Quote:
Originally posted by 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.
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I agree that idrive is poorly executed. however, you are wrong about changing radio stations, there are buttons for preset up and down on the dash. as to tuning in new stations, ive said it before, the radio section of the idrive is a total disaster. I also agree that if the concept is virturally no buttons and just the hockey puck controller then its a big flop. however, I think with some tweaking, some more dash buttons for direct access the idrive system can be a good success for some things it works very well (phone and nav come to mind). the screen is one of the best Ive seen and never washes out in sunlight. I think the nice dash of the 7 fits its luxury car mission well, but I am worried that the E60 has a very similar dash- this is not a dash for the 5er- they need to stick with the angled cockpit look. But the spy pics show the interior to be very similar to the 7........
btw- if you want arrogant approaches in the "we are the masters and you are just lemmings along for the ride" well, witness the attitude on styling and on the phase out of traditional manual gear boxes in the M cars.........