[dudley07726]

Just took home a 2012 2.8 X3.
Really enjoying this Nice SUV (at least for the first 100 miles so far) but the navgiation irks me. Actually, the whole IDrive irks me.
They say that this version IDrive is better than the previous version. I'd hate to see the older version.
No way as intuitive as my 2006 Lexus SC 430 Nav nor the NAV in the 2007 Honda CRV that I traded in towards the X3.
I've managed to download music via USB to the hard drive. Also managed to input some contacts in the Office part from which I will use as Nav destinations.
Have a bit of a headache as a result of it. Any recommendations that could make my journey through this IDrive a bit easier?

Thanks.

2.8 Alpine White/ Sand Beige Leather
Tech, Prem, Cold Weather, Power Tailgate, Alum Roof Rails, Sienna Wood
Sat Radio.

[bren]

Originally Posted by dudley07726

Any recommendations that could make my journey through this IDrive a bit easier?

Stop expecting it to be anything like those other cars, grab the manual, and just get used to it.

[roundtree]

Originally Posted by bren

Stop expecting it to be anything like those other cars, grab the manual, and just get used to it.

Have to concur, even if that advice isn't the helpful bit you were expecting, dudley07726. While it seems backward at first, I'm already very comfortable with it just 3k miles in. The best part of the iDrive, to me, is also probably the very thing most people hate about it: the non-touch screen with the dial for manuevering. It actually isn't as bad as it first seems and you'll get used to it eventually.

Or, you'll get rid of your X3 because you feel like your brain will explode from the insanity. But hopefully not.

[fiddy yen]

You actually prefer the Honda navigation over the BMW?? Wait til you are driving 70mph and trying to navigate thru it. Youll appreciate the ease of use with the idrive. It just take some getting used to. Give it time and congrats on your purchase.

[fiddy yen]

Ps. The google maps feature is the best thing about the idrive system. Makes it that much easier to use.

Go to google maps, find the address., send to BMW, get into BMW and it'll magically appear to your nav

[Beyu]

I think the X3's navigation is quite decent but will definitely take some getting use to. While I have not tried the CR-V's nav I have tried the nav in a Lexus IS. Although the Lexus' nav seemed a little easier to use the overall picture quality and clarity of both maps and menus are no where near as good as BMW's.

Originally Posted by roundtree

The best part of the iDrive, to me, is also probably the very thing most people hate about it: the non-touch screen with the dial for manuevering.

I like this too, the problem with touch screens is that it requires you to lift your hand and actively look at the screen whenever you want to make a selection but with an "old school" dial you already know all of the motion ranges and you can put your arm on the armrest.

[dudley07726]

Here is my 2012 X3 along with my other car. It's only been 1 week but so far, I love this X3.

[dudley07726]

Originally Posted by fiddy yen

You actually prefer the Honda navigation over the BMW?? Wait til you are driving 70mph and trying to navigate thru it. Youll appreciate the ease of use with the idrive. It just take some getting used to. Give it time and congrats on your purchase.

Yes, I prefer the Honda and lexus navs to this. The Nav in my 2006 Lexus SC 430 is more sophisticated than this. It shows me what upcoming turns I should expect in advance, names the road, is full screen until it splits automatically, and is always spot on where I am. I was already in a turn in the BMW when it was telling me to expect a turn in 100 feet. It told me that my destination was 150 ft ahead when I already passed it.
To me, this is the weak link in this otherwise great auto.

[Nahoa]

My experience on the accuracy has been totally different that yours. The BMW nav: shows the split screen with exit information; displays next turn with street name, distance, and intersection graphic between the gauges; and also has a route list with a bunch of info. It's certainly not precisely the same as your other -- and that's probably not a rational expectation -- but I expect that after a little more time using it you find it covers all of that information pretty well.

I'd keep an eye on the accuracy thing. That seems unusual to me. The only time I can think of having a problem was in the dense city when I came quickly out of an underground parking garage and it took some time to get the GPS lock back.

[SR40X3]

Looks similar if not identical to the system used by Land / Range Rover. Brilliant, gave a count down and distance to motorway junctions. Agree, had nav in our 335 and X5, and is no better than a £100 Tom Tom in my view. Ok you can download routes and all sorts of fancy and useless stuff.....but the basic sat nav is sub-standard.

[dudley07726]

On my trip yesterday, the BMW NAV was telling me to get off the highway and take a route for about 5 miles to my destination. It was odd since the Honda & Lexus NAV's I have used told me to stay on the highway for another 4 miles and then go to a particular route until my destination (which is what I did because I was visiting a relative and I knew exactly where to go. I was just testing the BMW Nav). Most definitely the weak link in this SAV.

[Nahoa]

Was it set to Shortest, Fastest, or Econ? And which did you use in the previous cars? Could make a difference.

[Nahoa]

Originally Posted by Beyu

I think the X3's navigation is quite decent but will definitely take some getting use to. While I have not tried the CR-V's nav I have tried the nav in a Lexus IS. Although the Lexus' nav seemed a little easier to use the overall picture quality and clarity of both maps and menus are no where near as good as BMW's.



I like this too, the problem with touch screens is that it requires you to lift your hand and actively look at the screen whenever you want to make a selection but with an "old school" dial you already know all of the motion ranges and you can put your arm on the armrest.

I agree. I think it requires much less distraction from the road. You can make a number of selections without having to look -- just note where you're at, eyes back to the road, use the iDrive to choose, back for a quick check. Don't have to watch for the time it takes to move your hand to the screen and make sure to hit the right spot. Do so takes a lot longer than I'd imagined beforehand. One of the reasons I miss having a "track forward" button on the steering wheel.

[dudley07726]

Bringing my 2006 Lexus SC for service the other day, I was given a 2012 ES as a loaner. This was my first experience with a newer Lexus Navigation opposed to my 2006 version. I found the graphics to be better than the 2006 and on par with the BMW. Still find the Lexus Nav to me much better than the one in my 2012 X3. I like the way the current road you are traveling on is super-imposed on the bottom of the map allowing you to keep the size of the map uinchanged as oppossed to the BMW whereby on the split screen where you are given current road info, you lose 1/4 of the map. In the Lexus, I still find the advising of the upcoming directions well in advance to be very helpful.
The attached pic is from my 2006, not the 2012 loaner.