BMW ICE 5 years behind?
Discussion
Small rant, maybe regretting a purchase...
I've recently bought a 2016 320d, and are suffering a little bit of buyers remorse. Having had Audi's before, the level of tech in the car is proving quite disappointing and even compared to my previous Focus (hardly an upmarket brand) there are some things nowhere near as good. The car has ProNav, running iDrive 4, so no Car Play/Android Auto, it has no wireless phone charging, even the duel zone air conditioning doesn't have a sync button (!!!!). The "auto" mode on the aircon doesn't seem to do much, as you can (have to?) still change the fan speed yourself. The reversing sensors seem to take ages to register anything behind them after engaging reverse, and it is very easy to get very close to something before they start complaining. Even the seats are manually adjustable, which on a car of the price point even 6 years is ridiculous!
The car does drive beautifully, very balanced and good through the corners, while the engine and gearbox are fantastic, but honestly, the level of tech is so far behind the Audi equivalent, and I'm finding iDrive to be quite complicated for no apparent reason, lots of menus and settings, while some seemingly obvious things are simply missing.
FWIW an A4/A5 of the same age would have Android Auto, CarPlay, wireless charging, fully digital dash, a sync button for the duel air con, and reversing sensors which started working when you engaged reverse, rather than 20 seconds later.
Maybe I was expecting too much, but for a premium brand the user experience so far isn't proving to be anywhere near as premium as I was expecting. There doesn't even seem to be any aftermarket OEM solutions either, I can put a genuine iDrive 6 system on the car to get CarPlay (for £1500!), or fit an MMI box which piggy backs off the aux port, but neither are particularly satisfactory tbh. There appear to be no solutions to get the 2 air con zones to sync up, which is incredibly annoying.
I've recently bought a 2016 320d, and are suffering a little bit of buyers remorse. Having had Audi's before, the level of tech in the car is proving quite disappointing and even compared to my previous Focus (hardly an upmarket brand) there are some things nowhere near as good. The car has ProNav, running iDrive 4, so no Car Play/Android Auto, it has no wireless phone charging, even the duel zone air conditioning doesn't have a sync button (!!!!). The "auto" mode on the aircon doesn't seem to do much, as you can (have to?) still change the fan speed yourself. The reversing sensors seem to take ages to register anything behind them after engaging reverse, and it is very easy to get very close to something before they start complaining. Even the seats are manually adjustable, which on a car of the price point even 6 years is ridiculous!
The car does drive beautifully, very balanced and good through the corners, while the engine and gearbox are fantastic, but honestly, the level of tech is so far behind the Audi equivalent, and I'm finding iDrive to be quite complicated for no apparent reason, lots of menus and settings, while some seemingly obvious things are simply missing.
FWIW an A4/A5 of the same age would have Android Auto, CarPlay, wireless charging, fully digital dash, a sync button for the duel air con, and reversing sensors which started working when you engaged reverse, rather than 20 seconds later.
Maybe I was expecting too much, but for a premium brand the user experience so far isn't proving to be anywhere near as premium as I was expecting. There doesn't even seem to be any aftermarket OEM solutions either, I can put a genuine iDrive 6 system on the car to get CarPlay (for £1500!), or fit an MMI box which piggy backs off the aux port, but neither are particularly satisfactory tbh. There appear to be no solutions to get the 2 air con zones to sync up, which is incredibly annoying.
Edited by Condi on Wednesday 6th September 08:17
Condi said:
Small rant, maybe regretting a purchase...
I've recently bought a 2016 320d, and are suffering a little bit of buyers remorse. Having had Audi's before, the level of tech in the car is proving quite disappointing and even compared to my previous Focus (hardly an upmarket brand) there are some things nowhere near as good. The car has ProNav, running iDrive 4, so no Car Play/Android Auto, it has no wireless phone charging, even the duel zone air conditioning doesn't have a sync button (!!!!). The "auto" mode on the aircon doesn't seem to do much, as you can (have to?) still change the fan speed yourself. The reversing sensors seem to take ages to register anything behind them after engaging reverse, and it is very easy to get very close to something before they start complaining. Even the seats are manually adjustable, which on a car of the price point even 6 years is ridiculous!
