Hi,

Does anyone regret getting navigation/IDrive on their BMW? I'm still debating if I should get it...and I don't know what to do..

Absolutely NOT! A lot of people are not too fond of the operation of the IDrive, but once you get used to navigating through it, it is extremely convenient in my opinion. Me adding navigation to mine was a last minute call and I could not be happier. Those aftermarket ones look out of place and I much prefer the clean "double bump" dash that houses the BMW unit. Then again, if you live in a more rural area and never do much traveling, you may not need it... but anywhere near a major city, GET IT!

Hi,

Does anyone regret getting navigation/IDrive on their BMW? I'm still debating if I should get it...and I don't know what to do..
I doubt anyone regrets getting it, people seem to get used to it once they've been playing with it for a while. However, I haven't heard of anyone regretting not getting it either. If you want it and it is within your budget, get it, you won't regret it. Otherwise, forget about it and you won't notice it is not there, the car is so much fun to drive, you'll be busy tossing it around.

I didn't want it because I thought it made the dash ugly. NAV is great when you need it, but cell phones have GPS in them now. I had NAV on my 350 and I used it maybe 10 times in 3 years.

I do wish the radio screen was bigger so I can see more of my itunes list, but I wouldn't spend the extra 2K just for that.

Cell phone GPS isn't handy while you're driving, and does it work if you're out of cell tower range? There are other third party nav options that would probably work better but I couldn't stand turning my car into a 'rental car' or 'taxicab' by mounting one of those things on my dash.

It's especially nice if you take trips and like to explore, you'll use it a lot. I was in the mountains the other day taking a scenic drive through the local canyon and knew there was probably a way through to the other side, at first it tried to send me down a dirt road, then I recalculated the route after driving a few miles in the other direction and it found a small paved road that took us down to the highway on the far side of the mountain and we drove back around to the freeway.

I really like my iDrive. There are still a few things I'm learning about the way the system works (had it about a week), but I've still found the system pretty straightforward, for example I managed to pair my bluetooth phone to it by just figuring it out while the SA was doing paperwork. The programmable shortcut keys really help to make it easy too. Mainly I feel like I might be missing a few voice commands. The nice thing about the voice commands is that you can just say 'options' to hear what to say, but for example I can't figure out how to locate a pizza place all by voice, it gets to the 'information on location' and then I have to browse through the directory with the knob.

If you are into gadgets and want to spend $2K go for it. I did not opt for the Idrive in my 335i. I have driven with a number of friends and relatives with nav systems and thought they were more a distraction than aid. Seem to get confused at busy interstate exchanges. Many times observed the nav system giving incorrect instructions. You still have to pay attention to highway signage.

Idrive is way cool but not 2K on my 2 year lease cool. I'd never use the nav but I'd like the functionality of the screen for when I have an MP3 CD in or IPod connected.

lauyeung - My experience isn't exactly with IDrive, but in my A4 2.0T I bought the NAV package and don't think I'd do so again. The new portable GPS units from Garmin and TomTom work just as well as the integrated systems and cost about $500 for a really good one. I'd rather save the cash, and pull a Garmin out of my glovebox when I need Nav.

And yes I realize IDrive gives other features, like integrating with the radio and bluetooth, and maybe even the environment system and iPod. But all of those features work great even without IDrive.

I hope my $0.02 helps!

At first I thought the nav. screen looked weird in the console.

Now, the bmw looks rather empty without anything in the interior. Is it me or does the interior of the BMW look bland without the nav. screen? Should I let aesthetics persuade me to getting the nav/Idrive?

I didn't want it because I thought it made the dash ugly. NAV is great when you need it, but cell phones have GPS in them now. I had NAV on my 350 and I used it maybe 10 times in 3 years.

I do wish the radio screen was bigger so I can see more of my itunes list, but I wouldn't spend the extra 2K just for that.

+1. I didnt order it because Im not too fond of that "second hump" on the dash. I use a Garmin Nuvi 660 and Im extemely happy with it. The Idrive on the three series is a bit more intuitive than it is on its bigger brothers but for me, looks count!

At first I thought the nav. screen looked weird in the console.

Now, the bmw looks rather empty without anything in the interior. Is it me or does the interior of the BMW look bland without the nav. screen? Should I let aesthetics persuade me to getting the nav/Idrive?

Personal taste is everything. I don't like the extra hump and am really happy my car does not have nav. If the I Drive interface does not bug you go for it. Personally I don't care for it.

