Exclusive: E60 Spotted with Updated iDrive

GSKChicago Apr 24th, 2008 Link

I love new toys and wish I could wait until ‘09 for my 135i - but I take delivery end of May. Guess I’ll have to wait until my 36 months is up to take advantage of new gadgetry.

N/A Apr 24th, 2008 Link

This picture (at least the 2nd) showed up on a German forum back in mid February this year. The person who posted it, found it on an official BMW configuration DVD. Could’ve been a glitch in the marketing quality control. Here’s the screenshot of the configuration application…

e92er Apr 24th, 2008 Link

So, will there be an update I-Drive for the E90 Facelifted? I am a little bit confused. Someone on the E90post forum stated that:

“2009 BMW 3 Series WILL NOT get the new iDrive system…Very well informed sources have shared with us that the new iDrive system will definitely NOT be in the 2009 BMW 3 Series facelift. The improved iDrive system will be part of the 5 Series and it is currently being tested in the 5 series mules.”

Can you please verify!?

Michael Apr 24th, 2008 Link

What we know and what someone else knows is apparently two different things. Not all sources know all things. This person is also claiming that the new iDrive will not be in the NEW F01 7 Series, while another person on the same blog wonders why the 3 would get it before the 7 this fall… you figure that out. What we know is that there is in fact a new iDrive controller, that may be in the 3 this fall or at latest next Spring. The new system will eventually make it across the entire line. Remember the A4 (the biggest competitor to the 3 outside the US) is brand new and has MMI now….. BMW will take a hit if they do not change something in the 3 Fast. The market outside the US is very important because of the value of the dollar currently.

BMWBlog Apr 24th, 2008 Link

Michael, I’m sure you were talking about us as being the “other blog” and I think you were referring to Irv as well.

First of all, Irv has never stated on our blog that the iDrive will be in the 7 before the 3, and second, Irv has his own thing at edBMW and BMW Blog is a total different entity. They used to be related at one point, but not anymore. Irv did leave his personal comment on here saying that it would not make sense for BMW to have the new iDrive in the 3 before the 7, but that was just a personal opinion. Also, he might be right since it looks like the 7 will be out before the 3 facelifted.

And also, we have NEVER stated that the new iDrive will not be in the new 7, on the contrary, it seems like it will be part of the 09 7 series.

And last, I think the more exciting news at this point is the 4 wheel steering that will be available for the 7, now that’s something interesting.

Michael Apr 25th, 2008 Link

BMWBLOG: I guess my understanding of the English language must not be as well developed as yours considering on your site it clearly states that the system will be in the upcoming 5 series and is being tested in the mules. Last time I checked the mules were for the F10 (BMW will release it in a completely NEW model as you stated). And since the F10 5 is coming AFTER the F01 7 you contradict your self saying the 7 will in fact get it. You may want to check your sources or wording, something is not correct.
You have made this situation complicated for our readers and BMW fans in general. We have never given a precise timeline on the release of this ,and will not until BMW has confirmed it so I am truly sure why you continue to address that we are incorrect…. we are correct, please read our entries in their entirety and realize that we clearly state the 7 will receive it first (not the 5 as you state) and then it will trickle to other models.
As for the Four wheel steering, that will be a major mistake for BMW, and we are not overly excited about it. If they do add it it will be for the F02 long wheel base. Four wheel steering was developed nearly a century ago and has never caught on because if the car is engineered correctly the system is not necessary and it is overly complex adding more weight to a car.

Glad to hear that Irv is doing well and that he has continued to pursue his ED items and not focus on other things, it gets to be too much when there are lots of projects going on.

GSKChicago Apr 25th, 2008 Link

Is it a competition - one Blog versus another Blog? I realize “scooping” a story is a big deal and nice to be able to do… But for another Blogger to go on someone else’s Blog and blast their “scoop” as wrong - i.e.: BMWBLOG trying to discredit BF - is pathetic. I’ll admit, I had never heard of BMWBLOG until they started doing such things on BF. Now that I’ve heard of it, I have no interest in checking their Blog out.

BMWBlog Apr 25th, 2008 Link

Michael, the wording might have been confusing, maybe, but we never talked about the 7 not getting the iDrive. That article was in reference to 3 and 5 series. We have never said that you guys are wrong, far from it. We just posted what our sources told us. If we are wrong, I will be the first one to issue an apology. Many times websites,forums, blogs or newspapers are wrong, so it happens. All the major blogs make mistakes as well, but life goes on. I enjoy your blog and even though GSKChicago thinks that we are in a competition, far from it. And also GSKChicago, we never went on here to blast anyone, and we even used our own name instead of using a fake name and post comments. I think that shows that we didn’t want to hide behind a screen and put down BF. Actually, we even linked to articles on here, so please tell me what “competing” blogs post links to another? So please, don’tuse words as pathetic and such, since we try to keep a civilized language on here and you might be wrong this time.

Good luck guys and I hope you’re doing well and maybe one we can even setup a BMWBLOG/Bimmerfile meet for all our readers.

P.S Yes, Irv is doing really well, and the truth is that edBMW blog was started by two people, one being him, since he had more experience in the industry. We still consult with him on different things.

Jan Apr 26th, 2008 Link

If not this year BMW will have to introduce the new iDrive in early ‘09 in the 3er. The A4 has the nice looking MMI in the standard configuration and the C-Klasse received an upgraded Command system last year while the iDrive didn’t receive a real upgrade (the color change doesn’t count) for years and looks pretty outdated now.
A more intelligent color concept and different fonts would be good a start.

I’m in the market for the LCI 3er but I won’t buy the car with the current iDrive.

Chris McKillop Apr 26th, 2008 Link

I’m sad. This new iDrive is ugly — totally destroys the clean lines of the current generation. It’s like going from a Mac to a Windows PC — buttons all over.

BimmerFile » Archive » BMW 5/6 series to get updated iDrive. Jul 16th, 2008 Link

[...] an error on their website the 2009 5er and 6er will also be receiving the new iDrive system. We had originally been told the 5 would get the update but the latest materials we obtained did not state [...]