Exclusive Report: New iDrive and Diesel Timetable

[Jonathan Spira]

Earlier this year, BMW announced their diesel offerings for the U.S. market. The 335d sedan and the X5 xDrive35d SAV, sharing the same 3.0-liter, twin-turbo diesel engine delivering 265 hp and 425 lb-ft torque, were unveiled in January.

More recently, BMW announced the fourth generation of iDrive, a hard drive-based unit called the CIC (Car Infotainment Computer). The CIC replaces the CCC (Car Communication Computer), a less sophisticated system that’s been around with some enhancements since the launch of the 2004 5er Series. The original iDrive was unveiled in 2001 for the 2002 7er Series. (Click here for an in-depth look at BMW's iDrive since its inception.)

Dancers in blue celebrate X5 xDrive35d BMW Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance. (Bill Howard photo)

But what cars will get the new iDrive? Rumors on the inclusion of the new (CIC) iDrive on the 5er and 6er Series have been swirling around the blogosphere for months; go to any BMW forum and you’ll see countless posts on this very same issue. Add in the question of the timing of the official launch for the 335d and X5 xDrive35d in the United States and you have tens of thousands of posts on these topics, all playing a guessing game, often with posters telling themselves what they want to hear.

Countless people asked me to weigh in on these questions and, given the lack of any official word, anything I would have said prior to today would have been sheer speculation. Notice that I said “until today.”

Following a meeting earlier today with a senior BMW product manager, I can provide official, authoritative answers to these questions.

New iDrive but not for 5er or 6er Series
The 2009 5er and 6er Series will not be arriving this fall with the CIC (Car Infotainment Computer); these vehicles will continue to sport the CCC (Car Communication Computer) with its recent enhancements (for additional information, see our in-depth article on the new CIC system).

The new 3er Series iDrive Controller

Despite the appearance of photos of a 5er Series interior with the new iDrive on several BMW-related blogs (according to BMW NA, there are a few 5er Series test vehicles out there with it) and a cryptic mention on www.bmw.de, Germany and other markets won’t see a 5er or 6er Series with the new iDrive either.

This could change at some point in 2009 but for now, purchasers of the 5er and 6er Series will have to content themselves with the superb handling and performance of these cars minus the latest and greatest cockpit controller.

If you are picking up a 5er or 6er Series at the BMW Welt through European Delivery, you will still need to bring a navigation DVD; cars with the new CIC-based iDrive will have European maps preloaded at no charge.

Diesels Coming Sooner Than Thought
Also subject to great speculation and guessing was the planned launch date of the 335d and X5 xDrive35d. In recent weeks, the guessing game accelerated. Headlines such as “Confirmed: January 2009 launch for 335d and X5 xDrive35d” were spotted - but they were wrong.

Production of diesel-powered cars for the United States will start in September of this year and the cars will be available at your local BMW Center starting in November, around the time of the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.

I’ll have an opportunity to perform in-depth testing of the new CIC-based iDrive and the 335d in the next few weeks and will report more then.

Jonathan B. Spira, Technology Editor, BMWCCA.org

[WDW1Fanatic]

I appreciate the statements on the Series 5 & 6, but can you conclusively say that the E90, E91, E92 and most importantly for me, the E93 will have the new iDrive beginning with production the first week of September '08. The single picture caption would lead me to believe this, but I'd like a clear answer given I have a production date in less than 1 week and this is a deal breaker for me wanting the latest technology. Thanks for the clarity at last!

[Rudy]

Thanks for the information Jonathan...

You're right, no matter what version of iDrive is installed, the fantastic driving dynamics of the 5 series makes it all worthwhile!

[Jonathan Spira]

Originally Posted by WDW1Fanatic

I appreciate the statements on the Series 5 & 6, but can you conclusively say that the E90, E91, E92 and most importantly for me, the E93 will have the new iDrive beginning with production the first week of September '08. The single picture caption would lead me to believe this, but I'd like a clear answer given I have a production date in less than 1 week and this is a deal breaker for me wanting the latest technology. Thanks for the clarity at last!

I was told that the 2009 3er Series gets the new CIC-based iDrive from SOP.

[WDW1Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Spira

I was told that the 2009 3er Series gets the new CIC-based iDrive from SOP.

Yippee! THANK YOU

[epoints]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Spira

I was told that the 2009 3er Series gets the new CIC-based iDrive from SOP.

How about M3?

[rmorin49]

I'm happy to hear the news about the new iDrive being included with all 09 3ers as I have a Week 37 build car and was hoping I wouldn't miss out on this new technology.

[jeffng65]

I think this gave it away and it was first posted back in July (first week or so it did say all ALL 2009 but probably since the last week in July or so it was changed to preclude the 5er and 6er). This is found on the BMWNA European Delivery FAQ webpage. In case not obvious for you, preloaded maps=harddrive=new iDrive.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...liveryFAQ.aspx


If I have a navigation system in my car, can I purchase a DVD for Europe?
Yes, an “All Europe” DVD is available by calling Navigation Technologies at 1-888-628-6277. The cost is $165 plus tax, shipping and handling. Starting with Model Year 2009, the Europe map will automatically be loaded into some of our BMW vehicles and a disc is not required. The only exception for Model Year 2009 is the 5 Series, 6 Series and X3 models, which will continuously require a Navigation DVD (see above steps to purchase one).

[Jonathan Spira]

Originally Posted by jeffng65

I think this gave it away and it was first posted back in July (first week or so it did say all ALL 2009 but probably since the last week in July or so it was changed to preclude the 5er and 6er). This is found on the BMWNA European Delivery FAQ webpage. In case not obvious for you, preloaded maps=harddrive=new iDrive.

Actually, I was responsible for having that change made.

[rmorin49]

I wonder how the cost of updating the mapset on the hard drive will compare with buying an updated DVD.