2014 / 2015 / 2016 BMW iDrive Touch Infotainment Review ( with finger writing recognition)

In this video I take an unexpectedly deep dive into BMW's latest iDrive system in the 2014 BMW X5 xDrive35i. (Same system used in most BMW models including many 2016 models) We cover everything from smartphone app integration (also known as BMW Connected) to navigation, Wiki TourGuide, and BMW's new touch controller which allows you to draw letters and numbers on the controller knob for an alternate entry method to the voice commands and standard interface. With all the improvements to the interface and a revised navigation map with traffic info that is no longer greyscale, iDrive continues to be my favourite infotainment system regardless of price.
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[@cavman1]

Probably the best and most thorough walk-through of the iDrive system that I have seen. Well Done. Thank you.

[@mikethecreative]

I'm only half way through this video and I've learned so much. Thank you for this very detailed video.

[@sherriemoore6705]

Awesome informative videos!!! Picking up my new BMW X5 tomorrow! Thank you for all your videos to help guide me on my decision

[@michaeldufour1333]

I love your reviews! Keep up the great work!

[@valetudofight]

I feel like cutting your fingers for clicking so hard on the console.Great video.

[@tylachila]

Chill

[@rishibawa]

Alex your reviews are so thorough and awesome! I'm looking to pull the trigger on an x5 in the next few months and your videos have been so helpful!!

[@cymonew9313]

This video was much needed. I definitely will make sure to reference this often

[@Humanafterall888]

Very cool! Feel this is one of the best looking LCD design out there. Really like it when I test drove the X5 awhile ago.

[@hootonk]

A very comprehensive and easy to understand video. Thanks I learned so much in 20 minutes.

[@GeorgeStepnenson]

This was absolutely awesome. Thank you so much for walking through that.

[@brandonroldan12]

Dam, easy guy. Is a new car, no need to slam on that center wheel

[@MrCee861]

I know! I cringed every time he did it, I catch you doing that to my car and you will need a cast in your fingers....

[@Vivzi]

Brandon Roldan same xD

[@thend8535]

I'm with you on that, my wife is always slamming my buttons also. HA HA!

[@Varonejagmohan]

Lakram

[@mohamedarthil6249]

how to break the controller wheel.? then complaining about the build quality

[@davidbeswick900]

Best video i have seen for the f15 x5. very informative and explained to a relevant detail.

[@terry947]

bmw has the most polished infotainment system

[@ikeman1972]

Well done video. Full detail. Surely helped me after purchasing my 2014 335i Sport since it came with the new iDrive 4.2

[@osamaFXX]

Why do you press so hard? Don't punch it dude! It'll cost you around 1200$ to change.

[@robertdickensmusic]

thought I was the only one cringing every time it was mashed.

[@CACtheAmazing]

ha-ha, I has the exact reaction to him fist punching the control every time

[@bouchie739]

What is the upgrade package called?

[@54788963]

Thank you. Just got my BMW X 5. This helps!

[@iphonefreaksmeout]

It would be awesome if in all you infotainment reviews that if nav is on it you demo the turn by turn voice! Great job!

[@MarkGelderland]

This vid is very helpful. Thanks

[@StevenYevski]

Alex thank you for your time and work!

[@winstonmiller8150]

Excellent!! This was very helpful. Thank you.

[@suneefilm]

thanks for the thorough review, look forward to seeing audi vs bmw center control.

[@rdaviskiwi]

Just bought a 2015 550i thanks for all the great info

[@mgl63823]

Alex, That is a great review. I have a 520D Luxury and it has helped me a lot to learn about my I Drive. Well done

[@MooperSC]

Excellent review. The X5 has a very extensive list of customizations in its iDrive system. My 2013 F30 328i is far more limited. I must say, now that I am used to the iDrive system, I really like it and I think the look of the screen is very clean; there is NEVER any glare on the screen despite it's glossy finish. I do, however, wish the screen were able to retracta into the dash. It looks like it could/should be removable, and the fact that it's fixed makes it a bit awkward. Overall, I'm a HUGE fan! I love my BMW!

[@joaquin698]

Very good explanation.... TKS for sharing your knowledge on the system.. uff I'll have to take a few hours to "learn the whole system" well enough and take full advantage of the futures.. TKS again .. just subscribed 👌🏻.. God bless,.

[@threepac]

The new 7 series will have everything you spoke here plus gesturer recognition and touch screen. Hopefully these filter down to there other vehicles eventually.

[@Mojo_Mike]

Great review of iDrive.

[@SeanBrennan007]

The new iDrive screen is a thing of beauty. A 10" HD display screen, what else could you ask for. I wish we have the TV functions here in the US like they do overseas.

