Z4 M Coupe Video Review (CNET)

[vladinecko]

interlagos blue + carbon leather trim, it looks awesome!

http://www.cnettv.com/9742-1_53-29139.html

[Artz 330]

he's right about passing on the navi. I did and I am SOOO Happy I did!

[vladinecko]

i played with it for a while and must say that i totally agree. i wish they included the LCD just as an OBC to control all the other features in the car. but the whole system is so freaking dated.

one would think they would put the current generation iDrive in it. just like in the 1-series. the screen still pops out and everything is nice and compact but at least it's a modern system.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by vladinecko

one would think they would put the current generation iDrive in it. just like in the 1-series. the screen still pops out and everything is nice and compact but at least it's a modern system.

Uh.. please, NO!!!

[Hawkeye]

haha, I don't know why everybody talks so badly about the iDrive. It does a lot of stuff so it is complicated. I thought my in-dash DVD player was complicated when I got it (in my Civic) back in '02 but I got so used to it after a couple months that I didn't even have to look at the screen. It is a little hard to use but it just gives you so much info and so many options I think it is worth it.

[rabman5]

I think iDrive is great. It is easy to use with many great features. I think some people who are not so technically savvy may rate it poorly. The bluetooth menu, stopwatch, max. speed control & radio display are features I enjoy with iDrive.

[vladinecko]

i also don't get why people bash it so bad. what is so horrible about it? if you can't use it, you probably can't use a computer either. in which case, don't bother getting any nav system at all.

[Dammmittt]

I dunno, I like the M coupe just the way it is...(mine doesn't have nav either). It's just there for you to drive, without any fancy gadgets to distract you and take away from the driving itself.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by vladinecko

i also don't get why people bash it so bad. what is so horrible about it? if you can't use it, you probably can't use a computer either. in which case, don't bother getting any nav system at all.

Sorry dude, but I can't let that comment slide - THE most annoying thing that iDrive apologists toss out there is this BS about iDrive detractors being stupid, unable to operate a computer, etc. Gimme a freakin' break already! That's about the lamest statement you could possibly make, and it's echoed all the time. Put an end to it already.

iDrive in its initial incarnation in the 7-series was a complete abortion - virtually no one will disagree with that assessment. So they've been gradually "improving" it, to the point where climate controls were separated back to traditional controls, and now in the latest update, there are now 6 programmable buttons to allow the operator to do things more easily than having to wrestle with the silly iDrive interface. That's progress? That's admitting that it's a bogus concept in the first place and gradually reverting back to traditional, more logical methods of controlling common functions. And as a front end to a lousy, antiquated, overpriced nav system? It's brutally overly complicated to use, unnecessarily so. The japanese are light years ahead of the europeans with these systems, which is of course just my opinion, but one that's hard to argue with for anyone who's tried both.

Back in the '80s, those of you old enough to remember will recall the "Tokyo by night" electronic instruments that became an overnight sensation - analog gauges were replaced by digital readouts, bar graphs, and other colorful nonsense. It all looked very high tech, but in reality, was a lousy way of displaying information to the driver, and within just a few years, they vanished. "Progress" in this case really wasn't progress at all. I don't think that iDrive will vanish completely, but that its ongoing refinement will continue to move common functions back to simpler, manual controls.

You guys who like iDrive, and there are plenty of you, more power to you. You're no more or less brilliant than I am because you're capable of operating it, or because you like it. BMW, please PLEASE don't make iDrive a standard or required feature in any model. Let the buyer choose, and everyone can then be happy.

[Bammered]

Why pass on the navi? There is no aftermarket system that looks remotely factory in a Z4 ///M interior, the last thing i want is a cheap tuner looking interior. And when i dont want navi i just close it down. And at 1800 its not that badly priced especially if rolled into your monthy payments.

If it was an e46 ///M3 than i would say pass on the navi because you could get an AVIC system which offers OE look with aftermarket functionality....
There simply is not a comparable system for the Z4.....

Ahhhh I-DRIVE.... Oh i wish there was room in our spartan interiors for a little I Drive Knob.... It would make scanning on bumby roads all the more easy.
I love I-Drive, i've loved it since i first interacted with it. I love all the functions it lets you control, and the simplicity it lends to the dash aesthetics...