The car does drive beautifully, very balanced and good through the corners, while the engine and gearbox are fantastic, but honestly, the level of tech is so far behind the Audi equivalent, and I'm finding iDrive to be quite complicated for no apparent reason, lots of menus and settings, while some seemingly obvious things are simply missing.
FWIW an A4/A5 of the same age would have Android Auto, CarPlay, wireless charging, fully digital dash, a sync button for the duel air con, and reversing sensors which started working when you engaged reverse, rather than 20 seconds later.
Maybe I was expecting too much, but for a premium brand the user experience so far isn't proving to be anywhere near as premium as I was expecting. There doesn't even seem to be any aftermarket OEM solutions either, I can put a genuine iDrive 6 system on the car to get CarPlay (for £1500!), or fit an MMI box which piggy backs off the aux port, but neither are particularly satisfactory tbh. There appear to be no solutions to get the 2 air con zones to sync up, which is incredibly annoying.
Trouble is your are looking at a car originally released in 2011 and coming to the end of it's build period versus the Audi which would have been a brand new model in 2016.I've recently bought a 2016 320d, and are suffering a little bit of buyers remorse. Having had Audi's before, the level of tech in the car is proving quite disappointing and even compared to my previous Focus (hardly an upmarket brand) there are some things nowhere near as good. The car has ProNav, running iDrive 4, so no Car Play/Android Auto, it has no wireless phone charging, even the duel zone air conditioning doesn't have a sync button (!!!!). The "auto" mode on the aircon doesn't seem to do much, as you can (have to?) still change the fan speed yourself. The reversing sensors seem to take ages to register anything behind them after engaging reverse, and it is very easy to get very close to something before they start complaining. Even the seats are manually adjustable, which on a car of the price point even 6 years is ridiculous!
The car does drive beautifully, very balanced and good through the corners, while the engine and gearbox are fantastic, but honestly, the level of tech is so far behind the Audi equivalent, and I'm finding iDrive to be quite complicated for no apparent reason, lots of menus and settings, while some seemingly obvious things are simply missing.
FWIW an A4/A5 of the same age would have Android Auto, CarPlay, wireless charging, fully digital dash, a sync button for the duel air con, and reversing sensors which started working when you engaged reverse, rather than 20 seconds later.
Maybe I was expecting too much, but for a premium brand the user experience so far isn't proving to be anywhere near as premium as I was expecting. There doesn't even seem to be any aftermarket OEM solutions either, I can put a genuine iDrive 6 system on the car to get CarPlay (for £1500!), or fit an MMI box which piggy backs off the aux port, but neither are particularly satisfactory tbh. There appear to be no solutions to get the 2 air con zones to sync up, which is incredibly annoying.
Edited by Condi on Wednesday 6th September 08:17
FWIW I agree that VAG were probably ahead of BMW in terms of tech up to around this period, but have since forged ahead with the idrive 8+. BMW held onto that funny eco dial far too long
. On the plus side thougfh, as you state, a nicer drive.Sounds like you have an early 2016 car, as the MY17 cars (from July 16 onwards) got iDrive 5 with optional Carplay if you had pro nav.
Also, you knew the car had manual seats when you bought it. If you wanted electric seats, find one with electric seats.
These are all things that could have been identified before you bought it so just need to do your due diligence next time.
Additionally, A4/A5s of that era would only have a digital dash, wireless carplay, leccy seats etc if it was specced. I don't think those options were always standard. I remember looking at some 2016 A4s which even though they had the Tech Pack, did not come with the Virtual Cockpit, instead getting the "round the clocks" large colour screen over the standard square monochrome.
Also, you knew the car had manual seats when you bought it. If you wanted electric seats, find one with electric seats.