[@bwzffgh7]

I could ask for an infotainment system that doesn't require you to run over 14 pedestrians just to change the radio station.

[@nethook5588]

Great review thanks 👍

[@skullduggerygillen]

Best infotainment system so far

[@Fabeman1]

Very well explained!

[@AnkitMalhotra]

Thanks for the video! I recently bought a 2015 428i M-Sport and I am struggling to turn on my ambient lighting. I also did not see the color options as you gave, is this ambient lighting package not part of the M-Sport & Premium packages?

[@fahdmemon2285]

great this video shows all features

[@catarinobernardojoao1824]

Is with additional direct menu control buttons makes for quick and intuitive opérations.... Is so much fun to drive !!!!!!

[@tyler951]

iDrive is by far the most appealing infotainment system. The speed and responsiveness is very impressive.

[@desertpair2]

I own both a 2015 335i and a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I love both, but the G.C.'s infotainment system is out of the Bimmer's league.

[@McWheeler93030]

I’m considering a 2014 740Li. Thanks for the vid

[@Conquissstador]

Muchas gracias! I found this very useful

[@voltronspeaks9857]

I needed this video.. ty

[@joelcalvary1087]

thank you, very helpful.

[@naderal-mane4937]

Well done. Can you tell us how to save a "position" on the GPS as I pass it or even when I reach a destination that I want to save? Thank you.

[@vehigbee5711]

Went way too fast for my retention abilities. Great video pretty much covered everything.

[@fernandoguimaraes946]

Alex, to you point I don't normally like the current trend of screens that pop out, especially when permanent. However the BMW system with the nav and technology is really nice and looks good. Of course I'm based since I bought one...

[@rawsouce2576]

Elegant and simple 👍

[@ReneBarba]

Lincoln is about an hour northeast from Sacramento. Such a nice city to live in.

[@cubmixit]

Thanks for the help!

[@purrungas2012]

very nice explanation, I do have a question, I just bought a 2015 228I, but at the radio screen, I do not get the dial feature that you show, checked my software ver. and is up to date, do you think is defective? thanks

[@deJongBoy]

Thanks, informative video. But that 15.4 mpg seems very low, even for a top sec model.

[@purrungas2012]

Dammmm.... Top of the line... Lots of info

[@dr.mostafaalabyad8002]

Hi I just bought. 730 li 2007 do you have a video to explain how to use I drive and the DVD player in the trunk? Thanks

[@johnparsons5010]

Alex, You have several great reviews/demos so I contributed via "Support" link. Google says "An error occurred" but I got charged so make sure the big G pays you, buddy.

[@PatrickGuerrisi]

Can I follow this guide to use idrive in my 2017 X3 m sport ?

[@pulixpulix2420]

I have this option on my 2012 f11 530x (4UR Ambient Light), and I can't seem to find it in the iDrive. I have the CIC version, not this NBT which you are reviewing in this video. I can see the leds but they are off, can you please guide me to find the 'magic button' that turns them on? Best regards!

[@mohamedarthil6249]

proper meaning of fully loaded !! iDrive great... but how many knows and using all these functions ??

[@porschedriver06]

Outstanding 👍🏽👍🏽👏🏽

[@halahaski7367]

Thank u very much for this helpful video, I have a problem that I can't find a solution for,The speedometer, radio light, and air conditioner buttons are white when there is good lighting, but when the lighting becomes low or when night falls, their color turns orange. How can I keep them white?

[@mnash3]

Cool video... I was thinking about returning to the world of BMW, buuuuut if or when I buy a new vehicle my opt for the QX80. I like the review that you did on that one. It is a much larger vehicle than what I need, but it appears to carry over some features that I have on my Nissan Pathfinder that I really like. My assumption is that backup camera and surround camera was not an option on the BMW that you tested as I watched the whole video really looking for that. That feature is such a requirement for me that it may prevent me from returning to BMW. I do remember that I liked even loved the way my BMW X5 handled, but like I said that camera is a necessity. Thanks again for sharing your experience.

[@DrewFu319]

What is with the constant angry SMACK on the iDrive wheel? It doesn't take that much pressure to select something... :)

[@xbradx11]

i got the i drive in my m6 an i luv it it is so good an fast an quick to use . i recommed any one to get one

[@andrijet33]

Thank you so much.

[@CFRViper]

In regard to the test message options...Strange that this system doesn't provide a pop up to allow you to quickly select it and listen vs. having to make multiple toggles to get to and then play message. Fair more unsafe then picking up your phone and looking at the texts. Does anyone know if they've improved this yet?

[@michaelcombs1738]

your reviews are always among the best....any chance of you doing a review of portable navigation systems like Garmin & Tom Tom for those of us on the closer to broke income scale?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

That's an interesting idea. I'll see if I can get them to lend me any models to test.