At first I thought the nav. screen looked weird in the console.

Now, the bmw looks rather empty without anything in the interior. Is it me or does the interior of the BMW look bland without the nav. screen? Should I let aesthetics persuade me to getting the nav/Idrive?


IMHO, most BMW interiors look "bland". I much prefer the interiors that Audis offer but for me, I prefer BMWs reliability.

I have never felt the need to get nav, as I usally know where I am going, but now I will never buy another BMW without getting nav. Anyone who can not figure out idrive probably still has 12 flashing on the VCR. It took me about 15 minutes to figure it out, 2 hours to master it. I know my way to work but still have nav plot my route as it will give me a heads up if there is a wreck or traffic jam, I work almost 60 miles from home so alot can happen. The radio tuner allows me too see ONLY what radio staions have a signal, so I can flip around when I am bored. The food and service locater is great, I found two new japanese resteraunts in my area since getting the nav. It also akes it easier to set up things like parked car ventilation, which is great in 105 degree heat. With the nav I also am able to access my call list on the blackberry, so no more fumbling with the phone when I need to make a call.

I really like the Nav/iDrive in my car. I'm very glad I got it! It's personal preference, but it was worth the extra $$ to me.

I have never felt the need to get nav, as I usally know where I am going, but now I will never buy another BMW without getting nav. Anyone who can not figure out idrive probably still has 12 flashing on the VCR. It took me about 15 minutes to figure it out, 2 hours to master it. I know my way to work but still have nav plot my route as it will give me a heads up if there is a wreck or traffic jam, I work almost 60 miles from home so alot can happen. The radio tuner allows me too see ONLY what radio staions have a signal, so I can flip around when I am bored. The food and service locater is great, I found two new japanese resteraunts in my area since getting the nav. It also akes it easier to set up things like parked car ventilation, which is great in 105 degree heat. With the nav I also am able to access my call list on the blackberry, so no more fumbling with the phone when I need to make a call.

Wow, that's great stuff. Now I really want it.

I think I'm feeling the same way you felt. I usually know my way around, but if it comes with so many perks, then I may just get it. Thanks!

My main reason for not getting it was that I drove my friend's 330xi with it for a few months and I found that I was looking at the screen waaaay to often while driving. IMHO, it is unsafe because it really pulls your eyes off the road. If it was hooked up to a HUD, that would be a different story, but as is, I am glad I didn't opt for it.

I have had my 335 for 4 months, in that 4 months I have had loan BMW's for almost 10 weeks of that. I wont get into the issues of why I had the loan cars, however I have had the complete compliment of cars from the 130i to the 320, to the 120d to the new X5. Anyway I have to say after never having had a nav system before and reading a lot of criticism on the idrive I was dreading the worst (our 335's come standard with it). Anyway after using it and learning what it can really do I would never even contemplate not having the idrive system. So much so now that I am looking at the X5 for my wife it is a must for it to have the idrive option.
If you can afford the money then do it, the phone book functionality, the navigation and locations of interest, the ease of prgramming various options within the car, the navigation of the entertainment system, the PDC and just the pure convenience of having a small map on the screen a all times for when you are in traffic and can see at a glance a short cut.
I only do about 14,000km a year (8700miles) but I use iDrive every day in one way or another. The cars I have driven without the iDrive seem so cheap and standard, the iDrive is a great option.

Cheers
Gibbo.

It took me about one good hour to get over how I thought iDrive was ridiculous to actually loving it. It has a few quirks but it really does provide you with a lot of features both over your car, being able to configure certain features to your preferences, and very easy to use navigation.

All in all, if you know how to use a computer, iDrive will come easy to use as long as you dedicate one hour to it. If you don't, then you will learn it over time. I hope this helps.

Getting to know all the features of iDrive and its Navigation system, takes a little patience and a committment to read the manual. After you use it, you'll realize its actually very good. It has a split window that shows you a map of where you are and on the right, directional arrow, with miles or feet to your next turn. (all the windows can show you various things at your choosing). It provides you with voice directions - if you wish, and you can determine just how far away you are from your destination, calculate fuel economy and if its late at night with no gas station in sight, you can determine if you're going to get where you're going. It's one of those things that you don't appreciate in your every day commute, but if you're travelling to cottage country or unfamiliar territory and you want to explore the surrounding area, its outstanding. You won't get lost, you won't have to refer to a map while driving, and you can program you're way back to where you might be staying (which would be unfamiliar to you) easily. It think it's really a drivers option. Don't knock it till you try it. Once you use it, you won't want to purchase a car without NAVI. Of course iDrive does other things as well and I think the various options it provides you with are an added bonus. For me its the NAVI that I like and the access to my address book from my bluetooth enabled Blackberry. It's well worth it.

