XBimmers X1   XBimmers X1
  XBimmers X1

Go Back   XBimmers | BMW X1 Forum > BMW X1 Forums > General BMW X1 (E84) Forum

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-28-2015, 11:26 AM   #1
eugenelt
New Member
10
Rep
29
Posts

Drives: None yet
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Is iDrive must have?

Hi all,

I'm considering buying a (used) X1, and trying to figure out what I will miss out if I'll get a car without idrive.
I guess I don't care much for GPS (esp. considering that map updates are expensive?), but what else is there ?
I probably will play music off usb drives, does idrive make it a lot easier to browse, or standard stereo screen is good enough?

Cheers!
Appreciate 0
      07-28-2015, 11:38 AM   #2
improvius
Second Lieutenant
49
Rep
280
Posts

Drives: 2015 X1 X28i
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Rochester, NY

iTrader: (0)

Not sure, but I don't think you can get the OEM backup camera without iDrive. That's the main reason I wanted the package.
Appreciate 0
      07-28-2015, 12:08 PM   #3
cooombs
Private
24
Rep
76
Posts

Drives: 2018 440i xDrive
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Ontario

iTrader: (0)

I wouldn't have gotten the car without the idrive. The USB integration into the screen is very nice, browsing songs is super easy and I love how it shows the song info and album art as well. Personally I think the compartment that you get instead of the screen is pretty ugly and a combo of the poor appearance plus lack of any kind of screen in a 2015 BMW was a deal breaker for me.

Finally my wife wanted NAV, so as the saying goes, Happy wife......
Appreciate 0
      07-28-2015, 01:54 PM   #4
zeevette
Unllicensed
zeevette's Avatar
United_States
29
Rep
444
Posts

Drives: 2013 X1 35i
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Pasco, WA. USA

iTrader: (0)

I don't have it, and have to play all my music with flash drives. It only displays the song playing, and there's not much control over playback. I had to reformat the flash drives using third party software, to allow truly random playback, which is my preferred mode. It sounds OK to me, after I ditched the RF tires.
Appreciate 0
      07-28-2015, 02:03 PM   #5
eugenelt
New Member
10
Rep
29
Posts

Drives: None yet
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by zeevette View Post
I had to reformat the flash drives using third party software, to allow truly random playback.
Huh?
Can you elaborate a bit, please?
You can browse folders, right?
Appreciate 0
      07-28-2015, 02:09 PM   #6
improvius
Second Lieutenant
49
Rep
280
Posts

Drives: 2015 X1 X28i
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Rochester, NY

iTrader: (0)

I use USB playback with iDrive, and the random option is not really random. It's like it generates a random playlist, then just plays them in that order. So if you are playing song A, and it is followed in random mode by song B, it will always go in that order. So playing song A in random will always be followed by song B. I assume the random list is rebuilt whenever you change the contents of the USB drive.

Anyway, it's a bit annoying, but I can always just manually pick a new track if I find I'm in a section of the random list I've already heard. But it would probably be a lot more annoying without being able to manually skip around with iDrive.
Appreciate 0
      07-28-2015, 02:18 PM   #7
eugenelt
New Member
10
Rep
29
Posts

Drives: None yet
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by improvius View Post
But it would probably be a lot more annoying without being able to manually skip around with iDrive.
I would assume pressing "next" button on cd player would start a new song (from flash drive) ?
Appreciate 0
      07-28-2015, 02:29 PM   #8
improvius
Second Lieutenant
49
Rep
280
Posts

Drives: 2015 X1 X28i
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Rochester, NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by eugenelt View Post
I would assume pressing "next" button on cd player would start a new song (from flash drive) ?
Yes, but I'm just talking about dealing with the "random" playback issue. Sometimes after skipping around, I'll find myself in a section of the random list that I've already heard, so I have to manually select another track to break out of that section. Otherwise I'm going to listen to a very predictable series of "random" songs. But this may be an issue that doesn't really bother anyone else.

