[mbanck]

Originally Posted by EUPremier

I wouldn’t have any interest in iDrive 9 due to its lack of controller, let alone X.
When I found out there was a 9 but G9x was only getting 8.5 I was a little annoyed that we were getting an old version.
That quickly stopped when I found out about the lack of controller.
Not sure where BMW are doing their Focus Groups but it’s not using many forum members!

The new X3 has 9 and an iDrive controller, just the lower-tier, front-powered models like the X1 do no longer have the controller.

[BMW-ALPINA]

Originally Posted by EUPremier

I wouldn’t have any interest in iDrive 9 due to its lack of controller, let alone X.
When I found out there was a 9 but G9x was only getting 8.5 I was a little annoyed that we were getting an old version.
That quickly stopped when I found out about the lack of controller.
Not sure where BMW are doing their Focus Groups but it’s not using many forum members!

The G45 X3 has actually iDrive 9 (IDC23) with iDrive-controller. It's just tragic that BMW goes away from the controller. There will be no new BMWs in my garage without iDrive controller.

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by hb

There is some sort of iDrive controller. The touchpad on the steering wheel will play that role. Is it the same? No. Can you do similar tasks with those? Sure.

Will test it properly around the June timeframe.

A touch pad is far from the same. You ever use the one in Mercedes? It sucks compared to the idrive wheel.

Anything solely touch requires you to take your eyes off whatever you are doing to look directly at it - have you been in a car with touch window controls yet? It's scary how much you have to take your eyes off the road to look down to open a window when in any other car you can just send your fingers exploring.

They claim safety first eyes on the road, and in the same sentence they install controllers that make you take your eyes off the road. They also state that these touch buttons on the steering wheel are revolutionary because they will light up depending on the app being used - lmao - that's what screens do, they change what they display and "light up. . ." There is nothing innovative about that whatsoever.

If you guys haven't tried it yet - seriously find a car with touch panel window controls and try and open them without looking. Muscle memory only works when your fingers and hands have a good navigational beacon - think the tiny bump that brings you back home for each pointer finger on keyboard. Sure, you can type on your phone fast. . . But try it without looking - I dare you to put together a good couple of sentences.

[co_440i]

Horrific garish crap built for the generation that can't take their eyes off Tiktok. I can't believe this amazing brand is going this direction.

[EUPremier]

Originally Posted by mbanck

The new X3 has 9 and an iDrive controller, just the lower-tier, front-powered models like the X1 do no longer have the controller.

Ok, thanks for letting me know.

X appears to lose it though.

The trajectory to further evolve over-reliance on screens is far from where we should be going.

[hb]

Originally Posted by brianeck

A touch pad is far from the same. You ever use the one in Mercedes? It sucks compared to the idrive wheel.

Anything solely touch requires you to take your eyes off whatever you are doing to look directly at it - have you been in a car with touch window controls yet? It's scary how much you have to take your eyes off the road to look down to open a window when in any other car you can just send your fingers exploring.

They claim safety first eyes on the road, and in the same sentence they install controllers that make you take your eyes off the road. They also state that these touch buttons on the steering wheel are revolutionary because they will light up depending on the app being used - lmao - that's what screens do, they change what they display and "light up. . ." There is nothing innovative about that whatsoever.

If you guys haven't tried it yet - seriously find a car with touch panel window controls and try and open them without looking. Muscle memory only works when your fingers and hands have a good navigational beacon - think the tiny bump that brings you back home for each pointer finger on keyboard. Sure, you can type on your phone fast. . . But try it without looking - I dare you to put together a good couple of sentences.

Not saying it's the same, but for certain functions, could work. I'll do a full test as soon as I get my hands on it, especially to test common or most frequently used features

[Tejas1836]

Originally Posted by brianeck

A touch pad is far from the same. You ever use the one in Mercedes? It sucks compared to the idrive wheel.

Anything solely touch requires you to take your eyes off whatever you are doing to look directly at it - have you been in a car with touch window controls yet? It's scary how much you have to take your eyes off the road to look down to open a window when in any other car you can just send your fingers exploring.

They claim safety first eyes on the road, and in the same sentence they install controllers that make you take your eyes off the road. They also state that these touch buttons on the steering wheel are revolutionary because they will light up depending on the app being used - lmao - that's what screens do, they change what they display and "light up. . ." There is nothing innovative about that whatsoever.

If you guys haven't tried it yet - seriously find a car with touch panel window controls and try and open them without looking. Muscle memory only works when your fingers and hands have a good navigational beacon - think the tiny bump that brings you back home for each pointer finger on keyboard. Sure, you can type on your phone fast. . . But try it without looking - I dare you to put together a good couple of sentences.

Originally Posted by hb

Not saying it's the same, but for certain functions, could work. I'll do a full test as soon as I get my hands on it, especially to test common or most frequently used features

Do some research, this has been tested ad nauseam

[hb]

Originally Posted by Tejas1836

Do some research, this has been tested ad nauseam

One thing that I always do is research. And I've been one of the biggest critics of iDrive 8-9. Pretty sure everyone in their digital team knows that by now.

