Thanks for sharing the experience on iDrive and I totally agree. However, compare with my 1st and 2nd gen idrive experience, I much prefer Merc's Command system. Although the 3rd gen idrive may out performance command but I haven't used it. For the Merc's Command system, and compare with the touch pad on lexus when I used during the test drive. I find the same thing is that German's system is easy to use when you are driving, especially the command system, push the knob upward give you the main menu to choose and most of function can done with the turn the knob. compare with the idrive, the click fell on command make me feel easier to operate it.
For the Lexus, I'd rather use steering wheel remote buttons to control the music, and trip computer, and it actually easier than the idrive, but i still prefer command's way, maybe just because i am more familiar with it. But for Lexus, while cars are moving, the small screen is much helpful than the large one.
So, that's my experience so far. do you think is that because I haven't get used to the system in the short time, or that's really about this system?
The other thing I find Japanese car maker one step behind the German is multi language support. As a Japanese car, it suppose support Japanese file name as I listen lots of J pop music, however, What I have found is, all German car make's system can display Japanese Hiragana and Katakana Chinese Kanji Characters, but Lexus can't, and I know Toyota and Honda can't. And even aftermarket player like alpine doesn't support Japanese. So, the German car support a language that not broadly use here and their original place, but Japanese car maker just simply doesn't support their own language, really shame on them. They just cant react quick enough for the globalization like their smart phone industry!