If you go to a BMW dealer, they will probably charge a small fortune to get an iDrive unit replaced if you're out of warranty. These faults were down to the connections between the car and the iDrive system, but later models use a different set-up that should be more reliable.
Past versions of iDrive had problems with screens going blank, the sat-nav not functioning properly and the inability to read CDs. Of course, technology such as iDrive won't be to all tastes, but the latest systems should at least be reliable. What's more, it doesn't leave grubby fingerprints on the screen. However, we think the latest iDrive control system is the best yet, because once you've taken some time to familiarise yourself with the system, it's pretty easy to use. Ironically, BMW has now started offering touchscreen infotainment systems on some of its cars, although usually this comes in conjunction with an iDrive controller. On more advanced models with 360-degree cameras, the iDrive system allows you to select which cameras you want to view, zoom in and out, and change from narrow to wide-angle views. It also allows you to easily change the point of view of the map, from 2D to 3D and perspective styles, while BMWs with a larger infotainment screen can even have a split-screen view that allows you to have detailed junction information alongside the standard map screen. When you have the navigation selected, the iDrive controller allows you to zoom in and out of the map, while sliding the controller from side-to-side will allow you to look at your surroundings.
These can send you straight to navigation, audio, telephone and car set-up screens without having to navigate back to the home screen – although there's also a shortcut to get you straight back there. On more advanced versions of iDrive, the top of the control wheel also doubles as a touchpad for writing characters, although this only works well in a right hand-drive car if you're left-handed or dexterous enough to write characters clearly with your left hand – otherwise you might be better off with the voice control system instead.Īs well as the rotary controller, there's a group of buttons at its base that are shortcut keys to sections of the iDrive system. The latest version of BMW iDrive in its simplest form features a rotary controller that rotates clockwise and anti-clockwise, can be moved forwards, backwards, left and right, and presses down like a computer mouse to select an option. In time, BMW developed the iDrive system to become more user-friendly, adding shortcut keys around the rotary controller, while voice control has added another level of user-friendliness to the system.
On the whole, users of iDrive are likely to spend less time distracted by the system than they would with a touchscreen set-up. But as with any new technology, once you get used to how the system works, and as BMW has developed iDrive over time, it soon becomes second nature.
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Initially, iDrive itself was seen as too fiddly and a distraction from driving by many people, as it required the driver to look away from the road to ensure the controller was selecting the right menu or sub-menu on the screen. Over time, BMW has developed and enhanced the iDrive system, and today it's one of the most intuitive and user-friendly cabin controllers on the market. There's a central dashboard screen displaying information on navigation, audio and telephone settings, which is controlled via a rotary wheel that's located next to the gear lever.
Idrive reviews and hacks series#
Top 10 best cars for infotainment, connectivity and electricsīut what exactly does iDrive do? Well, when BMW first introduced iDrive on the 7 Series limo in 2001, it created a system that put all of the cabin control functions in one place.
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