These are all things that could have been identified before you bought it so just need to do your due diligence next time.
Additionally, A4/A5s of that era would only have a digital dash, wireless carplay, leccy seats etc if it was specced. I don't think those options were always standard. I remember looking at some 2016 A4s which even though they had the Tech Pack, did not come with the Virtual Cockpit, instead getting the "round the clocks" large colour screen over the standard square monochrome.
SteBrown91 said:
Sounds like you have an early 2016 car, as the MY17 cars (from July 16 onwards) got iDrive 5 with optional Carplay if you had pro nav.
Also, you knew the car had manual seats when you bought it. If you wanted electric seats, find one with electric seats.
These are all things that could have been identified before you bought it so just need to do your due diligence next time.
Additionally, A4/A5s of that era would only have a digital dash, wireless carplay, leccy seats etc if it was specced. I don't think those options were always standard. I remember looking at some 2016 A4s which even though they had the Tech Pack, did not come with the Virtual Cockpit, instead getting the "round the clocks" large colour screen over the standard square monochrome.
The Audis didn't get wireless car play until much later, 2019 ish Also, you knew the car had manual seats when you bought it. If you wanted electric seats, find one with electric seats.
These are all things that could have been identified before you bought it so just need to do your due diligence next time.
Additionally, A4/A5s of that era would only have a digital dash, wireless carplay, leccy seats etc if it was specced. I don't think those options were always standard. I remember looking at some 2016 A4s which even though they had the Tech Pack, did not come with the Virtual Cockpit, instead getting the "round the clocks" large colour screen over the standard square monochrome.
I have a 2017 S5 - Virtual dash was optional, Wired CarPlay standard.
halo34 said:
A 320d isnt premium really is it -
Is it not? BMW in general are a "premium" brand, but the pretty basic spec of the whole thing feels a bit cheap. It's not one single thing, but just in general, I mean, no sync button for the duel A/C, come on, every single car I've driven with duel zone A/C has that!! SteBrown91 said:
Sounds like you have an early 2016 car, as the MY17 cars (from July 16 onwards) got iDrive 5 with optional Carplay if you had pro nav.
Additionally, A4/A5s of that era would only have a digital dash, wireless carplay, leccy seats etc if it was specced.
It was registered in September, so not that early. And yes, unfortunately I did think it was iDrive 5 rather than 4, but there we go. Additionally, A4/A5s of that era would only have a digital dash, wireless carplay, leccy seats etc if it was specced.
Fully digital dash was an option on the A4 (quite a popular option as part of the tech pack), but I think all the S-Line models had a digital display in the dash which showed mapping, stereo, etc, all controlled from the steering wheel, and S-Line seats were all electric too, from memory.
worsy said:
Trouble is your are looking at a car originally released in 2011 and coming to the end of it's build period versus the Audi which would have been a brand new model in 2016.
Yes, I agree. It just surprises me a bit that BMW were quite so far behind, whereas I always thought/assumed that the competition between the 2 would mean they were always quite similar. Anyway, as you say, I shall enjoy the driving experience for now
.... and then probably quite quickly change it, either for a newer BMW with some decent toys or back to an Audi! Man I got a f30 2017 recently and the dual zone not being able to be synced is annoying as hell. Came from a 2014 Lexus IS and took it as standard that it would be there in the BMW.
When you frequently drive with/without your wife it becomes tedious equalising both temps. First world problem I know, but I also thought it would be a standard feature.
Mine has the carplay option but it's a £299 unlock. I have the wireless charging, however the space is built for 2017 sized iPhones and won't fit a pixel 6 or Samsung s21. Looking online you can hack the thing to make it workable but not contemplating that.
For me it was Jag XE Vs 3 series. Tech on a 2017 Jag with touch duo (bigger screen) was much better, you even get remote start from your mobile with programmable temp setting and heated front windscreen (option).
