Secret(?) menu options

[Dodo]

*Disengage lurking cloak*

Hi all,

First post, and it is LOOOOONG!

WARNING: This info has yet to be verified. You may damage you car by using this info. Use at your own risk, i.e. don't be a moron.

I found this on a German 1 Series forum and didn't know if it would work on US models, but thought it interesting enough to bring to everyones attention.

Apparently there is a way to access hidden menu options on the 1er which allows a number of additional/different displays on the multi-function display in the instrument cluster. I will translate the instructions from German as best I can, but please bear in mind that I am only an aspiring 1er owner and have no way to test this. Also, the instructions are a bit obtuse, so use at your own risk. YMMV.

Instructions for accessing the 'secret' menu options:

1. Hold down the 'day trip reset button' (I think??)
2. Insert key fob into slot (puts car in standby mode??)
3. Repeatedly press the reset button until you reach menu option 19 (Lock/Unlock)
4. Wait a moment for the option to be selected
5. Add the last 5 or 6 digits from you VIN (maybe chassis # ?)and enter that sum by repeatedly pressing the reset button (more on this later)
6. Additional options should be accessible until key fob is removed

A note about point #5: This caused confusion and was clarified later in the original thread, so I will give an example:
-The last five digits of the VIN are for example '63081' 6+3+0+8+1=18. -Therefore you will need to press the button 18 times in quick succession and then wait a moment for the value to be accepted.

Now if this works as described the following options will be available (Note: each option may have several sub-options):

1. VIN (?) or chassis number
2. Test 'combination display' (instrument panel or multi function disp? not sure)
3. Unused
4. Fuel usage, current (MPG ect.)
5. Fuel usage, average (range?)
6. Fuel level (left tank, right tank, total ect.)
7. Real time data (coolant temp, exterior temp, RPM, speed)
8. Speed data (actual speed, displayed speed, various avg speeds)
9. Current voltage
10. Distance/week (?? not sure on this one)
11. Units used in display (kilometers/miles, liters/gallons perhaps?)
12. Speed on arrival???? (don't ask, I have no idea)
13. test sounds for the 'comb. disp'(warning chimes ect)
14. Error code log
15. Ports ?
16. ? Unknown, though one of the entries apparently displays/ controls the value for the adaptive headlights
17. ? Unknown but may display heater info
18. Test warnings on 'comb. disp'
19. Lock on/off (as discussed above, this is where you get access to all these menus.)
20. Corrections?? (not sure)
21. Reset 'Combination Display'

That is it. If anyone wants to see the original thread here is the link:
http://www.1erforum.de/viewtopic.php...r=asc&start=15

As I said above I am only sharing in case anyone wants to try this. If it doesn't work, don't ask me what to do, I have no idea. As this is taken from the interwebs please apply the appropriate quantity of salt grains.

Cheers,

Dodo

*Engage lurking cloak*

[Duckw]

The German text in the original thread suggests one really useful possibility for the blank spot in the computer display: "actual speed" (reale Geschwindigkeit) as distinguished from "displayed speed" (angezeigte Geschwindigkeit). If you have tried to catch your speedometer in a lie either by re-starting the "average speed" display or by using the cruise control, you will notice that the reading just echoes the speedometer, including any built-in error. It's awkward to have to do the math from revs to corrected speed. A digital display of corrected speed, if that's what's meant by "reale Gescwhindigkeit," would be welcome, even as small as that display would be. On both my former Porsche 996 and our '05 MCS, the digital display is dead accurate, a little slower than the optimistic speedo. I miss that on the 1er. Here's hoping we can get some clarification and verification on this.

[spudw]

Or one could just drive it on a warm Saturday afternoon and not worry about 'current voltage' and 'error code log'... If you had told me the 'secret' menu options would lead to free and unlimited Swedish adult entertainment... well, that would be another story...

But I'm sure the DIY tuners may have some use for that information...

[Dodo]

I also thought having coolant temp in addition to the oil temp might be interesting.
For those planning to do aftermarket stereo equipment maybe voltage? :iono:
And depending on what type of error codes are stored maybe tuners might be interested, if they can find out what the codes stand for. I just thought it was an interesting idea to see the info BMW put in here but didn't make readily available.
Sorry if you didn't find it useful.

[JasonCSU]

It would be nice if it could also display the boost of the turbos. That would be useful.

[john970]

pic anyone?

[JasonCSU]

No one is probably willing to try it on their car yet. Maybe someone could attempt it on a dealer demo car?

[nordique14]

BMW has been doing this for years on their cars. My 18-button OBC on my E36 had this hidden feature. Very easy to “turn on” and there was no problem using it other than the complicated method of getting to it.

[IDBMW]

My 2004 Z4 has this function as well.

[SlickShift]

You can do something like this on all bimmers. You can do a needle sweep, check all the temps, ect. I tried it once and it's really cool; just a pain in the ass to access everything.

[aminidab]

I just tried this on my car, it does work. Most of the words in the menu are in German though, so it can be a bit hard to figure out what is what.
I only tried it with the engine off, so the real time wasn't very interesting but I'll check it out more tomorrow.

[AlexM105]

Yep, my E46 has this too...

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by aminidab

I just tried this on my car, it does work. Most of the words in the menu are in German though, so it can be a bit hard to figure out what is what.
I only tried it with the engine off, so the real time wasn't very interesting but I'll check it out more tomorrow.

:w00t: Let us know.

[Crowley]

My 04 Cobra had something like this .. not as involved though LOL ... could read out a lot of real time stats in the odometer display.

thanks,
Crowley

[j8smith]

I just tried this out today. the instrument test is cool, here is a link to a quick video

[Bringinthewolf]

Menu is easy to access once you get the hang of it.
Does anyone know if the current speed display can be held in the display along with avg speed, avg fuel economy, dist to empty etc.?

[BrownBoy]

Originally Posted by j8smith

I just tried this out today. the instrument test is cool, here is a link to a quick video

That's so trippy! It looks like you're doing a 6th gear pull...with a hell of a lot of torque!!! :thumbup:

[amsfoto]

I got the instrument test working as well, its really cool!

[CoolToolGuy]

So the 1er has Easter Eggs - :w00t:

Have Fun,
Rick

[amsfoto]

Here is my video and how to:

[JKAWB]

I did this and now my coupe is a damn convertible with 4 doors. Does anyone know how to change it back?

[mynew135]

Originally Posted by JKAWB

I did this and now my coupe is a damn convertible with 4 doors. Does anyone know how to change it back?