2017 iDrive screen very dim

bmwpwer · 12-14-2016, 07:29 PM

Has anyone noticed that the new version of iDrive in the 2017 BMW M3 is much dimmer than the previous version. I traded a 3 series and I find the 2017 M3 screen noticeably dimmer. I have owned many BMW and know how to make brightness adjustments, it is still much dimmer even at max brightness. My dealer service dept say it is operating to spec but even my salesman says it looks too dim.

Any ideas or thoughts?

jstnstr · 12-15-2016, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwpwer

Has anyone noticed that the new version of iDrive in the 2017 BMW M3 is much dimmer than the previous version. I traded a 3 series and I find the 2017 M3 screen noticeably dimmer. I have owned many BMW and know how to make brightness adjustments, it is still much dimmer even at max brightness. My dealer service dept say it is operating to spec but even my salesman says it looks too dim.

Any ideas or thoughts?

Try the dimmer for the gauges and multifunction display.

sandwi54 · 12-15-2016, 01:09 PM

+1 above. There's a dial on the left side of the instrument cluster that adjusts the whole dash's brightness including the iDrive screen's.

suprajjang · 12-15-2016, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandwi54

+1 above. There's a dial on the left side of the instrument cluster that adjusts the whole dash's brightness including the iDrive screen's.

I was really hoping this was my problem as I too think the iDrive is very dim and hard to see during the day. Unfortunately, my dial is set to max brightness.

sandwi54 · 12-15-2016, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suprajjang

I was really hoping this was my problem as I too think the iDrive is very dim and hard to see during the day. Unfortunately, my dial is set to max brightness.

In that case, you might want to compare your car to another F80. Mine is the same brightness as all of my previous F30s.

2kaccordocoupe · 12-15-2016, 08:43 PM

No issues on my display it's very bright and legible in all lighting conditions. I have never wished it was brighter.

bmwpwer · 12-15-2016, 09:54 PM

Thanks all. I have adjusted all I can. it appears to be linked to the new auto dim feature. Fine in bright sun, but dims too much in overcast.

reprod · 12-16-2016, 04:56 PM

I am experiencing the same on a 2016 M3 (May '16 build) vs my 2014 435i (Jan '14 build). The settings in iDrive for screen brightness are also different. This leads me to think that this is due to the software version currently applied to the unit itself.

One thing to note, the M3 looks more seamless at night. Meaning that i can not see the outline of the screen by the tachometer. The 435 shows the outline of the screen quite clearly at night due to the excessive brightness.

I've learned to live with the dimmer screen settings of the M3.

MFNATIK · 12-22-2016, 02:24 AM

I seriously thought I was the only one that noticed my 2017 is dimmer than my 2016. I guess it's normal...

kjb914 · 03-31-2017, 04:15 PM

Im glad to see that it's not just me.. I have a 2017 and the screen is so dark during the day. I had an x3 loaner today for my break-in period service and it was noticeably brighter. I asked one of the service reps but no one seemed to know anything.. Please keep this thread alive..

mic_crispy · 03-07-2018, 03:30 PM

Any updates on changing the auto brightness settings ? Mine will randomly be hard to read (low brightness and very bright conditions).

boss2k · 03-10-2018, 11:07 PM

There is a screen brightness setting in I drive setting, try that

12-14-2016, 07:29 PM	#1
bmwpwer Private First Class 54 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2022 M550 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Burlington , Ontario iTrader: (1)	2017 iDrive screen very dim Has anyone noticed that the new version of iDrive in the 2017 BMW M3 is much dimmer than the previous version. I traded a 3 series and I find the 2017 M3 screen noticeably dimmer. I have owned many BMW and know how to make brightness adjustments, it is still much dimmer even at max brightness. My dealer service dept say it is operating to spec but even my salesman says it looks too dim. Any ideas or thoughts?
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12-15-2016, 01:09 PM	#3
sandwi54 Major 538 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: G07, F90 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: California iTrader: (1)	+1 above. There's a dial on the left side of the instrument cluster that adjusts the whole dash's brightness including the iDrive screen's. __________________ 2022 X7 M50i Phytonic Blue 2019 M5 MBB (wife's DD)
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12-15-2016, 08:43 PM	#6
2kaccordocoupe Brigadier General 1270 Rep 4,703 Posts Drives: Former ///M Driver Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The 6ix iTrader: (2)	No issues on my display it's very bright and legible in all lighting conditions. I have never wished it was brighter.
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12-15-2016, 09:54 PM	#7
bmwpwer Private First Class 54 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2022 M550 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Burlington , Ontario iTrader: (1)	Thanks all. I have adjusted all I can. it appears to be linked to the new auto dim feature. Fine in bright sun, but dims too much in overcast.
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12-16-2016, 04:56 PM	#8
reprod Lieutenant Colonel 148 Rep 1,728 Posts Drives: '16 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (6)	I am experiencing the same on a 2016 M3 (May '16 build) vs my 2014 435i (Jan '14 build). The settings in iDrive for screen brightness are also different. This leads me to think that this is due to the software version currently applied to the unit itself. One thing to note, the M3 looks more seamless at night. Meaning that i can not see the outline of the screen by the tachometer. The 435 shows the outline of the screen quite clearly at night due to the excessive brightness. I've learned to live with the dimmer screen settings of the M3. __________________ '11 Space Grey E92 335xi M-Sport (KWv1 Coils \| Saddle Brown \| Bamboo) (Returned) '14 Mineral Grey F32 335i M-Sport (Dinan DHP \| LED Lights \| Coral Red \| Hexagonal Aluminum) (Returned) '16 Mineral Grey F80 M3 ZCP
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12-22-2016, 02:24 AM	#9
MFNATIK Blocked from G80/G82 for having an opinion 3498 Rep 3,729 Posts Drives: Trek Domane Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Mexicali iTrader: (1)	I seriously thought I was the only one that noticed my 2017 is dimmer than my 2016. I guess it's normal...
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03-31-2017, 04:15 PM	#10
kjb914 Private First Class 30 Rep 131 Posts Drives: Alpine White 2020 X3M Comp Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Im glad to see that it's not just me.. I have a 2017 and the screen is so dark during the day. I had an x3 loaner today for my break-in period service and it was noticeably brighter. I asked one of the service reps but no one seemed to know anything.. Please keep this thread alive..
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03-07-2018, 03:30 PM	#11
mic_crispy Lieutenant 225 Rep 489 Posts Drives: 2002 \| 964 \| x1 M35 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: DFW iTrader: (0)	Any updates on changing the auto brightness settings ? Mine will randomly be hard to read (low brightness and very bright conditions).
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03-10-2018, 11:07 PM	#12
boss2k Colonel 1078 Rep 2,789 Posts Drives: 2021 M2C Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (2)	There is a screen brightness setting in I drive setting, try that
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