It also drove very well indeed. Perhaps better than a 3 series tbh and that's comparing standard XE suspension to m adaptive.
When you frequently drive with/without your wife it becomes tedious equalising both temps. First world problem I know, but I also thought it would be a standard feature.
Mine has the carplay option but it's a £299 unlock. I have the wireless charging, however the space is built for 2017 sized iPhones and won't fit a pixel 6 or Samsung s21. Looking online you can hack the thing to make it workable but not contemplating that.
For me it was Jag XE Vs 3 series. Tech on a 2017 Jag with touch duo (bigger screen) was much better, you even get remote start from your mobile with programmable temp setting and heated front windscreen (option).
It also drove very well indeed. Perhaps better than a 3 series tbh and that's comparing standard XE suspension to m adaptive.
Condi said:
SteBrown91 said:
Sounds like you have an early 2016 car, as the MY17 cars (from July 16 onwards) got iDrive 5 with optional Carplay if you had pro nav.
Additionally, A4/A5s of that era would only have a digital dash, wireless carplay, leccy seats etc if it was specced.
It was registered in September, so not that early. And yes, unfortunately I did think it was iDrive 5 rather than 4, but there we go. Additionally, A4/A5s of that era would only have a digital dash, wireless carplay, leccy seats etc if it was specced.
Fully digital dash was an option on the A4 (quite a popular option as part of the tech pack), but I think all the S-Line models had a digital display in the dash which showed mapping, stereo, etc, all controlled from the steering wheel, and S-Line seats were all electric too, from memory.
BMWs could have a fully digital dash but it was an expensive option and due to most cars being fleet/rental/stock order for dealers few had it. Again I think this became an option when iDrive 5 came along. To be honest I quite liked the simplistic layout of the dials on my old 3 series.
S Line A4s had a monochrome screen unless it had the tech pack in that era. The Tech pack either had the full digital cockpit or the larger colour screen depending on model year/build date etc. S line only had manual seats as standard, but had electric lumbar support. Full electric seats were an option.
Not being funny, but did you not test drive it / see the car before buying it?
Stuff like manual seats would have been apparent from day one (they’re still an option on the latest 3 series from what I can tell…the G20 I had for a week had mausoleum seats).
Stuff like CarPlay can be retrofitted these days relatively easily. Not sure I’d be dropping £1,500 on an updated OE system.
I don’t think any of the German cars in this market are particularly premium; they all chased volume and basically killed the Mondeo / Vectra / Insginia etc.
Stuff like manual seats would have been apparent from day one (they’re still an option on the latest 3 series from what I can tell…the G20 I had for a week had mausoleum seats).
Stuff like CarPlay can be retrofitted these days relatively easily. Not sure I’d be dropping £1,500 on an updated OE system.
I don’t think any of the German cars in this market are particularly premium; they all chased volume and basically killed the Mondeo / Vectra / Insginia etc.
I have a 330i (late 2016). It doesn't have ProNav.
In terms of things that bug me (other than the appalling reliability issues):
- iDrive / Nav is really rather poor. The Nav especially is primitive, even compared to a W212 Mercedes from 2012 that I had before it - Merc nav was far better. The 'USB update' process for maps doesn't work - you pay for a map download, follow the instructions, and the car completely refuses to do anything, necessitating yet another visit to the truly useless BMW dealership
- As mentioned, lack of a 'Sync' button on the climate control. Mrs Magnum's 2015 2 Series has a Sync button, my 2016 3 series doesn't.
- The audio system is poor, although I can live with that but would expect better
- It has far too many trim rattles, squeaks, etc. Mrs Magnum's is the same. I sold my W212 at 9 years old, with 150k miles on it. No squeaks, rattles, or anything else. My 3 has 1/3 of that mileage, and at 7 years old has more trim rattles than my ancient high-mileage Boxster.
