BMW’s iPod cockpit controller, now swathed in rubber, remains a lightning rod ever since its 2001 introduction. Non-users grumble, but most owners say they learned to use it an hour. (Bill Howard photo)
Jonathan B. Spira, BMW CCA
August 28, 2007

BMW’s iDrive in its current incarnation represents the automotive industry’s best solution for a complex cockpit and a complex problem. Believe it or not, iDrive has been with us since 2001 and it has been widely derided in the automotive press as well as by owners of non-iDrive-equipped BMWs ever since. Many people who don’t own BMWs have gotten on the down-with-iDrive bandwagon as well.
Truth be told, iDrive isn’t as bad as people make out. In fact, it’s pretty good. We have two BMWs with iDrive


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