Most surprising feature you discovered without reading manual?

former · 01-20-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heybuddyjb

how do you make the mirror open and close automatically?

You can't make them close automatically - at least not that I'm aware. But if you start driving when they are closed, at about 25 mph they open. It surprised me the first time it happened too - but in a good way. :w00t:

MatthewDFW · 01-20-2009, 05:36 PM

Glow in the dark emergency trunk release (apparently intended either for Mafia hits who are stuffed in the trunk but are still breathing... or for doofuses who manage to lock themselves in the trunk and aren't thinking clearly enough to reach behind themselves and drop the back seats).

MOCKBA · 01-20-2009, 06:27 PM

Perhaps power folding mirrors are a part of premium package. I didn't have such feature in Z4. Thanks for clarification about speed when mirrors unfold. After being surprised first time I decided to catch a moment when they unfold. It didn’t happen at 15mph, and when I increased speed my attention was switched more on driving and when I looked at mirrors again, they were in normal position.

and 1 · 01-20-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emm3tt

Something like that is on the diesel cars.

yeah bud that has to do with why 18-wheelers sound so loud when they're downshifting....i forget exactly why tho

and 1 · 01-20-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by former

You can't make them close automatically - at least not that I'm aware. But if you start driving when they are closed, at about 25 mph they open. It surprised me the first time it happened too - but in a good way. :w00t:

holy crap, for serious? damn i wish my car wasn't away for the winter cuz i really wanna try this out n see for myself

ad78 · 01-20-2009, 08:43 PM

if headlight is activated, even without turning the wheel flashing the turn signal either left or right will lit the corner-illuminating lamp

Kokanator135 · 01-20-2009, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ad78

if headlight is activated, even without turning the wheel flashing the turn signal either left or right will lit the corner-illuminating lamp

That "feature" actually bugs me. I see no real advantage in it. :iono:

MOCKBA · 01-20-2009, 10:41 PM

Where is corner illuminating lamp? I haven't notice the feature.

jps · 01-20-2009, 10:57 PM

On a cold, snowy, overcast day, my automatic lights hadn't turned on yet and I wanted to have the taillights on too (only the fronts are on for day-time runners). I turned the headlight switch over to force them on and of course forgot to turn them off. About 3 days later I noticed I still had the switch in the full-time on position! It must be idiot proof because the lights shut off every time I turned the car off! Thank you BMW.

The rest of the neat things I discovered came from the manual. I new I had to read it to find out all the goodies because I came from a 13 year old rusted-out sunfire with no options. Basically nothing worked anymore. I was happy (believe it or not) to be able to tell the time without looking at my watch!

M3_Dust · 01-20-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

Where is corner illuminating lamp? I haven't notice the feature.

the headlamp switch has to be in the auto position (to the left), the inner headlamps illuminate when you turn the steering wheel in either direction

boxerdog · 01-20-2009, 11:22 PM

About the mirrors... The first time I drove it at night I was wondering why everyone behind me had blue or Xenon lights ??????

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monaco35Dream

locking the doors with the key in the key fob closes the windows and sunroof if you hold it...not that i use the key, just thought it was cool...oh and i didnt know i had auto dimming mirrors until it happened

ad78 · 01-20-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kokanator135

That "feature" actually bugs me. I see no real advantage in it. :iono:

Our car "anticipates" before you make an action.

boxerdog · 01-20-2009, 11:29 PM

I drove half way to work the other day with the mirrors folded. I do not know if I went over 25mph before iIsaw it and push the button. I will try again. I do have the premium pkg. Maybe there is a special setting?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bahraini135

how do u do that?:iono:

Tj303 · 01-21-2009, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigmicj

The auto downshift when using the Steptronic in manual mode. I was actually pleased to discover this feature when I had to quickly brake during my first drive of the car.

don't all "steptronic" or "tiptronic" cars have this feature? It's not possible to stall a steptronic car...

Also, if you redline for too long in "steptronic" mode, the car will also upchange for you. Quite standard behaviour.

EspressoBoy · 01-21-2009, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squeak

whats hill asist?

It's very cool if you have been driving a manual transmission before the 1. Basically it is an automatic brake the car puts when you stop on even a small incline of a hill; the car will not roll back.

Example...
You are driving along, and end up on a hill. You proceed up the hill but before you can get to the very top, the light changes ahead and now you are stuck on this steep hill. You were listening to the tunes and forgot to give yourself a few car lengths and the car behind pulls right up to you, giving you like inches.

Damn it all! $%#%%* $$%#%#% #^&^^ Now what?

Well for a new driver in a manual transmission this is what gives you nightmares!

Not a problem for us number 1ers! The car puts the brake on for you while you are trying to shift into first gear. I can't remember how long it is (4 seconds???), but once the car moves forward, the brake is gently removed.

So nice...
So smooth...
It's a very nice feeling of "control". The car is assisting you and hence the name. It can also a real pain for driving another manual transmission car for the experienced drivers, as every car has that sweet spot that the clutch is coming out and the gas is in to make the car move smoothly. This feature has been talked about before on the site.
I guess it squeaked by you....
Funny not much does...

