What's the glare like in the sun? I'm seriously considering one (e46), I'm just concerned the interface will be to 'klunky' and not OEM enough.
In direct sunlight there is glare on the screen but it reduces your view rather than removes it. You can still see the screen. I might look into an antiglare coating or something.
As for the interface, for the simple swapping between Radio, Nav and iPod mode, the interface is absolutely fine. You only really need to use the interface when delving deeper which you dont need to often. But even when you do the menu system is visually attractive, you can see a picture of it in my first post. Where the interface lets itself down is in the settings menu where it looks less professional. But once it's set up how often do you go in there?
I always run in Nav mode so I see the interface as much as I did when I had iDrive, ie not much.
And remember, its a replacement/alternative for the E46/E39 OEM system. The interface on that wasn't going to win any design awards for asthetics and ease of use, it was a series of text based menus controlled entirely by fiddling with the knobs on the side!
It doesnt look as slick or nice as the latest generation of iDrive thats for sure. But then good luck getting that into an E39/E46
Best thing to do is to have a go with one before you decide - or order one and send it back if its crap (You can get it powered up and working in a few minutes before you do the install, its a simple case of plugging the quadrablock int be back).
I guess part of the reason I am so happy with it is my expectations were about as low as you can get. I bought it expecting to send it back.