[lax]

Hi all, I'm currently looking at purchasing a used 2006 325i. That being said, based on available cars with the colors I want (black with a black interior or titanium silver with a black interior) I've narrowed it down to a few vehicles. Ideally, I would go for iDrive with a 6 speed but I can't find any cars with both that fit my color scheme. Which option should I go for? Is the iDrive that good or would I be better off with a Garmin/iPod connection? I've never driven a manual trans before (learning on a friend's civic later today and will be purchasing in 10 days). Thanks!

[SoYank]

If that's the choices and you've not driven or are just learning a manual transmision then I think iDrive trumps 6MT, especially for city driving, i.e., metropolitan Detroit.

[budmanv24]

The manual w/o i-drive should be several thousand dollars less that the auto with i-drive. Personally I wouldn't drive an auto, but that's just me. Plus, with a manual and no i-drive there's less stuff to break in the long run.

[VTECaddict]

6MT > iDrive

[ellipsis212]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

6MT > iDrive

+1

if you want to play with gadgetry then buy an iphone. if you want to have fun driving then get the 6MT.

[lax]

Originally Posted by ellipsis212

+1

if you want to play with gadgetry then buy an iphone. if you want to have fun driving then get the 6MT.

Well, I've had a 16GB White 3G since day one, still thinking the 6MT?

Update: not finding too many used 6MTs...are they that rare?

[VTECaddict]

they are. took me like 3 months to find mine.

[Michael Schott]

Pre-2009 I-drives are not known to be user friendly. There are a lot of menu's and the navigation is poor. If you want it mainly for the nav system (as opposed to control of the vehicle's systems) you can do better with a newer Garmin or Tom Tom.

Thanks, Mike.

[lucas.kent]

Originally Posted by lax

Hi all, I'm currently looking at purchasing a used 2006 325i. That being said, based on available cars with the colors I want (black with a black interior or titanium silver with a black interior) I've narrowed it down to a few vehicles. Ideally, I would go for iDrive with a 6 speed but I can't find any cars with both that fit my color scheme. Which option should I go for? Is the iDrive that good or would I be better off with a Garmin/iPod connection? I've never driven a manual trans before (learning on a friend's civic later today and will be purchasing in 10 days). Thanks!

I had to make the same decision and chose iDrive. I think it's a personal choice, but for me having navigation integrated in the car + voice control + the iDrive knob (as much as people say it sucks, I love it) was more important then the transmission. Sure, I love MT and if I lived in an area with a fun commute and plenty of twisties I might have thought about it more.

But there aren't many opportunities to really enjoy the MT while sitting in traffic on GW parkway or the 14th street bridge!

[RX7guy]

Theres no traffic in detroit. No reason to get an auto. And stop acting like you can't have both. YES, you can have iDRIVE AND a 6MT if you really looked for one.

[Digtlartst]

6MT is essential for any BMW; otherwise just get a Buick and lay your right arm across the passenger seatback and kick back like you're home on the sofa watching Amurcan Idol.

iDrive has been annoying and lame until '09 model year. Anyway, with iDrive you have to choose between shifting gears and playing with your knob. Get the 6MT, forget the iDrive toy, and just drive that sweet Six like it's designed to be driven.

[nukezero]

I hated the pre-'09 I-drive. I vowed not to purchase a new BMW with the existing Pre-'09 I-drive.

So ditch the I-drive and get the stick. Trust me, you're not missing much.

Now, the new 2009 I-drive is immensively 100 times better in so many aspects, that the old I-drive just pales in comparison.

[subframe]

I have the '06 6mt 325 without I-Drive. I've always been glad I went for the manual -- never regretted passing in the I-Drive. The manual really allows you to make the most of the lower-output engine in the 325. Plus, it's just more fun. I like driving the car, not riding in it. That's why I bought a BMW in the first place.

[RX7guy]

Originally Posted by Digtlartst

Anyway, with iDrive you have to choose between shifting gears and playing with your knob.

-999999

This comment is so stupid its laughable

[iheartsole]

go for it. 6MT!!!

[trptdaddy]

Do a search on CarMax. If thy don't have exactly what you want now, set up an email alert. I've bought several cars from them, and most recently a black/tera 6 spd 2006 325i with 47k miles for less than $20k. I've tried other dealers, and even in the large Dallas market, I'm treated better at CarMax, they check/replace what need to be replaced and if you don't like the price, you pass. Mine has brand new Continental run flats and brakes.

