BMW is learning from thier 7 series mistake! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Hutzal · 27th September 2002, 20:22

Just got this from auto spies, very good news for the 5 series!!

Here is the link to the article. The best part about the article is this...

Quote:

BMW is getting the message. The new 5-series will be toned down a bit compared with the 7-series

Eric · 28th September 2002, 10:20

Thanks for the link Hutzal!

At least I have done my part in voicing our discontent!

HBRAMSTEDT · 28th September 2002, 21:17

This gives a lot of credence to the idea that the 7 series is not such a natural styling success. Maybe even worse.

The point is, BMW wouldn't be "adjusting down" the E60 design unless the 7 had been unsuccessful from a $$ perspective.
This is further evidence against Finality's argument.

Up to this point, the E60 without question looks like a mini 7. I am glad to see BMW appears to be listening and adjusting.

Andrew2.8L · 29th September 2002, 01:58

Quote:

Originally posted by Eric
Thanks for the link Hutzal!

At least I have done my part in voicing our discontent!

So that was you huh? Nice work.

Eric · 29th September 2002, 04:24

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew2.8L

So that was you huh? Nice work.

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.

Hutzal · 29th September 2002, 04:33

Eric, i think they they are going to tone down the looks too, idrive is deffinentally not thier best idea, but the styling is ugly. Hopefully they will get the message about the idrive AND the styling and mabey we'll get a decent looking a functional E60.

Eric · 29th September 2002, 07:01

Quote:

Originally posted by Hutzal
Eric, i think they they are going to tone down the looks too, idrive is deffinentally not thier best idea, but the styling is ugly. Hopefully they will get the message about the idrive AND the styling and mabey we'll get a decent looking a functional E60.

Robb, let's hope so!

MEnthusiast · 29th September 2002, 07:16

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.

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.........

Eric · 30th September 2002, 02:21

Yes MEnthusiast thanks for the feedback, when I said tuning the radio, I meant entering or seeking new stations with stronger reception or switching bands outside of the memorized stations which I don't believe can be done without iDrive.

I agree with you on the excellent screen quality, at least it's a good starting point. I totally agree on the need to add more buttons to improve iDrive, and I believe the input interface should be over engineered allowing the overlapping of the iDrive knob, buttons, voice recognition (still rather immature) and touch screen.

Hutzal you're right, the looks is horrible. I think they started off in the wrong foot with the Z9 and went downhill from there. Didn't realize designing the outside and inside of a car could be such a challenge until seeing the mess BMW is in. Certain things we take for granted.

Adam · 30th September 2002, 13:11

Great link Robb, it was just a matter of time before bmw changed their ideas...no lets just sit back will held breath..

all the best
adam

dNA3D · 30th September 2002, 15:19

The New7 doesn't look too bad, in fact, it looks gorgeous once the design gets into you. However, I suppose that is a subjective opinion. But to be honest, the new 7 really looks better in the flesh (or should I say, metal) than in the pictures.