Oh, and iDrive is very handy for finding a specific song by name. Not sure how that works with the base stereo.
Appreciate 0
      07-28-2015, 06:21 PM   #9
Black Flagged
Captain
Black Flagged's Avatar
United_States
470
Rep
778
Posts

Drives: M2C
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: 91739

iTrader: (0)

No I-drive, no deal....
Appreciate 2
      07-28-2015, 06:34 PM   #10
fw_fw
Freude am Fahren
fw_fw's Avatar
United_States
108
Rep
278
Posts

Drives: 18 X3 xDrive30i xLine Phytonic
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Alabama

iTrader: (2)

My 2011 328i didn't have iDrive, the X1 does. No contest: look for iDrive.

Now the original iDrive that started in the 7 & 5 series 10-12 years ago: that was universally panned in the motoring press. However they got it right starting later on, including the one available for the X1.
__________________

Current: 18 X3 xDrive30i
Past: 03 530i Sport | 06 330ci ZHP | 14 X1 xDrive35i M-Sport | 11 328i M-Sport | 98 M Roadster
Appreciate 0
      07-28-2015, 11:08 PM   #11
jaeezzy
Enthusiast
jaeezzy's Avatar
27
Rep
305
Posts

Drives: BMW X1 sDrive18d M Sport
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

I'm into tech so I opted for pro nav even though business nav already came with the car so that I don't miss out on anything Also, i guess it depends if you are into tech or into storage My perspective - iDrive makes the interior look better as well esp. the pro one. Also, nav is a must have for me. Besides, with the phone integration option you can make calls using center console screen, check msgs & emails (even get the car to read out to you) and watch DVDs while waiting for someone etc..
__________________
...

jaeezzy...
Appreciate 0
      07-28-2015, 11:29 PM   #12
Gunric
New Member
United_States
2
Rep
17
Posts

Drives: 2015 BMW X1 xDrive35i ///M
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

I have had pioneer AVIC nav systems in the last three cars and a ford oem system before that. No nav/multimedia is a deal breaker for me so I had to get iDrive.

That said, it also does seem that in the very very near future our phones will be the brains for media and navigation and the car will supply a screen (for mirroring the phone) and the amp to play the music.

I have noticed that half the time my wife will use Waze on her phone rather than the Pioneer nav system she has in her car.
Appreciate 0
      07-29-2015, 05:27 AM   #13
improvius
Second Lieutenant
49
Rep
280
Posts

Drives: 2015 X1 X28i
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Rochester, NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunric View Post
I have noticed that half the time my wife will use Waze on her phone rather than the Pioneer nav system she has in her car.
That's no contest: Waze looks 10x better than iDrive NAV, and it shows police.
Appreciate 0
      07-29-2015, 07:32 AM   #14
tominavl
Keeping it Real
6
Rep
75
Posts

Drives: 2014 X Drive 2.8i Sport Line
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Asheville, NC

iTrader: (0)

I bought the X1 because I like the way it drives. I chose NOT to get the iDrive because I don't like having my car full of gadgets and distractions. A personal choice, and I don't miss it. I connect my iPhone to the car and clip it to the air vent with a Kenu Airframe http://www.apple.com/shop/product/HH...unt-for-iphone.
Appreciate 0
      07-29-2015, 11:07 AM   #15
zeevette
Unllicensed
zeevette's Avatar
United_States
29
Rep
444
Posts

Drives: 2013 X1 35i
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Pasco, WA. USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by improvius View Post
I use USB playback with iDrive, and the random option is not really random. It's like it generates a random playlist, then just plays them in that order. So if you are playing song A, and it is followed in random mode by song B, it will always go in that order. So playing song A in random will always be followed by song B. I assume the random list is rebuilt whenever you change the contents of the USB drive.

Anyway, it's a bit annoying, but I can always just manually pick a new track if I find I'm in a section of the random list I've already heard. But it would probably be a lot more annoying without being able to manually skip around with iDrive.
That's exactly how mine was, and I like complete random for normal playback. I got a free program from https://www.doubletwist.com/ which I loaded into each flash drive, and this offered a random setting, which allows me to play the complete contents of the drive. I don't want the distraction of nav, nor would I use it. To be fair, my opinion of over priced factory nav might be different if I lived in a large metro area. I don't carry a cell phone because I don't like to be interrupted.
Appreciate 0
      07-31-2015, 05:33 AM   #16
GrantE83
Second Lieutenant
GrantE83's Avatar
United Kingdom
32
Rep
221
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 E83
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: London, UK

iTrader: (0)

I wouldn't choose a car just because of X Drive..

The X1 I selected doesn't have it and I'm not fussed.

