How much better is iDrive vs the 08 nav system?

eamon · 08-10-2011, 02:16 AM

I personally have an 09 Nav and could live fine without it, looks clean and simple without he Nav. Not too mention it weighs down the car

tlp · 08-10-2011, 02:39 AM

If graphics and UI are important to you think WII vs PS3.

J08M3 · 08-10-2011, 06:31 AM

I think all iDrive sucks. Find a car without it save more money and just use the gps on your iPhone. Plus iPod and Pandora work perfect from iPhone plugged into AUX jack in console and the interface is far better than idrive. But if you found the perfect car go get it. Wouldn't pay extra for newer idrive unless you want newer car as well

chris s · 08-10-2011, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlp

If graphics and UI are important to you think WII vs PS3.

That's a little extreme...i don't agree.

Yes, definitely a nicer interface...but it's not that drastic a difference.

The knob is half the battle...i swapped mine to an 09 and it makes a big difference.

tlp · 08-10-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris s

The knob is half the battle...i swapped mine to an 09 and it makes a big difference.

mdosu · 08-10-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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...

yeah, that's what I want to do too. I think the biggest improvement is the knob and buttons are less sensitive and clumsy in the 09.

Yeah, the map interface, screen resolution, and i-drive menus are slicker in 09+, but that's not that big a deal, I'm driving my car, not staring at a screen.

mdosu · 08-10-2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris s

The knob is half the battle...i swapped mine to an 09 and it makes a big difference.

btw where did you buy the plastic panel? I"m able to find knobs but not panels...

Lorde · 08-10-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdosu

btw where did you buy the plastic panel? I"m able to find knobs but not panels...

Tischer sells the kit (controller and center console trim) for $475 (on sale), although the price was $450 a month ago. Might want to jump on that.

The 08 iDrive is sooooo much more liveable with the new controller. If anything, i'll add the video source module and backup camera. I can play videos off my Ipod.

alpina527 · 08-10-2011, 08:50 AM

I have just done the 09 retrofit into my 08 and it's a huge improvement. No question, it was worth the trouble and expense.

As already stated, just replacing the controller on it's own is an excellent first step to the full idrive. I have a mint 09 controller and DCT centre console for sale, but It's RHD which isn't of much use to you Guys in the US.

alpina527 · 08-10-2011, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snig

Tischer sells the kit (controller and center console trim) for $475 (on sale), although the price was $450 a month ago. Might want to jump on that.

Is that for the leather clad console or plain plastic

Lorde · 08-10-2011, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpina527

Is that for the leather clad console or plain plastic

I believe it's for both; It's just the top part of the console (the trim that surrounds the controller). I have non-extended leather and the trim piece around the iDrive controller has always been a nice, soft piece instead of the hard plastic dash.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

chris s · 08-10-2011, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpina527

Is that for the leather clad console or plain plastic

The trim piece is leather on all e9x M3's...with or without extended leather.

SuperJoust · 09-07-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snig

Tischer sells the kit (controller and center console trim) for $475 (on sale), although the price was $450 a month ago. Might want to jump on that.

The 08 iDrive is sooooo much more liveable with the new controller. If anything, i'll add the video source module and backup camera. I can play videos off my Ipod.

I'm really new to this discussion. Just picked up my 08 M3 last night.

Now I'm reading that people don't like the 08 nav system, so I have to ask a bunch of questions. Last night I was trying to figure out how to find a gas station, movie theater, thai restaurant, etc, and didn't know what to do. I just figured I had more to learn to work the system. All I can get it to do is show my current loc on a map.

Questions:
1 - Basically, what is it the 08 nav system can't do?
2 - Have I discovered the extent of the Nav's capabilities? i.e. Can it do much more than just show you where you are on the road? How do you plot out a destination without typing in the address?
3 - How much benefit would there be to just plugging in a 2011 map disc?
4 - Is a retrofit kit something to buy aftermarket, or thru BMW proper? And does it void the warranty?

JCtx · 09-08-2011, 04:45 PM

I actually prefer the '08 knob and interface (menu on screen in front of ma face, rather than buttons down below), and don't care at all for the HHD since I MUCH prefer a USB drive. And the lack of resolution is an absolute non-issue for me, since it's perfectly fine for its purpose the way it is. Everything else is pretty much the same, including the not-so-intuitive nav commands. You need to read the manual to understand some of the symbols on the left, and how to do some things. I found out you can't just put the damn map without a destination first, BUT you can do that with voice commands. In fact, that's the only voice command I use (navigation, map)

. However, since I rarely use nav, I removed the disc to avoid unnecessary wear and tear. Plus the incessant laser noises heard every freaking minute. I have the DVD in the glove compartment, in case I ever need it while on the road. It's been stored for well over a year now.

SuperJoust · 09-14-2011, 01:14 PM

I've now spent a couple weeks with the 2008 system. And I have one nagging question:

Is there no SHUFFLE feature for the iPod?

