E90Post
 


The Tire Rack
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > ConnectedDrive / I-Drive / Navigation Related Discussion > Is there any reason to get built-in navigation?



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-05-2007, 12:00 PM   #1
mostroad
New Member
6
Rep
18
Posts

Drives: 540it / Prius / Acura MDX
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SF Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Is there any reason to get built-in navigation?

Given the quality and advancements in the portable navigation units, and their low price, is there any reason to get the built-in navigation? I am thinking about which options to order, and love navigation, but am thinking about ordering without navigation (which gives me the added bonus of no iDrive.) Thoughts?
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2007, 12:10 PM   #2
De90man
First Lieutenant
8
Rep
350
Posts

Drives: F30 335i Sedan
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (1)

I don't have it, but about twice a month I wish I did tick that box. The second hump on the dash plus idrive might have driven me nuts tho. Damned if you do, not so damned if don't.
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2007, 12:12 PM   #3
Johnny3
Second Lieutenant
Johnny3's Avatar
12
Rep
294
Posts

Drives: Black Sapphire 335i
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bellevue, WA;;;San Diego, CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 335i  [0.00]
it's a nice thing to have. I didn't get it because i use a garmin in my 335i, but my father's 5er has it and its a fun toy. Not essential, but pretty fuckin cool.
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2007, 12:14 PM   #4
Safety2213
Second Lieutenant
Safety2213's Avatar
Serbia
15
Rep
211
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW 135i Manual M-Sport
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: BG

iTrader: (1)

Get Blue Tooth

I didn't get navigation b/c the iDrive system was too complex - even changing radio stations was not intuitive. With the advancement of mobile phones, I anticipate having a phone where you will load up destinations through your PC via Website such as Mapquest or Google appearing very soon. I believe that we will have better and easier to use interfaces through personally owned mobile electronics than a built in car navigation unit which is always a few years behind. Having bluetooth capability ensures a method to easily connect and interact with your car (voice command, speaker, etc). I seldom use navigation however always print out the directions when I need them, even when driving cars with navigation since its so much easier.
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2007, 01:06 PM   #5
RANJHA
Lieutenant Colonel
RANJHA's Avatar
United_States
36
Rep
1,569
Posts

Drives: BMW E90
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (14)

i got nav and love it

then again i go on a lot of roadtrips

honestly, if ure not gonna do a lot of traveling, save ur $$ for something performance-related
__________________
Disclaimer: Above material may be complete bullshit and is not intended for use by conservatives or children under the age of five.
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2007, 01:39 PM   #6
HyperM3
Too many Alex's, from now on, call me Beaufort
United_States
341
Rep
6,188
Posts

Drives: See Sig
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lawrenceville, NJ

iTrader: (8)

Garmin FTW. 1/4 price, free firmware updates, portable, no idrive hump.
__________________
13 HD FatBob
17 A4 Glacier/Black 1st Edition/Pre+/Sport/EurocodeTMD/Racechip
16 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),13 S6 (gone),10 S4 (gone)
07 335i(gone)
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2007, 01:43 PM   #7
wj4
Major General
United_States
335
Rep
7,719
Posts

Drives: E90 manual 335i
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Burbank, CA

iTrader: (8)

I got it for the hump. The car looks so plain and empty w/o the iDrive hump. I've used the Garmin and Tom Tom before on friends' cars, while they are great..I hate not having live traffic alert and when there is a turn that is coming up, many a time I have to turn down the stereo just to be able to hear it, gets annoying for me after a while.
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2007, 01:45 PM   #8
eleven11
Major
eleven11's Avatar
United_States
369
Rep
1,424
Posts

Drives: -F85 X5M-
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Derby City

iTrader: (0)

