First Look: New 7 Series Tech – Exclusive Analysis

[Jonathan Spira]

New iDrive, Black Panel technology, Head-Up Display and more

The F01 7er Series presages the technology of all BMWs to come, just the predecessor E65 7er Series was the first to introduce iDrive itself. High-resolution graphics have been added to the Control Display, direct selection buttons surround the controller, the user interface is greatly improved, and new operating logic with letters and numbers arranged in a circular fashion speed up entry of new information.

As mentioned here at bmwcca.org earlier this year, the CCC (Car Communciation Computer) will be replaced by the CIC (Car Infotainment Computer) – and that brings an incredible new world of information and entertainment options to the driver.


New instrument cluster combines best of mechanical and electronic worlds

The entire instrument cluster is a high-resolution color display (as we predicted or, more accurately, wished for a few months back) that, in true BMW form, presents road speed and engine speed in two large gauges with smaller gauges to the left and right presenting fuel supply and engine oil temperature.


When the car is not in use, the driver sees a smooth black surface with chrome surrounds, indicator needs, scale markings, and the red warning field of the rev counter. As soon as the driver opens the door, the display comes to life and the chrome rings on the circular instruments – open at the bottom when not in use – close and system information is automatically presented. When the engine is started, driver-specific information is also displayed.


Head-Up Display Adds Information
The Head-Up Display will now display information such as telephone numbers or radio stations if the driver activates such functions via the newly-enhanced MFL (Multifunktion Lenkrad or steering wheel).

High Guiding
Via the HUD, enhanced road geometry and guidance information is presented for directions and lane changes. The system uses clear, realistic symbols and 3-D maps to provide guidance for lane change recommendations and guidance at complex road junctions.


Intuitive iDrive Controller and Command Keys
As covered here in April, the 7er Series introduces a new iDrive controller with an ergonomic pad that makes it even easier to use.


Tipping, turning, or pushing the iDrive controller are similar to using a mouse. Turning the Controller scrolls through menu items and selections are made by pressing the button on top of the controller in. Tipping the Controller to the left or right navigates various menu levels.


The menu trees are extra wide to provide as many options as possible without having to scroll to a different menu level.

Four direct selection buttons surround the iDrive for CD, radio, telephone, and navigation. Three command keys access the main menu, last menu, and additional current options.


Where are we going?
Satellite navigation presents the driver with a preview map of the route to the destination during the selection process to ensure that the correct destination is being selected. A special map perspective in the Highlight Traffic Conditions menu provides congested routes marked in red.


The Travel Planner with its Guided Tours function offers the ability to create a personalized route with waypoints or stopping points along the way. It can also choose the most beautiful driving routes if desired.


The driver can also plan his route via his home computer and download the route via a USB stick or mobile transmission to the car’s satellite navigation system.


Multi-modal Control
The user can switch between voice command and the use of the Controller at any time (currently, using the Controller after issuing a voice command results in the shutdown of the voice command system).


iDrive Control Display
The 10.2” iDrive Control Display is now 1280x480 and offers a much better viewing experience. If desired, a full-screen map can be selected to provide greater detail. An elevation map is an additional option as well, presenting selected sights along the route as realistically as possible, including mountainous and hilly areas, buildings, and landmarks.


The fuel consumption and remaining range information are presented electronically


Integrated Owner’s Manual
The wide range of features and functionality requires an extensive manual so BMW has chosen to integrate the owner’s manual into the car itself. According to BMW, this is the first car that offers the customer “an information system providing control messages as part of the electronic control system in text, sound, and pictures.” Manuals are tailored to individual models as equipped.In other words, the car can explain itself to the driver.


The driver can program a Favorites button to go to a specific chapter of the manual, if desired (or needed).


Hard disk drive
The new 7er Series comes with a 40 Gbyte hard disk drive which includes storage for ca. 100 music CDs as well as map data. In some markets, the BMW ConnectedDrive system will download new music to the car directly.


First Car with Full Net Access
The new 7er Series features, in some markets, full unrestricted use of the Internet via BMW ConnectedDrive. Internet service is only available when the car is not moving. Sources at BMW NA have indicated that this functionality will not be available in the U.S. market.

Jonathan Spira, Technology Editor, BMWCCA.org

[az3579]

All this technology is great and all, but what happens when something breaks or doesn't work? All of these electronically programmed gizmos mean more trips to the dealer if something goes wrong. Doesn't this concern anybody?



And we all know, something will break sooner or later and consequently we all know what the dealers charge just to look at something...

[Jonathan Spira]

Originally Posted by az3579

All this technology is great and all, but what happens when something breaks or doesn't work? All of these electronically programmed gizmos mean more trips to the dealer if something goes wrong. Doesn't this concern anybody?

That horse left the barn a long time ago (around 2001), no?