Vise · 09-14-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperJoust

I've now spent a couple weeks with the 2008 system. And I have one nagging question:

Is there no SHUFFLE feature for the iPod?

I would assume there is, it definitely exists in the current iDrive... in my 2011 it is called 'Random' and you get there by hitting the option button when you are viewing the iPod in External Devices.

SIIK2NR · 09-14-2011, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Agreed. You will get everything you need from the 08 version. I've had loaner cars with the upgraded idrive and the novelty wears off after a day or two.

The money you will save will have a much bigger impact!

Get a good 08...

SuperJoust · 09-14-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vise

I would assume there is, it definitely exists in the current iDrive... in my 2011 it is called 'Random' and you get there by hitting the option button when you are viewing the iPod in External Devices.

...And I found it. Thank you for the reassurance. Perfect.

Grail05 · 09-14-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIIK2NR

Agreed. You will get everything you need from the 08 version. I've had loaner cars with the upgraded idrive and the novelty wears off after a day or two.

The money you will save will have a much bigger impact!

Get a good 08...

well said..

M3HIR · 09-29-2011, 12:26 AM

I'm happy with my 08' nav system.

mmm def · 09-30-2011, 11:28 AM

i personally wouldn't base my buying decision heavily on the I-drive. Like some have said, it's hard to find THE perfect car..so jump on one that works for you. I usually don't get NAV on my cars but my 08 has it and I have no problems with it (probably because I am not used to a good system). o well..ignorance is bliss.

08-10-2011, 02:16 AM	#23
eamon Captain 170 Rep 803 Posts Drives: 09 e92 335i, 2010 328i (sold) Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Dallas iTrader: (0)	I personally have an 09 Nav and could live fine without it, looks clean and simple without he Nav. Not too mention it weighs down the car __________________ black/black/black e92 loaded Instagram: _eamon_
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08-10-2011, 02:39 AM	#24
tlp Colonel 276 Rep 2,216 Posts Drives: 991 GT3, Sold:'11 e92 M3 SG/FR Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Las Vegas/SoCal iTrader: (6) Garage List SOLD 2011 BMW e92 M3 [9.10]	If graphics and UI are important to you think WII vs PS3. __________________ 991 GT3, Sold: '11 e92 M3 SG/FR ZCP\|ZCV\|ZP2\|2MK\|494\|415\|6NR\|752
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08-10-2011, 06:31 AM	#25
J08M3 Major General 285 Rep 6,007 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 COUPE Join Date: May 2008 Location: NEW YORK iTrader: (8)	I think all iDrive sucks. Find a car without it save more money and just use the gps on your iPhone. Plus iPod and Pandora work perfect from iPhone plugged into AUX jack in console and the interface is far better than idrive. But if you found the perfect car go get it. Wouldn't pay extra for newer idrive unless you want newer car as well __________________
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08-10-2011, 08:50 AM	#31
alpina527 Banned 60 Rep 638 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 DCT JZB/FR Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: London, England iTrader: (1)	I have just done the 09 retrofit into my 08 and it's a huge improvement. No question, it was worth the trouble and expense. As already stated, just replacing the controller on it's own is an excellent first step to the full idrive. I have a mint 09 controller and DCT centre console for sale, but It's RHD which isn't of much use to you Guys in the US.
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09-08-2011, 04:45 PM	#36
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	I actually prefer the '08 knob and interface (menu on screen in front of ma face, rather than buttons down below), and don't care at all for the HHD since I MUCH prefer a USB drive. And the lack of resolution is an absolute non-issue for me, since it's perfectly fine for its purpose the way it is. Everything else is pretty much the same, including the not-so-intuitive nav commands. You need to read the manual to understand some of the symbols on the left, and how to do some things. I found out you can't just put the damn map without a destination first, BUT you can do that with voice commands. In fact, that's the only voice command I use (navigation, map) . However, since I rarely use nav, I removed the disc to avoid unnecessary wear and tear. Plus the incessant laser noises heard every freaking minute. I have the DVD in the glove compartment, in case I ever need it while on the road. It's been stored for well over a year now.
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09-14-2011, 01:14 PM	#37
SuperJoust New Member 3 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Coupe Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I've now spent a couple weeks with the 2008 system. And I have one nagging question: Is there no SHUFFLE feature for the iPod?
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09-29-2011, 12:26 AM	#42
M3HIR New Member 6 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	2008 M3 I'm happy with my 08' nav system.
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09-30-2011, 11:28 AM	#43
mmm def Colonel 144 Rep 2,610 Posts Drives: 21 330, 19 ND2 RF, 11 RX350 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	i personally wouldn't base my buying decision heavily on the I-drive. Like some have said, it's hard to find THE perfect car..so jump on one that works for you. I usually don't get NAV on my cars but my 08 has it and I have no problems with it (probably because I am not used to a good system). o well..ignorance is bliss.
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