I also have Nav and love it. I'm Navigationally challenged, so it was a must. The portable units are actually probably better at navigating (and are cheaper). However, I'd much rather have a clean OEM installed unit - less clutter (the hump doesn't bother me at all). As far as iDrive goes - very simple, imo. As someone mentioned, radio isn't as direct as a traditional dial, but you can simply say "FM 101.5" or "101.5 FM" and you're there. And no, it's not at all "complex" (someone's been reading too many car magazines ). And finally, there's the cool factor.
__________________
2017 X5M - Current
2017 F31 Wagon - Current
2014 M5 ZCP - Retired
2011 135i Coupe - Retired
2007 335i Sedan - Retired
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2007, 01:50 PM   #9
Kev
Critical Care Anesthesiologist
Kev's Avatar
Hong Kong
481
Rep
8,828
Posts

Drives: SMB F83
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (24)

Garage List
I like the I-Drive. It's not that hard to use, but it can be quite slow at times. The real-time traffic / route revision is cool. Bluetooth doesn't work so well with my N95 (known problem with Nokia N-series). The nav is more accurate than my old E55. I'd get it again on my next Bimmer
__________________
kev { divinum est sedate dolorem }
"your friendly neighborhood critical care anesthesiologist"
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2007, 01:55 PM   #10
BK
Smiling politely
United_States
165
Rep
7,931
Posts

Drives: 330i
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Washington DC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 330i  [9.00]
I am a longtime portable nav unit user, and when we bought new cars recently, we got nav built into both of them. I still have a couple of portable navs for rental cars, if we ever need them.

Having a built-in nav means it is integrated with the car much better, you don't need to see the sats for the car to know where you are or which way you are pointing (dead reckoning and electronic compass), the screen is nice and large, well shaded and in a perfect location (plus you have dual screens on the E9x), you don't have unsightly wires, your lighter plug is freed up, voice prompts will mute the stereo automatically, and you don't have to pack up the nav for a trip or hide it when you park. If only the software interface was as good or as customizable as Garmin's.

And FWIW, Bluetooth with my Blackberry works like a dream with iDrive.
__________________
E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT | 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2007, 02:03 PM   #11
Pedal2Floor
First Lieutenant
Pedal2Floor's Avatar
United_States
7
Rep
307
Posts

Drives: 335i Euro Delivery Fall 2008
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Trumbull, CT

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by wj4 View Post
I got it for the hump. The car looks so plain and empty w/o the iDrive hump. I've used the Garmin and Tom Tom before on friends' cars, while they are great..I hate not having live traffic alert and when there is a turn that is coming up, many a time I have to turn down the stereo just to be able to hear it, gets annoying for me after a while.
Uhm....the newer TomTom and Garmin units have speed sensitive sound so they get louder the faster you go or send a signal to your radio and play over the current music you have on and they all now support RTTI so you get alerts for traffic. Also, if you did not get premium with Bluetooth the newer devices like the TomTom GO 720 can also act as your Bluetooth hub for your bluetooth cell phone.

The portable devices have come a long way and for the money are waaaay ahead of the iDrive. The only annoyance is having to take it off your windshield at every stop you make because if you leave it in the car it will either cook in the sun or surely get stolen by someone via a smash and grab.

Also, the new units finally have 6 to 8hr battery life so you don't have to keep them plugged in all the time with the annoying power wire.

All in all -- I will take the portable over the iDrive -- but not because I believe the iDrive is too complicated -- its just too expensive for the features it provides.
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2007, 02:09 PM   #12
Lost Horizon
Captain
Lost Horizon's Avatar
Canada
29
Rep
633
Posts

Drives: 435 MPPK+1970 XKE OTS
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Victoria BC

iTrader: (0)

I have iDrive and also a Garmin portable in a second car. The BMW's built in's dead reckoning is a must if you are in among the tall buildings, tunnels or trees.. It's never behind, and never misses an instruction. The Garmin bugs me when I have to use it now, by comparison... there is a charlie chaplin lag in downtown Vancouver, and it's hopeless in the tunnels and turnoffs at the tunnel exits... no such problem with iDrive.

