BMW BLOG

The new, redesigned, improved iDrive has made a lot of “noise” on the web in the past few months. There were many conflicting information on wether all the 2009 BMW vehicles will get the new navigation system or just a small selection of them.

The first rumors were referring to the 1 and 3 series as being some of the first models to get the new iDrive, but then it time, to the list were added the not-launched yet 7 series and to our surprise, the existing E60/E61 5 Series and 6 Series. The 5er rumors started off based on a photo taken from a BMW marketing DVD and because of us as well, since a few days later, we received a spy photo of the new iDrive being tested in the current 5 Series.

At that time, we did state that iDrive will not make its way into the exisiting 5er platform but it will be rather implemented when the new 5 models will be launched.

With this being said, our friend Jonathan Spira had the opportunity to speak with BMW Product Manager who confirmed what we stated above: the 2009 5er and 6er Series will not be arriving this fall with the CIC (Car Infotainment Computer).

In the same meeting, Jonathan managed to get another useful piece of information from the BMW Senior Manager: the BMW 335d and X5 will actually launch in November this year.

This has been a silly game already and I wish BMW will be more consistent and stick to one thing and maybe, even come upfront and announce something official, IN WRITING. The funny thing is that many people inside BMWNA still stick to the January ‘09 and this date was also confirmed in the training presentation that the Client Advisors throughout the country have attented in the past month.

As of today, we decided to stop playing the diesel vechicles delayed/not-delayed silly game and we’ll wait until something official is being announced.

In the mean time, Jonathan has some other really good information in the BMWCCA forum and I encourage you to read through it, he talks more about the iDrive system and there are quite some interesting details in there. Jonathan will also keep us in the loop regarding the 335d and X5d, so as soon as he posts an official statement from BMW, we will link to it.

Thanks again for the info.

[Source: BMWCCA ]