:iagree: I don't hate it, and I am able to use it just fine. I just don't like using it, as it isn't intuitive and it detracts from the driving experience. It does take your eyes off the road. It is complicated for the sake of being complicated. The cars deserve better. So what do they do? They add more buttons. Given a choice when ordering my next BMW, I would skip it.

I would disagree with all the folks who hate iDrive. I have a touchscreen navigation in my other car and that is more distracting to use and get right while driving than the iDrive. Sure it may take a little bit to get used to initially and the menus can be made more navigable but once you get a hang of it, you can keep your eyes on the road ahead, occasionally looking at the screen while the hand automatically controls the controller, just like using a mouse without having to look at it.

I remember my 330i seemed to get got horrible gas mileage until it had at least 3,000 or so miles, and then it progressively improved. I am not sure if this applies to the diesel, but I'd be interested in hearing mpg once the engine has at least that much miles on it.

your mileage should get better in time when you build up miles... it's common knowledge that a diesel engine gets better over time.
These engines need a considerable break-in time (not just 2-3000miles but let's say a good 30-40.000 miles...) My E61 diesel has got 140.000kms (some 85.000 miles give or take a few) and keeps getting better...:thumbup: unfortunately this car sucked so hard in the beginning that it has quite some making up to do... but the engine never failed me (I think that's about the only thing that never failed...:cool: )

I have to agree with the reviewer on the backup camera. BMW states it goes off after 10 MPH but mine doesn't go off until I reach 15 MPH. Why leave the backup camera on when you are in Drive and going 15 MPH is beyond me. My preference would be for the camera to go off once you start moving forward.

I agree that the camera is pretty useless when driving forward but...I'd be happy to have it go off at 15mph (or stay on forever for that matter) if it would give a clear view...:D

^ you guys don't want to see the aftermath of the damage you've done?

System integration is not their strenght.
You are right, once you have the car in "D" you don't need to get up to 10 mph to change the screen. I can understand why you would not want to switch back to regular screen when it in "D" but waiting to switch at the 10 mph is silly.
Same thing with the unfolding of the side mirrors, it is very simple for the mirrors to unfold once the gear is engaged without the need for the user to manually push the button.

My evaulation of BMW is a strong "A" on Engine, Chassis, Drivetrain.
A "D" on software and system integration.

Not sure why you still want to see what is behind you when you are already moving forward? Kind of annoying when you are in a parking lot and you are still seeing the backup camera when you are going forward at less than 15MPH. For my 2009 X5 it does not switch off until I'm doing 15MPH. Although I can press the button to turn off the camera/radar once I've started moving forward but this gets old after awhile.

> Not sure why you still want to see what is behind you when you are already moving forward?


So you can see if anyone is chasing you, after you back into their car at night using the BMW camera :)