New iDrive controller & infotainment system(with hard drive) for X5 and X6

[LeMansX5]

Jon Spira at BMWCCA sets the record straight on NYT's review:

BMW introduced the fourth generation of its oft-criticized iDrive cockpit controller system in the 2009 3 Series this fall. The New York Times' review of the latest version of iDrive this week sees the latest version as a marked improvement over previous iterations, but the reviewer gets several facts wrong in comparing the new-and-improved iDrive to its predecessors.


NEW YORK TIMES: Earlier iDrives were so slow to respond that changing any setting was best performed while the car was parked.

We say: While pre-4.0 iDrive systems set no speed records, this is simply not correct. While the Gen 1 iDrive (as introduced in September 2001 in the 2002 E65/E66 7 Series) was a bit of a laggard, it was also built on a platform that was discarded fairly quickly. Even this system was fast enough to be used when driving; its complex menu structure, however, did slow the driver down—but that is clearly not what The Times had in mind.

Starting with Generation 2 (introduced in the 2004 E60/E61 5 Series), iDrive, while not setting speed records, could not be characterized as slow, either. Subsequent software upgrades provided some improvement in speed, and the Gen 3 iDrive (introduced in March 2007) could even be considered snappy. [Not if that's the iDrive in the 335i it can't!—SC]

NYT: [An] 80-gigabyte hard drive . . . lets iDrive switch more quickly between functions and controls.

Us: The hard drive speeds up navigation and other functions but has nothing to do with the speed with which iDrive switches between “functions and controls.”

NYT: There’s a connector for the music player in the armrest.

Us: Not an iDrive feature, this was an option (6FL) that was introduced in several models as of March 2007 production.

NYT: You can speak city and street names to plot a route or say the name of a contact to dial a Bluetooth-connected cell phone.

Us: Speaking city and street names has been an iDrive function for several years; speaking names of contacts in a mobile phone has been available since at least iDrive 2.0 with the introduction of the CCC (Car Communication Computer)-based iDrive.

NYT: For example, they [BMW Owners] can change programs that previously only dealers could adjust, like the automatic door-lock settings, as well as check information like the tire pressure.

Us: Personal Profiles (which allow owners to set things like door locks) were introduced in September 2005 in the 2006 3 Series . Tire-pressure monitoring via iDrive has been available in various guises for several years as well.

[rh71]

from e90post forums...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1225452190

I like the console area there near the shifter. It's a bit more busy but it's elegantly done. They're saying this is the new X1 or X3 cockpit. Wonder if this is what the X5s are getting too...

[LeMansX5]

The pic link you posted is from new F01 750Li. Not X1. Will post better pics.

[Craig]

The first 09's at my dealer have the old style I drive. Anyone know when the new I drive will make it into the X5?

Craig

[LeMansX5]

^^After March 2009.

[Craig]

Thanks,

Craig

[driveslowly]

No reason why BMW can't slap on a 500 gig drive unless they are experimenting with something that is solid state to compensate for driving conditions.

Since the new CIC maker is the same as the previous CCC maker, there may be opportunities for backwards compatibility (hopefully).

[rh71]

one has to wonder about an actual harddrive and extreme temperatures / temperature changes... what are some vehicles/manufacturers who already use them?

[bigx5er]

Hard drives are pretty common in cars now. Time will tell how long they hold up. I'd imagine the automakers are looking at the new Solid State Drives and will use them once the pricing comes down.

[grover432]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

^^After March 2009.

Will this be an '09LCI or a 2010?? I had been thinking about a 35d, but with the cost of diesel, fuel savings are chopped from 26% to 14% (after accounting for the cost of diesel in my area) and the future cost of diesel is uncertain. I had heard the X5 will get the TT from the 335 and X6 for 2010. If this is the case, I might wait. With the current residuals on X5's in Canada, this vehicle would be a purchase as opposed to a lease, so I have to be a bit more critical about what I choose.