milani

Though I've never actually used the system on the road, when I tried out the iDrive system, I found it to be extremely tedious and annoying. BMW's are supposed to be drivers cars, and Id think it'd be hard to "drive" the car, when you are too busy fiddling with a computer screen instead of watching the road. I don’t know about you, but I could see myself being too busy punching through the gears to fool around with a computer (assuming they’ll have a 6 speed manual option…) I must say, I don’t like the direction BMW are going in. Lately they seem to make all the wrong choices. But enough of my opinions, what do you guys think of the iDrive system? Is it really necessary... was it so hard to just press a button on the dash?

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/// 2003 BMW M5 : 2005 Porsche Boxster : 1989 Porsche 944 Turbo S : 2006 BMW X3 3.0

M!

well, i dont entirely like the system; but consider how many buttons you've got on a S class, you wonder how all the controls should be simplified. (side note: upcoming S class has some sort of iDrive/MMI system)

the iDrive controller makes sense if you already have Nav. but to incorporate simple functions like AirCon, etc into it, and you have to go thru a few pages to get to dialing down the temperature just does not make sense. simple functions should have their own buttons / controls. Audi does it well with their MMI doing many functions and the basics out with simple buttons.

the Mdrive or whatever it is called makes sense when it centralizes all the settings.

also makes sense for hybrid cars,etc. I still think the R34 (?) GT-R Skyline's computer / Nav with all the goodies (torque split, boost, graph and recall function, track black box, etc etc) and a glorious Nismo start up screen for those who had the upgrade, etcetc would be a very cool feature, and should have been thought of for the M5. I wonder if the aftermarket tuners (Schnitzer, Alpina, Hartge, Hamann, Dinan) would have access to the system and offer upgrades. and a backup camera too please.

And, how about in the next BMW's - touch screen Nav and menus? already done in some Japanese imports. I am sure the german engineers had not anticipate how cheap these touch screens are now and instead used idrive controllers.

i would say, if you are getting the M5, get a AC Schnizter idrive knob - looks like of cool (to detract any from the idrive).

i am driving a QP now. nothing wrong without an idrive or MMI. the dash is simple and clean. nothing like a MB's clutter. I do wish the Nav is DVD and touch screen though.

HomerUK

Don't forget that the extended voice control can be used for most of these functions now, and there is a special display for opperating the audio system.

From what I understand you can even adjust ventilation and the seat heating position, introduced on the 7 series, through the voice. As well as all the normal functions you would expect.

As long as you can get on with the voice, once the car is setup, you should not need to navigate the I-Drive menus. Just say the command and only use the I-Drive control to input data like new destinations.

Sacha...

e46m3

I find marked buttons easiest to use. Buttons offers the best visual and tactile feedback for inputting.

With iDrive, it's frustrating as one easily forgets the submenu locations, and the knob is not comfortable to hold and use. Voice control is worse as one naturally forgets what to say, especially the not very frequently used commands.

The best system is the combination of all three, buttons, mouse/joystick/knob, and voice recognition.

Forget about superficial style, just create a user friendly interface with form following function. Bring bak the engineers and let them run the show, no shallow silly flame surfacing, hotel furniture BS.

HomerUK

IMO the new M5 has it covered as best it can with the BMW parts available. There are marked buttons for the imoprtant M specific bits as well as the M button on the steering wheel. Also there is another programmable button on the wheel that you can pick its function from a list.

I totally agree that a combination is the best solution, and had no issues with this setup in the 7 series. I also found the 7 series I-Drive easier than the simplified version in the E60, not sure if anyone else found this?

With the host of functions and settings in the cars we are never going to get away from menu based systems. It's just the job of the people in control of the erganomics to ensure we have the right functions within easy or instant access, IMO the M5 has this with the M button and additional buttons by the gear lever.

The vioce control is getting there and a vast improvement on the last generation, not perfect by a long shot but it shows the're trying. They have increased the functionality and systems controlable with the extended voice to an extent that, once the car is set the way you like, you shouldn't need to use I-Drive, well other to enter data. I don't quite understand the comment about forgetting the voice commands? Phone "name", map, CD "n", track "n" etc. But I do think there's a the human element to think of, you might have a cold, sore throat or the roof down on a convertable, all of these will require using the I-Drive to access all those options again.

Sacha...

milani

Regardless of so called improvements, I really can’t understand how or why BMW feel that iDrive is a better system then what the old M5 had. There are just too many problems with a system that requires you to take your hand off the wheel, and begin to navigate a digital screen with something that makes the computer mouse look intelligently designed. Assume you are ripping though the gears around a tight corner and you need to change the heat because the windows are fogging in. Are you seriously going to take your hand off the wheel somewhere between second and third, and start fiddling with the iDrive system simply to change the heat? The entire system seems to canter to people who don’t enjoy actually driving the car. BMW’s are supposed to be driver’s cars (and I don’t mean going to the store with the family sort of drivers). And voice commands aren’t much better, what if you had other people in the car? Are you going to yell out “TRACK 2” in the middle of a conversation? If you ask me they should put the iDrive system in the back seat and let the people who are too good to drive their cars mess around with it. As a car enthusiast, I say lose the system and let the driver drive the car again.

Spiroman

Or at least give people the choice - do you want iDrive or a bunch of buttons on the dash - it would be entirely up to you.

Best regards,

HomerUK

The old system?

Do you mean the old 6.5" screen that had menus to activate various functions? Or are you talking about a base car with the little LED display to navigate to activate the options?

Even tho we had all the buttons before we still had menus and submenus, I remember them in my E34 M5, submenus on the small display for settings. Now all this has been packaged into a nice graphical display a lot of people seem to hate it? Don't get me wrong I think the way it's implemented could do with improving, but just how many buttons are you able to put up with?

Would people be happy with I-Drive if it was a touch screen solution like the Lexus?

So could someone please help me clarify what functionallity buttons that were on an E39, fitted with the screen, that need to be on the E60? As I might be missing the point. IMO the only extra buttons I can think of is a number pad, like the 7, for the phone and it could even do the CD and track.

Also MB are just about to implement a new centralised system on the S, not surewhat it will be like at the moment, to reduce the cluttered interior. So it seems that centralised systems are here to stay.

Sacha...

HomerUK

No you would press the screen clear button, the one that turns the fans to full and directes it to the windscreen and small side window vents. Same as the E39.

You said youhave never driven a car with I-Drive, but looked at the system. What did you think was controlled by I-Drive? I think people think that more is controlled by I-Drive than actually is, and if you dont want to have options and comfort settings get a striped out dedicated sports car.

HomerUK

Well are you having a conversation or listening to music? And you dont have to yell, activate voice and speak.