MINI gets iDrive - uses joystick instead of dial
Motoring File is reporting that for 2007 the MINI will receive a new navigation system that is basically a slightly altered version of BMW's now infamous iDrive system. The iDrive controller will be a small joystick instead of BMW's trademark dial located directly behind the shifter. From there the driver will control a redesigned menu screen that can jump to "Entertainment", "Navigation", "Communication", and the setup screen. There is no link from the main menu to a climate control screen like in a BMW, however. MINI owners will still control the HVAC systems the old fashioned way,from the center console. In addition to interfacing with the system via the joystick, drivers will also be able to hit a button on the steering wheel and issue voice commands to the iDrive system like, "Stop being such a pain in the ass!" We kid, we kid.
[Source: Motoring File]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Talis 1:31PM (8/30/2006)
Yet another good driving machine is killed by the ultimate driving distraction.
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mad 1:35PM (8/30/2006)
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! WHY BMW!? WHY MUST YOU RUIN ALL YOUR CARS WITH THIS CRAP! TIME TO CUT YOUR LOSSES AND MOVE ON!
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Rob 1:42PM (8/30/2006)
Does this mean the new iPod interface works on the Mini too?
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Aki 1:52PM (8/30/2006)
I despise the iDrive, whatever that knob in Audi's called and any other frivolous technological contraption. They do NOTHING, save for having less buttons on the center console and adding more steps to do what you want to do. Ever program a radio using those stupid knobs? Genuine pain.
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Luis Longo 1:49PM (8/30/2006)
The first two posts.
I bet that neither of ya, have ever driven
a BMW with iDrive system, so way to go
and spend your lives talking abaout things
you've never tried, cmon dudes, get a life,
or at least a 330i.
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Steve 2:04PM (8/30/2006)
"In addition to interfacing with the system via the joystick, drivers will also be able to hit a button on the steering wheel and issue voice commands to the iDrive system like, "Stop being such a pain in the ass!" We kid, we kid."
Ha! I laughed out loud on that one, John.
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Brian 5:21AM (8/31/2006)
I agree with the 4th poster. I just rented a 118i with iDrive in Germany. Despite not knowing but a few words of German, I found the interface easy enough. It got even easier once we figured out how to swith it into English!
iDrive gets an unfair rap soley because a bunch of automotive know-it-alls couldn't figure it out and wrote about it in their magazines. I bet they couldn't even figure out the German keyboard I'm now typing on (over in Austria for another few days).
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G. Snyder 2:16PM (8/30/2006)
You all are retards. If you owned the car, it would become second nature. There are still redundant controls on for basic audio and climate functions.
Just a few years ago, everyone was complaining about the opposite. If we are talking about BMW, I just pulled out an old Car and Driver lambasting BMW for tons of buttons all over the dash. "Can't they find a better way?" it reads.
If you want all the features in the car, then you need to be able to control them. This is a much more logical way to deal with it.
I suspect few of you drive or own a car with one of these interfaces, and just can't come up with something original to say so you ride on the back of what some magazine editor has said (remember: they drive 50+ cars a year and do not spend any time reading manuals).
I refuse to appologize for this rant - I am so SICK of reading about people hating iDrive.
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Mark 2:01PM (8/30/2006)
people, there ARE some nice features to the iDrive, and if you don't like it, DON'T USE IT! it's that simple, now stop your bitching
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dave 2:05PM (8/30/2006)
#4: Stop ripping off e. e. cummings.
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Talis 2:05PM (8/30/2006)
Luis, I have driven a 530i with iDrive. I hate it. I am 22. I want a regular hvac and a regular radio.
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geno endicott 2:18PM (8/30/2006)
I love iDrive! I personally think it's super easy to use. 90% of the time now I don't even look at the screen when I am using it.
And even on the BMW's the HVAC can also be done via good old buttons and dials.
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Chris 6:23PM (8/30/2006)
My current 330ci is my third BMW but nonsense such as active steering, run flats, electric steering, iDrive and an insane growth in car size will probably make this one my last. Looks like they are applying these principles to the Mini as well.
What's next? An xMini SUV based on the Mini platform?
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Ted K 4:58AM (9/05/2006)
The software is horrific.
I don't care what shape the controller is.
Crap is crap.
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dbzr 2:49PM (8/30/2006)
Somebody's missing the point here. iDrive is terrific if you actually own the car and are accustomed to it, and don't want to wade through buttons after buttons. In this technological age it's pretty much second nature, and those who complain about it either haven't used it before, or aren't from this generation (I know, I'm generalizing, haha).
So iDrive is ok. But in a MINI? The car that prides itself on being small and light and funky and fast and simple and retro and harkening back to a day when enlightened engineering wasn't about cramming lots of pointless gadgets into an already overweight car? Being on "The Ultimate Driving Machine" is already tragic, but we've gotten used to it. On a MINI...nope, I think that sounds terrifying. Strikes me as German engineers being really bored (see the Techart Carrera GT for another fine example).
Will it be an option? Nav systems are for wussies! (Kiddin'.)
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David F 2:58PM (8/30/2006)
iDrive notwithstanding, I actually like the look of the iDrive equipped mini dash more than the standard (new) Speedo-with-radio-controls-integrated. That non-upgradable radio is more infuriating in my book, it really cheapens the speedo.
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Doogs 6:08PM (8/30/2006)
1) I have driven both a 525i and an M5, both equipped with iDrive.
2) I am still not a big fan.
3) That said, the new iPod interface that uses the iDrive controller to navigate playlists, tracks, etc, is pretty cool. I'd suffer iDrive for it alone.
4) The iDrive remains OPTIONAL, people! It is going to come with the navigation system, just like the 3-Series. Don't want iDrive? Don't get nav, it's that simple. To each their own, live and let live. What's so bad about that?
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Aki 4:37PM (8/30/2006)
"(remember: they drive 50+ cars a year and do not spend any time reading manuals)"
There you go. Precisely the reason why these technodoodads-for-technodoodads'-sake suck. Any UI that's so counterintuitive as to requiring you to read the manual is crap. That goes for the A8's version of iDrive, which was a genuine pain to reprogram the preset radio stations. The hassle in running through all the warnings (you should not use this while driving the car, etc etc) is enough of a turn-off for me to never want to touch them.
I'm sorry it craps on your oh-so-holy Bimmer, but the less technological frivolties in my car, the better. As for C&D complaining about too many buttons, that was due to crappy ergonomics and design. The Mercedes 560 I rode in had a series of stupid and nebulous buttons that didn't need to exist.
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Richard Warren 5:23PM (8/30/2006)
Momma always said "stupid is as stupid does" For those complaining about Idrive have you ever actually used it? I've driven several BMW's with it and found it pretty easy to figure out. Is it the most simple system? Is it the best interface? No to both. Windows is not the best interface, cellphones don't have the best interface, home theatre does not have the best inteface. Life is life, get over it.
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Mike 5:03PM (8/31/2006)
If you can use it without looking at the screen, I'm okay with it, but I've repeatedly gotten the impression this is difficult or impossible, in which case it's an annoyance and dangerous. at least for the things I'm likely to adjust while driving, I want them so I can do them by feel -- simple knobs and buttons, steering wheel controls. can you really use it (idrive anyway) while keeping your eyes on the road?
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