I know other editors have hated on the archaic navigation system of our 2002 BMW M3 in past blog posts. Sure, it's best if you have lots of time to scroll through the alphabet to spell out your destination on the nav before you have to get where you're going. (Never navigate while you're driving, at least in this car!) And the map of your route is so tiny that it's useless. And when you don't want to use the nav, the default screen is the menu screen, not the audio screen or even just the map. All annoying issues, especially when you've already had exposure to more modern navigation systems, both portable and in-car.
But what I did appreciate about navigating toward a destination in unfamiliar territory with our M3 is that the guide gives you ample time to make the required maneuvers. When I was stuck in the dreaded traffic hell that is 110 North near downtown L.A. on my way toward Eagle Rock, the guide gave me an ample heads-up to get many lanes over to my exit onto the 5 North. I also like how she always says things like, "Prepare to turn right" or "Take the second exit." She doesn't talk all the time like other nav systems I've tried but she does give you the required info when you need it. In other navs I've used, I'd miss a turn since I'd be stuck in the right lane at the time they instructed me to turn left. *facepalm*
Yes, living with this 2002 nav system is like living with a cassette tape deck but it's better than nothing at all and still functional. So the next owner of this 2002 M3 may have to deal with this old-fashioned nav but at least the M3's fun driving ability is still timeless.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 68,434 miles
redliner says:
01:09 PM, 03/ 2/09
Pixelated!
chavis10 says:
01:19 PM, 03/ 2/09
I wonder the resolution of that screen? 320x240?
dmirochnick says:
01:43 PM, 03/ 2/09
Funny thing, my 2002 M5 actually has a cassette deck behind the Nav system! I suspect your long term test model does as well, based on the buttons.
altimadude00 says:
02:34 PM, 03/ 2/09
A tape deck comes in handy when you don't have an Aux port in your car (Azera). So don't knock low-tech!
felonious says:
02:43 PM, 03/ 2/09
Altimadude00 beat me to it. Don't be dissing cassette decks! Cheapest iPod adapter on the market, and better than an FM transmitter. :)
adavis2493 says:
03:25 PM, 03/ 2/09
The same Navigation System still exists on the current X3, and Z4. My Dad has that one in his 2007 X3 (someone named her Mildred), and most of the time, she gives you too much time to make the turn. For instance, if you are on the highway 20 Ft from an exit, she will tell you to turn right, and get off. You think she is talking about the exit you just passed, rather then the next one she is talking about. She is very deceiving.
m_thrizzle says:
03:52 PM, 03/ 2/09
adavis, I have to laugh because the 2 times I've driven with my Polish friend in his Range Rover Sport, he hears a 'turn right...' direction and will immediately slam on the brakes and turn onto the next street, even though the actual street was another block or 2 down the road. And other times, he doesn't listen to the directions and just drives by a turn. This guy also was complaining about how the nav system kept giving really funky directions, which I fixed by going into the settings and selecting "use freeways".
Even though he's a smart guy, in these situations I definitely think of the Polish stereotypes :)
altimadude00 says:
04:15 PM, 03/ 2/09
I defeat those Polish stereotypes by not using a navigation system at all.
roadburner says:
04:39 PM, 03/ 2/09
"Funny thing, my 2002 M5 actually has a cassette deck behind the Nav system! I suspect your long term test model does as well, based on the buttons."
My 2001 X5 4.6is loaner also had a hidden cassette deck. It was a fun parlor trick.
kissel1 says:
04:45 AM, 03/ 3/09
Hi Caroline!
That looks like a pretty old-fashioned nav system.
I was wondering if you could tell us something about it?
Thanks in advance!
blueguydotcom says:
09:14 AM, 03/ 3/09
I've got a 2007 3 series with navi. It's just as archaic. Actually, it's pretty much worthless. Why anyone would pay for this navi is beyond me. Junk. Pure junk. My cell phone is better for finding locations on google maps.
kjmiller1 says:
12:38 PM, 03/ 3/09
"And the map of your route is so tiny that it's useless"
You can zoom in and you can make the map fill the entire screen, not just the left side.
autoboy16 says:
01:33 PM, 03/ 3/09
I plan on installing an enfigcarstereo.com aux jack on our expedition and my next car that most likely will not have an Aux Jack from the factory.