[vladinecko]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Sorry dude, but I can't let that comment slide - THE most annoying thing that iDrive apologists toss out there is this BS about iDrive detractors being stupid, unable to operate a computer, etc. Gimme a freakin' break already! That's about the lamest statement you could possibly make, and it's echoed all the time. Put an end to it already.

iDrive in its initial incarnation in the 7-series was a complete abortion - virtually no one will disagree with that assessment. So they've been gradually "improving" it, to the point where climate controls were separated back to traditional controls, and now in the latest update, there are now 6 programmable buttons to allow the operator to do things more easily than having to wrestle with the silly iDrive interface. That's progress? That's admitting that it's a bogus concept in the first place and gradually reverting back to traditional, more logical methods of controlling common functions. And as a front end to a lousy, antiquated, overpriced nav system? It's brutally overly complicated to use, unnecessarily so. The japanese are light years ahead of the europeans with these systems, which is of course just my opinion, but one that's hard to argue with for anyone who's tried both.

Back in the '80s, those of you old enough to remember will recall the "Tokyo by night" electronic instruments that became an overnight sensation - analog gauges were replaced by digital readouts, bar graphs, and other colorful nonsense. It all looked very high tech, but in reality, was a lousy way of displaying information to the driver, and within just a few years, they vanished. "Progress" in this case really wasn't progress at all. I don't think that iDrive will vanish completely, but that its ongoing refinement will continue to move common functions back to simpler, manual controls.

You guys who like iDrive, and there are plenty of you, more power to you. You're no more or less brilliant than I am because you're capable of operating it, or because you like it. BMW, please PLEASE don't make iDrive a standard or required feature in any model. Let the buyer choose, and everyone can then be happy.

you keep saying it's horrible and complicated but you don't say how? it's exactly the same kind of comments i read month after month in Roundel written by a few old farts.

no one ever says, i don't like it because this control is under that tab and it should logically be under this tab. or, when i push the knob down, the car tells me to f-off. or, i tried Audi's system and it is much better because...

you have got to admit that if you make such comments (i don't like it, it sucks, back in the day when analog gauges were in place, that was the time...) i can't do anything but put you in the category of those grumpy old men that claim BMW has never made a better car than their precious, stock E30 M3 with 999,999 miles on it that still has the original clutch.

[wasupdu]

I have a '05 525i as well and the idrive is an absolute joy. I hate how Lexus has so many damn buttons on the dash and how BMW really simplified the process. I have NAV in my Z4 and although it does seem a bit dated, it's a good overall system. I just wish BMW would've put idrive in my Z4. idrive offers TONS of information at your fingertips.

I'm only 25 so perhaps that's why I find all of this so easy to use.

[Hawkeye]

Things I like about the iDrive:
1. You can control where the heat in your seats go.
2. You can see many radio stations on more than 6 presets.
3. You don't have to reach ALL THE WAY to the dash to change anything (this one is for lazy people only)
4. You don't have to use it if you don't want to.
5. Integrated into the dash and car so it looks better than any aftermarket product.

Things I dislike about iDrive:
1. It costs about 3 grand.
2. If you are new to it it takes you 5 minutes to find what you are looking for.
3. It wasn't on the car I bought, but hey, I got a great deal.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Uh.. please, NO!!!

Road head distracts the driver but I don't hear anyone complaining about that...and what is so wrong about Efficient German Sex and Invading Poland?

EDIT: I can't spell

[Rick Hunter]

Originally Posted by Dammmittt

I dunno, I like the M coupe just the way it is...(mine doesn't have nav either). It's just there for you to drive, without any fancy gadgets to distract you and take away from the driving itself.

X2. I like to think our Zeds are Sports Cars first, not luxury first. And I'm soooo OK with that.

[ChiefRes]

A couple of things about the review.......

I can't believe this guy thinks the stereo system sounds good. I think it's an abomination.

The nav isn't great, but I use it at least once a week and find it pretty straight forward. Probably adds $5 to my monthly payment. Ouch!