Originally Posted by az3579

And we all know, something will break sooner or later and consequently we all know what the dealers charge just to look at something...

The dealership has never charged me anything to look at a problem - and one of my cars required several CCC transplants.

[az3579]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Spira

That horse left the barn a long time ago (around 2001), no?

Note the words "even more trips".
Naturally, the more electronic things get, the harder it will be to eventually replace standard mechanical parts as well. I mean; you wouldn't have thought there was such a thing as an electronic differential 15 years ago and now we have them in M3's, for example. And, I think electric/electronic problems are the hardest to diagnose most of the time...

The dealership has never charged me anything to look at a problem - and one of my cars required several CCC transplants.

Good dealership then. I'm surprised mine doesn't charge you for walking in the door.


As you mentioned, you went through three CCC transplants? Are you still under warranty? If so, what happens when your warranty expires? This is the scary part. If it failed three times, imagine how many more times, and if there's any programming involved to replace a particular part, a trip to the dealership is necessary.


So unless they start making unrealistically reliable electronic components, I doubt overall maintenance costs are ever going to go down.

[Jonathan Spira]

Originally Posted by az3579

As you mentioned, you went through three CCC transplants? Are you still under warranty? If so, what happens when your warranty expires? .

Actually two on one car, one on another. And yes, I'm under warranty. I tend to not keep cars longer than 2-2.5 years so personally, I am not worried about warranty expiration that obviously is a concern for some.

I suspect that newer generation CCCs and CICs will be more reliable than earlier versions and that the software is generally less buggy, just as electronics in cars has evolved overall.

[az3579]

Yes, most of my comments are geared towards those people who buy a car and keep it until it falls apart under them, as is tradition in my family. It's just something that might put off many people from buying cars with all the latest gizmos and might gear them towards the less advanced models.



But of course, those buying a 7-series new aren't going to care because they are the people that tend to be able to afford another car when the warranty expires. It's the second-hand or possibly third-hand owners that need to worry.

That being said, my posts are irrelevant.

[Jonathan Spira]

Originally Posted by az3579

. It's just something that might put off many people from buying cars with all the latest gizmos and might gear them towards the less advanced models.

I think we'll soon get to a point where even iDrive is not an option because it will be cheaper for BMW to install it in every car, at least for the NA market. So there will most likely NOT be "less advanced models" in this regard.

BMW, like every car maker, designs its cars with an eye towards what will sell now. It's not as if they don't care about problems down the road but they won't put less technology in a car just for that reason.

[az3579]

I'm very glad that pictures showed up in your first post as they weren't there originally there when I first read it. It's good to know that BMW is taking back some of its traditional design and functionality cues as from previous models. I can tell by the pic that the center of the dash is angled towards the driver again and that the instrument cluster, while digital, looks a lot more traditional as opposed to the current 7 series' cluster.


And best of all, the overall styling of the car isn't something to make one puke!

Perhaps all of this will turn out to be a more decent package than one might imagine. Maybe, just maybe, the electronics will last a long time and replacement's won't be needed within a year or two of production...


Let us hope this is the way it will be, because if the electronics last and they pass this tech on to the smaller models, then all of this design and electronics integration will be nothing to worry about. If that becomes a reality, I'd love to own a 3 series with a digital instrument cluster and a dash that look like that!

[az3579]

I'm very glad that pictures showed up in your first post as they weren't there originally there when I first read it. It's good to know that BMW is taking back some of its traditional design and functionality cues as from previous models. I can tell by the pic that the center of the dash is angled towards the driver again and that the instrument cluster, while digital, looks a lot more traditional as opposed to the current 7 series' cluster.


And best of all, the overall styling of the car isn't something to make one puke!

Perhaps all of this will turn out to be a more decent package than one might imagine. Maybe, just maybe, the electronics will last a long time and replacement's won't be needed within a year or two of production...


Let us hope this is the way it will be, because if the electronics last and they pass this tech on to the smaller models, then all of this design and electronics integration will be nothing to worry about. If that becomes a reality, I'd love to own a 3 series with a digital instrument cluster and a dash that look like that!





Of course I say all of this that if I do eventually buy one of the next-gen 3 series' (hopefully things will be going very well by then!), then I do plan on keeping the car for as long as I can, which is why all of this electronic lifespan stuff bothers me. But hey, let's be optimistic and hope they hold up as well as my E30.

[MPHCPA]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Spira

New iDrive, Black Panel technology, Head-Up Display and more
Hard disk drive
The new 7er Series comes with a 40 Gbyte hard disk drive which includes storage for ca. 100 music CDs as well as map data. In some markets, the BMW ConnectedDrive system will download new music to the car directly.

By 100 music CD's I believe that would be in the WMA or MP3 format and not WAV files. Is this presumption correct?