- The cruise control has a brake function. Set the cruise control to a speed, and it will hold it using brakes down hill. The speed limiter doesn't use the brake function though - set a speed limit, come to a downhill section of road, and it happily goes past the limit before making an annoying noise to tell you that you've exceeded the limit that you set. WTF were BMW thinking here?? Again, my older W212 would happily use the brakes for both cruise and speed limit functions.
In terms of things that bug me (other than the appalling reliability issues):
- iDrive / Nav is really rather poor. The Nav especially is primitive, even compared to a W212 Mercedes from 2012 that I had before it - Merc nav was far better. The 'USB update' process for maps doesn't work - you pay for a map download, follow the instructions, and the car completely refuses to do anything, necessitating yet another visit to the truly useless BMW dealership
- As mentioned, lack of a 'Sync' button on the climate control. Mrs Magnum's 2015 2 Series has a Sync button, my 2016 3 series doesn't.
- The audio system is poor, although I can live with that but would expect better
- It has far too many trim rattles, squeaks, etc. Mrs Magnum's is the same. I sold my W212 at 9 years old, with 150k miles on it. No squeaks, rattles, or anything else. My 3 has 1/3 of that mileage, and at 7 years old has more trim rattles than my ancient high-mileage Boxster.
- The cruise control has a brake function. Set the cruise control to a speed, and it will hold it using brakes down hill. The speed limiter doesn't use the brake function though - set a speed limit, come to a downhill section of road, and it happily goes past the limit before making an annoying noise to tell you that you've exceeded the limit that you set. WTF were BMW thinking here?? Again, my older W212 would happily use the brakes for both cruise and speed limit functions.
I've got CIC iDrive in my 2010 125i (which is 3rd gen iDrive I think) and actually think it's pretty good for the age (connectivity aside- mad that the pro nav option didn't give you USB support as standard)- that said it doesn't sound like iD4 moved the game on much and I think I'd be disappointed with the system in a 2016 model. iDrive 7 I still regard as pretty much the best infotainment system I've ever used in a car, even after quite a bit of time with the 8th gen, which looks prettier but is a step back in usability.
BMW didn't really catch up tech-wise until the G-series cars personally, I remember my parents getting a 2015 520d and still needing to use that silly 'y-cable' in order to connect an iPod to it.
That said, a quick google seems to show that there's quite a few companies who will update iDrive 4 to the 6th gen with a software flash for somewhere in the region of £2-300; with full-screen CarPlay included. Think they're identical in terms of hardware so its worth a look.
BMW didn't really catch up tech-wise until the G-series cars personally, I remember my parents getting a 2015 520d and still needing to use that silly 'y-cable' in order to connect an iPod to it.
That said, a quick google seems to show that there's quite a few companies who will update iDrive 4 to the 6th gen with a software flash for somewhere in the region of £2-300; with full-screen CarPlay included. Think they're identical in terms of hardware so its worth a look.
Meanwhile, I prefer the F3x BMWs to the G2x precisely because I think the tech has gone too far in the new ones. Electronic handbrake? No thanks. Buttons for the lights instead of that lovely, intuitive rotary switch? No thanks! That godawful "plank" screen instead of an instrument binnacle? No thanks.
Condi said:
What's wrong with electronic handbrake?
Nothing, I'm sure, until something goes wrong with it.Take the electronic steering lock, for example. Basically solving a problem that doesn't exist. The OH has one on her 1 Series. Every so often it throws a fault and has to be re-coded or "bad things will happen". That'll be £90+VAT thanks. Meanwhile, my 24 year old 3 Series, owned from new, has never had an issue with its old fashioned steering lock. I would imagine the electronic handbrake is a similar affair. Solving a problem that doesn't exist and every so often a little light will come on telling you it's about to hold you to ransom.
Electronic handbrakes are a good thing. BMW manual handbrakes are useless and need a lot of TLC just to pass an MOT. The electric ones actually hold the car on a hill, release automatically and are not complicated. There's a motor that actuates the standard disc brake caliper, so there's actually less parts. For £30 you can get an app that'll put it into service mode when you need to work on the brakes.
