2008 vs 2009 M3

[mengo816]

I'm considering buying an 08 M3 but I've heard that the iDrive for the Nav is different between an 08 vs 09. Is the iDrive that bad that I should consider getting an 09 instead?

[quality_sound]

You can install the CIC iDrive in a car that came with the CCC iDrive. It is not, however, inexpensive.

[knifegun]

Get the 09.

[I Wanna go Fast!]

I have a loaded 2008. I have no trouble whatsoever with working the iDrive. It took me about 3 days to figure it out.

I think those who have trouble with the iDrive are over 50 years old and tech challenged.

[Brosef]

I've owned both. The 08 iDrive is not hard to learn. In fact, I'd say it's easier than the 09 since it's simpler. the 09, however, is much faster (especially the Nav module). I'd say it's a huge improvement.

[radiantm3]

08 nav is horrible. Stay away from it. All the bad press about how crappy iDrive is related to the old system. I've owned both at the same time and the old iDrive is painfully slow and completely counter intuitive.

[FStop7]

09+ iDrive is so much better than 08. It's at least twice as fast, better organized, higher resolution screen, etc. I thought my 08 iDrive was OK until I used the newer version. It's like comparing black and white TV to a hi def plasma. The 09+ iPod interface is much faster and easier to search through, too.

[booch]

i've also had both and i would say get the newer one for sure if you value electronics/navigation. the older system is painfully slow and the ipod integration is awful (at least using the glovebox adapter).

[Lodaka]

The one thing that I don't like about iDrive 2009 onwards is that sometimes it is really difficult to see the roads on the map, especially at 500m scale. Because of higher resolution, I think they made all the roads really tiny and the colours they ended up using aren't really helping.

In contrast, I had no problem with 08 iDrive in this respect. Not a huge issue though.

[DadzM3]

Just make sure the 09' has the updated iDrive. I have seen a few early 09's that had the old one. With that said I have had both and like them both. Always advantages and disadvantages to change. The 09 is faster, but I prefer the radio functions and such on the 08'.

[elp_jc]

Originally Posted by Brosef

The 08 iDrive is not hard to learn. In fact, I'd say it's easier than the 09 since it's simpler. the 09, however, is much faster (especially the Nav module). I'd say it's a huge improvement.

I like my '08 better, since I rather have the options on the screen than next to the knob. And I also like the single knob way better, especially since it's aluminum. The speed and resolution difference is marginal IMO. In fact, I didn't notice either one, so it can't be that great. I also don't trust a HDD on a car in the long term, but maybe I'm wrong about that.

The larger difference might be on the nav and iPod integration, which I didn't try (and don't care about), so depends what you want. It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, but only way to know for sure is to try both. Good luck.

[skywalker562]

get 09. but check the built-date. if there is not much of difference, whatever you want i guess. =)

[richardbb85]

is the 08 idrive same as the 07 750 idrive? if so, it is horrible.

[AZ-BMW]

Originally Posted by FStop7

09+ iDrive is so much better than 08. It's at least twice as fast, better organized, higher resolution screen, etc. I thought my 08 iDrive was OK until I used the newer version. It's like comparing black and white TV to a hi def plasma. The 09+ iPod interface is much faster and easier to search through, too.

+1
The '09 iDrive also has the dedicated function switches around the iDrive knob on the console for rapid drill-down to certain screens, a larger LCD screen, etc, etc. I actually waited for MY09 to arrive before ordering my car due to all the negative press on the '08 iDrive, and all the positive press on the '09 version