Eric

Don't mention it, BMW deserves the bad press. The philosophy behind the iDrive is flawed in my opinion.

The dash and center console of a vehicle should be the command center allowing driver and passenger easy access to all the controls. I rather see buttons and dials for quick access giving immediate clear visual feedback than the supposedly luxurious wood panel finishing. The center console of a car is to be used instead of being stared at.

With iDrive, front passenger cannot change the radio station as driver wanted to firm up the suspension, and of course, passenger can only redirect the air flow only after driver is finished with the navigation system.

Obviously, the clean-dash-no-button idea does not work. BMW engineers have no choice but to add the crucial temperature control buttons on the dash admitting defeat, along the road discretely putting back the CD next track buttons, and let's not forget the telephone keypad too. All poorly labeled of course, thanks to BMW's fixation on the 'clean dash' philosophy. A quick look at the steering wheel will confirm that controlling a complex machine requires more than a little dial, hence all the buttons!

BMW engineers probably took the arrogant approach that since most 7-series drivers never bother to learn the many functions, they have the right to hide everything away. This approach is inconsiderate and immature, with iDrive's slow processor and less than ideal user interface, even for a high-tech junky like myself, using it is a most frustrating experience.

And of course, the car is ugly too but that is another topic altogether.