Info for first time owners

[MZWIE]

Guys. I was thinking that ir may be helpfull to fisrt time owners if we posted some of the things to expect with BMW's. Those quirks, idyosincracies etc that we have come to know over the years.

This may then help them if they encounter something different or peculiar about their new car but just happens to be what I call a Bimmerism.

With that said I will start with my contribution:

• When the temperature reads 37°F the system will sound a warning beep. This is to let drivers know that road conditions may be deteriorating due to bad weather. This is one of the number one items asked on Bimmer boards by new owners.

• Not sure if this will happen for 1's but typically one could reset the service interval and oil interval counts with a combination of pressing the odo button and turning the key. I can't remember exactly how in my E46 but I printed it and stuck in the leather pouch. Of course 1's dont really have a key start so we'll wait and see. I hope there is a way.

• When looking for a source of 12VDC power (switched or not) for things like radar detectors look in the fuse box that's inside the car (on recent models this is typically located above the panel over the glove box). Using just a common quarter inch spade lug you can simply slide it on in one of the unused spots. BTW, there always seems to be a couple of unsused spots in every BMW I have owned in recent memory.

• On current and previous coupes the windows will lower about a half inch automatically when opening the door. They then rise automatically when closing the door. This was done to ensure a good seal when the windows are up.

[young1er]

good idea!

[WolfsburgerMitFries]

Expect jealous sorry asses to either spit on or throw garbage on your car when you're at the mall, or after you see a movie with your date. So keep spare disposable towels and some sort of cleaner/water with you in the trunk to wash off the mess.

"Can't have nothin' nice for other people" - local proverb.

[dclee1]

^^ Seriously? At what frequency does stuff like this happen?

[larryn]

I've only had it happen 3 times over 22 years of BMW ownership, but it does happen.

Some people have had their cars keyed for no reason, but my worst was somebody emptied their car's ashtray in the windshield gutter of my car, at the train station parking lot.

You will also sometimes get messed with on the road for no reason at all... that happens more frequently though.

Good idea for a thread, btw.

[WolfsburgerMitFries]

Originally Posted by dclee1

^^ Seriously? At what frequency does stuff like this happen?

For me, I'd say about every 18 months.

[BMW Dreamer]

NOT just Bimmers. When my 2007 Acura TL Type S was 2 months old somebody keyed the passenger side. $1100 out of MY pocket.

If I only CAUGTH them.

[MZWIE]

With all due respect guys, let's try and keep this to items that the new owners can use.

We know that many people believe that no one should own a vehicle like a BMW and they lash out by destroying property.

Thanks.

PS. If we get enough answers perhaps we can make an FAQ...:smile:

[peppebmw]

Anyway to get rid of the annoying seat belt chime? I did it in my A4 with a free Ross Tech download (not the whole program) and a cord I bought on ebay. My brothers 535i seat belt chime is obnoxious! I do wear my seat belt all the time but it can get annoying when I am parked and not wearing it.

[randomquickness]

on my e34 I could roll the windows up with my key...is there anything comparable on the 1er?

[jraymond]

I personally cannot stand that 37 degree warning - so annoying. I know it's cold out! And I always look at the Temp.

[BMWnoob]

Originally Posted by peppebmw

Anyway to get rid of the annoying seat belt chime? I did it in my A4 with a free Ross Tech download (not the whole program) and a cord I bought on ebay. My brothers 535i seat belt chime is obnoxious! I do wear my seat belt all the time but it can get annoying when I am parked and not wearing it.

Is there anything similar to the VW-Audi VAG-COM system for BMWs? I would assume their is, but alas I am a noob.

[larryn]

- Rain sensing wipers sensitivity level is controlled by the intermittant wiper control.
- If you put a bag with a laptop (or heavy-ish weight) on teh passenger seat, you'll see the airbag deactivated light blink on and off randomly while driving, and going over bumps. This is normal.
- If you have iDrive, holding the knob for more than one second to any of the 4 positions, will get you to the root of that submenu. It's great for going between NAV and Phone and Music.
-Having the front tires with a couple pounds more psi will get rid of a lot of any understeer you may find.

[damian]

I don't think the vandalism is unique to bimmers. I've had stuff happen twice to my subarus, presumably for no other reason than they are japanese cars.

[NOLEimit]

Originally Posted by larryn

- Rain sensing wipers sensitivity level is controlled by the intermittant wiper control.
- If you put a bag with a laptop (or heavy-ish weight) on teh passenger seat, you'll see the airbag deactivated light blink on and off randomly while driving, and going over bumps. This is normal.
- If you have iDrive, holding the knob for more than one second to any of the 4 positions, will get you to the root of that submenu. It's great for going between NAV and Phone and Music.
-Having the front tires with a couple pounds more psi will get rid of a lot of any understeer you may find.

Isn't your air pressure statement backwards? Wouldnt that cause more understeer as the front tires would lose grip even quicker than the rear. I would think you would want higher rear pressures to help dial out the understeer.

[atr_hugo]

^ Nope - higher pressure (to a point) for more grip. Unless you're running one of those odd asymetrical sidewall BF Goodrich tires found in the back of some tire warehouse. But let's not bring that up . . . ; -)

[larryn]

+1 on Hugo... At autocross, you usually add a couple psi in front for bimmers with staggered setups... It does a great job neutralizing things.

[JSierra]

Nobody better mess with my 1 series......

[Yearofthe1]

[bimmerfile]

Heads up to BMW noobies:
Be very careful on roads where small stones could be thrown up by trucks or SUVs. I have discovered that BMW windshields are apparently made of the highest quality crystal because of their tendency to chip or crack far more quickly than any other car brand I've owned...
If you see a dump truck, stay at least 1/2 mile back or pass it as quickly as possible while murmuring (or whimpering) a quiet prayer...:eyebulge:

[taylor82]

Originally Posted by carnut

Heads up to BMW noobies:
Be very careful on roads where small stones could be thrown up by trucks or SUVs. I have discovered that BMW windshields are apparently made of the highest quality crystal because of their tendency to chip or crack far more quickly than any other car brand I've owned...
If you see a dump truck, stay at least 1/2 mile back or pass it as quickly as possible while murmuring (or whimpering) a quiet prayer...:eyebulge:

i guess i'm not the only one to do this then!

[larryn]

I just got a dimple in my windshield over the weekend with no traffic on the road.. right in front of my face. Bad place for it. I wonder if it was a kid with a BB gun or something... I just heard a loud click/snap noise, and saw the chip.