I rate that in a BMW you can save stations, and on the stalk you can scroll through those saved stations. It's a simple thing that not every manufacturer does and it's great. Thank you for a detailed review that goes through all menus.
Pro tip. When you are driving a BMW then you are having so much fun that you forget about all these systems. I got 330i M Sport and I rarely use any of these. But I am having a blast driving this car
Always using touch pad to enter letters. Btw my favorite feature of iDrive are 8 user configurable shortcut buttons near HVAC, which you can set to show whatever screens you want.
Been waiting for this one - was interested to see if BMW was still missing the integration with Android Auto that just about everyone else has. Oh dear. To answer your question, I do use the touchpad to draw letters on my Audi's system. No issues, but then I'm left handed. Happy to see though that BMW has kept the rotary dial while also having the touch screen. I'm a bit OCD about finger prints on screens, so having an alternative to using the touch screen is a good thing in my opinion. Question on the "apps are available for 3 years"; does that mean that after the 3 year period, you need to start paying for your "software as a service" stuff if you want it to keep working?
It's very strange that Android Auto still isn't available. There is a screen mirroring option, but I presume that simply mirrors your phone screen as opposed to integrating Android Auto. I'm also glad to hear somebody uses the touchpad! For me it's tricky because I'm right handed, but I can see it being far easier as a left handed person. Yes after that 3 year period, my understanding is that you need to pay for Connected Drive, which includes a subset of these applications. I'd say that after that 3 year period you'd be able to pay for applications individually.
@@CarExpertAus Ugh. I see BMW has been talking to Adobe... I've seen reviews of the 2020 update to the A4, and I have to say I'm not a fan of Audi removing the rotary dial and going full touch screen - even for the volume control. I just think that a touchscreen is harder to use on the move. With a physical interface, you can remember a sequence of turns/clicks. With a touchscreen you must look at the screen to see if anything has happened.
I use the rotary dial when driving, the touchscreen when parked for most functions, especially CarPlay. I generally use the voice activation in navigation for destinations I know it will understand. I also use the voice for setting temperature and calling people. I never write letters because I’m not left handed. I don’t have gesture control. They really kit those M cars out with a lot of features the standard cars don’t get. I guess you get what you pay for. Thorough review as always.
Thanks for that feedback! It's always great to hear what actual owners do with their cars. Hmm, I'm pretty annoyed that Australia is one of the few countries in the world that doesn't get ConnectedDrive functionality with the iDrive system fitted to the car. I don't even get traffic overlays on the screen, it's a poor effort by Toyota Australia. So technically yes it should get it and it does in other countries, just not Australia.
I pretty much only use the rotary controller. Sometimes I use the touchscreen but not that often (maybe because I have had a few BMW's back in the day before they added in the touch screen and I am used to the controller). I do actually use the touchpad on top of the controller to type in letters
@@CarExpertAus I am right handed, the letters definitely don't look great but it usually gets what I'm trying to write. Every now and then it is awkward but generally I am pretty happy with it, i guess you kind of get used to using the opposite hand when it doesn't have to be neat
I have set my speed warning to 161mph in my F30 cause that's the max i can raise it and i can account for the fact it'll do that since i coded out speed limiter when before, my top speed was 140mph.
More advanced than the Ford one! I'd say iDrive is the best infotainment system out there. It does everything you need and does it all quite quickly too. It's a great system.
If I ever need to input a destination while driving, first I preffer the voice command, but only works if I know the name of a specific road. Otherwise drawing the letters is my choice (car with steering wheel on the left) However, if I know the destination before entering the car or I'm stopped, I preffer to use the bmw smartphone app and write the destination (or choose a favorite) there and send to car Have a 330e btw. One thing that really annoyed me was the fuel consumption screen from factory showed how many miles I drove in EV mode, in the latest software if got reset :,( Still has the correct mpg from factory, but not the EV miles count
Great review Paul, loving the series and can't wait for Kia walkthrough. Speaking of, wondering what the Coronavirus impacts has on the car industry. I ordered a Cerato in late Feb, and its up in the air as to when it may arrive - July? says the dealer. Reading online says that there are rolling factory closures in Korea , but would love a video from some outlet explaining what happens in these situations of delays / component shortages causing delays etc
I'll see if I can get more details. I think Korea is now back online, but the problem is a lot of the boats that were due to come were delayed, so we may see extensive delays until shipping lines are restored and newly built cars are loaded in. Hopefully your new wheels won't be too far away.
