Gizmodo votes iDrive 9 out of the 50 worst gadgets of the decade

fdsasdasdf · 12-25-2009, 01:38 PM

http://gizmodo.com/5431759/worst-gad...ery//gallery/9

Quote:

The iDrive was supposed to be a brilliant way to control all of the comfort and information aspects of the BMW experience when it came out in 2001, but instead it became the laughingstock of the car world. It was apparently sluggish and extremely unintuitive, making a mockery of good UI design. BMW worked hard to fix it, but its bad reputation was hardest to live down.

I've always really enjoyed iDrive and I'm unsure of as to why people dislike it so much. But then again, you're getting a passenger's perspective, here...

2kaccordocoupe · 12-25-2009, 03:56 PM

That's the previous generation. The new HD based model introduced in MY2009 is far superior.
I agree the previous gen is very clunky.

Kilgore Trout · 12-25-2009, 05:01 PM

Yeah, it was somewhat clunky. But, nowhere near as bad as it was made out to be, IMO.

NiVeDh · 12-25-2009, 05:59 PM

I have the old iDrive and I like it. It's really not that bad.

gary88 · 12-26-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiVeDh

I have the old iDrive and I like it. It's really not that bad.

+1. Though I think you need to spend some time with it before you become really familiar with it. Of course people who only spend only a day or two with it will get frustrated with it easily.

DJHakim · 12-26-2009, 02:52 AM

After driving a loaner w/o iDrive, I know I won't go w/o it! If they don't realize it gives the driver access to settings normally accessible only to servicer, then they missed the point.

MB330 · 12-26-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiVeDh

I have the old iDrive and I like it. It's really not that bad.

+1!

Kilgore Trout · 12-26-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJHakim

After driving a loaner w/o iDrive, I know I won't go w/o it! If they don't realize it gives the driver access to settings normally accessible only to servicer, then they missed the point.

Actually, all the settings that can be set from Idrive can be set in a somewhat clunky fashion using the switch on one of the stalks that controls the trip computer.

DJHakim · 12-27-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout

Actually, all the settings that can be set from Idrive can be set in a somewhat clunky fashion using the switch on one of the stalks that controls the trip computer.

AUX volume/gain, speed volume level, and parked car ventilation are some that cannot be set in non-iDrive models. At least according to the non-iDrive manual.

longtran · 12-27-2009, 07:40 PM

people who never have idrive will hate it.

chemgeek · 12-28-2009, 01:33 PM

I think the difference between the last generation iDrive and the current one is night and day.

DJHakim · 12-28-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chemgeek

I think the difference between the last generation iDrive and the current one is night and day.

Hah! What a play on words now that we have night mode.

chemgeek · 12-29-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJHakim

Hah! What a play on words now that we have night mode.

Haha, nice. I didn't even think of that when I wrote it.

Speaking of night and day modes, why the F doesn't the car have an automatic feature for the Nav that changes it?

12-25-2009, 03:56 PM	#2
2kaccordocoupe Brigadier General 1274 Rep 4,703 Posts Drives: Former ///M Driver Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The 6ix iTrader: (2)	That's the previous generation. The new HD based model introduced in MY2009 is far superior. I agree the previous gen is very clunky.
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12-25-2009, 05:01 PM	#3
Kilgore Trout Chicks dig wagons! 43 Rep 1,375 Posts Drives: 2009 E91 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Where you can see through the people, but not the air (i.e., Los Angeles!) iTrader: (0)	Yeah, it was somewhat clunky. But, nowhere near as bad as it was made out to be, IMO. __________________ E91 Montego Blue gray leather burl walnut , Idrive, PDC, Logic7, CA, Sirius, xenons, 6FL, ZPP, heated seats, 17" tires. 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42
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12-25-2009, 05:59 PM	#4
NiVeDh Major General 422 Rep 8,003 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i, '99 E36 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, TX & Atlanta, GA iTrader: (132) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Sedan [8.66]	I have the old iDrive and I like it. It's really not that bad.
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12-26-2009, 02:52 AM	#6
DJHakim First Lieutenant 23 Rep 366 Posts Drives: 330i xDrive Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	After driving a loaner w/o iDrive, I know I won't go w/o it! If they don't realize it gives the driver access to settings normally accessible only to servicer, then they missed the point. __________________ F34 (2019 330xi): Luxury, ZCV, Nav, ABSD, Alp White F34 (2016 328xi): Nav, ZDA, Alp White F30 (2013 328xi): ZCP, Nav, PDC, Alarm, Shades, GS Metal [Ret] E90 (2009 328xi): ZCP, iDrive, BMW Assist, PDC, Alarm, Shades, SG Metal [Ret] E90 (2006 325xi): ZSP, ZCP, iDrive, BMW Assist, PDC, CA, Xenons, Shades, CrO3 Exhaust, TiAg Metal [Ret]
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12-27-2009, 07:40 PM	#10
longtran Lieutenant General 1433 Rep 16,628 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CA iTrader: (105) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	people who never have idrive will hate it.
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12-28-2009, 01:33 PM	#11
chemgeek First Lieutenant 8 Rep 315 Posts Drives: '10 335/white-saddle/msport Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Laguna, CA iTrader: (0)	I think the difference between the last generation iDrive and the current one is night and day. __________________ '10 335i sedan/AW/Premium/M-Sport/Steptronic/Active Steering/6FL/Logic7/Sirius/heated seats/rear fold seat/alarm/Navi/Performance Power Kit
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