EspressoBoy

atr_hugo · 01-21-2009, 07:19 AM

'HIll Holders' have been around for ages, Subaru has that feature and Studebaker used to have one available on their cars. (How's that for dating myself. ; -)

EspressoBoy · 01-21-2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

'HIll Holders' have been around for ages, Subaru has that feature and Studebaker used to have one available on their cars. (How's that for dating myself. ; -)

Yup I know as I said this has been talked about a lot before...

Still very cool...

Too bad we don't have the "trunk monkey" feature the Subaru has! I would love to have a matching switch for assist on the passenger side, with the exact same plastic cover too! If we can't have a Subaru trunk monkey...how about a trunk 1addict? Ok ok I know..don't go there... I could joke some more but... what happens in some of these threads.. stays in these threads...

While in Monaco I visited Prince Rainier III car collection. I took lots of pics too. Too bad he didn't let us take them out for a spin. If you want to see the cars, lots of pictures have been taken over the years and you can find them using image google search.

Guildenstern · 01-21-2009, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by and 1

yeah bud that has to do with why 18-wheelers sound so loud when they're downshifting....i forget exactly why tho

The Jake brake goes farther than just shutting off fuel as I understand it. I think it also opens one of the valves the whole time or something. That's why it's crazy loud.

The 1er does shut down the injectors but it doesn't drive on the alternator, it just cranks the alternator up so it charges more and thus causes more drag on the engine. Since it's still belt driven it can't be real efficient. But it does turn some of your kinetic energy into battery power. It also shuts down when you are WOT if the battery has enough charge. That way it minimizes resistance when you need the engine power most.

At least that's how they were selling it back before the Coupe came out. Not sure how much got all the way across the atlantic to us in the US.

atr_hugo · 01-21-2009, 08:41 AM

Here's Jacobs Vehicle Systems explanation of how their 'Jake Brake' works: http://www.jakebrake.com/products/ho...rake-works.php

BMW_x5_Msport · 01-21-2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monaco35Dream

yeah the metal key...only Comfort Access guys can close it remotely...

how do you close remotely?

arok · 01-21-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

'HIll Holders' have been around for ages, Subaru has that feature and Studebaker used to have one available on their cars. (How's that for dating myself. ; -)

original 'hill holders' were called ebrakes

amybang · 01-21-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

'HIll Holders' have been around for ages, Subaru has that feature and Studebaker used to have one available on their cars. (How's that for dating myself. ; -)

Well, I was going to say the same thing about Subarus. My first car ages ago was one. It's where I learned to drive manual. Made that much easier.

amy!

01-20-2009, 05:36 PM	#24
MatthewDFW Senior Member 14 Rep 244 Posts Drives: '08 135i, '02 X5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	Glow in the dark emergency trunk release (apparently intended either for Mafia hits who are stuffed in the trunk but are still breathing... or for doofuses who manage to lock themselves in the trunk and aren't thinking clearly enough to reach behind themselves and drop the back seats). __________________ MatthewDFW BMWCCA 411059 2008 135i =============== Our wee twin turbos may be smallish, but they doth mashie yon backside deeply seatwise. ===============
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01-20-2009, 06:27 PM	#25
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	Perhaps power folding mirrors are a part of premium package. I didn't have such feature in Z4. Thanks for clarification about speed when mirrors unfold. After being surprised first time I decided to catch a moment when they unfold. It didn’t happen at 15mph, and when I increased speed my attention was switched more on driving and when I looked at mirrors again, they were in normal position. __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
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01-20-2009, 08:43 PM	#28
ad78 Yr1OfD1 108 Rep 900 Posts Drives: 2015 F34 M Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (1)	if headlight is activated, even without turning the wheel flashing the turn signal either left or right will lit the corner-illuminating lamp
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01-20-2009, 10:41 PM	#30
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	Where is corner illuminating lamp? I haven't notice the feature. __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
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01-20-2009, 10:57 PM	#31
jps Private 5 Rep 78 Posts Drives: JB 128i Coupe Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	On a cold, snowy, overcast day, my automatic lights hadn't turned on yet and I wanted to have the taillights on too (only the fronts are on for day-time runners). I turned the headlight switch over to force them on and of course forgot to turn them off. About 3 days later I noticed I still had the switch in the full-time on position! It must be idiot proof because the lights shut off every time I turned the car off! Thank you BMW. The rest of the neat things I discovered came from the manual. I new I had to read it to find out all the goodies because I came from a 13 year old rusted-out sunfire with no options. Basically nothing worked anymore. I was happy (believe it or not) to be able to tell the time without looking at my watch!
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01-21-2009, 07:19 AM	#38
atr_hugo No longer moderate 325 Rep 4,401 Posts Drives: '13 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: - iTrader: (0)	'HIll Holders' have been around for ages, Subaru has that feature and Studebaker used to have one available on their cars. (How's that for dating myself. ; -)
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01-21-2009, 08:41 AM	#41
atr_hugo No longer moderate 325 Rep 4,401 Posts Drives: '13 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: - iTrader: (0)	Here's Jacobs Vehicle Systems explanation of how their 'Jake Brake' works: http://www.jakebrake.com/products/ho...rake-works.php
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