BMW Head-Up Display (HUD) F32

Shown on the F32 428i

Speed is displayed all the time. Other information such as radio, navigation, and assist warnings can be displayed as well. Information is white during the day and orange in low light conditions. 

Information can be adjusted on screen with the iDrive Controller

After driving a car equipped with a HUD, it is difficult to go back to driving without one.

How to tell if your BMW has Adaptive M Suspension

1. Go to BMW VIN Decoder and enter the VIN to see if Adaptive M Suspension option has been added to your BMW.
2. Physically check and see if wires are attached to your dampers.
3. Check the iDrive settings below:

Press the menu button on iDrive controller and select 'Settings'.  

Select 'Driving Mode'

Select 'Configure SPORT'

If your BMW is equipped with Adaptive M Suspension, 'Chassis' and 'Drivetrain & Chassis' will be displayed. If not, 'Drivetrain' is the only option. In this menu, you can change what the Sport option does to the vehicle.

To engage Sport or Sport Plus mode, click the rocker upwards.

Sport Plus mode will show up on the dash and iDrive screen. BMWs equipped with Adaptive M Suspension will have the Drivetrain & Chassis highlighted in red.

Sport+ mode turns off traction control.

The pictures above are taken from a 2015 BMW F32 428i M Sport, your iDrive and dash display may vary.

In order to access the Sport+ mode, your BMW needs one or more of these options:

• Adaptive M Suspension (2VL)
• Sport Automatic Transmission (2TB)
• Sport Line Option
• Variable Sport Steering (2VL)

What is the difference between Sport and Sport+ mode?  

•  Traction control is turned off and allows for larger slip angles. 

What is Adaptive M Suspension?

• Electric adjustable dampers that can be controlled by the driver. The drive can choose whatever setting is appealing with Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes.

Note: Selecting chassis and drivetrain is possible on some options without having adaptive suspension.

BMW F32 428i M Sport iDrive

iDrive controller pictures on a BMW F32 428i. I love the aluminum trim pieces.

Night iDrive controller pictures.

Focus is overrated

BMW F30 vs. E90 iDrive Controller Comparison

BMW E90 LCI is equipped with the iDrive Professional Navigation (CIC)

 

The E90 LCI iDrive features quick navigation buttons and updated controller wheel. Resolution, hard drive space, and processing speed has been increased compared to the previous iDrive generation. The most notable change is the menus and display which is much more efficient and requires less button clicking and navigating.

BMW F30 comes with the iDrive Professional Navigation (CIC-HIGH)

 

The F30 iDrive has the same navigation buttons as the E90, but has a larger controller wheel. The controller wheel has a smoother feel and does not click when twisting.

Processing speed and hard drive storage have improved to allow more detailed navigation maps.

I prefer the F30 iDrive because it does not have the plastic chrome trim that bubbles up on the E90. If you look at the first picture, the trim is bubbling on my E90 iDrive controller and it drives me crazy. I have sliced my fingers several times and have to be careful when using iDrive, otherwise I will bleed on the controller and my steering wheel. The bubbling in the trim is caused by oils from your fingers and BMW will not cover it under warranty because it is 'wear and tear'.

The F30 controller feels very fluid and is much smoother than the E90's, probably due to its larger size. I really enjoy using the F30 iDrive and I can't think of any negatives. 

BMW F30 320i Bare iDrive

 

The BMW 320i comes with the bare iDrive controller standard. There are two fewer shortcut buttons and movement is limited to left and right. The wheel is much smaller so there is no touch pad like the iDrive equipped with navigation. 

I believe BMW made the right decision in providing a basic iDrive as standard in their 3-series sedans.