[BobGonwild]

Just came to discuss the long term durability of BMW's IDrive technology along with the display screen. My concern is how the system will hold up in the long term against scorching internal temperatures if left in the sun too long or frigid cold weather conditions. Any advice or feedback is much appreciated.

[tturedraider]

Over the past nine years that I have been very active on BMW forums I have seen a kind of surprisingly small number of issues with iDrive. Considering that everyone comes to the forums to complain about what's going wrong I find it a little amazing how few problems I've seen reported.

[BobGonwild]

Thanks for the feedback. When I got into my car today, I thought the display screen was going to melt!

[capt_slow]

Originally Posted by BobGonwild

Just came to discuss the long term durability of BMW's IDrive technology along with the display screen. My concern is how the system will hold up in the long term against scorching internal temperatures if left in the sun too long or frigid cold weather conditions. Any advice or feedback is much appreciated.

This is the reason why automotive engineers cant put the latest and greatest Core i7 into a head unit. Endurance in extreme conditions is a design requirement.

[loosenit2]

You have a valid concern where cars and technology are concerned. I lied in Germany for several years and was able to see BMWs MY 93-2012. It was particularly interesting to see just how much technology in the cars became irrelevant. For example I had a 97 528i that had a handheld cell phone in the arm-rest. Still worked if I put a card into it but totally irrelevant with changes in technology. I made the same observations about early models with in-dash navigation.

I too get entranced by cool technology in cars, but like you have a fear of not only durability over the long term but also the continued relevance of the technology base 5 years. If you switch cars every 4-5 years won't be a problem but if you want to hold it longer you have to figure the tech will become irrelevant or useless within 10 years.

[Alan_NJ]

Originally Posted by capt_slow

This is the reason why automotive engineers cant put the latest and greatest Core i7 into a head unit. Endurance in extreme conditions is a design requirement.

Hey there are already radiators in the car, could easily retrofit a water cooler for that i7!

(ignoring the fact that an i7 would be ridiculous overkill for anything iDrive would ever need to do)

[BobGonwild]

Originally Posted by Alan_NJ

Hey there are already radiators in the car, could easily retrofit a water cooler for that i7!

(ignoring the fact that an i7 would be ridiculous overkill for anything iDrive would ever need to do)

For now lol. It certainly will be interesting to see cars integrate more and more technology in future models.

[ƒ°]

One of those windshield sun shades along with tint on the rest of the windows really helps a great deal in keeping the inside temperature down. During the summer I use the sunshade every time I know I'm going to park for longer than 5 minutes.

I started using the sun shade because I thought my dashboard was going to crack from the heat; never even thought about the iDrive screen.

[x5mad]

I remember parking my, at the time, brand new 2008 X5 at work and when I came back to it the display for the mileage and temperature was missing some lines. Kinda like when you press on the display of an old calculator and the numbers appear messed up.

This was in harsh Australian climate but not yet the height of summer. Happily though it never happened again.

[jelecroy]

I had display issues on my 2001 MB C240. After three years the lower section of the multifunction display LCD did not work when internal temperatures were high. That progressed over the next few years till very little of the display was usable if it was over 85F or so. Mercedes did not offer a replacement display panel - only the entire $1800 instrument cluster. I'm hoping the the much nicer Idrive display in my 2013 328 is more durable.

[rking117]

Originally Posted by BobGonwild

Thanks for the feedback. When I got into my car today, I thought the display screen was going to melt!

Us in Florida think you guys are nuts. If you want to know what real heat is come here in Aug, Sept, Oct. The last thing you worry about melting in the car is the iDrive. The other day i got in the car and thought I was going to melt. the outside temp was 98* which means the interior may have been 130 +.

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by rking117

Us in Florida think you guys are nuts. If you want to know what real heat is come here in Aug, Sept, Oct. The last thing you worry about melting in the car is the iDrive. The other day i got in the car and thought I was going to melt. the outside temp was 98* which means the interior may have been 130 +.

The humidity must have been 130+ too.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by BobGonwild

Just came to discuss the long term durability of BMW's IDrive technology along with the display screen. My concern is how the system will hold up in the long term against scorching internal temperatures if left in the sun too long or frigid cold weather conditions. Any advice or feedback is much appreciated.

My old one lasted 5 years with no issues and through -20F to probably 150F heat in my car out in the sun.

Very durable.

[BobGonwild]

In the Mr. Burns' voice - "Excellent"