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Like several built-in navs, iDrive has offered RDS-TMC traffic info for a while. One area where iDrive's nav has lagged behind the best aftermarket units, including TomTom and Garmin devices, is traffic data. We'd recommend going for the largest available screen, since upgrades are more or less impossible. Extra-large displays are optional on some models but standard on others. Large, high quality and high resolution LCD screens are also typically part of the iDrive mix, though screen sizes vary from model to model. iDrive arguably has the slickest and clearest interface of any of the major in-car interfaces, with its closest competition coming from Audi's MMI. It's big on clarity and intuitiveness, that's what. On a 640i coupé, by contrast, most iDrive features come as standard. But to give you a couple of examples, the entry BMW Business navigation system with iDrive on a new 320d is yours for £1,550, over which you'll need to pay extra for certain features such as enhanced Bluetooth and internet access.
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Pricing and the level of standard features also vary considerably across BMW's range. It's a pretty consistent experience, but features and functionality do vary, both from model to model and also in terms of optional features. IDrive is available across the full range of BMW passenger cars.
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The latter is part of BMW's ConnectedDrive, which is essentially an internet-enabled subsystem within iDrive. Updates to iDrive have seen ever greater focus on support for smartphone syncing, as well as wireless and internet connectivity. The basics include navigation, audio and video entertainment, trip computers, car status information including servicing, tyre pressures and more, mobile telephony, bluetooth and a range of connected features.Īs for input methods, iDrive sticks with its tried and tested wheel-input, augmented by a range of shortcut keys for quick-jumping through the interface, along with voice input for hands-free control.
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