BMW backtrack on iDrive.

[jimdiesel]

I have just been reading an artical about the new E93 3series cab, and one of the new features on the car is a group of 8 buttons, under the CD drive, that can be programmed with shortcuts. ie. AM to FM or Favorite sat nav destination.

This seems to me like a bit of back pedalling on BMW's part as the idea behind i Drive was to get rid of buttons. Prehaps the buying public are not as clever as BMW thought.

Having used both i Drive and Audis MMI system alot, I find them both easy to use (i Drive takes longer to get into, but once you are familiar its pretty easy). So I think its a shame.

[steelwind101]

I think they can all be to off-putting. I wouldent say my mother was against tech. things like that but she certantly prefers cars where you choose what you want and get it done.

Maybe they are catering to that area a bit more?? Or prehapes they got what there target market wanted wrong!!

I think also that once you get say "I DRIVE" you are stuck with it. Regardless of how pissed off it might make you, you want to use the radio etc you have to use it. Sometimes buttons just work better for some people.

Personally if it were all touch screen i think that would be good. I will just stick with my Cobra, no radio....just a few knobs for lights etc. LOL.

Geoff

[Snail]

The problem i found with iDrive was that as a new user (i only tried it on a run in a car mum had for a couple of days) it meant i had to take my eyes of the road to do stuff.

It wasn't bad for playing with settings (like air con), but things like a radio should have buttons, because they are used all the time.

[ashleyadam]

[ QUOTE ]

The problem i found with iDrive was that as a new user (i only tried it on a run in a car mum had for a couple of days) it meant i had to take my eyes of the road to do stuff.

It wasn't bad for playing with settings (like air con), but things like a radio should have buttons, because they are used all the time.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've never used I-Drive system but was not aware no seperate buttons to control radio etc, I suppose it makes sense less buttons etc not at the expense if you lose one touch control though. I cant see why more manufacturers are not embracing touch screen like range rovers, I thought the Audi system was crap but after using a few others it is certainly one of the best although laking touch screen.

[MrO]

Based on my experience of two weeks worth of 5 series driving, iDrive is no better or worse than buttons. All systems take a bit of time to get used to iDrive is no different

[Ari]

Only very limited experience with i-drive in a 5 sereis my father tested a couple of years ago (before buying a Merc instead).

I do recall though that if you were listening to a CD and wanted to hear the news you have to i-drive into the stereo menu, then find and click "radio" (I think you then had to choose and click FM as well).

On my car I reach down and press FM... Seems simpler somehow.

[Tizzy]

Used I-Drive quite a bit in various 5 series' IMO it's very distracting as it tries to be too clever and requires you to take your eyes off the road for too long. Whilst the 5 series has the edge over Audi in several areas, IMO the MMI / RNS-E is much more intuitive to use and the Audi Sat-Nav is just so much better than the BMW version - except......that TMC works on the BMW ones

[330dcoupe]

We were given the New S-Class for a whole day recently by our local Benz dealership and it has a smiliar system to the iDrive - i found but so much easier to use on the go than the BMW version which i've used in the past.

[Chris_B]

[ QUOTE ]

MMI / RNS-E is much more intuitive to use and the Audi Sat-Nav is just so much better than the BMW version - except......that TMC works on the BMW ones

[/ QUOTE ]

Not what you want to hear, but it works just fine on MMI too.

I think MMI is an excellent balance between usability and comprehensive control.

Aircon and seat heating controls are still on their own panel (apart from the rear controls can be adjusted by the driver from the MMI display), and don't need the MMI screen to be active to use. Temperature is a single rotary dial for each seat position.

Changing from radio to CD is as simple as pressing the Radio button, while changing stations can be done with the main MMI control wheel while in Radio mode, or via the steering wheel thumb roller, or via voice command.

Less frequently used stuff like setting up the volume and pitch of the parking sensors is buried away menu.

The only thing I'd like quicker access to the the tyre pressure monitoring display screen, at present it's into Car mode, then into Systems, then roll down to TPM, click, display tyre pressures, click. That could be on one button from the car screen and the version display could be in the menus.

[Tizzy]

I know it works on A6's & A/S8's! - you lot just like rubbing it in on us poor souls with RNS-E "MMI" I only drove an A8 for the first time a couple of months ago (liked it too much as well) and the MMI is very very good. I hope the new B8 A4 will have all this integration, although I feel an A6 (or S6 ) in my future....

[Golfer]

[ QUOTE ]

- except......that TMC works on the BMW ones

[/ QUOTE ]

TMC works just fine on my Audi, and the system in general is light years in front of I drive. IMHO