Presets -- Most useful feature

[Eric5273]

I took delivery of my car yesterday. The salesman spent about 20 minutes with me going over all of the features of iDrive. Not much was new to me as I had watched plenty of videos showing the features of iDrive. However, one thing I found very interesting and had not been aware of is how the presets work.

Instead of just being radio presets as every other car I've ever owned has, I love how you can use the 6 presets to store any function, like navigating to a certain address, or calling a certain phone number. I also like how you can just touch your finger to a preset if you forget its function and it shows you a preview on the screen of what the function is. I think this is a wonderful feature and is extremely useful. Not one review of any BMW I have watched even mentioned this feature. I'm guessing the reviewers have such a short time with the car they never even figure this out.

[squishy]

Yeah, I love that feature too.

The tech that came out to my car to show me the iDrive controls didn't even go over that feature.

[zznalg]

Are there instructions for how to program presents in the manual?

[Eric5273]

Originally Posted by zznalg

Are there instructions for how to program presents in the manual?

I don't know, I didn't read the manual yet.

[spydrz]

#1 for me is switching the nav to night colors.

[zznalg]

Originally Posted by Eric5273

I don't know, I didn't read the manual yet.

That's my problem.

[jbc77]

If you have iDrive, make sure the desired function is showing on the screen (for example if you want to save a radio station, don't have the nav map on the screen, otherwise you will save the map view instead). Then push and hold the selected preset button until you get an audible two-note tone.

You can see what your presets are set to by hovering your finger over the buttons.

[bluejay_el]

Originally Posted by spydrz

#1 for me is switching the nav to night colors.

+1

I have that on #4. lol

[jbc77]

Originally Posted by spydrz

#1 for me is switching the nav to night colors.

It's unfortunate this isn't automatic as it is on the X3.

[spydrz]

Originally Posted by jbc77

It's unfortunate this isn't automatic as it is on the X3.

VERY true.

[Eric5273]

Really? You can't set the navigation to change to night mode when it gets dark? Even my old Scion navigation had that feature.

[ScottMZ3]

Originally Posted by Eric5273

Really? You can't set the navigation to change to night mode when it gets dark? Even my old Scion navigation had that feature.

Nope. I was a bit shocked at this as well! My wife's 2013 Hyundai Elantra does it...so I was used to it from that car. I wrote BMWUSA and told them they need to add that feature. I did get a call back from a woman who wanted to know more about my suggestion and asked some other questions too. Which was nice that I at least got a response.

Like the others here I have it programmed to a Preset (#2).

[1fastscooter]

I could go for a second row of presets myself, getting 12 presets would be great!

[KaKiT]

For me split screen/full screen, i have set this on #8
on #7 i have set nightmode of the navigation.

i spent #1 till #6 to my favorite locations.

[donsbabybeamer]

#7 & #8, there are only 6 buttons /presets ?

[jlerner62]

Originally Posted by donsbabybeamer

#7 & #8, there are only 6 buttons /presets ?

need someone who does coding to program 7 & 8 to be preset. will not show on idrive screen if you hover your finger over the button like 1-6

[Eric5273]

Originally Posted by ScottMZ3

Nope. I was a bit shocked at this as well! My wife's 2013 Hyundai Elantra does it...so I was used to it from that car. I wrote BMWUSA and told them they need to add that feature. I did get a call back from a woman who wanted to know more about my suggestion and asked some other questions too. Which was nice that I at least got a response.

Like the others here I have it programmed to a Preset (#2).

How would you go about programming a toggle option like this to a preset? Move the iDrive focus onto that option and then press and hold the preset button?

I assume it then works like a toggle and turns on & off each time you press the preset? I guess the split screen is another good idea for a preset.

[ScottMZ3]

Originally Posted by Eric5273

How would you go about programming a toggle option like this to a preset? Move the iDrive focus onto that option and then press and hold the preset button?

I assume it then works like a toggle and turns on & off each time you press the preset? I guess the split screen is another good idea for a preset.

Yep, that is correct. It works like a toggle. Perfect for the Day/Night and Split Screen options.

[mscottc]

I programmed button 1 to the "Radio Presets" screen. From there I can use the knob to dial up and down to any of the 14 or so radio presets that I have set. However for some reason, the button itself doesn't always switch directly to "Preset." Sometimes it switches to the "Radio" screen which has all the stations on whichever band I was last on. One more press of the button gets me into the actual Presets, then toggling back and forth between the two.

Out of curiosity, what's the advantage of not using the split screen, other than the obvious of more space for the map?

[punchyninja]

I love the presests as well. freaking great idea. I have one set to just turn off the screen to the idrive. Once I've got music going or if I'm not using it, find it nice to have it off.