But I do have to give them the benefit of the doubt. So I cannot say that the touch pad on the steering sucks until I test it. And I'll make sure to properly test it since I actually studied UI/UX.

[RPM33]

Originally Posted by BMW-ALPINA

The G45 X3 has actually iDrive 9 (IDC23) with iDrive-controller. It's just tragic that BMW goes away from the controller. There will be no new BMWs in my garage without iDrive controller.

I agree with this. The number of times you use the iDrive controller is a lot, I will not buy a BMW without it.

[s1500]

Even as a young driver, who I suspect they’re marketing towards, I find this design choice horrid at worst, and ambitious at best.

[Calamari]

Originally Posted by RPM33

I agree with this. The number of times you use the iDrive controller is a lot, I will not buy a BMW without it.

I have iDrive 8 in my 2024 G21 and I use steering wheel buttons and rotary controller for 90% of all interactions with iDrive system. Maybe even more than that. In fact, before purchasing I spent 2 hours in a 2024 car to check if rotary controller is still usable for navigating and controlling the iDrive system. I came from a pre-facelift G20 in which I loved iDrive 6 paired with physical buttons for A/C and shortcuts. I find the ergonomics of that system almost perfect and I would hate to see the controller go away in the future.

There is no replacement for haptic feedback and muscle memory. Especially during driving

[hdahman]

Looks 💩

[BlueSquid]

No iDrive knob may force me to switch brands. Maybe it’s finally time to jump to Porsche.

Ahead of doing so, may have to grab an M2 manual and place on ice to let it become a classic.

[DrVenture]

Just give me a voice system that works perfectly and automate the functions that can be effectively automated (wipers, lights, HVAC) and I can pay attention when driving without hunting for stuff.

I am learning more voice commands and gestures everyday, so I can keep my eyes on the road. I also like that BMW puts up a screen when I touch the seat controls, etc, then I only need to glance without having to reach and touch.

I see this panoramic view as fine, I like HUD already, so not a big deal. Ultimately, I don't want to take my eyes off the road. A lot of this stuff is automakers trying to please everyone with the exact correct mix of tactile controls and screens and that all leads to redundancy.

[SCBC]

This new display is terrible. The position of a hand in 3-D space and touch feedback is what allows for real control manipulation while watching the road. Show me the commercial airlines with a giant iPad for touch controls. I already am shopping for pre-2022 cars to keep physical buttons.

I think making car interiors and functions into giant iPad’s is to enable car functions as a service, like the heated seat ongoing fee debacle. Once again, money ranks higher than driver satisfaction or safety. It wasn’t always this way, BMW.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

After looking at these images some more....

Just give me 1 row of physical buttons beneath the screen.

1. Take the row from the ID7 layout that has climate control, emergency flashers, butt warmers, etc on it

2. Add door lock/unlock button and trunk button

3. Shrink the screen vertically juuuuuuust a smidge. Like maybe by 1".

I think that'd be perfect.

Hyundai’s listening. You think BMW would?

https://www.jalopnik.com/1793342/202...anges-details/

I think the buttons should go low on the console like Hyundais, not requiring a reach up to the screen.

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

Hyundai’s listening. You think BMW would?

https://www.jalopnik.com/1793342/202...anges-details/

I think the buttons should go low on the console like Hyundais, not requiring a reach up to the screen.

Button Circle Jerkers lmao. Well I will need a sticker or a pin if I'm going to keep fighting the good fight to let my allegiance known!

[DFTBA]

Does anyone have a clue what intro end of 2025 mean? Unsure for NA, but in Europe « Modeljahr Wechsel » takes effect on 01/07 and this is where bigger changes usually happen. I consider this to be a bogger change.

Asking as my G45 is supposed to be built around dec 2025 and I’ll either just get iDrive 10 (no sure if good) or will be one of the last ones to not get it.

[Calamari]

Originally Posted by DFTBA

Does anyone have a clue what intro end of 2025 mean? Unsure for NA, but in Europe « Modeljahr Wechsel » takes effect on 01/07 and this is where bigger changes usually happen. I consider this to be a bogger change.

Asking as my G45 is supposed to be built around dec 2025 and I’ll either just get iDrive 10 (no sure if good) or will be one of the last ones to not get it.

I would not expect any changes of infotaiment in G45 X3 this year, as these major changes are only added to cars as a part of a major facelift, or LCI (LifeCycleImpulse) - as BMW calls it.
As far as I know X3 is not yet scheduled for an LCI anytime soon.

[AnnaJanis1]

Personally I like the good old 2008-2013 fully modded 335 xi manual all wheel drive, (Drive it like you mean it) also w/
Hands on wheel n eyes on road approach... LoL
As if that isn't a thing with all flippin cars anyway!
But nice try? I guess?