I have a BMW 320d Msport 2019. Android Auto has been added. The following BMWs that have iDrive 7 are eligible for the update: 2019+ 3 Series with Live Cockpit Professional 2020+ 5 Series 2020+ 7 Series 2019+ 8 Series 2020+ X3 with Live Cockpit Professional 2020+ X4 with Live Cockpit Professional 2019+ X5 2020+ X6 2019+ X7 2019+ Z4
At this point (1:20) I expected you show us with some examples how to customize, to change or remove widgets. PS: Fortunately, other youtubers have thought of doing it. 😉
Excellent review Paul. I've just ordered an X3 Msport so looking forward to applying some of your tips and suggestions for using the system when it arrives. many thanks...
I rate that in a BMW you can save stations, and on the stalk you can scroll through those saved stations. It's a simple thing that not every manufacturer does and it's great. Thank you for a detailed review that goes through all menus.
Agree, Michael. BMW has really nailed functionality with iDrive.
If you press the engine start butten quickly 3 times, it should activate ignition and let you get in to accessories without starting the car.
CIC by E-Series have supported 8 function keys that were placed down the climate control. Has the iDrive 7 it too?
Just got a 2021 740. Should I use apple play or idrive?
great review as always Paul.
Thank you!
Pro tip. When you are driving a BMW then you are having so much fun that you forget about all these systems. I got 330i M Sport and I rarely use any of these. But I am having a blast driving this car
Always using touch pad to enter letters. Btw my favorite feature of iDrive are 8 user configurable shortcut buttons near HVAC, which you can set to show whatever screens you want.
You're right - we forgot to mention those! I like that they're touch sensitive as well :-D
Been waiting for this one - was interested to see if BMW was still missing the integration with Android Auto that just about everyone else has. Oh dear.
To answer your question, I do use the touchpad to draw letters on my Audi's system. No issues, but then I'm left handed.
Happy to see though that BMW has kept the rotary dial while also having the touch screen. I'm a bit OCD about finger prints on screens, so having an alternative to using the touch screen is a good thing in my opinion.
Question on the "apps are available for 3 years"; does that mean that after the 3 year period, you need to start paying for your "software as a service" stuff if you want it to keep working?
It's very strange that Android Auto still isn't available. There is a screen mirroring option, but I presume that simply mirrors your phone screen as opposed to integrating Android Auto. I'm also glad to hear somebody uses the touchpad! For me it's tricky because I'm right handed, but I can see it being far easier as a left handed person.
Yes after that 3 year period, my understanding is that you need to pay for Connected Drive, which includes a subset of these applications. I'd say that after that 3 year period you'd be able to pay for applications individually.
@@CarExpertAus Ugh. I see BMW has been talking to Adobe...
I've seen reviews of the 2020 update to the A4, and I have to say I'm not a fan of Audi removing the rotary dial and going full touch screen - even for the volume control.
I just think that a touchscreen is harder to use on the move. With a physical interface, you can remember a sequence of turns/clicks. With a touchscreen you must look at the screen to see if anything has happened.
Definitely. The Audi screens look nice, but the move away from a central MMI controller makes it hard to use.
@@_CasualJan Android Auto has just been released for BMW
I use the rotary dial when driving, the touchscreen when parked for most functions, especially CarPlay. I generally use the voice activation in navigation for destinations I know it will understand. I also use the voice for setting temperature and calling people. I never write letters because I’m not left handed. I don’t have gesture control. They really kit those M cars out with a lot of features the standard cars don’t get. I guess you get what you pay for. Thorough review as always.
Just saw in my feed that you have a Supra. I was curious whether you can use the BMW Connected app with it.
