[kmskp]

Based on the recently leaked G11/12 spyshots, you can see the dashboard upgraded with iDrive 7.0 while maintaining the overall layouts of the interior. Given that, do you guys think it will be the same for G30/G31 LCI models? plus, if so, would it be possible to upgrade current G30's iDrive 6 to 7 in private aftermarket or just through software upgrade for MY 2019 + models?

[AP]

I think it's a reasonable bet that the lci will get idrive 7 and the new cluster.

IMHO I don't think it will be feasible to upgrade an existing g30 to this version.

If you desperately want this wait till the 2020 models are announced and you will get you answer.

[MikeElmendorf]

Agreed it will likely be part of the LCI.

Be careful what you wish for, though.

We have a 2019 X5. While the new iDrive looks beautiful (the screen itself and the design), it is at present a buggy mess and has me longing for iDrive 6 in my 540 when I'm driving that car. That I'm sure will be worked out before long--and before it makes its way to the 5 series.

I actually prefer the dash in the 540 to the X5. I have full digital in my 5, and I think it just looks nicer and more serious than the X5 dash. Maybe I need to get used to it. The gauges are just odd to me. I'm very happy with the dash in my 5 series.

The HUD on the X5 is definitely nicer.

[SteveinArizona]

And when I drive 8.0 comes out, everyone will want that.

Buyer's remorse. Everyone suffers from it the day they drive the car off the lot. "If only I had waited...."

Lets just enjoy the cars we have and not worry about importing newer tech from newer models into our cars.

[ksoze]

Originally Posted by MikeElmendorf

The HUD on the X5 is definitely nicer.

Can you elaborate? Does it show the blind side alerts in the HUD?

[MikeElmendorf]

Ksoze -

The content is more or less the same (no directional or blind spot), but the image and layout are better.

It will also show you the album art or radio station art when you are scrolling through media, that is when that works (it is very buggy right now for USB and iOS devices).

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by ksoze

Can you elaborate? Does it show the blind side alerts in the HUD?

Here is what I found:

https://www.caricos.com/cars/b/bmw/2...mages/203.html

A little different from the HUD on my 2018 530e but just seems to have changed the icons a bit and rearranged the display.

My essentials from now on are blind spot warning, HUD and adaptive cruise control. Any new car for me has to have at least these three features.

I do wish that the HUD showed turn signals but it isn't a big deal to me that it doesn't.

[Mach550]

Can't stand the odd gauge layout which has only solidified the idrive 6.0 for me even more. Only thing I'm interested in is the way you can freely speak to the voice control instead of set commands.

[kmskp]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

And when I drive 8.0 comes out, everyone will want that.

Buyer's remorse. Everyone suffers from it the day they drive the car off the lot. "If only I had waited...."

Lets just enjoy the cars we have and not worry about importing newer tech from newer models into our cars.

True that..
sheer driving pleasure regardless of the iDrive version

[mobilejo]

It seems logical the LCI will get ID7 if the G11 LCI is going to get it and that comes out a year earlier.

You can also bet someone will retro-fit it into a pre-LCI but it will be cost prohibitive and IMHO probably not worth what it will cost.

I will be at the 3 yr mark when the LCI is released but its going to need more than ID7 and the new cluster to make it a worthwhile change at that time. Lets see what else BMW has up its sleeves for the LCI...

[ITexpert77]

I just test driven a G20 3 series for a day yesterday with idrive 7.
And I saw that the new X5 has exactly the same 3 series idrive 7.
Issues:

1. The various buttons both on the dash and by the side of the idrive controller are very plasticky and united together. You press one button and they all move!

2. There are serious buttons missing, like A/C on/off, Automatic air recirculation, etc. Instead we get a A/C Menu button that gives a messy menu on the i-drive! If I wanted menus and computer buttons I would buy a Tesla!

3. The main menu is not as nice and graphical as the i-drive 6. Much less choice. For a lot you have to press the tiny car on-screen button to get access to a text menu.

4. There used to be separate buttons at the side of the steering wheel for the various added factory options (enable/disable), they are now buried in i-drive menus.

I'm driving BMWs for 25 years and I don't like the direction it's going. Also external appearance wise the new 7 series LCI is ugly, very thin lights front and back, almost like the ugly new electric Huyndai Kona or something.
This LCI makes BMWs look more like Audis.

