[ElectroGeek]

I figured I would create a post to see what fuctions and features BMW should add to iDrive 7.

I would like to see more Voice integration. Why can I not Say BMW open sun roof, open windows, unlock doors, "open Garage 1,2, or 3", or emergency stop ?

I would also like it if BMW allowed for a seat position setting when in Sport Plus vs Comfort. I prefer a completely different seat position when in Sport vs Comfort.

Considering every module in the car is interconnected there should be allot more functionality.

It would also be nice to be able to open windows from the App, and open a garage from the app.

[LexxM3]

Testing, regression testing, and reliability. Then user-centric UX design processes (vs pedantic engineer-focused; you know, the "if it was hard to build, it should be hard to use" attitude). Then we can start talking about functionality.

[micmitch]

The ability for the car to connect to home WiFi so that it can download and install updates overnight.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by micmitch

The ability for the car to connect to home WiFi so that it can download and install updates overnight.

Overnight might be too ambitious to start. How about over, say, a couple of years? Starting now. ;-)

[micmitch]

LexxM3 HAHAHAH!

[Paladin1]

How 'bout OTA updates?

[X6M50i]

Two necessary and must have (nothing above and beyond) features:

- Heated steering wheel icon in the cluster or for future models to include a led on the button itself. Not sure how the designers thought a message showing up for 3 seconds was the right approach;

- Turn on the light carpet and handle lights when in R at night (especially useful on rainy days and in very dark areas. Will save the rims), like how Benz would turn on the puddle lamps and handle lights when in R. Took a while for BMW to finally add auto fold mirrors when locked, not sure how they only "copied" part of the features!

And bring back how the turn indicator stalk and wiper stalk functioned from last gen. The CORRECT and most logical way!

[x5TXguyG05]

1. Add more gesture controls, we have five fingers in our right hand, so let us program more gestures.

2. Alexa app integration.... that works well

[Skeewiff03]

Originally Posted by X6M50i

Two necessary and must have (nothing above and beyond) features:

- Heated steering wheel icon in the cluster or for future models to include a led on the button itself. Not sure how the designers thought a message showing up for 3 seconds was the right approach;

- Turn on the light carpet and handle lights when in R at night (especially useful on rainy days and in very dark areas. Will save the rims), like how Benz would turn on the puddle lamps and handle lights when in R. Took a while for BMW to finally add auto fold mirrors when locked, not sure how they only "copied" part of the features!

And bring back how the turn indicator stalk and wiper stalk functioned from last gen. The CORRECT and most logical way!

I took me a whole day to understand what you were referring to with the indicator stalk. For some reason, I did not realize it had changed and thought it was the norm; I had to pop into my older car to see the difference and now I am puzzled as to which one I prefer.

[ifr]

They should allow the ability to set the heated steering wheel and all 4/6 heated/cooled seats to come on individually and automatically based on the outside temperature.

This can be coded, but I can see no reason why it shouldn't be allowed via the stock interface.

Kids love having their own level of seat heat come on automatically.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by ifr

They should allow the ability to set the heated steering wheel and all 4/6 heated/cooled seats to come on individually and automatically based on the outside temperature.

This can be coded, but I can see no reason why it shouldn't be allowed via the stock interface.

Kids love having their own level of seat heat come on automatically.

I think it should be based in internal, not external temperature. HVAC already has inside temp sensors, obviously, and what does it matter what temp it is outside if inside is already warm (due to a previous recent trip, for example).

I've found the current outside temperature-based approach more irritating than its worth, needing to manually turn off the automatic seat/steering heating more often than appreciating that it came on automatically.

[ifr]

There's something I really like about having the heated seats/wheel on when its really cold outside. I never turn the wheel heat/seat off, even when the internal temp is 21 Celsius. Love defrosting my frozen hands on the hot wheel.

Funny thing is, in warmer months I don't use the wheel/seat heating hardly ever, even when the internal temp is the same 21 degrees.

Maybe our own internal thermostat plays a factor too.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by ifr

There's something I really like about having the heated seats/wheel on when its really cold outside. I never turn the wheel heat/seat off, even when the internal temp is 21 Celsius. Love defrosting my frozen hands on the hot wheel.

Funny thing is, in warmer months I don't use the wheel/seat heating hardly ever, even when the internal temp is the same 21 degrees.

Maybe our own internal thermostat plays a factor too.

I can see it both ways, so in reality it should be an option. If you regularly find yourself needing to warm up from being cold outside, then configure to be based on outside temp. If you wear gloves when outside, configure for based on inside temp. I get your use case and expected outside temp to be fine, but within 1-2 days knew I wanted inside temp instead for my daily use.

[mbhammer]

Until BMW can get everything that's already in this vehicle functioning correctly, they should not add ANYTHING more.

[X6M50i]

Two stage heated steering wheel. It can get awfully hot with the one level and left on for over 10 mins or so. Lexus does this right, with their Climate Concierge feature, always monitor your body temperature against the set temperature and automatically adjust all climate functions.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by X6M50i

Two stage heated steering wheel. It can get awfully hot with the one level and left on for over 10 mins or so. Lexus does this right, with their Climate Concierge feature, always monitor your body temperature against the set temperature and automatically adjust all climate functions.

Monitors your *body* temperature? Are there any rectal thermometers involved, or just under tongue (never to be confused)?

[X6M50i]

Originally Posted by LexxM3

Monitors your *body* temperature? Are there any rectal thermometers involved, or just under tongue (never to be confused)?

Do you have a preferred method tho, knowing you wouldn't get confused

Infrared sensor in the ceiling, seat temperature sensors, radiant energy sensors, cabin temperature and humility sensors, smoke sensor, ambient temperature sensor, exhaust gas sensor. Together they can active the AC automatically, you can also fine tune the temperature to your liking, once set, seat heating, cooling and steering wheel heating will be monitored and individually controlled for all four passengers, so that you won't have overly hot seats and steering wheel. Say you've been driving and the temp inside the cabin is perfect for you, now you have to pick someone up, in the cold or heat, once get in, the infrared sensor will monitor each person and make appropriate adjustment. The feature was first introduced in the XF40 gen 4 LS.

[X6M50i]

Originally Posted by Skeewiff03

I took me a whole day to understand what you were referring to with the indicator stalk. For some reason, I did not realize it had changed and thought it was the norm; I had to pop into my older car to see the difference and now I am puzzled as to which one I prefer.

Haha of course the "older" way, really was the new way till it got turned into the old way

It was the first thing I noticed when I got in the new 7, really pissed me off! I'm still not over it, and I hope they'll bring it back in the near future!

Sorry to have confused you!

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by X6M50i

Do you have a preferred method tho, knowing you wouldn't get confused

Infrared sensor in the ceiling, seat temperature sensors, radiant energy sensors, cabin temperature and humility sensors, smoke sensor, ambient temperature sensor, exhaust gas sensor. Together they can active the AC automatically, you can also fine tune the temperature to your liking, once set, seat heating, cooling and steering wheel heating will be monitored and individually controlled for all four passengers, so that you won't have overly hot seats and steering wheel. Say you've been driving and the temp inside the cabin is perfect for you, now you have to pick someone up, in the cold or heat, once get in, the infrared sensor will monitor each person and make appropriate adjustment. The feature was first introduced in the XF40 gen 4 LS.

That's pretty cool (no pun intended), actually! Definitely better than a rectal thermometer, at least 😝

[X6M50i]

Originally Posted by LexxM3

That's pretty cool (no pun intended), actually! Definitely better than a rectal thermometer, at least 😝

Yeah, Lexus knows how to pamper their customers, including their amazing customer service at the service department!

I knew you were being cheeky haha