This is the sort of thing that BMW is not great about... user interaction. Mercedes system is much more user friendly... the screen stays in the same mode as last used, or you can access the map by pushing just one button, etc. Their phone and emergency system is much better as well. Having said that, I'll get an X5 over the MB because of its looks/performance... but if I was buying a car, not SUV... it would be MB over BMW anyday!