BMW iDrive was Brilliant but Caused a MASSIVE Problem

When BMW invented iDrive technology as a groundbreaking infotainment system, it was a genius move, but the complexity of the German-engineered system would haunt the luxury car maker for years to come, and some competing brands still haven't learned from BMW's mistake.

#BMW #infotainment #idrive

[valtteritattari]

I still think that infotainment on screens, all other driver comfort stuff on buttons.

[matekochkoch]

Almost all radiostations in Germany are FM. For most German customers it would not matter to put the switch somewhere in under the hood where you could only access it after removing the oil filter.

[error_nr-]

"You'd have to go through two screens"
Proceeds to show a picture of the AM/FM switch visibly located next to the volume knob

[ThunderjunkMcbutram]

I dont know why we are removing all the buttons and switches form cars, i want the inside of my car to look like the cockpit in a plane, i dont want a useless huge touch screen, just give me a button or dial for each thing.

[thedanshou]

1. The BMW iDrive system is still the best on the market and has been continuously improved since its introduction in this 7 Series.
2. Even though no one listens to AM radio, there's a button that switches AM/FM.
3. Every post-war BMW has dedicated buttons for the heated seats.

[sufitysciany]

I owned E65 750i for couple of years. And I love the iDrive!

[sarahstartingover]

Mazda does this really well, only infotainment controls and settings controlled with the haptic knob by the shifter but everything else has buttons but still very minimalistic interior

[Joe___R]

Just because you can add additional functions doesn't nessasarly mean you should. My biggest problem with most current car models is they have made everything controlled through a touch screen. If they would just keep the most commonly use functions used while driving be controlled with buttons and knobs it would make it so much easier. Keep physical controls for the radio and climate control then the rest can be accessed through the computer screen in the dash.

[paddybm]

I’ve never used AM radio my entire life. Always wondered why it exists since there seem to be no channels available

[LemonViper]

I have a 2020 bmw and it’s almost perfect for infotainment. Shortcuts for everything are physical buttons and 8 preset function buttons.

[LMAutoRepairs]

Should have chosen a different example... since to change from AM To FM was literally a button in front of the radio unit...

[themagician]

Man the memories of this interior. I miss my old 745Li. That car was a chick magnet back in the day.

[noplan]

Had a BMW E60 and I loved iDrive. Could do thinks without looking, even used it for an aftermarket Android Auto device. Now I have touchscreens everywhere and it is a big step back in many cases in my opinion.

[nuudelz]

IDrive is still the best in car infotainment system available. And the dial is 100x safer then this bullshit touchscreens were getting.

We have distracted driving rules for 6” screens and now we have 48” wide monitors. Make it make sense

[chrisbarrettFilmstudio]

I love bob. He’s such a great person to listen and learn from. Hell all the people I know like that are named Bob

[MazwiZwane]

I developed my muscle memory so quick when I got my first BMW.. i can work idrive without even looking at the screen.

[IDontKnowWhatImDoingDIY]

That iDrive still works well today, response is instant! Try using Sync on a 2011 Ford Edge, it's impossible.

[dlmhdlmh]

That's why later renditions had 8 memory physical buttons for programming shortcuts

[EastMids]

I'm not a car guy but watching two clever people discussing a simple yet complex matter is refreshing

[musti]

Did he saw the american Cars in these years, the only technology they have, was that shitty lettering with "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear"….