MDrive and Key Settings - Major Design Flaws

[swamp2]

OK, time for a small rant...

BMW should have had Apple design their entire iDrive system including two of the worst culprits Navigation and MDrive. All of the M settings buttons (on the transmission tunnel) are pretty screwed up as well. I realize there may be legal or liability reasons for some of the way a car defaults. It seems clear BWM wanted cars without MDrive to still be partially configurable with the buttons on the transmission tunnel and without iDrive. These buttons, lights and overall clarity of the system is absolutely terrible. Seems clear that a major sacrifice in clarity was put in to place more or less to get folks to pay for the Technology Package.

If it were up to me...

• 1. Key dependent settings only include Power, EDC and shift lights. They absolutely should include DSC, Drivelogic and Servotronic. Can you say arbitrary?
• 2. Buttons on the transmission tunnel: Why only Power, EDC and DSC off? If the car does not have some options use dummy buttons. They do on cars without EDC.
  • a. There should be a button on the tunnel for Servotronic.
  • b. Buttons should have a light for each mode option, as a light off is poor clarity of design. As well no light on the DSC button is inconsistent.
    • 1. Power: Three lights, normal, sport and sport plus.
    • 2. Servotronic: Should have three modes and three lights as well comfort, normal and sport (i.e. heavy boost, normal boost, light boost).
    • 3. DSC, you guessed it, three lights, on, M mode, off.
    • 4. EDC: The only one close to OK as is...
• 3. MDrive should also have two (or even three settings). You would have your normal settings be programmed via key dependent settings then MDrive1 could be for attacking the twisties, MDrive2 could be for stop light take offs.

How did BMW screw this stuff up so bad? It is not rocket science to have a clear and consistent interface.

/rant

P.S. I still love this car and its mechanicals and performance are clearly more imortant than the UI.

[Big Windy]

i'm with you...definitely a shortsided or lazy design. it is hard to judge without sitting in BMW's seat, but it does seem like they could have done a lot better when it comes to this. in regards to Mdrive1,2,3 I would say that BMW can't make things too complex. Idrive has already taken plenty of hits for being impossible to figure out (which it isn't, but that is a whole nother rant), so they might want to keep it easy in this case.

[stevespools]

Originally Posted by swamp2

OK, time for a small rant...

BMW should have had Apple design their entire iDrive system including two of the worst culprits Navigation and MDrive. All of the M settings buttons (on the transmission tunnel) are pretty screwed up as well. I realize there may be legal or liability reasons for some of the way a car defaults. It seems clear BWM wanted cars without MDrive to still be partially configurable with the buttons on the transmission tunnel and without iDrive. These buttons, lights and overall clarity of the system is absolutely terrible. Seems clear that a major sacrifice in clarity was put in to place more or less to get folks to pay for the Technology Package.

If it were up to me...

• 1. Key dependent settings only include Power, EDC and shift lights. They absolutely should include DSC, Drivelogic and Servotronic. Can you say arbitrary?
• 2. Buttons on the transmission tunnel: Why only Power, EDC and DSC off? If the car does not have some options use dummy buttons. They do on cars without EDC.
  • a. There should be a button on the tunnel for Servotronic.
  • b. Buttons should have a light for each mode option, as a light off is poor clarity of design. As well no light on the DSC button is inconsistent.
    • 1. Power: Three lights, normal, sport and sport plus.
    • 2. Servotronic: Should have three modes and three lights as well comfort, normal and sport (i.e. heavy boost, normal boost, light boost).
    • 3. DSC, you guessed it, three lights, on, M mode, off.
    • 4. EDC: The only one close to OK as is...
• 3. MDrive should also have two (or even three settings). You would have your normal settings be programmed via key dependent settings then MDrive1 could be for attacking the twisties, MDrive2 could be for stop light take offs.

How did BMW screw this stuff up so bad? It is not rocket science to have a clear and consistent interface.

/rant

P.S. I still love this car and its mechanicals and performance are clearly more imortant than the UI.

I had the same idea - why not collaborate with Apple for the user interface?
This iDrive setup is fracked up it takes way too much attention away from driving

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by stevespools

I had the same idea - why not collaborate with Apple for the user interface?
This iDrive setup is fracked up it takes way too much attention away from driving

disagree on that one. i-drive adds a lot of functionality to the interior and to the car. there are definitely some areas that it could improve in though.

[stevespools]

Originally Posted by Big Windy

disagree on that one. i-drive adds a lot of functionality to the interior and to the car. there are definitely some areas that it could improve in though.

iDrive is a great concept - the execution is flawed; non-user friendly

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by stevespools

iDrive is a great concept - the execution is flawed; non-user friendly

it might not be easy to learn at first, but i think that it has good functionality. guess each person will have their preference...

[NYSPEM3]

if steve jobs is to design the system the whole dashboard will be translucent white, the controls stylish and the navigation computer powered by a 80286 CPU.
and it will cost $5000, mostly for advertising costs.

[stevespools]

Originally Posted by NYSPEM3

if steve jobs is to design the system the whole dashboard will be translucent white, the controls stylish and the navigation computer powered by a 80286 CPU.
and it will cost $5000, mostly for advertising costs.

a 120GB MacBook is $1099 and is light years beyond iDrive. There is no logic behind the obtuse layout, especially when you consider that you are most likely driving when you are using it. Eventually I will get used to the labyrinthine layout, but it makes no sense how a technologically advanced car manufacturer like BMW could be so cluelessly far behind otherwise

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by stevespools

a 120GB MacBook is $1099 and is light years beyond iDrive. There is no logic behind the obtuse layout, especially when you consider that you are most likely driving when you are using it. Eventually I will get used to the labyrinthine layout, but it makes no sense how a technologically advanced car manufacturer like BMW could be so cluelessly far behind otherwise

i don't really see where your complaint is??? every car that has a "computer system" has something similar to i-drive. there is logic behind the way that it is organized, and it is pretty easy to maneuver while driving. to say that they are so cluelessly far behind seems a bit dramatic to me.