Hi,

Does anyone regret getting navigation/IDrive on their BMW? I'm still debating if I should get it...and I don't know what to do..

It only depends how much driving you're doing. In my case, I only drive about 5 miles to work and I really don't drive that much out of the city anyway, so the Navigation system is kinda useless to me. I agree though, it looks pretty cool and it has some nice features, but I guess I can live without them

HIGHLY recommend unless you SUCK with computers. If not, it is awesome. I use mine daily, NAV is super easy to use. Looks really cool and like the inside of a cockpit

another reason to get iDrive is...no one else has it ....& i feel special when i pull up to one that doesnt have it.

so shallow.

heh heh

I doubt anyone regrets getting it, people seem to get used to it once they've been playing with it for a while. However, I haven't heard of anyone regretting not getting it either. If you want it and it is within your budget, get it, you won't regret it. Otherwise, forget about it and you won't notice it is not there, the car is so much fun to drive, you'll be busy tossing it around.

I can live fine with the poor interface. However, I am starting to regret it since it malfunctions and it doesn't seem that bmw can fix it.

I like it. Kinda makes my car feel like Kitt from Knight Rider. Only with a female voice. Also, the new I-drive gives you real time traffic info. Pretty useful IMO.

I just didn't get the nav because although it does look nice, I bought an external one for a fraction of the price and it does just as much for me.

I really like the Navigation. At first I wasn't sure about the 'hump' but I got over that quickly. The IDrive takes a little getting used to and could be a little smoother. But overall I am very happy with the IDrive and Navigation.

It's really personal preference. I decided against it (I wrote about this in another thread too). A real killer was when the thing rebooted during my test drive -- crashed out of nowhere. It was shocking. It does add some nice features though -- most dealerships have a little computer with iDrive where you can sit and play with the interface.

For me, computers become dated so quickly that I didn't want an ancient computer interface (Windows CE based) in my car after 4 years, so I will just stick with my little portable nav thing when I need it.

It's really personal preference. I decided against it (I wrote about this in another thread too). A real killer was when the thing rebooted during my test drive -- crashed out of nowhere. It was shocking. It does add some nice features though -- most dealerships have a little computer with iDrive where you can sit and play with the interface.

For me, computers become dated so quickly that I didn't want an ancient computer interface (Windows CE based) in my car after 4 years, so I will just stick with my little portable nav thing when I need it.

Smart man. And as I've commented previously, you can take the money you saved and buy a nice cruise, or have a shopping spree at Nordstrom, or wherever your interests take you. Plus, you can take that little portable with you, wherever you go.

+1. I didnt order it because Im not too fond of that "second hump" on the dash. I use a Garmin Nuvi 660 and Im extemely happy with it. The Idrive on the three series is a bit more intuitive than it is on its bigger brothers but for me, looks count!

Hey, I have a nuvi 660 and love it as well.

Do you mount it on the dash or windshield?

I was wondering how it would look on the 3-series dash. Our current cars have a small semi-slot for the clock, so I stick the "holder" there; was wondering if sticking it right on top of the dash may make it stick "up" too much...

Navigation is nice in the car, but the iDrive is a clunky system. Don't get me wrong, it works great and has great options, but using it takes some getting used to.

When compared to the alternatives from other car manufacturers (Japanese and American), the touch screen NAVs are so much nicer.

Lesson learned for me: Unless the NAV is easy to use, I'm going with a Garmin (got it on a rental, absolutely love it!).

I doubt anyone regrets getting it, people seem to get used to it once they've been playing with it for a while. However, I haven't heard of anyone regretting not getting it either. If you want it and it is within your budget, get it, you won't regret it. Otherwise, forget about it and you won't notice it is not there, the car is so much fun to drive, you'll be busy tossing it around.

Nobody regrets getting it or not getting iDrive, in fact it is quite the opposite. :confused

Its a great feature - especially the bluetooth phone, maps, information and data. If you're leasing your vehicle, it could be considered expensive. I fine some of the MAP data old only after 12 months and I'm a bit annoyed that BMW would chage $199 for a new MAP CD only after one year.