[@millerm77]

Any word on when BMW will update their app so we can start using it?

[@Dantheman2010ish]

also can you link the system to an outside wifi connection? Like a mobile hotspot?

[@alcanhg]

Nice features, but how is the sound quality?

[@Zezoezzat63]

Thank it helped alot

[@slee9065]

Thanks for the video. How can I delete songs from the i-drive?

[@mvb436]

Great review, thanks

[@trinhk]

Great info thank you. Can you please confirm whether in order to use bluetooth audio streaming, one must have the connecteddrive feature/package, is that true? I'm thinking of getting the 428i and there's no bluetooth audio streaming until I include the ConnectedDrive package. Does the ambient light included in all the model or just the X5?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

That is correct. Streaming is not always included in iDrive, it depends on the vehicle and the market.

[@alexfarfan7140]

Alex on Autos hi r u not how to fix it my bmw x5 35xdrive after I change the batery the i drive not working any more please how can be fixed

[@ukok7514]

trinhk subscribe

[@mackb4084]

alex farfan bmws have certain things they force u to see dealer for

[@RESISTAGE]

It’s been 7 years. wonder how much time it sat in repair shop vs driving time.

[@RowenCaesar]

I like this I drive version and I have a X3 with this model

[@mikejones9556]

Is there away to display a screensaver or pictures? In order to not display the menu screen!!!

[@Sache0190]

why would you hammer that button?

[@ToosTraining]

great review.

[@moustafabadr5443]

Hey Alex, I am a big fan of BMW but never rode it hahahaha and it was interesting to know these features and next time do not press so hard on the button its sensitive

[@yoyomortal1]

You think this update is available for the 2011 BMW 750Li

[@-ZEMOSGATE-]

I'm using Bluetooth but I don't see the album art on the display

[@Vooidray]

Can i have rearview- / 360*-Camera always on while driving? Or in Splitview?

[@themaashroom]

Hi, can the monitor (drive touch) be hidden? (slide under or something..)

[@adrianhaynes3347]

Is this the same system that is in the 2015 650 gran coupe? And will my galxy note be able to work with the apps or do i need an iphone?

[@Arbutuscoveretreat]

BMW should pay you for having done such a great job! Better than even BMW does it!

[@billschmalkuche9824]

If I update the software in my 2013 3 series, will the display look like this video? The video says "2014/2015/2016" - does that mean regardless of the software I have, I will not be able to update the system to look like this because of my current hardware? Thanks.

[@Makinja]

What ver of idrive is this? Not seeing some of these features on a 2016 435i. Could I update the software between BMW website using a flash drive to the car's USB?

[@teknodogg]

how to get weather on navigation? ... have 2015 535i I don't see that in my nav

[@backtrack5453]

take it easy on the button dude chill you are not fighting it damn

[@FLUSHINGMR]

Why are you poking the control knob like tha

[@xeoMeee]

So true it annoyed me so much!

[@lanahaddad2157]

Great video! Can I connect a 2014 528i via Bluetooth to listen to audio music?

[@deedizeldafreak]

Lana Haddad yes

[@000Vixens000]

has the app changed names again or is it only for certain countries ? i cant find it

[@austinformedude]

The finger writing thing is moot, because the voice activation works so well for most things. It is faster and easier to blurt out a street address then to use the finger pad (and one doesn't have to take eyes off the road)

[@JusZard]

When did they stop the wiki tour and the fb app?

[@pilotscott4908]

I have a US Spec 2016 340i I locked up in Germany, that has no options in Connected Drive. Is this something that should have been installed at the port? Two dealers so far are totally perplexed.

[@teresadattoli5089]

whydoes mysystem only work on voice activation

[@ioannisvalavanis2327]

I have a 2017 218i with iDrive and when I turn off the engine screen stays on . Is there any setting or button to shut it off ? It turn off it self after almost 1 minute I lock the car

[@Ollybassman]

Nice video, horrific music taste.

[@keithh3099]

I have a 2015 228i and my screen has bubbles..where to buy a replacement except the dealership

[@iibise.3827]

Is that touchscreen too?

[@justayoutuber6183]

Hi, is it normal for the radio to turn on with the vehicle being on? I was just curious and pressed the radio and it turned on without the vehicle being on or key any where near by. 2014 X5 xdrive35i

[@LDrift]

Press the button, don’t slam it!

[@reneacanton6418]

Pandora is not showing under Presets in my 2016 BMW 428i. How do I add this app?

[@zedsquid4002]

Why are you poking the control knob like that? Just palm it down, jesus.

[@MrDIAMONDCOR]

Get lost with your rude disrespectful comments 🤬

[@LifeofRavien]

How do we turn the radio off when getting out the car