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Sedans BMW 3-Series iDrive and the 3-Series
46 messages, Last post on Sep 26, 2009 at 9:00 PM
You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: shipo (Dec 19, 2005 3:26 pm) Or you could wait and pay an additional $10/mo to Verizon for additional service on your phone. It even includes voice recogition. Seems to me this is the killer app for cell phones.
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Dec 19, 2005 5:45 pm) In her case, I'm thinking that the nice large screen of the iDrive NAV system is about as small as she is going to be able to use. Best Regards, Shipo |
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Replying to: shipo (Dec 19, 2005 3:26 pm) I didn't get Nav because I just don't feel that I'll get my $2k money worth. I am typically very good with directions and with a Yahoo map pre-printed before I head out; I am pretty much set. I got lost in Europe a couple of times during my ED, but it just gave me an excuse to get back on the A-bahn and start over. 
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Replying to: buynewbimmer (Dec 18, 2005 9:00 pm) 1. The horrible press it has received is largely undeserved, and was likely based on prior versions of the system. While it takes a little effort to learn, like any worthwhile tech gadget, it is not particularly difficult, cumbersome, or time consuming to do so. 2. It works pretty darn well, although perhaps not as well in some respects as the standalone products. Most people who have it are pleased they have it, and enjoy using it. 3. The standalone products have some significant advantages: (a) mobility/tranferability from vehicle to vehicle (b) cost; (c) extremely cool ability to plan/program travel and POI's into the standalone unit from the comfort and convenience [and much larger screen] of a PC or laptop, and to collect the travel info and POI's after the trip for timesheets/expense reports, future travel or just for kicks; (d) the ability to integrate with traffic information radio broadcasts using add on units, which the integrated Navi apparently cannot to in the US, although they can in Europe. 4. The integrated Navigation/iDrive also has some significant advantages over the standalone units: (a) it's integrated, with a much larger, brighter screen, optimally positioned for visibility and to minimize taking your eyes off the road (b) controls Blue Tooth telephone if you have PP (c) displays and controls satellite radio and mp3 CD data very effectively (d) voice commands, if they work well, are simple and effective, and further minimize distraction and taking your eyes off the road (e) iDrive allows you to customize many vehicle function options. It’s really a tossup for me. I think the advantages of iDrive/Navigation convinced me that it is something I want, but I don’t want to wait a couple of months if I have to order a car to get it. If I can find one equipped in other respects how I want it, I’ll be getting iDrive. If not, the consolation prize will be getting the other functionality offered by the standalone units. The thorough responses of everybody who contributed to this discussion are very gratifying, and much appreciated. Jim
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Replying to: buynewbimmer (Dec 22, 2005 4:43 pm) I'm truly married to my stand-alone unit, but wouldn't mind paying something for the non-navigation features of the screen-oriented controls becoming more common in this class of vehicles. Unfortunately, it's the whole thing (including nav) or nothing. So, for me I guess, it'll be nothing. |
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Replying to: pat (Jun 12, 2006 7:36 am) thanks dj |
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Replying to: djocks (Aug 23, 2005 4:12 am) I liked the idea of iDrive as well. Reading through the information available over the last 6 months or so, I was pretty convinced I would want it and if I happened to go with a 330i over a IS350 I would order it. July 23rd I went and test drove a bunch of 3 series at my local dealership to help me make my decision. All the cars I tried were manual (auto wasn't ever even considered which BTW was my biggest problem with the IS350 regardless of how the auto shifted and ran through the gears) Started with a manual 325i non-SP; was impressed. It had much more power than I was expecting. Wow, the new 3 is the way to go I said. 330i non-SP; nice. After being so impressed with the power in the 325i I was a bit let down in the extra power of the 330i considering the extra 40hp advertised. But still, even more fun. 330i SP w/ idrive: Spent most of the day with this car, thinking it was close to what I wanted to order. I tell you, I tired and tried to like/love the iDrive but never warmed to it. Every time I was going through the menus to do something and it was a couple of steps I would think to myself how it could be done in one of the other cars in one step. Is it cool? Yup. Will it impress your friends? Should. Did I order it? Not a chance. Maybe a week or more would have me loving it (don't know) but with my extended test drive I had enough seat time to decide no. Decided on a non-SP 330i in Electric Red with a few options. The SP package was left out as well because of concerns of the road quality (or lack there of) in the GTA. So now I'm waiting until the end of Sept. for my car and I can't wait. A question I would have for you guys is if my car is being built as a 'true' 2006 or before? Was it built before or after the summer break if it was ordered July 25th with production #. I had an email from my dealer that it entered production on Aug. 15th and had a serial#. Anyone know? |
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Replying to: is3ooguy (Aug 23, 2005 6:25 am) And about iDrive. I think it a matter of preference. I personally never even bothered to check it out, but not because I don’t like it – was trying to save some $$$  But if I had enough I would buy it. I design software for living. I simply don’t see any problems in getting used to any new computer system. Judging on the user manual that I read afterwards on the iDrive - it seems very easy and intuitive to use. But again – it comes from the guy who builds computer programs:) mike
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Replying to: odessit (Aug 23, 2005 7:05 am) Wishful thinking?
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Replying to: is3ooguy (Aug 23, 2005 7:17 am) |
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