How much better is iDrive vs the 08 nav system?

[bsmack]

I found a 2008 M3 recently with pretty much everything I want and has low miles. The "problem" is the nav system isn't the new iDrive system. Should I wait for an 09 to pop up? The only stealership in my area that has an 09 packaged the way I want is asking $59k for theirs! Even if I get them to come down the car will still be about $7k more.

[audioMeth]

i would wait, or look for an 08 with out nav.

[Seattle S65B40]

I opted for a perfect 08 despite the availability of 09+ idrive. Not a big deal at all to me. I was more concerned about the car then that kind of stuff. The map and all it's other features are still useful.

[chris s]

It's certainly not worth $7k more...But, then again you're getting a one year younger car. I personally would wait for the 09 to come along for the right deal. The interface is much nicer on the 09+, IMHO.

I recently swapped the knob/console on my 08 to the 09+...which helps A LOT. '08 knob is terrible...

[Lorde]

I bought my 08 E90 fully loaded, for under $40k, with under 40k miles. For that price, who cares. Just buy the upgraded knob, 2011 map disc and enjoy it. You can always save up for a 2009+ Idrive retrofit, they're around $2500. That'll be my next purchase.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by Snig

I bought my 08 E90 fully loaded, for under $40k, with under 40k miles. For that price, who cares. Just buy the upgraded knob, 2011 map disc and enjoy it. You can always save up for a 2009 Idrive retrofit, they're around $2500. That'll be my next purchase.

1 the system isn't that bad at all but obviously the 09 is a nice upgrade.

[Blotman]

The wait to get an M3 is killer, I know. Honestly, I think the 08 iDrive is a steaming pile of crap, even for its time. However, it is functional and is still a few steps ahead of many other cars. Personally, it wasn't enough to stop me from getting an 08 though, as I only use the iDrive controls like once every other week. There's always the retrofit kit option if you yourself or a shop nearby can install it.

[FVM3]

did you find on cars.com?

[bsmack]

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

did you find on cars.com?

I've been using cars.com, autotrader, craigslist, and ebay for the most part. I'm in the Boston area but am willing to travel a 300 mile radius (would be the entire country if I didn't have a trade).

I didn't realize there was a retrofit kit. That might be an option...

[immiketoo]

one miiiiiilion times better. I'd wait.

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by immiketoo

one miiiiiilion times better. I'd wait.

ignorance is bliss, just don't play with a 09+ nav . Works fine for me plus you can update it with speed/red light cameras. 08 performance is the same and that is what I would care about

[Technic]

Originally Posted by bsmack

I found a 2008 M3 recently with pretty much everything I want and has low miles. The "problem" is the nav system isn't the new iDrive system. Should I wait for an 09 to pop up? The only stealership in my area that has an 09 packaged the way I want is asking $59k for theirs! Even if I get them to come down the car will still be about $7k more.

Either:

a) Get a low mileage MY2008 M3 and retrofit the MY2011.75 M3 iDrive + Combox = $3500 or less (sell the car and take out the retrofit and sell it forward = $2000-$2500, retrofit is PnP).

b) Get a low mileage MY2009 M3 with the MY2009 iDrive = extra $6000 or so depending on used condition, mileage and options. Combox retrofit is about $1000 (parts/labor) extra, though.

You decide what it is important.

[half man half amazin]

Wait!!!!

[Asiarush]

I would wait !
when i was at the dealer i had a choice of 2008 or 2010.
although its stupid, the new Idrive did have an effect on my decision.
its faster, responds much quicker (I had an 07 650i and sometimes i wanted to hit that Nav because it was responding so slowly) and the maps are much much better.
there shouldnt be a 7k difference. in my case it was 5k difference between the 08 and the 10 so I think you should shop around a bit more.

[drvai]

Not worth at all, specially since you never know if a used car will "pop up" just as you want it.

[Singletrack]

I absolute hate the previous idrive, but that is just me. Also depends what you want out of the car...some don't need/want a screen at all.

You can retrofit though as others have stated.

[kiwistu]

I went backwards from a 09 335d (I used a memory stick to put music onto the HD from my itunes which was cool - why did this take so long to come out?) to a 09 M3 with "old" software, the nav is basically no different - still does the perspective view which I use, but the interface is not as nice finding songs etc.

However my BB9700 syncs better as the names are first then second where as the later one was last first! And because I was going backward in Software I nibbled a proper ipad cable when I was doing the deal and now my retro ipod lives in my car

So it turns out its just fine! Yeah it's old but I am in an m3!

Summary if you are totally tech focussed wait, if you are totally m3 focussed strap it on straight away and buy it.

[Lay-Z M3]

If you've never experienced the newer system 2 I-Drive, then you might be ok - but I found it was the only 'Bug bare' of my old '08 sedan. The newer system is night and day better!

Good luck with your search

[TailHappyM3]

Originally Posted by bsmack

I found a 2008 M3 recently with pretty much everything I want and has low miles. The "problem" is the nav system isn't the new iDrive system. Should I wait for an 09 to pop up? The only stealership in my area that has an 09 packaged the way I want is asking $59k for theirs! Even if I get them to come down the car will still be about $7k more.

Why would you wait to get the perfect '09+ when you already found the '08 for thousands less?? Of coarse the nav system is not worth thousands more unless you're buying the M3 for the navigation mainly. I can't believe some of the advice you're getting here from people telling you it's worth paying thousands more for the '09 idrive...how freakn retarded could people be?!

The '08 idrive is good enough and anyone who cares more about this than what the E92 M3 is really all about should give their head a shake.

[TX]

Originally Posted by bsmack

I found a 2008 M3 recently with pretty much everything I want and has low miles. The "problem" is the nav system isn't the new iDrive system. Should I wait for an 09 to pop up? The only stealership in my area that has an 09 packaged the way I want is asking $59k for theirs! Even if I get them to come down the car will still be about $7k more.

The 09 system is much better; better resolution, brightness, overall feel of the layout, etc.
However, I've heard they want 10K more the for the 08 vs 09 year. Personally I feel the 10K difference is worth it since you're getting your money back on a newer car, less miles, better idrive and all things associated with a newer car. I made the choice to go with the 09 over the 08and other than my bummed 6MT, I'm in love with the car. It's spotless. The 1 year difference in age of the car will reflect on the value of it down the road and is probably worth the price difference. Especially if we're talking a car with low miles. I would not however go for an 09 with 50K miles on it. You should be looking at a car with 15K or less miles.


Cheers,
X.

[piloto]

THIS much better.

[Asiarush]

Originally Posted by piloto

THIS much better.

Awesome !!!