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It was only a matter of time before the new iDrive 8 curved display for the BMW iX and i4 would find its way into other BMW vehicles. Although iDrive 8 is slightly more advanced than iDrive 7, it is still BMW’s latest technology and will eventually replace all iDrive 7 units in existing vehicles. The BMW M3 and M4 models in the 3 and 4 Series will be the first to get it.
It’s expected that the BMW M3 and M4 will feature the same curved display as the BMW i4 when they get their mid-cycle LCI facelift. The M3 and M4 will likely get a new digital instrument panel, like the i4. Unlike the i4, however, we do not know if both M models will feature M-style graphics.
Since BMW has been working this way for more than a decade, this should come as no surprise. New features are added to each facelift model as it comes to market. However, the curved display is different from the flat panel of the previous iDrive 7. With that, there’s a little more hardware modification than usual is required this time.
But unlike previous iDrive systems, the iDrive 8 has a steep learning curve. The fact that it looks more like the app library of an Android device might frustrate consumers. The physical climate controls have been moved to the iDrive 8. But they are still more difficult to operate than with the normal physical buttons. This will annoy many customers.