MitchT said:
. I would imagine the electronic handbrake is a similar affair. Solving a problem that doesn't exist and every so often a little light will come on telling you it's about to hold you to ransom.
Jesus, why is PH so full of people who think the world is against them at the moment? Every thread seems to be full of it. Electronic handbrakes have been around a long time and never has anyone been "held to ransom" by it, which is ironic given this is a thread about BMWs, and BMW's last great idea was charging people a subscription to use the heated seats!! I'm sure there are good engineering reasons why most (all?) manufacturers use them, even the most basic of brands - Dacia - comes with one.
Condi said:
Jesus, why is PH so full of people who think the world is against them at the moment? Every thread seems to be full of it.
Electronic handbrakes have been around a long time and never has anyone been "held to ransom" by it, which is ironic given this is a thread about BMWs, and BMW's last great idea was charging people a subscription to use the heated seats!! I'm sure there are good engineering reasons why most (all?) manufacturers use them, even the most basic of brands - Dacia - comes with one.
However, when they fail they're a right PITA. I had a Renault one lock up on me at a set of traffic lights in the centre of Clermont-Ferrand a few years ago. A hired Renault Laguna, first car in the queue at the lights, decided that no way was it going to release the handbrake. Resulting in me having to find the user handbook and interpret the process to manually release the parking brake - with a queue of very frustrated French drivers stuck behind me. Electronic handbrakes have been around a long time and never has anyone been "held to ransom" by it, which is ironic given this is a thread about BMWs, and BMW's last great idea was charging people a subscription to use the heated seats!! I'm sure there are good engineering reasons why most (all?) manufacturers use them, even the most basic of brands - Dacia - comes with one.
I'm in the camp that sees the electric parking brake as yet another solution for something that was never a problem in the first place. Another thing that no-one really needed that causes massive problems when in breaks. Like the stupid 'pop-up' gear selector that JLR are so fond of, that breaks leaving the driver unable to select a gear. Or 'keyless' entry, that gives scrotes an easier way to steal your car. All cases of something that didn't need fixing, with the result of a car having a greater level of complexity and more things to go wrong.
Magnum 475 said:
However, when they fail they're a right PITA. I had a Renault one lock up on me at a set of traffic lights in the centre of Clermont-Ferrand a few years ago. A hired Renault Laguna, first car in the queue at the lights, decided that no way was it going to release the handbrake. Resulting in me having to find the user handbook and interpret the process to manually release the parking brake - with a queue of very frustrated French drivers stuck behind me.
I'm in the camp that sees the electric parking brake as yet another solution for something that was never a problem in the first place. Another thing that no-one really needed that causes massive problems when in breaks. Like the stupid 'pop-up' gear selector that JLR are so fond of, that breaks leaving the driver unable to select a gear. Or 'keyless' entry, that gives scrotes an easier way to steal your car. All cases of something that didn't need fixing, with the result of a car having a greater level of complexity and more things to go wrong.
Same here. I like some tech (CarPlay for example is ace) but other things I fail to the out off. The manual handbrake on my 335i is fine (the one on my wife’s 330i needs tweaking at some point). I'm in the camp that sees the electric parking brake as yet another solution for something that was never a problem in the first place. Another thing that no-one really needed that causes massive problems when in breaks. Like the stupid 'pop-up' gear selector that JLR are so fond of, that breaks leaving the driver unable to select a gear. Or 'keyless' entry, that gives scrotes an easier way to steal your car. All cases of something that didn't need fixing, with the result of a car having a greater level of complexity and more things to go wrong.
As said above, the F series cars give a good balance of tech and buttons (I loved the short cut buttons for the pro nav in my M140i).
Condi said:
Small rant, maybe regretting a purchase...