Also, as BK points out above, the integration of bluetooth and my 8830 blackberry make it all worth the price... never mind the iPod

For those still stuck in the last i-war time warp, the latest versions of iDrive software put the necessary finesse and single steps (voice or otherwise) in how you can get around to where you need to be, simply.. it's ain't that hard to use no mo'.
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2007, 07:30 PM   #13
Tag
this is the way
Tag's Avatar
17931
Rep
8,459
Posts

Drives: N-1 starfighter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (3)

  • No clutter
  • Don't need to remove it from dash every time after parking
  • Real-Time Traffic Reporting
  • Let's me scroll and play my iPod on a larger screen
  • Fully integrated with cars audio
  • Looks awesome
  • Chicks dig it
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2007, 08:00 PM   #14
CnoteMD
Commander in Chief
CnoteMD's Avatar
United_States
35
Rep
1,034
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW 535i
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 M5  [0.00]
2006 330i  [0.00]
I wouldn't have ordered my car without iDrive/Navigation.

I really don't like the look of an extra box hanging off my windshield (with the associated wires). I also like the way everything is integrated into one single interface. There have been a few iDrive software updates which have added functional improvements (though my early build car doesn't get traffic info). Even though iDrive may initially seem counter-intuitive, it's nothing that a quick browse of the owners manual can't solve.

I spent about 20 minutes getting everything set up exactly the way I want it, and now I can control most things with voice commands or the steering wheel buttons. In the worst case scenario, I may actually have to turn the knob! Overall, it's actually quite easy to use and doesn't require me to take my eyes from the road.
__________________
2008 BMW 535i Space Gray, Black Leather, Dark Bamboo Trim| Sport Automatic with Paddles | Sport Package
2008 BMW M5 (gone, but not forgotten) Space Gray, Silverstone Merino Leather, Madeira Walnut Wood Trim | 7speed SMG | All options
Mods: Corsa Exhaust | RPI Ram Air Intake | H&R Sport Springs | Rogue Engineering 12mm spacers
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2007, 01:51 PM   #15
japac1
Major
japac1's Avatar
21
Rep
1,100
Posts

Drives: 2015 M4
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Keller, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 335xi  [0.00]
I love the i-drive with navi. Great system, built in, nothing to get your car broken into to steal (the new thing in Baltimore is aftermarket Nav's getting stolen)...
__________________
[FONT="Garamond"]2007 E90 335 xi, Monaco Blue, Beige, Prem, Cold, Step, Navi, Sat, iPod
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2007, 02:35 PM   #16
HyperM3
Too many Alex's, from now on, call me Beaufort
United_States
341
Rep
6,188
Posts

Drives: See Sig
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lawrenceville, NJ

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by japac1 View Post
I love the i-drive with navi. Great system, built in, nothing to get your car broken into to steal (the new thing in Baltimore is aftermarket Nav's getting stolen)...
Not for nothing, but anyone that leaves their "portable" navi stuck to their windshield when they leaver their car, deserves to have it stolen. It only takes 2 seconds to put it in the glove compartment or take it with you.
__________________
13 HD FatBob
17 A4 Glacier/Black 1st Edition/Pre+/Sport/EurocodeTMD/Racechip
16 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),13 S6 (gone),10 S4 (gone)
07 335i(gone)
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2007, 03:13 PM   #17
Lost Horizon
Captain
Lost Horizon's Avatar
Canada
29
Rep
633
Posts

Drives: 435 MPPK+1970 XKE OTS
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Victoria BC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HyperM3 View Post
Not for nothing, but anyone that leaves their "portable" navi stuck to their windshield when they leaver their car, deserves to have it stolen. It only takes 2 seconds to put it in the glove compartment or take it with you.
The average assumption of the unwashed is that if the stand is on the windshield, the nav is in the glove compartment.. better than even odds, so you get broken into regardless..
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2007, 03:16 PM   #18
HyperM3
Too many Alex's, from now on, call me Beaufort
United_States
341
Rep
6,188
Posts

