Thoughts on 08-09 iDrive

[SilentAttack]

Ok im looking for a E90 M3. I have researched on all the years and they seem to be pretty much the same besides the 08-09. The tail-lights and the iDrive. So I currently drive a 09 328xi and it has iDirve and I love it. The question is will I be upset if I get an 08 over the iDrive? Im looking for someone who has used both model iDrive units.

Thanks.

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by SilentAttack

Ok im looking for a E90 M3. I have researched on all the years and they seem to be pretty much the same besides the 08-09. The tail-lights and the iDrive. So I currently drive a 09 328xi and it has iDirve and I love it. The question is will I be upset if I get an 08 over the iDrive? Im looking for someone who has used both model iDrive units.

Thanks.

People seem to think there is some million dollar difference between the two but there isn't and this should not be a selling point. I am not in my M3 long enough to even worry about all the extra features or whatever. I have seen it and its cute and my wife would have loved it but I am not a fan. I have handsfree and GPS and thats all you need in commuting and daily driving. Mostly the younger crowd will want an 09-13 Idrive but in reality 07-13 will suffice for anyone.

Since you have an 09 already then you will probably want to stick with that since you like it..

[FormulaMMM]

I've used both. There will be others that disagree, but I don't find the iDrive upgrade significant enough to turn away from a good '08. I have an '08. Can get to where I want to be within the menus blind at this point.

I suppose it matters to what extent you're using it and for what purposes.

[Kanweezy]

I've used both systems and IMO the older system can be quite laggy and glitchy, I think the idrive is a complete improvement and happens to be more tasteful as compared to the 4 squares

[8_is_enough]

The difference between the two is vast IMHO. You'll definitely feel like it's a downgrade -- the UI is less intuitive, graphics look painfully low-res, and the console lacks shortcut buttons. A minor thing that bugged me was no full screen maps.

If you're getting an E90, the pre-LCI trunk/lights look dated also (subjective of course).

For context, I've had an '08 E90M and now an '11 E92M.

[nmehta211]

All depends on what price for the move from an 08-09 when buying.
For me, it was a significant price increase, and even now, it is about $2000 to upgrade the idrive. I would rather spend that on tires/wheels, and more track time!

[WingZeroX5]

the old idrive CCC sucks.

[gatorfast]

No experience with the updated Idrive but I have no complaints about my 2008 version. I never use the nav though so any upgrade isn't important to me.

[MA///M3]

I didn't but the car for the I drive. I bought it for the car-the m3. Don't sweat the I drive difference. If it is a good 08, low mileage and a good price, go for it.

[Crypty]

I'm a techie with an 08 and yes the iDrive graphics look dated and crummy. It's crashed on me 2-3 times and had some small glitches but generally speaking it gets the job done. If you can save some money by going 08 or you happen to find a good car with the right options, do yourself a favor and forget about the iDrive.

[T3X4S]

The 2008 Idrive is bad compared to the 2009 version. It will get the job done but graphics and layout on user interface are not good. There was a reason why the early Idrive got poor reviews. Even if people say that they bought the car to drive and not for the Idrive, you are still in the car a fair amount of time interacting with the radio/audio and navigation. My advice is to spend the slightly extra money to get '09 that way you won't be regretting that you bought a car with crappy Idrive every time you hop in. My 2 cents...

[PandaM3]

Why don't you do this...

Buy the older pre lci idrive/ trunk/ lights (or get it from your future 08 m3... Would help if same color)

Install into your 09 328... Then swap trunk lids/ badges/ idrive into your 08 M3

If you are trading in the 09 328 or selling to a non enthusiast... They will never know

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by T3X4S

My advice is to spend the slightly extra money to get '09 that way you won't be regretting that you bought a car with crappy Idrive every time you hop in.

Sheesh.. really? That bad? Will color the entire experience?

I used to get in, glance at my '08 iDrive knob and punch myself 3x squarely in the face. Now I have an image of the '09 and newer iDrive control unit adjacent to my outdated piece of shit, and it helps.

[Tomislav]

Buy the car for the car, not for the iDrive interface. Its just a radio.

[325rider]

Both I drives are cool, and i CHOSE to get neither..... So its up to you. Buy the car you want.

[Draper]

Does anyone even use the built-in nav anymore?

08 + iPhone nav + profit = win!

[RBB]

Coming from a guy who recently did the CIC retrofit....the CIC Idrive is a huge improvement over the CCC version for all reasons previously discussed. It wouldn't be enough to sway me away from the right 08 model at the right price, however. You can always retrofit later on if it becomes an issue. Its an easy install.

[W///]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Sheesh.. really? That bad? Will color the entire experience?

I used to get in, glance at my '08 iDrive knob and punch myself 3x squarely in the face. Now I have an image of the '09 and newer iDrive control unit adjacent to my outdated piece of shit, and it helps.

Sure the 09+ is better and faster, but I rarely use the iDrive. All my music comes from a USB stick and that's about all I control. The entertainment system was so far down my priority list. Besides, us 08 guys can easily update (ahem... free) the Navi map.

IMO, it's much more important if you care about the rear end since you want an E90 OP.

[mdosu]

personally, the worst part of CCC (08) is the controller knob. There's too much feedback, so you tend to over-scroll. If you switch it to the CIC knob (09) there's a major difference in the usability.

that said, the CIC also has many features such as Google address input, twitter, facebook, BMW Apps, hard drive, etc. So if you use these features heavily, then you'll be disappointed.


A full CIC retrofit is $3000, a CIC knob only retrofit is $400.

Personally, I only use the i-drive for:
1. real time traffic
2. bluetooth
3. navigation (sometimes)

So CCC is sufficient. As the only interface I have with it is just to zoom in and out of the maps for #1

[krayzie]

Originally Posted by W///

Sure the 09+ is better and faster, but I rarely use the iDrive. All my music comes from a USB stick and that's about all I control. The entertainment system was so far down my priority list. Besides, us 08 guys can easily update (ahem... free) the Navi map.

IMO, it's much more important if you care about the rear end since you want an E90 OP.

Same
too bad the random function with usb is terrible and ends up playing the same songs in the same order every time you start the car

[SilentAttack]

I mainly use the iDrive for the USB/ iPhone hook up. I do have songs stored on the HD but dont use them all the time. I Will use the nav every now and then. I think Im gonna try to find an 09-10 but if an 08 pops up I will consider it. The other thing I like about the 09's is the tail lights. That can also be a costly swap.

[USDMM3]

I've had both and prefer the CCC I drive knob vs the new. The updates hi res screen is nice but I use my iPhone for nav so I don't use the screen at all really