[lucid]

Don't get me started on all of this Swamp!

The M-drive user interface is a disaster. The speedometer is also a disaster zone. This is some really basic stuff that doesn't add up. You don't need Apple designers to sort it out. These issues are also my main complaints with the car.

The other one is the "bland" interior styling in general. No visual cues/statements that raise my hearbeat when I sit in the car. The leather and the colors are nice, but that's about it. The rest is just okay with wishy washy lines curving around the dash. As if I'm on a boat. Give me some visual commitment BMW. And a large tach in the middle of the panel. You made the thing rev to 8400 rpms, and did not highlight that as a design/interface feature...

/rant

[stevespools]

Originally Posted by Big Windy

i don't really see where your complaint is??? every car that has a "computer system" has something similar to i-drive. there is logic behind the way that it is organized, and it is pretty easy to maneuver while driving. to say that they are so cluelessly far behind seems a bit dramatic to me.

well, I have to admit that since I haven`t used a similar system in another car, I should rephrase it to say that is it seems far behind the bar they set in every other aspect of the car. I have no doubt if they collaborated with Apple it would be much more streamlined and user friendly. In any event, it is what it is and I will adapt. The car is awesome in every other way, iDrive and M Drive just need some work.

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by lucid

Don't get me started on all of this Swamp!

The M-drive user interface is a disaster. The speedometer is also a disaster zone. This is some really basic stuff that doesn't add up. You don't need Apple designers to sort it out.

These issues are also my main complaints with the car. The other one is the "bland" interior styling in general. No visual cues/statements that raise my hearbeat when I sit in the car. The leather and the colors are nice, but that's about it. The rest is just okay with wishy washy lines curving around the dash. As if I'm on a boat. Give me some visual commitment BMW. And a large tach in the middle of the panel. You made the thing rev to 8400 rpms, and did not highlight that as a design feature...

/rant

+1. would have been nice if they could have done some porsche-esque type of gauge setup with the tach in the center. i've yet to experience the M drive interfact, but i'm not a hater of i-drive. i like it actually.

bmw also could use some interior design work.

[stevespools]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

No problems here... Not sure what the issue is.

I have a lot of Apple products but having them design a skin or user flow doesn't make sense, anyone can design UI... and as for an OS (which is more important), these are out-of-the-box configurable OS's from Bosch I believe. It's used by many.

I was in the car for about 20-seconds, when I bought it, and figured out the setting on the center consule without using I-drive.

The buttons on the center console don`t have anything to do with iDrive or M Drive. One of the many problems is that you can`t access most M Drive options with the buttons. I understand how the system works, I `m saying it`s not user friendly, i.e. way too many steps to go to and from your Nav screen to Sat radio to make a call to M Drive settings

[Radiation Joe]

I agree with most of the rant, but three lights idea is just plain wrong.

What BMW has now is correct:
off
dim (one light)
bright (two lights)

For all this talk of user interface, I'm surprised this was missed. Without breaking concentration, a driver can quickly tell the setting from peripheral vision. Three lights would require more concentration to discern the setting. This is cockpit design 101.

[AZ-BMW]

Originally Posted by swamp2

• 1. Key dependent settings only include Power, EDC and shift lights. They absolutely should include DSC, Drivelogic and Servotronic. Can you say arbitrary?
• 2. Buttons on the transmission tunnel: Why only Power, EDC and DSC off? If the car does not have some options use dummy buttons. They do on cars without EDC.

Or make those transmission tunnel buttons key dependant programmable, like the 2 buttons on the steering wheel

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by Big Windy

it might not be easy to learn at first, but i think that it has good functionality. guess each person will have their preference...

My view also

[pittsy]

No iDrive for me!!!

[stevespools]

Originally Posted by pittsy

No iDrive for me!!!

unfortunately you don`t have the Sport Plus setting, which is incredible

[Hans Delbruck]

Not trolling, but this is one of the big things that turned me off about the M3. The idea that I have to program the car every time I go for a drive. The driver should be able to set it and forget it, and any changes to the feel should be easy to make.

I especially think programmable steering feel is going a bit too far. How many of you change the servo back and forth?

BMW should listen to these complaints.

[Zed]

Originally Posted by NYSPEM3

if steve jobs is to design the system the whole dashboard will be translucent white, the controls stylish and the navigation computer powered by a 80286 CPU.
and it will cost $5000, mostly for advertising costs.

Hey everyone look, it's PC from the Apple commercials.

My new iphone was $300 and the UI makes the iDrive feel pretty 80s.

The new iDrive for 2009 looks like a big step forward however. Too bad it doesn't have a touch screen and the iDrive controller. I think their attempt to force all the user controls through the idrive puck really hinders its usability options. Keep it, as it is useful, but also allow the same controls via a touch screen as well perhaps.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

Hey swamp, you going to the HRE Open House on August 9th? I'll be there (because that's when I finally get to drive my car back home after 2+ months of being without it).

Nope, busy like hell. Is it in So Cal or Nor Cal?

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by stevespools

The buttons on the center console don`t have anything to do with iDrive or M Drive. One of the many problems is that you can`t access most M Drive options with the buttons. I understand how the system works, I `m saying it`s not user friendly, i.e. way too many steps to go to and from your Nav screen to Sat radio to make a call to M Drive settings

+1. Perfect response to Laszlo. Completely agreed.