I've recently bought a 2016 320d, and are suffering a little bit of buyers remorse. Having had Audi's before, the level of tech in the car is proving quite disappointing and even compared to my previous Focus (hardly an upmarket brand) there are some things nowhere near as good. The car has ProNav, running iDrive 4, so no Car Play/Android Auto, it has no wireless phone charging, even the duel zone air conditioning doesn't have a sync button (!!!!). The "auto" mode on the aircon doesn't seem to do much, as you can (have to?) still change the fan speed yourself. The reversing sensors seem to take ages to register anything behind them after engaging reverse, and it is very easy to get very close to something before they start complaining. Even the seats are manually adjustable, which on a car of the price point even 6 years is ridiculous!
The car does drive beautifully, very balanced and good through the corners, while the engine and gearbox are fantastic, but honestly, the level of tech is so far behind the Audi equivalent, and I'm finding iDrive to be quite complicated for no apparent reason, lots of menus and settings, while some seemingly obvious things are simply missing.
FWIW an A4/A5 of the same age would have Android Auto, CarPlay, wireless charging, fully digital dash, a sync button for the duel air con, and reversing sensors which started working when you engaged reverse, rather than 20 seconds later.
Maybe I was expecting too much, but for a premium brand the user experience so far isn't proving to be anywhere near as premium as I was expecting. There doesn't even seem to be any aftermarket OEM solutions either, I can put a genuine iDrive 6 system on the car to get CarPlay (for £1500!), or fit an MMI box which piggy backs off the aux port, but neither are particularly satisfactory tbh. There appear to be no solutions to get the 2 air con zones to sync up, which is incredibly annoying.
All these perceived shortcomings would have been known at the time of buying the car, so what made you buy the car if these features were important for you?I've recently bought a 2016 320d, and are suffering a little bit of buyers remorse. Having had Audi's before, the level of tech in the car is proving quite disappointing and even compared to my previous Focus (hardly an upmarket brand) there are some things nowhere near as good. The car has ProNav, running iDrive 4, so no Car Play/Android Auto, it has no wireless phone charging, even the duel zone air conditioning doesn't have a sync button (!!!!). The "auto" mode on the aircon doesn't seem to do much, as you can (have to?) still change the fan speed yourself. The reversing sensors seem to take ages to register anything behind them after engaging reverse, and it is very easy to get very close to something before they start complaining. Even the seats are manually adjustable, which on a car of the price point even 6 years is ridiculous!
The car does drive beautifully, very balanced and good through the corners, while the engine and gearbox are fantastic, but honestly, the level of tech is so far behind the Audi equivalent, and I'm finding iDrive to be quite complicated for no apparent reason, lots of menus and settings, while some seemingly obvious things are simply missing.
FWIW an A4/A5 of the same age would have Android Auto, CarPlay, wireless charging, fully digital dash, a sync button for the duel air con, and reversing sensors which started working when you engaged reverse, rather than 20 seconds later.
Maybe I was expecting too much, but for a premium brand the user experience so far isn't proving to be anywhere near as premium as I was expecting. There doesn't even seem to be any aftermarket OEM solutions either, I can put a genuine iDrive 6 system on the car to get CarPlay (for £1500!), or fit an MMI box which piggy backs off the aux port, but neither are particularly satisfactory tbh. There appear to be no solutions to get the 2 air con zones to sync up, which is incredibly annoying.
Edited by Condi on Wednesday 6th September 08:17
rassi said:
All these perceived shortcomings would have been known at the time of buying the car, so what made you buy the car if these features were important for you?
That is a fair point, although in 10 min test drive you are more concerned about how it drives, knocks, rattles etc, than diving into the iDrive system to check the air-con sync'd, especially as it has done in every other car I've owned with split AC. Hardly outrageous to assume that as my mates E90 series has it, and I knew how to do it on a G20 series, the F30 would also have it! Equally, I had thought the car was fitted with iDrive5, not 4, so lesson learnt there. It is not one particular thing which is important on it's own, more there is a feeling that everything is just behind where I would expect it to be, and for a "premium" brand, it is not quite what I was expecting.
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