I want to buy a new 530e, I will rush to buy it before the LCI before the idrive 7.

[AP]

interesting.
Maybe the buttons on the 7 LCI may be a better comparison as the 5 is very similar quality wise to that. I'd expect the quality of the 5 to be nearly as good or as good as the 7 and better than the 3.

Interesting that you find this a step back. I too don't like the idea of having to drill down menus to get to something.
Personally anything that you may need whilst on the move needs to be a button so you avoid taking your eyes off the road to drill down the idrive.
All ergonomics which I've generally thought BMW did well on the whole .

well I guess we'll hopefully get to see the lci prototypes perhaps later this year break cover.

Will the LCI timewise be released as the same time of the mandatory speed limiters (what ever form that actually takes) in EU land? that would be interesting as I suspect that may have an effect on sales and I wouldn't mind betting that sales of cars just before that may peak .

[claykin]

Originally Posted by ITexpert77

I just test driven a G20 3 series for a day yesterday with idrive 7.
And I saw that the new X5 has exactly the same 3 series idrive 7.
Issues:

1. The various buttons both on the dash and by the side of the idrive controller are very plasticky and united together. You press one button and they all move!

2. There are serious buttons missing, like A/C on/off, Automatic air recirculation, etc. Instead we get a A/C Menu button that gives a messy menu on the i-drive! If I wanted menus and computer buttons I would buy a Tesla!

3. The main menu is not as nice and graphical as the i-drive 6. Much less choice. For a lot you have to press the tiny car on-screen button to get access to a text menu.

4. There used to be separate buttons at the side of the steering wheel for the various added factory options (enable/disable), they are now buried in i-drive menus.

I'm driving BMWs for 25 years and I don't like the direction it's going. Also external appearance wise the new 7 series LCI is ugly, very thin lights front and back, almost like the ugly new electric Huyndai Kona or something.
This LCI makes BMWs look more like Audis.

I want to buy a new 530e, I will rush to buy it before the LCI before the idrive 7.

G30 won't see ID7 until MY2021.

The dash button setup likely will be fundamentally similar to the new X5.

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by Mach550

Can't stand the odd gauge layout which has only solidified the idrive 6.0 for me even more. Only thing I'm interested in is the way you can freely speak to the voice control instead of set commands.

I agree. Really not a fan of the backwards tach. Makes me glad I got the 2019 when I did. --Bob

[Douggie]

Originally Posted by ITexpert77

I just test driven a G20 3 series for a day yesterday with idrive 7.
And I saw that the new X5 has exactly the same 3 series idrive 7.
Issues:

1. The various buttons both on the dash and by the side of the idrive controller are very plasticky and united together. You press one button and they all move!

2. There are serious buttons missing, like A/C on/off, Automatic air recirculation, etc. Instead we get a A/C Menu button that gives a messy menu on the i-drive! If I wanted menus and computer buttons I would buy a Tesla!

3. The main menu is not as nice and graphical as the i-drive 6. Much less choice. For a lot you have to press the tiny car on-screen button to get access to a text menu.

4. There used to be separate buttons at the side of the steering wheel for the various added factory options (enable/disable), they are now buried in i-drive menus.

I'm driving BMWs for 25 years and I don't like the direction it's going. Also external appearance wise the new 7 series LCI is ugly, very thin lights front and back, almost like the ugly new electric Huyndai Kona or something.
This LCI makes BMWs look more like Audis.

I want to buy a new 530e, I will rush to buy it before the LCI before the idrive 7.

I don't think the 5 LCI will have the exact "dash" configuration as the G20 or the new x5. The confusing thing is that "dash" is a generic term.

1. If you look at the 7 LCI, the "dash" that houses the HVAC controls and vents, audio buttons, engine start button, glove box etc is different than the G20. That part didn't change from the 7 to the 7 LCI.

2. The only "dash" change in the 7 LCI is the digital instrument cluster (with the backward tachometer) and the idrive 7.0 (it is the same screen, just with an updated OS).

From a manufacturer's perspective, it costs a lot to change #1 because it requires completely new fabrication of parts because each model's interior dimensions are very different. So it is not likely they will change it for the short lifespan of the LCI. #2 are interchangeable modular parts that can be used almost throughout the entire model line, so it's just inventory control.

