BMW I-drive vs. COMAND - question on 2 functions...
 

Folks -

I currently drive a 2012 F10. As old as the I-drive system is, I love it and want to hear from those of you that went from a 2012+ model BMW to the E what your feedback is on the useability of COMAND vs. BMW's system? 2 features which I absolutely use all the time are the ability to scroll/select radio stations from the steering wheel button, as they display on the HUD. I do the same with my recent outbound phone calls - again, all thru a single scroll wheel button on the steering wheel, with the info showing up on the HUD.

Can anyone advise who these 2 features work on COMAND? I'm going to obviously do this on a test drive, figured i'd ask first.

Thanks -

Aceman

Yes, this can be shown on the instrument cluster display. However, you have to click the "menu" button on the steering wheel, scroll to either "telephone" or "media" and then you will see your presets and your contacts. I am not sure if it is recent calls on there. There of course isn't a scroll wheel so all of this is done via the touch and physical buttons.

As a new to be bmw owner who just leased an X1, I can tell you that idrive is maddening to me, so I think you will enjoy Comand much better :D

i-Drive is much user-friendly than the COMAND,
I have been using the BMW infotainment system for the past 12 years and still have it on my MINI after selling my F30 and switching to Merc. (2019 C205 Coupe).

The challenge with COMAND is too many side Menus, a bit slower than i-Drive

Maybe when you get used to it, it will be fine :D

I've used both systems for over 10 years. I much prefer COMAND, especially the voice controls which don't work well on BMW.

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If you single press the "make call" telephone button on the steering wheel you will see a list of recent calls on the COMAND screen. AFAIK, the list includes both calls received and calls made like most cellphones. I don't know if there is a way to show outbound only.
I don't have HUD, but you can show and select radio stations on the left display using the left scroll button by using "Presets". Curiously Mercedes engineers dicided that to move "up" the dial you schoud scroll down, and visa versa.

:ditto:

bmw idrive is maddening! If the OP has the old controller, then I am not sure if he has the new idrive with the buttons scattered around the knob. It is impossible to remember which button is which, so you have to look down at the controller to make a selection. On MBs, these hard buttons are located on the dash which is much easier on the eyes. In addition, their placement of the buttons do not make logical sense to me. The "back" button should always be in the upper left of a controller, not bottom left behind the controller. And then if you don't use voice command, the rotary alphabet is hilarious to input names. And don't get me started on how to get numbers to pull up on that menu....

Thanks guys - appreciate the feedback.

I have a fairly recent version of I-Drive (it has the buttons around the controller - which i know by heart).
I will have to try the calling features - sounds like the call button on the wheel will do the trick.

What about radio stations? I have a 2014 GL350, and i have to hit the right arrow and change to the radio screen on the dash to get the next station...is it the same for this generation?

Actually, I would love to know how to skip tracks or change stations cusing comand (but the steering wheel) without having to hit media or radio first. I can't believe they got rid of those buttons from the w212. I'm not always using the left panel in the dashboard to show audio as I prefer trip data.

As far as I know, you have to go into the radio menu first before you an change radio presets, etc. This has been the case for many generations now.

Here's an MB "how to" video that might be helpful.
I drive local, so I have set up all of my stations (FM and SiriusXM) as Presets and use Presets as the "Source". You can move up and down that menu using the appropriate steering wheel buttons or the COMAND wheel if using the left screen. AFAIK you must use Voice if you want to skip scrolling through your menu one station at a time. MB nearly always has more than one way of doing the same function on the COMAND system so there's a learning curve. Works well once you are used to it.

BTW, if you double press the the "make call" button on the steering wheel it does last number redial. Good luck.

Thanks for posting that video, as a new owner I just learnt something.

Indeed, my 2015 E350 wagon had fast forward/next track and reverse/prior track buttons to the left and right of the volume knob in the middle of the dashboard. Sadly, the W213's new volume button on the console doesn't provide these, presumably in the interest of sleekness.

I'll tolerate keeping the radio/media panel open on the left panel, which then allows for the thumb pad to control station changes (first by highlighting the panel, then by scrolling...so still not one-click). But, I would have loved a better option....like repurposing that stupid menu button for the A/C that doesn't function in my car except to show the 'air ventilation diagram'.

LOL.....That STUPID menu button is truly the dumbest waste of a button ever!

I use that "stupid button" at least once a day when I can't use (don't recall) voice commands. On my car there is a scrollable menu along the right side of the display that is similar to the camera menu. Perhaps the menu came with the P3 package.

Wait, what? Are we talking about this button?
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...c1484f14a5.jpg

Yep, that there's the dumb (at least to me) button. I got every conceivable electronic option on my E450 and all I get when I tap that button is an illustration of where air is flowing from the vents. I don't get any menu buttons. But I'll check again when I go home tonight to be certain.

Exactly, I don't get any menu options either, which is curious, because it's labeled "MENU". Instead, perhaps it's should be labeled "FLOW". And while we're dreaming, perhaps it could have an auxiliary function such as playing cool tunes to get one in the flow!

I think we all have that screen in our Comand systems, but it certainly doesn't come up when I tap the Menu button in the row of climate control buttons. I find it very odd that you get that screen from the Menu button in the center of the climate control buttons.

He must have the air balance package and/or 3 zone climate control.

Pressed once is first picture. Rock COMAND wheel to right once is second menu. I'm guessing this is similar to others. I have Air Balance.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...15c1efab74.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...67f8e40e0a.jpg

If you have the Air Balance System you should get a 2 line menu (Air Freshener and Ionization), and of course that somewhat ghostly illustration of the air flow. Once you have set your freshener and ionizing preferences, I can't imagine any reason to ever press that button again.