer. Besides, who wants buttons all over the car, hidden in corner spots or littering a dashboard, or in the case of the Lexus GS, both. I drive is the solution, not the problem.

rayray06

Many scrutinized the computer for various reasons because it was unfamiliar to them and they shunned the idea of learning something new. Others said the computer would take over and rule the world making life harder. Fast forward to where the computer is today. The computer is a user interface that process several functions at speeds no human can compete with, but it requires human interaction of the interface with machine. Taking this into consideration one has to adapt to the technology of the times while understanding the simplicity of what it controls. I will agree that some techno stuff are a bit too complicated to grasp at first glance, what BMW did was take all those buttons that clustered the dash and centralized it into an interface that allowed the driver to safely focus on the road while driving their "ULTIMATE" machine. If those people who hate i-drive so much would take the time to familiarize themselves with its functions before they set out to drive, then the simplicity of moving a knob up, down. left, right, and even pushing down, would be less of a headache than trying to understand it while driving. The concept of i-drive should not be confused with the issues of an operating system. I-drive functions were well thought out by the engineers at BMW, just pay attention to the many auto makers adapting to this concept.

judahzlion

I wish there is even more to iDrive than current function. I wish we have a way to add, remove, modify the user interface as we like as well as enable or disable some interfaces without going back to the dealer. I work in Cellular phone design company where we debate what functions to give end users including Re-flashing OS simply by downloading latest release through secured website. So far we have received Very few claims or complaints on updating.
This article undermines users intelligence.

550isport

I like i-drive. My only complaint is that it could be a bit faster. But the one thing I absolutely love about it (and didn't realize until I drove in my car as a passenger) is that it acts as quite a litmus test.

Example: Someone who has the reflexes, eyesight and focused attention to drive @ 50% over the posted speed limits, in town and on the highway, will have that much extra ability in reserve when they slow down to use the i-drive. However, drivers who don't have any extra ability in reserve are very challenged when they try to drive and use i-drive simultaneously. So, it is in a way, a test of your mental capacities as a driver. I had to have a rim repaired last week as a result of someone failing that test....

DRP