Its a great feature - especially the bluetooth phone, maps, information and data. If you're leasing your vehicle, it could be considered expensive. I fine some of the MAP data old only after 12 months and I'm a bit annoyed that BMW would chage $199 for a new MAP CD only after one year.
Are the roads changing that dramatically in your area within a year to warrant an upgrade? That is always the downside of built in Navs, but I am not sure if standalone Nav vendor charge for map upgrade, but it is probably a lot less.

I won't get it on a car. All these Navigation displays are technology dependent and are likely to be quite out of date in a number of years. If you only plan on driving the car a few years then that doesn't really matter. But if you plan on driving it for many years, then six or eight years from now you're likely to be looking at an outdated piece of electronics on your car. Worse yet, you may have to repair it. I admit my bias: I don't want one on a car, and yes I've driven cars with them. But if I decide I want a GPS unit I'll buy a superb Garmin hand held unit for a fraction of the price of any BMW Navigational option.

BTW, the same thing happened with cell phones. In 1999 I bought a 1995 Mercedes E300 Diesel. Great car, but in the front seat armrest was a hardwired cellular telephone which was a big trendy deal when the car was originally sold. But in 1999 when I got the car all it did was take up space in the armrest that I'd rather have had for something else.

Just my $0.02.

Just for reference: I bought my 328Xi in West Chase PA (I have no idea where it is, I know is near Philly, the dealer picked me up at the airport). I got the car, entered my Houston address in the Nav System and started driving thru cities, roads and places I've never been before in my life. I had absolutely no idea where I was half the time... but got home perfectly. I was able to find hotels on the way with the Points of Interest feature (POI), I was able to navigate thru rush-hour traffic at 5:30PM thru Washington DC with the real time traffic interfase, recalculating the route on-the-fly, and kept me from taking my eyes off the road by using only voice commands as a way to communicate with iDrive. Oh, yea, I read the manual for about 5 minutes before starting the trip...

Is it worth it? Every single penny...!

By the way, now my everyday commute is around 45 miles each way, thru streets and highways that get very congested sometimes. Having real-time traffic with autimatic routing is phenomenal. I don't think I will ever get a car without nav+real time traffic. Besides, you get to know some really interesting shortcuts that you would never had known they existed if Nav didn't told you where they were...

I love my NAVI

Although I have yet to use the NAV, I think the whole set up looks better that the non-nav dash. Plus its so nice with the ipod hook up, I can see all the songs. Overall I think it was worth the extra $, the non-nav dashes look to plain to me.

But I also believe a $52,000 car should have it standard.

But I also believe a $52,000 car should have it standard.
If everything everyone ever wanted was standard on a 52k car it wouldn't be 52k anymore, it would be 100k maybe. BMW is not a "non-profit" organization and as such try to make a profit like everyone else. You get what you pay for and when you want more you have to pay more, simple economics.

The above makes no sense, just let you know. I absolutly LOVE my 335, but its a little pricy for what you get.

I absolutly LOVE my 335, but its a little pricy for what you get.
You're getting Porsche like performance with extra room for 30K less, that is a good deal IMO. I always find it curious how our American brethren complain about car price, the same car you get at 52K, costs in the high 60s here and that is even before taxes and with the dollar at par.

You always have some kind of a comeback to shut me up mryakan, you never let me purge. I really wasnt complaining about the $, I would just think some of the available options would be standard. I will shut up now, that is all.

You always have some kind of a comeback to shut me up mryakan, you never let me purge. I really wasnt complaining about the $, I would just think some of the available options would be standard. I will shut up now, that is all.

Not trying to shut you up man, speak at will. I am just pointing out a different perspective. Here is my approach to many things in life, taking a negative stance on things usually makes you feel less satisfied and that starts to rub on others around you too, taking a positive stance on things makes life simpler and people around you will usually be in a better mood. I admit, I am not able to personally implement this all the time, but I like to keep reminding myself of it, practice it and try to purvey to others. Thus my attempt to present alternate more positive perspectives, not to criticize other's point of view, but to try and promote a possibly simpler more positive one.
But hey I don't want to be preaching here, sorry. I'll give you the microphone to say the last word on this :).

Ok here goes......I love my BMW 335, except on the 16th of every month. Just kidding, I dont regret buying my baby at all. 99.7 % happy with it. I like your view on life. What the "F" do I have to complain about, things could always be a lot worse.