Article on Idrive

I disagree almost completely:

1. BMW never intended for iDrive to be used while driving-- in fact there's absolutely no reason to have to use any of the iDrive's funtions while driving-- do you really need to change your suspension settings or assign a function to the steering wheel while you're moving? That's precislely why BMW has regular knobs, pedals and switches for the the 12 things the reviewer names in the beginning of the article.

2. What's the alternative? Should BMW just not give people any of these options or choices? Or should they do what Mercedes does and have a system with a gazillion buttons the dashboard( the COMMAND system).

3. And, if you really need or want to adjust one those 700 functions while driving- there's voice command-- no need to take your eyes of the road. ONe of the features that he mentions- the ability to assign any function to one of teh buttons on the steering wheel further lessens the need to use the iDrive controller while driving-- for example, if you find that you really like to toggle suspension settings while driving-- assign that to a steering wheel button. If you can't figure it out- i'm sure you're dealer will be happy to do it- just like w/ the car and key memory in current BMWs.

4. He does make a good point about the silly start button and some controls being different for no good reason.

I'm sure people had the same fears and complaints when radios first appeared in cars, or cd players, or cell phones, etc. Some people are irresponsible drivers no matter what-- and having iDrive or not isn't going to make a difference. Its not like you have to use the screen or iDrive controller for ANYTHING while you're actually driving.

BTW, I actually hate the e65's styling- but I don't like ignorant or ill-informed reviews of any product.

bimmerguy said:

Well, maybe then you should reread the article. Just because Mecedes has a complex system, so should BMW?

I would take my console gear selector any day, than having an Idrive knob in its place.

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I think you misread his post...He's saying without the iDrive system BMW would end up with an extremely complex system of knobs and buttons like the Mercedes. Most of the "features" in the iDrive are stuff that's already a part of today's 7 series, such as phone and navigation.

And you CAN operate most of the radio/CD/audio features with the buttons on the steering wheel and simple play/eject buttons on the cd player without ever having to invoke the dreaded iDrive. I have yet to touch any of the buttons on my console except to switch between CD and AM radio, or to change discs on the cd changer.

The HACK said:

I think you misread his post...He's saying without the iDrive system BMW would end up with an extremely complex system of knobs and buttons like the Mercedes. Most of the "features" in the iDrive are stuff that's already a part of today's 7 series, such as phone and navigation.

And you CAN operate most of the radio/CD/audio features with the buttons on the steering wheel and simple play/eject buttons on the cd player without ever having to invoke the dreaded iDrive. I have yet to touch any of the buttons on my console except to switch between CD and AM radio, or to change discs on the cd changer.

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What I am saying is, lets get rid of both systems no idrive or command....... just keep it simple. All I want is a touch screen DVD NAV and maybe voice rec. and a integrated phone that costs less than half of what they charge now.

bimmerguy said:

What I am saying is, lets get rid of both systems no idrive or command....... just keep it simple. All I want is a touch screen DVD NAV and maybe voice rec. and a integrated phone that costs less than half of what they charge now.

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Impossible to sell a car in this target segment without a mass of luxury add-ons like navigation, cell phone, cruise distance control, dual climate...etc. That's all.

HACK, bimmerguy-

Yes-- my point was that the iDrive is the best alternative to date given that luxury cars in this segment have to have lots of tech goodies to compete. Mercedes innundates the driver with too many buttons-- not a good idea. The e65 provides a clean, consistent interface to adjust all of these secondary functions. The beauty of it is-- you can pretend that it doesn't exist if you're scared of it. You don't need to do any of the basic things you do w/ car--drive it, listen to music, adjust the seats, lower the windows,etc.. A lot of reviews (not necessarily this one), make it seem like you have to use iDrive for everything-- before you can even start the car for exmaple. That really annoys me-- its just journalists trying to create a story or controversey where there isn't one. I think many people jump on this "any new technology must be bad" bandwagon and you get lots poorly informed discussions and decisions. I could imagine many people saying "I heard that in that new BMW 7 series, the whole car is controlled with one knob and a screen! Even the transmission!"

I do agree that a touchscreen would be nice-- but the advantage of the knob is that it can give force feedback-- allowing you to adjust functions without looking at the screen. (GRanted, you shouldn't and don't need to be making these adjustments while driving). Touch-screens also get very dirty by nature and are more likely to get damaged and degrade over time.