That's why I think the 7 LCI is more representative of what will happen to the 5 LCI. I just hope they don't put a giant hideous grill on the 5 LCI.

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by Douggie

I don't think the 5 LCI will have the exact "dash" configuration as the G20 or the new x5. The confusing thing is that "dash" is a generic term.

1. If you look at the 7 LCI, the "dash" that houses the HVAC controls and vents, audio buttons, engine start button, glove box etc is different than the G20. That part didn't change from the 7 to the 7 LCI.

2. The only "dash" change in the 7 LCI is the digital instrument cluster (with the backward tachometer) and the idrive 7.0 (it is the same screen, just with an updated OS).

From a manufacturer's perspective, it costs a lot to change #1 because it requires completely new fabrication of parts because each model's interior dimensions are very different. So it is not likely they will change it for the short lifespan of the LCI. #2 are interchangeable modular parts that can be used almost throughout the entire model line, so it's just inventory control.

That's why I think the 7 LCI is more representative of what will happen to the 5 LCI. I just hope they don't put a giant hideous grill on the 5 LCI.

You mean like these?

[Douggie]

Originally Posted by VirtualGuitars

You mean like these?

WTF. Hope not. Lol

[mk1-fan]

Originally Posted by MikeElmendorf

Agreed it will likely be part of the LCI.

Be careful what you wish for, though.

We have a 2019 X5. While the new iDrive looks beautiful (the screen itself and the design), it is at present a buggy mess and has me longing for iDrive 6 in my 540 when I'm driving that car. That I'm sure will be worked out before long--and before it makes its way to the 5 series.

I actually prefer the dash in the 540 to the X5. I have full digital in my 5, and I think it just looks nicer and more serious than the X5 dash. Maybe I need to get used to it. The gauges are just odd to me. I'm very happy with the dash in my 5 series.

The HUD on the X5 is definitely nicer.

I felt the same while test driving a X5 last week. The Idrive 6 is jutst more logical and better laid out than the 7. I also prefer the old style instruments than the new opposing dials.

[DBO]

If that trend keeps up iDrive8 will look like this

[magbarn]

The Menu - A/C button is actually a dual toggle switch. If you pushed down it would turn a/c on and off. Your other criticisms are valid though. I'm too used to my G30 and our G05 drives me bonkers...

[dappercivility]

Originally Posted by MikeElmendorf

Agreed it will likely be part of the LCI.

Be careful what you wish for, though.

We have a 2019 X5. While the new iDrive looks beautiful (the screen itself and the design), it is at present a buggy mess and has me longing for iDrive 6 in my 540 when I'm driving that car. That I'm sure will be worked out before long--and before it makes its way to the 5 series.

I actually prefer the dash in the 540 to the X5. I have full digital in my 5, and I think it just looks nicer and more serious than the X5 dash. Maybe I need to get used to it. The gauges are just odd to me. I'm very happy with the dash in my 5 series.

The HUD on the X5 is definitely nicer.

I did hear that the iDrive 7 are having some bug issues and seems rather bad for some owners. Might need some time for it to be ironed out.

[MikeElmendorf]

iDrive 7 is a mess. Has been since the day with picked up our 2019 X5. We had one major update that fixed nothing.

It does not play well with USB devices for music (iPod or thumb drives). The iDrive widgets come and go. ConnectedDrive comes and goes. Content appears and disappears from the instrument cluster. Frequent reboots are required.

This morning, for no good reason as nothing else has changed, for the first time it would not work at all with our iPod Touch that we use for music (usually it plays back, you just can't navigate the content as you should be able to). The car was seeing it because it was telling us we could download the ConnectedDrive App for it (which, of course, we can't because it is not a phone, but that message never goes away) but it would not playback music. I plugged in my iPhone and tried the other USB plug and it was doing the same. A reboot and it started working again...until it didn't again.

Then my wife had no audio for bluetooth calls when she took the car out a short time later. Another reboot. I think that was 4 today so far.

So, while I'm quite sure my next car will be another 5 series, I really am not looking forward to the new iDrive and cluster at all.

I am sure--I hope--this will all be ironed out in the next 18 months when my car is up. However, we have had our X5 since November and nothing has been fixed, which is disappointing and maddening.