No, the iDrive was fine. And like you, I could tell iDrive to use the front dash vents. It would just ignore me. And get used to it. The X5 is not particularly reliable. Fun to drive sure. Reliable, not so much.

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Current roster: 2007 X5 4.8; 2003 CL55 AMG; 1971 Mustang; 1968 Triumph Spitfire; 1966 Mustang

Past BMWs: 2004 E46 Convertible; 2000 E36/4