Thanks for that feedback! It's always great to hear what actual owners do with their cars.
Hmm, I'm pretty annoyed that Australia is one of the few countries in the world that doesn't get ConnectedDrive functionality with the iDrive system fitted to the car. I don't even get traffic overlays on the screen, it's a poor effort by Toyota Australia. So technically yes it should get it and it does in other countries, just not Australia.
I pretty much only use the rotary controller. Sometimes I use the touchscreen but not that often (maybe because I have had a few BMW's back in the day before they added in the touch screen and I am used to the controller). I do actually use the touchpad on top of the controller to type in letters
Great to hear Daniel - are you left handed or do you just get used to writing it with your opposite hand?
@@CarExpertAus I am right handed, the letters definitely don't look great but it usually gets what I'm trying to write. Every now and then it is awkward but generally I am pretty happy with it, i guess you kind of get used to using the opposite hand when it doesn't have to be neat
Nice review. Need an update for 2023 for BMW and Mercedes 👍🏼
I have set my speed warning to 161mph in my F30 cause that's the max i can raise it and i can account for the fact it'll do that since i coded out speed limiter when before, my top speed was 140mph.
So glad you did the BMW. Been waiting. Only picked up my 330e last week. Good job.
Congrats! The 330e is a great car. It's a big step forward from the last generation. Enjoy the new wheels! 🚗
Well done 👍 Paul is it as good as the Ford 1 or more advanced. Is the Ford Mustang the same.
More advanced than the Ford one! I'd say iDrive is the best infotainment system out there. It does everything you need and does it all quite quickly too. It's a great system.
Funny thing is I only use gesture control I avoid touching the screen or knobs completely. I always see ppl saying it’s a dumb idea I think it’s great
If I ever need to input a destination while driving, first I preffer the voice command, but only works if I know the name of a specific road. Otherwise drawing the letters is my choice (car with steering wheel on the left)
However, if I know the destination before entering the car or I'm stopped, I preffer to use the bmw smartphone app and write the destination (or choose a favorite) there and send to car
Have a 330e btw. One thing that really annoyed me was the fuel consumption screen from factory showed how many miles I drove in EV mode, in the latest software if got reset :,( Still has the correct mpg from factory, but not the EV miles count
is there still no android auto? Thought it had been added?
Great review Paul, loving the series and can't wait for Kia walkthrough.
Speaking of, wondering what the Coronavirus impacts has on the car industry. I ordered a Cerato in late Feb, and its up in the air as to when it may arrive - July? says the dealer.
Reading online says that there are rolling factory closures in Korea , but would love a video from some outlet explaining what happens in these situations of delays / component shortages causing delays etc
I'll see if I can get more details. I think Korea is now back online, but the problem is a lot of the boats that were due to come were delayed, so we may see extensive delays until shipping lines are restored and newly built cars are loaded in. Hopefully your new wheels won't be too far away.
@@CarExpertAus thanks mate for the well wishes, hopefully everything and the whole world in whatever industry gets back to normalcy soon
I have a BMW 320d Msport 2019. Android Auto has been added.
The following BMWs that have iDrive 7 are eligible for the update:
2019+ 3 Series with Live Cockpit Professional
2020+ 5 Series
2020+ 7 Series
2019+ 8 Series
2020+ X3 with Live Cockpit Professional
2020+ X4 with Live Cockpit Professional
2019+ X5
2020+ X6
2019+ X7
2019+ Z4
thanks for the fast reply.
No problems!
Whats the car name?
At this point (1:20) I expected you show us with some examples how to customize, to change or remove widgets.
PS: Fortunately, other youtubers have thought of doing it. 😉
Amazing technology! Does the G20 3 Series have the same infotainment?
Yes the g20 3 series has the same infotainment
Yes 😄
Excellent review Paul. I've just ordered an X3 Msport so looking forward to applying some of your tips and suggestions for using the system when it arrives. many thanks...
Right side of the Car is not right as you know. That tells you why it is difficult to use the nob with your right hand😇
Can I change my welcome name to my nickname over my actual name?