iDrive to have 40GB hard disk

Gabe May 27th, 2008 Link

It’s about freakn’ time BMW put an HD in its cars. With impressive competition from both Japanese and American makes, BMW’s CCC was looking a little long in the tooth.

Michael May 27th, 2008 Link

Gabe,

I could not agree more, the BMW concept has always been superior but they have been using antiquated bits… they are seeing the light finally.

Dan C. May 27th, 2008 Link

Hate to say it, but it sounds like BMW still doesn’t get it. They should be doing what the folks at Dash are doing — a 2-way connected platform that can evolve over time. Otherwise, this will look as ancient in 10 years as the temperature/mileage displays of 1998 cars look to us now.

illegalprelude May 27th, 2008 Link

I dont think BMW cares as much of what the used car market is thinking about the 335i in 2013….

BCLemans May 27th, 2008 Link

Anything other than I-Drive is indeed good news. “..used in MOST-bus vehicles without “Professional” satellite navigation” certainly doesn’t sound state-of-the-art to me”.

Why can’t BMW subcontract a Japanese company to do the interface? Sony is the #1 consumer electronics brand in Germany and the Japanese folks seems more capable to bring out better interfaces (Lexus, Infiniti…etc). If BMW can make this step, it can certainly win a lot more customers.

Michael May 27th, 2008 Link

BCLemans:
Anything other than I-Drive is indeed good news. “..used in MOST-bus vehicles without “Professional” satellite navigation” certainly doesn’t sound state-of-the-art to me”.

Why can’t BMW subcontract a Japanese company to do the interface? Sony is the #1 consumer electronics brand in Germany and the Japanese folks seems more capable to bring out better interfaces (Lexus, Infiniti…etc). If BMW can make this step, it can certainly win a lot more customers.

Just because a manufacturer makes a system that is not using the latest technology does not mean that it does not also make other options using the latest technology; ie Sony still makes DVD players but also makes Blu Ray players as well.

While we welcome opinions and we thank you for your comment I can not agree with having Lexus and Infinity design the system.If you have spent more than 30 minutes with an (non 7 series) iDrive based car it is obvious that it is more intuitive and requires less time with your eyes off the wheel. Just like the first computers had DOS, then Windows and now Linux/OS X things evolve in technology. Touch screens are not as user friendly over time, screen smudging/eyes off the road etc.
The issue with iDrive is the speed and layout of the menus, it has improved over time.
Using the system regularly becomes second nature and does not require you to glance at the screen for significant periods of time. Voice commands remedy most choices anyways (works like a champ for me). This new generation will have well positioned keys and an improved GUI and menu structure, the processing power will be greatly improved as well to speed up system tasks, all in all this will be a leap in a serious of steps.
The main issue with iDrive is that BMW was at the mercy of the supplier and yes they had a hand in design and implementation but they still did not produce the product, Siemens VDO did (notice they did not “win” the job this go around).

Michael May 27th, 2008 Link

Dan C.
Hate to say it, but it sounds like BMW still doesn’t get it. They should be doing what the folks at Dash are doing — a 2-way connected platform that can evolve over time. Otherwise, this will look as ancient in 10 years as the temperature/mileage displays of 1998 cars look to us now.

We have indications that BMW will be including two way communication as well hence the reason there is GSM capability. We are trying to confirm certain things at this time and will get that to you as soon as possible.

Gabe May 27th, 2008 Link

Why can’t BMW subcontract a Japanese company to do the interface? Sony is the #1 consumer electronics brand in Germany and the Japanese folks seems more capable to bring out better interfaces (Lexus, Infiniti…etc). If BMW can make this step, it can certainly win a lot more customers.

Sony is the last company I’d want creating any sort of interface.

GSKChicago May 28th, 2008 Link

Wouldn’t mind seeing Apple design an interface. I thikn they’d nail it first time around!

BMW iDrive Navigation System getting a 40GB hard drive May 29th, 2008 Link

[...] friends at Bimmerfile are reporting that the next generation iDrive system will be getting an internal 40GB hard drive. [...]

Auto Clerks » BMW ditching navigation DVDs for 2009 Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

[...] MY 2009 cars will get a new iDrive system with a 40GB hard drive. According to Bimmerfile, the drive allotment will have 12GB dedicated to navigational maps (and 8GB for entertainment and 10GB for your address book, [...]

BMW ditching navigation DVDs for 2009 | Cars Blog Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

[...] MY 2009 cars will get a new iDrive system with a 40GB hard drive. According to Bimmerfile, the drive allotment will have 12GB dedicated to navigational maps (and 8GB for entertainment and 10GB for your address book, [...]

BMW ditching navigation DVDs for 2009 | SeekHub.net Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

[...] MY 2009 cars will get a new iDrive system with a 40GB hard drive. According to Bimmerfile, the drive allotment will have 12GB dedicated to navigational maps (and 8GB for entertainment and 10GB for your address book, [...]

BMW ditching navigation DVDs for 2009 | 9autos.com Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

[...] MY 2009 cars will get a new iDrive system with a 40GB hard drive. According to Bimmerfile, the drive allotment will have 12GB dedicated to navigational maps (and 8GB for entertainment and 10GB for your address book, [...]

BMW ditching navigation DVDs for 2009 Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

[...] MY 2009 cars will get a new iDrive system with a 40GB hard drive. According to Bimmerfile, the drive allotment will have 12GB dedicated to navigational maps (and 8GB for entertainment and 10GB for your address book, [...]

BMW ditching navigation DVDs for 2009 - The Automotive News Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

[...] MY 2009 cars will get a new iDrive system with a 40GB hard drive. According to Bimmerfile, the drive allotment will have 12GB dedicated to navigational maps (and 8GB for entertainment and 10GB for your address book, [...]

BMW ditching navigation DVDs for 2009 | Joxx.net Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

[...] MY 2009 cars will get a new iDrive system with a 40GB hard drive. According to Bimmerfile, the drive allotment will have 12GB dedicated to navigational maps (and 8GB for entertainment and 10GB for your address book, [...]

Nuevo I Drive: HD 40 GB, y totalmente personalizable. - P Jul 4th, 2008 Link

[...] publicado por Gus BimmerFile

Car Guides » BMW ditching navigation DVDs for 2009 Jul 6th, 2008 Link

[...] MY 2009 cars will get a new iDrive system with a 40GB hard drive. According to Bimmerfile, the drive allotment will have 12GB dedicated to navigational maps (and 8GB for entertainment and 10GB for your address book, [...]