Right now they have:

1. a black/black manual with heated (manual) seats, premium package and leatherette with 34k miles in Nashville, TN for $21,849 +$399 tranfer fee. I like the lumbar support too much to buy manual seats personally.

2. a black/tan leather premium and sports package, heated seats with 32k miles for $22,899 in MD ($399 transfer fee)

3. black/black with navigation, leather seats, premium, heated seats in LA with 48k miles for $21,599 but there is a $850 transfer fee.

4. others - silver/gray, red/black, gray/black, etc

There are 11 2006 6 spd 325is right now and 2 of those have navigation/idrive. Changes almost daily. Check out the site and the search/save features. Like a candy store. Good pictures, alerts and generally the pricing is the same nationwide. Transfer fees can be steep for the impatient.

David

[VTECaddict]

just wait for both if you want both. you'll love it that much more.

[akhter]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

Pre-2009 I-drives are not known to be user friendly. There are a lot of menu's and the navigation is poor. If you want it mainly for the nav system (as opposed to control of the vehicle's systems) you can do better with a newer Garmin or Tom Tom.

Thanks, Mike.

Could not disagree more.

If you want navigation, go with idrive. garmin and other plugins are a total hassle to deal with and you have to always worry about hiding them or risk getting your car broken into. Atleast in nyc i know 2 people you car was broken into for the gramin. one car had even hidden it but they saw the ring of the suction cup on the windshield.

i would never ever use a garmin or such device because i don't want my car broken into.

the order idrive is fine.

however, if u can live without nav, go with the MT.

personally i cannot imagine compromising on a 20k+ purchase only to have regrets so i would wait till i found the right car that has both.

[asus389]

I had a hard time finding a 6MT around the D as well. I expanded my search to include the Chicago area and found one. So I got a CPO 2006 325i with low miles, 6MT, and the color choices I wanted for a pretty good deal. Only thing I regret is that it doesn't have bluetooth. But I'd rather have a 6MT and use a headset than drive an auto BMW. :-)

[VTECaddict]

Originally Posted by akhter

Could not disagree more.

If you want navigation, go with idrive. garmin and other plugins are a total hassle to deal with and you have to always worry about hiding them or risk getting your car broken into. Atleast in nyc i know 2 people you car was broken into for the gramin. one car had even hidden it but they saw the ring of the suction cup on the windshield.

i would never ever use a garmin or such device because i don't want my car broken into.

the order idrive is fine.

however, if u can live without nav, go with the MT.

personally i cannot imagine compromising on a 20k+ purchase only to have regrets so i would wait till i found the right car that has both.

+1.

Not to mention they are SLOW at acquiring signal. Built in navis can use compass and speed sensor data to provide navi when there is no satellite signal. That's why built in navis are ready to go as soon as you start the car. Plus the integration with the car (both looks and function) cant be beat by portable navi's. The old iDrive might not have the best interface on the market, but I would hands down take it over a portable navi.

Like I said above, wait for both. If you can't find one in your immediate area, try expanding your search to neighboring states.

[Dumb Bass]

Originally Posted by ellipsis212

+1

if you want to play with gadgetry then buy an iphone. if you want to have fun driving then get the 6MT.

He is so right!

[lax]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

+1.

Not to mention they are SLOW at acquiring signal. Built in navis can use compass and speed sensor data to provide navi when there is no satellite signal. That's why built in navis are ready to go as soon as you start the car. Plus the integration with the car (both looks and function) cant be beat by portable navi's. The old iDrive might not have the best interface on the market, but I would hands down take it over a portable navi.

Like I said above, wait for both. If you can't find one in your immediate area, try expanding your search to neighboring states.

I've expanded my search out to an entirely different coast (I'm in the Midwest (Michigan) and after looking in the surrounding areas I'm now looking in the Tri-State (NYC/NJ/Conn) area) and I haven't been able to find a car with both 6MT and iDrive within my price range and that's with three color options (I'd really only prefer Alpine White or Black with a black interior))

Problem is I need to buy a car next week (or at the latest in 3 weeks)...I'm in college and need to bring my car up with me when I move into my apartment.