What are some cool hidden functions of your BMW?

[mryakan]

The dome protruding from the lower grill is a conversation starter and it looks cool!

Sorry, I meant to say Dynamic Cruise Control (which is what I have, standard), but yeah, ACC is cool too .

[smith46]

In my 2012 E93, the dynamic cruise control has a nice feature to go up or down to the next multiple of 5 if I push/pull the control stalk past the resistance point. I.e. if I'm doing 62 and push he stalk away hard, it will jump to 65 instead of adjusting one mph at a time. Push hard again and I'm at 70. If I see a cop, just pull hard a coupla two, three (or more) times and I'm legal...

[PeterC4]

If you do not have comfort access, you can start the car without the FOB in the key slot if....you start the car with key in the slot. Stop it, take the key out, then restart. The car will start.

[Ferruccio]

The rear foglight is a European standard option (I believe they use one of the secondary brake lights, usually usually on the passing side, but not sure if they use both in some countries). I think the poster was referring to the fact that the option is not completely disabled in North American cars, they are just missing the button that sits below the one for the front fog light I believe. Enabling it is not supposed to be too complicated I presume, but not sure if their use is legal in North America. They are very very bright, and can be confused for braking lights, not to mention blinding in clear conditions where people tend to misuse them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automot...Rear_fog_lamps

They are legal in the USA, at least. The Porsche 996 has rear fog lights (just pull out the switch once for front fog lights, pull out even more for both front and rear).

[blafusel]

I just got my '11 335d last week. While playing with the radio station buttons it turns out they are contact sensitive as well! Just touch one (not pressing down) and it should show information what program is saved on that button.

[Andy328is]

I was happy with myself for being able to set the turn signal to light 3x with one touch, and tell the car to reset the seat and mirrors to my setting when I unlock the doors with my remote!

[TATE]

I didn't realize there was supposed to be a rechargable flashlight in the glove compartment until several years after I owned the car. The dealer never installed it.

[Andy328is]

I didn't realize there was supposed to be a rechargable flashlight in the glove compartment until several years after I owned the car. The dealer never installed it.

What rechargeable flashlight??

[pwebber37]

What rechargeable flashlight??

inside the glove compartment on the left side there should be a flash light.

[Andy328is]

Nope, just a holder for a flashlight. Are the flashlights available to buy?

[Car54]

My '06 325 had it as well as older 3 series, but my '08 M3 does not have it. Too bad because I have the 12v adapter instead of the flashlight that I tried to install.

[froggy47]

My 95m has one.

[SureShot434]

How do I get my mirrors to fold when I lock my car, and unfold when I unlock it?

[pwebber37]

Nope, just a holder for a flashlight. Are the flashlights available to buy?

yeah:

1 Chargeable hand lamp 1 09/2007 63316962052 $35.71

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...11&hg=63&fg=30

[mryakan]

The flashlight was discontinued on LCI cars.

[dillon335xi]

air conditioned cup holder in the center console

I want to hear more about this center console cup holder? My 2009 335xi certainly doesn't have one. The only thing I don't like about my BMW is the absolutely useless cup holders. My beverage of choice inevitable spills at every bump in the road - and DC-area roads are horrible.

As for reading the manual when you buy a car - where is the fun in that? I perused the manual when I bought my 2009 (used) but it took me months before I figured out some of the knobs - especially on the climate controls. I still don't know how to use the downhill assist.

[Stratman335]

Flashing the high beams after ignition is turned off will leave the headlamps on for a preset amount of time for security while parking the vehicle

I also was able to keep my turn signals lit somehow without flashing.
I'll try and see how I did that and post if anyone is interested lol

[mryakan]

Flashing the high beams after ignition is turned off will leave the headlamps on for a preset amount of time for security while parking the vehicle
I also was able to keep my turn signals lit somehow without flashing.
I'll try and see how I did that and post if anyone is interested lol

That's the Euro parking light option, activated by holding the turn signal in the desired direction after shutting off the car I believe.
Did you know you could change the preset time for the headlights staying on via the stalk or iDrive.

[mryakan]

I want to hear more about this center console cup holder? My 2009 335xi certainly doesn't have one. The only thing I don't like about my BMW is the absolutely useless cup holders. My beverage of choice inevitable spills at every bump in the road - and DC-area roads are horrible.

As for reading the manual when you buy a car - where is the fun in that? I perused the manual when I bought my 2009 (used) but it took me months before I figured out some of the knobs - especially on the climate controls. I still don't know how to use the downhill assist.

Discontinued on LCI models, 09 onwards. Not a decent cup holder either, and required the center console lid to be open to fit anything bigger than an ice cream sandwich.

[pwebber37]

If you do not have comfort access, you can start the car without the FOB in the key slot if....you start the car with key in the slot. Stop it, take the key out, then restart. The car will start.

Does this really work? I tried it and couldn't get it to work...

[Andy328is]

yeah:

1 Chargeable hand lamp 1 09/2007 63316962052 $35.71

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...11&hg=63&fg=30

Must have been discontinued on my E92, because I have some kind of round receptor on the left side of my glove box. Not sure what it would hold - a pen maybe?

[pwebber37]

Does this really work? I tried it and couldn't get it to work...

Nevermind it does work...

Must have been discontinued on my E92, because I have some kind of round receptor on the left side of my glove box. Not sure what it would hold - a pen maybe?

Mryakan said it was discontinued. I find it usefull. It sucks the newer ones dont have it.

[ElRedOne]

I still don't know how to use the downhill assist.

The "Duck Button" will allow the car to descend a hill at < 5 MPH w/o driver intervention. If you speed up, it will disengage. Must be at a stop or moving very slowly for it to engage. Helpful descending slippery slopes, but not the figurative kind.

[mryakan]

The "Duck Button" will allow the car to descend a hill at < 5 MPH w/o driver intervention. If you speed up, it will disengage. Must be at a stop or moving very slowly for it to engage. Helpful descending slippery slopes, but not the figurative kind.

It always confounded me why you needed that on a car. I can understand having it on an SUV (e.g. with tow) or on an offroader, but on a sedan/coupe ! Does anyone really use it for anything practical on the e9x? My last poll on this yielded no responses on this matter!

[Andy328is]

It always confounded me why you needed that on a car. I can understand having it on an SUV (e.g. with tow) or on an offroader, but on a sedan/coupe ! Does anyone really use it for anything practical on the e9x? My last poll on this yielded no responses on this matter!

I agree, how hard is it to descend using your brakes??