Besides I've drove E36 & 46. I'm used to not a lot of luxury haha
Appreciate 0
      07-31-2015, 09:02 AM   #17
eugenelt
New Member
10
Rep
29
Posts

Drives: None yet
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Is there a difference in resale value for cars with/without idrive (relative to the original price) ?
Appreciate 0
      07-31-2015, 09:47 AM   #18
eugenelt
New Member
10
Rep
29
Posts

Drives: None yet
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunric View Post
That said, it also does seem that in the very very near future our phones will be the brains for media and navigation and the car will supply a screen (for mirroring the phone) and the amp to play the music.
.
I don't get why they're not doing it still, at least as an option. Seems like a no-brainer.
Considering the price manufacturers charge for a nav system + update costs people would happily opt for a dumb terminal+smartphone combo, imo. Though I guess the price they're able to charge is very much the reason
Appreciate 0
      08-02-2015, 07:55 PM   #19
Mtpisgah
Private First Class
14
Rep
148
Posts

Drives: 2010 WRX & 2013 X1
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Greenville, SC

iTrader: (0)

I did not want nav and not see the need for backup cameras, especially in this sized vehicle; so I went without the Idrive package. Once I plugged in my USB drive, I realized the mistake I had made. I really wish I had Idrive just for the better music control interface. I even hate the look of the screen on the dash because it looks like it was added as an afterthought, but I now wish I had it.
Appreciate 0
      08-02-2015, 09:06 PM   #20
PrematureApex
Colonel
840
Rep
2,400
Posts

Drives: N55 X1, N54 135, s54 m3
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (0)

I mean, it's nice to have. But has it really gotten this bad?

It's a car people. You use it for transportation and/or driving enjoyment. We all managed just fine 10 years ago when none of this stuff was in most cars.

Hardly a deal breaker, unless your idea of driving is trying to accomplish a trip thinking about anything but.
Appreciate 1
      08-03-2015, 12:27 PM   #21
zeevette
Unllicensed
zeevette's Avatar
United_States
29
Rep
444
Posts

Drives: 2013 X1 35i
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Pasco, WA. USA

iTrader: (0)

I think part of the problem, is we expect complete connectivity these days, and get it on Hondas, to Kias, for no extra charge. I admit, I bought mine assuming the USB/BT was like almost every other car, cheap, or pricey, included as standard equipment. Well, they are there, just partially disabled. Big BMW turnoff for me, just for being misleading.
Appreciate 0
      08-03-2015, 01:49 PM   #22
PrematureApex
Colonel
840
Rep
2,400
Posts

Drives: N55 X1, N54 135, s54 m3
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by zeevette View Post
I think part of the problem, is we expect complete connectivity these days, and get it on Hondas, to Kias, for no extra charge. I admit, I bought mine assuming the USB/BT was like almost every other car, cheap, or pricey, included as standard equipment. Well, they are there, just partially disabled. Big BMW turnoff for me, just for being misleading.
I understand. I guess it's different viewing it as a "car guy" vs. an average consumer.

While I'd want the connectivity, would I not buy the car I wanted (from a powertrain/chassis/etc. perspective), simply because it didn't have a USB port for playing music with my ipod or whatever? That seems insane to me.

I'd buy the car, and if I really cared about it, I'd spend $100 to install whatever I needed to make it work.

Now I get I'm not an average consumer in that regard, quite the opposite. But it's hard for me to wrap my head around.

I was reading a thread the other day about a guy who couldn't decide between an '08 convertible E93, or an '09 coupe. He really wanted the convertible, but liked the newer idrive better. He bought the coupe.

To me, it's insane that you would sacrifice the type of car you want (vert), for something like a better navigation unit. I don't even feel the need for in-dash navigation these days given wide-spread cellular coverage.
__________________
'02 S54 M3 (500/500 GC/Koni)
'08 N54 135 (JB4, DCI, BMW PS/Bilstein B6s, H&R M3 FSB, Strongflex FCABs)
'14 N55 X1 (JB4, BMS DP, BMS Intake, Alpina TCU reflash, H&R Sports, Bilstein B6s, E93 M3 RSB, Strongflex FCABs, baby seat)
'08 N54 535xi touring (Bilstein B6s, Downpipes, MHD tune, baby seat)
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:17 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST