BMW wants a ** load for extended warranty

[SpatiallyAware]

Complaints about idrive are, for the most part, completely unwarranted.


The first iterations had some bugs.. Have to click over to do HVAC stuff, etc.. But everything in the past few years has been great.


Granted there's a learning curve, and this is why the reviews tend to be poor... It's not something you can sit down, glance at, and use. But if it's a car you own it quickly becomes second nature..

 

[cr2250]

Complaints about idrive are, for the most part, completely unwarranted.


The first iterations had some bugs.. Have to click over to do HVAC stuff, etc.. But everything in the past few years has been great.


Granted there's a learning curve, and this is why the reviews tend to be poor... It's not something you can sit down, glance at, and use. But if it's a car you own it quickly becomes second nature..

Not really, idrive just plain sucks. Maybe the new revision is better but the climate system is over complicated.

I think idrive would possibly better if the screen had touch capabilities. The stupid circle joystick is hard to navigate around while driving.

OH also another rant, you spend 72k on a vehicle, there better be a touchscreen

 

[Pantoot]

. But if it's a car you own it quickly becomes second nature..

Exactly.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Not really, idrive just plain sucks. Maybe the new revision is better but the climate system is over complicated.

I think idrive would possibly better if the screen had touch capabilities. The stupid circle joystick is hard to navigate around while driving.

OH also another rant, you spend 72k on a vehicle, there better be a touchscreen

This makes me think you haven't tried one past a friend's car or something. I've had idrive, had numerous loaners with idrive, and none of them are as frustrating as even the newest laggy ford sync stuff. The first gens require 5-10 minutes at least to figure out how to do certain things and another hour or two to make it second nature, but after that knowing to click over once then do HVAC is very very simple...

Again - if you're the passenger or rental or whatever you will probably not have enough time to get the hang of it.


...The joystick thing is perfectly fine to navigate while driving. Seriously, it is not at all that bad, even the first gen joystick is quality and very easy to use. DEFINITELY easier than a touch screen as you don't have to stare at the screen to use it. With idrive you don't even need to look away from the road once you've got it figured out.


BMW cars are typically NOT new user friendly. If you don't how to use cruise control it's tough to figure out. Resetting tripometer, etc etc are setup where the symbols don't make a ton of sense... Even headrest adjustment can be weird. This really has always been a complaint from magazines, but if you OWN the car you figure it out quick and it's actually very intuitive.



Again, I've tried pretty much every iteration of idrive and the complaints are definitely unfounded UNLESS you're reviewing how easy it is to jump in and use it within 2 minutes. IMO this is why it got such a bad rap.. Reviewers jump in and try to learn it while driving the car around rather than spend time setting up their favorites and junk with the system.

It's not a corolla with off-1-2-3-4 for A/C.

 

[cr2250]

This makes me think you haven't tried one past a friend's car or something. I've had idrive, had numerous loaners with idrive, and none of them are as frustrating as even the newest laggy ford sync stuff. The first gens require 5-10 minutes at least to figure out how to do certain things and another hour or two to make it second nature, but after that knowing to click over once then do HVAC is very very simple...

Again - if you're the passenger or rental or whatever you will probably not have enough time to get the hang of it.


...The joystick thing is perfectly fine to navigate while driving. Seriously, it is not at all that bad, even the first gen joystick is quality and very easy to use. DEFINITELY easier than a touch screen as you don't have to stare at the screen to use it. With idrive you don't even need to look away from the road once you've got it figured out.


BMW cars are typically NOT new user friendly. If you don't how to use cruise control it's tough to figure out. Resetting tripometer, etc etc are setup where the symbols don't make a ton of sense... Even headrest adjustment can be weird. This really has always been a complaint from magazines, but if you OWN the car you figure it out quick and it's actually very intuitive.



Again, I've tried pretty much every iteration of idrive and the complaints are definitely unfounded UNLESS you're reviewing how easy it is to jump in and use it within 2 minutes. IMO this is why it got such a bad rap.. Reviewers jump in and try to learn it while driving the car around rather than spend time setting up their favorites and junk with the system.

It's not a corolla with off-1-2-3-4 for A/C.

While I agree the cars are typically not user friendly. I think BMW is trying too hard to make it easy? Seriously the Climate control does not have to be THAT complicated. I've seen other cars implement climate control systems better than idrive. Recent honda accord did it well.

I haven't used the New SYNC systems but rather the voice only area. 08 focus had SYNC and worked surprisingly well for its first run around.

Yes you have to read the manual on the BMW, I had to, many symbols and acronyms I couldn't figure out without reading the manual. I guess i'm more button - wanting rather than just a joy stick to control everything

Also since you know idrive well answer me this! I'm confused as how you can set the temperature cool on the digital panel but then change the temperature in idrive to warm. Which over rides each other? I think in idrive the temperatures are revealed by color coding (warm - red, cool - blue).

And yes I understand why idrive has also gotten the bad rep, which is probably why BMW dealerships push a little training before you drive off the lot. But I also think idrive in itself isn't well designed.

 

[KIAman]

Hmm, my iDrive does not have temperature control for the HVAC. All it has is the ratio between how much air blows up, middle and low and also to set the parked car ventilation system.

I personally like iDrive as with the haptic feedback, I don't ever have to look at the screen to do anything.

And if I want to do something complicated, I just use voice control, like "radio, 100.5 FM"

 

[Pantoot]

Hmm, my iDrive does not have temperature control for the HVAC. All it has is the ratio between how much air blows up, middle and low and also to set the parked car ventilation system.

Mine has those two and a screen for the heated seats, but nothing about temperature control.

 

[halik]

I'm pretty sure this is correct. I have a Certified Pre-Owned BMW and have essentially the same warranty - 6 years from date-in-service or 100K miles, whichever comes first. In the case of the OP's parents this warranty would run out in less than a year and a half given how much they drive. If the car has been reliable thus far I probably would skip the extended warranty.

OP, I believe you can get this warranty somewhat cheaper from another dealer - there are some dealers who may sell it at a discount, and BMW doesn't care where you bought it - all they see in their computer is that you have coverage. Try BMW of Silver Spring, MD (formerly Tischer BMW) - they have the best online parts prices on the Internet and might give you a deal on the extended warranty as well.

The previous owner of my m3 has the 6y/100k warranty with zero deductible and use the shit out of it. New Vanos, new wheels (clearcoat peeling), new door seal, new transmission etc etc.

 

[exdeath]

The funniest thing is that my local dealership down here sends me "coupons" each month for service. There is an asterisk next to every "deal" they state in the coupons that says "Not valid for M cars". So I get a crap ton of coupons I couldn't even use if I wanted to.

Yeah we get shafted.

See it all the time, whether it's sales, special financing deals, parts, whatever:

* Excludes CTS-V / Z06 / SRT / Cobra / M / AMG / etc

You have M yes we have special price for you... bend over! :awe: