new iDrive Rear View Camera Load Time = FAST!
 

At my local dealers yesterday, only had a few moments with the X5M since I had rush off to a meeting. I had the sales give me the key (to a X5M that hadn't been powered up all morning).

I opened and unlocked the door by grabbing onto the handle (via comfort access). Started up the car (wow the tone that car produced gave me chills.. so nice), and immediately tried to put the car in reverse.

The iDrive itself came up very fast and the rear view camera was instant! The way it should be.

Oddly, the actual display of the rear view camera did not span the size of the display. It was on split view with the PDC shown in the window on the right, but the rear view camera did not fill up with window on the left (some empty space left over).

I pressed the Menu button which takes us directly to the system setting menu (in the old iDrive, it's pressing down on the iDrive controller at the default screen) and tried to look for a way to reconfigure the screen setting, but couldn't find it. I didn't have time to play with it. I'm sure it's somewhere not too hard to find, just not in the same place as the previous iDrive. I did notice that when the rear view camera is up, there are options that you can adjust directly on that screen (ie: show pathlines and show obstacles).

In retrospect, I forgot to look at the screen resolution (which wouldn't have been accurate due to the bright sun that morning). I didn't see top view. And to think of it, the empty space could have been a result of (1) still low resolution camera or (2) the empty space for the side view/top view thing (just not activated).

On a side note, after my meeting, I called my sales guy to inquire about trading in my 2008 X5 4.8. He said sell it outside and ask for $57K-60K. The dealership was only willing to offer $50K. Guess I'm gonna keep my car and not think about going into a 35d anymore.

I know it's been said a lot that we can't retrofit the new iDrive system into our cars. But I hope that turns out to be false. At less than 10K, I'd still do the retrofit as selling and buying a new car for the iDrive would cost me much more out of pocket.

At less than 10K, I'd still do the retrofit as selling and buying a new car for the iDrive would cost me much more out of pocket.[/QUOTE]


You'd be willing to pay up to 10K for a better camera, or did I misunderstand something?

Yeah. Sounds crazy.

But it's not just for a back up camera only. It's for the new iDrive. Which is the faster harddrive based system (which = faster system), a better interface (used almost everytime I'll be in the car), I vaguely remember something about being able to use the internet on it too (but I would like the ability to send addresses to my Nav through my phone or my computer, available on iDrive's installed in 09 or later), new controller, (maybe new larger screen.. didn't confirm this) and of course the back up camera (used almost everytime I'm in the car).

I'm a tech guy. So the delay in the system boot-up and for the backup camera really bothers me.

Trading/selling my car to get into a new one for these features would cost a lot more than 10K. And of course, I'm saying 10K would be the most I'd pay. Ideally I'd only like to pay as little as possible.

I agree that the backup camera sucks as far as delay coming on and night viewing, but I can live with that rather than spending more money on something I've already bought once. BMW should come up with a replacement camera and do it under warranty. The delay is probably a software issue which should be an easy fix for them.

I'm completely aboard with what you said. But I doubt BMW would do anything about that. I'm sure they think "Hey. We solved the problem with the load up time of the rear view camera. It's with the new iDrive."

I wonder if it is software solveable since the current system takes such a long time just to boot up. They'll probably need to separte the camera from the iDrive software and simply display it on the screen while the system is booting. I think I saw something mentioned of that on this forum somewhere. I'll probably do that after my warranty expires.

During my last service appointment, I pointed out to the rep that I usually get in my car every morning and back out of my driveway. The frickin camera kicks in just as I am about to start driving forward. His comment...that I probably have too much coffee in the morning!! I kid you not! :rolleyes:

He said it's like a computer which has to boot up and load the software, and that I'm just too quick for it. Apparently there's no fix or update for this issue.

These reps obviously don't own these cars and so are not familiar with such daily annoyances... so I just said nodded and didn't say anything to ruin my day! :shakehead:

The annoyance is certainly there when you're ready to get in and go but in the mornings I go a bit slower and my rear window and side mirrors are a bit fogged from mist / frost and all that good stuff that takes a few mins to go away... I actually let the camera do its thing... basically the only real time I need it, I give it about 5 extra seconds so I can use it.

It's weird reading about this issue cause I own a July 07 build E70 with original factory software and my camera comes on within a second of me placing the X5 into reverse..
Seriously, I've never had an issue (outside the crap quality of the camera) :( ... But yet so many others complain about this issue,, could it be related to a particular software version thats causing this? :dunno:

I think the ones with comfort access will complain more. Why? Because if you use the keyfob to unlock the car prior to getting in, it starts the process of booting all systems. If you use comfort access, the systems don't start booting until you hit the round start button. My thoughts anyways....

Absolutely right.

Plus, I heard those with navigation also suffer a longer boot up time too. I wonder if I take out my nav disc anything would speed up.