Got a 330i base model as a loaner. Car definitely rides nicely--crisp handling, handles bumps well, no creaks or rattles, and road noise is minimal. Corners sharply too, and seems to hold a straight line well. It's a good balance between ride and handling. Definitely an upgrade from my MY2014 base model as far as the drive goes. Interior is better too with the great sport seats and more aluminum trim. ASD is also louder in comfort mode which wasn't necessary IMO. Standard stereo sounds slightly more powerful too although I may be dreaming.
So what's the rub? Well, they seemed to have screwed up the iDrive graphics. The icons and fonts are now faint instead of bold, and the graphics resolution seems to be lower. The maps are totally different. They are now using white roads against a light gray background, with small fonts for the road names. There is very little contrast and color is absent. Gone is the nice "traffic" map that showed the road traffic nicely against a dark background.
Even in the arrow directions display in the split screen, all the color is gone. The only 2 map alternatives are now 'standard" and "alternative" which just adjust the brightness of the gray background. It all makes for a less legible and seemingly downgraded look. The question is, why? Did they go with lower resolution maps (smaller files) because it is now updated via over-the-air link instead of an HDD-based system? But that wouldn't explain the use of faint icons and fonts throughout the menus. Pretty disappointing. It seems that it's all change for change's sake.
Other changes include a new button for "Maps" and the loss of the "Radio" button. You now have to use the "Media" button to get to the radio which forces you to make even more button pushes for the radio stations than before. I think my MY2014 system is a lot nicer, although slightly slower.
So what's the rub? Well, they seemed to have screwed up the iDrive graphics. The icons and fonts are now faint instead of bold, and the graphics resolution seems to be lower. The maps are totally different. They are now using white roads against a light gray background, with small fonts for the road names. There is very little contrast and color is absent. Gone is the nice "traffic" map that showed the road traffic nicely against a dark background.
Even in the arrow directions display in the split screen, all the color is gone. The only 2 map alternatives are now 'standard" and "alternative" which just adjust the brightness of the gray background. It all makes for a less legible and seemingly downgraded look. The question is, why? Did they go with lower resolution maps (smaller files) because it is now updated via over-the-air link instead of an HDD-based system? But that wouldn't explain the use of faint icons and fonts throughout the menus. Pretty disappointing. It seems that it's all change for change's sake.
Other changes include a new button for "Maps" and the loss of the "Radio" button. You now have to use the "Media" button to get to the radio which forces you to make even more button pushes for the radio stations than before. I think my MY2014 system is a lot nicer, although slightly slower.