Drives: See Sig
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lawrenceville, NJ

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lost Horizon View Post
The average assumption of the unwashed is that if the stand is on the windshield, the nav is in the glove compartment.. better than even odds, so you get broken into regardless..
Still my point. I keep my nuvi attached to my mount and throw the whole thing in the glovebox. Now theres no trace that it was in the car to begin with. Mounts arent typically that much larger than the units they hold, its not like you need a lot of room to store them. People are just lazy thats all, they get what they get and they only need to learn once.
__________________
13 HD FatBob
17 A4 Glacier/Black 1st Edition/Pre+/Sport/EurocodeTMD/Racechip
16 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),13 S6 (gone),10 S4 (gone)
07 335i(gone)
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2007, 03:26 PM   #19
Lost Horizon
Captain
Lost Horizon's Avatar
Canada
29
Rep
633
Posts

Drives: 435 MPPK+1970 XKE OTS
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Victoria BC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HyperM3 View Post
Still my point. I keep my nuvi attached to my mount and throw the whole thing in the glovebox. Now theres no trace that it was in the car to begin with. Mounts arent typically that much larger than the units they hold, its not like you need a lot of room to store them. People are just lazy thats all, they get what they get and they only need to learn once.
There's not a lot of room to store anything extra in the coupe's bins.. I'm guessing you also passed on comfort access, then..

Still, the main selling point for me was the dead reckoning capability, and no delay.. ever.. whether a 20 or 100 enroute + big screen bluetooth.. The rest of the integration is just a bonus.
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2007, 03:50 PM   #20
HyperM3
Too many Alex's, from now on, call me Beaufort
United_States
341
Rep
6,188
Posts

Drives: See Sig
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lawrenceville, NJ

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lost Horizon View Post
There's not a lot of room to store anything extra in the coupe's bins.. I'm guessing you also passed on comfort access, then..

Still, the main selling point for me was the dead reckoning capability, and no delay.. ever.. whether a 20 or 100 enroute + big screen bluetooth.. The rest of the integration is just a bonus.
This could be argued back and forth. Why would you think I passed on comfort access? That was one of the first things I checked as a must have in my car. No, theres not that much room to store things, but the glovebox is big enough for a lot of crap if you dont put any manuals in there.

I still got bluetooth with the premium package too so I didnt lose that from not getting the nav. Hey, if youre happy with the nav then so be it, there are many of us who figured there was no reason to spend 2500 for something you can get for 500 and put those 2g's towards mods.
__________________
13 HD FatBob
17 A4 Glacier/Black 1st Edition/Pre+/Sport/EurocodeTMD/Racechip
16 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),13 S6 (gone),10 S4 (gone)
07 335i(gone)
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2007, 04:17 PM   #21
Lost Horizon
Captain
Lost Horizon's Avatar
Canada
29
Rep
633
Posts

Drives: 435 MPPK+1970 XKE OTS
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Victoria BC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HyperM3 View Post
This could be argued back and forth. Why would you think I passed on comfort access? That was one of the first things I checked as a must have in my car. No, theres not that much room to store things, but the glovebox is big enough for a lot of crap if you dont put any manuals in there.

I still got bluetooth with the premium package too so I didnt lose that from not getting the nav. Hey, if youre happy with the nav then so be it, there are many of us who figured there was no reason to spend 2500 for something you can get for 500 and put those 2g's towards mods.
You are right.. I'm just yanking your convenience chain..
Appreciate 0
      08-14-2007, 02:50 AM   #22
AoshichanX
Brigadier General
AoshichanX's Avatar
United_States
264
Rep
3,103
Posts

Drives: Jet Black e90 335i
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Claremont, CA

iTrader: (16)

Garage List
2007 e90 335i  [0.00]
I have used the navigation almost everyday. And I like having it built in as others have mentioned: cleaner/less clutter. However, I really wish the lag would be reduced. That's my only gripe. iDrive needs to keep up yo!
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:23 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST