Fun discoveries?

[Finneganistan]

This may have already been done, 10 years ago now, but I'm new to the 135 world and the search function did me no favors. So!

What strange, odd, or unexpected function or option have you discovered with your 135?

[GoRomeo]

Nothing strange. Pure Fun!! 🤩

[JustAnotherSportsCar]

I thought it was odd that everything to run satellite radio is in the car accept for the actual satellite radio box. Just pop in a used one and it works, no programming or anything!

[jjFender]

Folding rear seat release handle is in the trunk. I guess that kind of makes sense but just not used to it.

BMW's center returning turn signal stalk.

Oil temperature gauge instead of the typical coolant temperature gauge was a nice surprise.

[Wazowski]

In cold weather, the HVAC “Rest” feature that leaves the heat on after the car turns off (when fueling or running into a store). Not sure if this is part of the cold weather package or an E88 thing.

[BimmerAg]

Only included with certain option packages but comfort open I think it's called is awesome! Holding the unlock button on the key fob opens the windows and sunroof, I only found out about it thanks to this forum. Very nice for airing out the car on a hot sunny day!

[Wazowski]

On 2008 E88 (pre comfort access I believe), putting the valet key in the door lock allows putting windows and top up and down.

[blue135]

NowI have to try the valet key thing. Never heard of that before. Thanks.

[Blau]

Originally Posted by BimmerAg

Only included with certain option packages but comfort open I think it's called is awesome! Holding the unlock button on the key fob opens the windows and sunroof, I only found out about it thanks to this forum. Very nice for airing out the car on a hot sunny day!

You can also code it to close the windows if they're open by holding the key again. I love this feature!

[parameter416]

When I read through the owner's manual, I discovered that the outside mirrors and the windshield washer nozzles are heated automatically when the outside temperature drops below 5C. There's no separate control for this, so there's nothing to indicate whether they're being heated. The only way to know is to check the mirrors when the temperature drops below 5C and see whether they're warm to the touch.

[Meestah Chow]

I haven't done it but a common Easter Egg is the rear fog lights.

Everything is already there for the rear fog lights: wiring, bulbs, coding etc. except the button. Well the button is there but it isn't marked and there are tabs molded in to keep it from being pushed in. Trim the tabs and you have rear fogs.

Google and you will find lots of links.

[Finneganistan]

Originally Posted by Meestah Chow

I haven't done it but a common Easter Egg is the rear fog lights.

Everything is already there for the rear fog lights: wiring, bulbs, coding etc. except the button. Well the button is there but it isn't marked and there are tabs molded in to keep it from being pushed in. Trim the tabs and you have rear fogs.

Google and you will find lots of links.

That's really weird.

I like that the heat seater remembers that I want a warm seat after a short stop, like running an errand at a store.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by Meestah Chow

I haven't done it but a common Easter Egg is the rear fog lights.

Everything is already there for the rear fog lights: wiring, bulbs, coding etc. except the button. Well the button is there but it isn't marked and there are tabs molded in to keep it from being pushed in. Trim the tabs and you have rear fogs.

Google and you will find lots of links.

Assuming the e8x and e9x are the same, earlier cars are lacking the plastic piece that actually connects the button to the switch on the PCB. You can make that piece out of a couple of Lego bricks. Sometime 2010ish that changed and it's all there, as you said, you only have to cut the tabs. Both of my 2011 cars had the piece, but people with 2009 and earlier e9x's have had to get creative.

This is such a weird thing though - pretty much every comparable Euro car sold in NA had rear fogs, BMW had all the bits there, but left it disabled. Completely baffling!

[lucahemi@gmail.com]

Anyone have a picture of the tabs that need to be trimmed? I’ve searched all the previous Diy’s but can’t find a picture of the tabs.

[Wazowski]

I just bought a euro light switch and plugged it in.👍

[iminhell1]

Originally Posted by parameter416

When I read through the owner's manual, I discovered that the outside mirrors and the windshield washer nozzles are heated automatically when the outside temperature drops below 5C. There's no separate control for this, so there's nothing to indicate whether they're being heated. The only way to know is to check the mirrors when the temperature drops below 5C and see whether they're warm to the touch.

The side mirror adjustment selector needs to be on the drivers side and you need to push the rear window defog switch. That's how both turn on. It's not automatic.
There's an asterisk in the manual and no explanation why it's there. But that's why. It's not truly automatic.

Originally Posted by lucahemi@gmail.com

Anyone have a picture of the tabs that need to be trimmed? I’ve searched all the previous Diy’s but can’t find a picture of the tabs.

Search "lego mod" in the how to sections.

[parameter416]

Originally Posted by iminhell1

The side mirror adjustment selector needs to be on the drivers side and you need to push the rear window defog switch. That's how both turn on. It's not automatic.
There's an asterisk in the manual and no explanation why it's there. But that's why. It's not truly automatic.

Actually, the asterisk is used throughout the manual to indicate "special equipment, country-specific equipment and optional extras, as well as equipment and functions not yet available at the time of printing" (Page 4). On Page 43 the asterisk is referring to the optional auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors.

On the previous page (Page 42) there's a heading entitled "Automatic Heating".
"Depending on the outside temperature, both exterior mirrors are heated automatically when the engine is running or the ignition is switched on."

When I read this, I did some digging and found a reference to the temperature that the automatic heating kicks in.

[parameter416]

Originally Posted by parameter416

Actually, the asterisk is used throughout the manual to indicate "special equipment, country-specific equipment and optional extras, as well as equipment and functions not yet available at the time of printing." (Page 4) On Page 43 the asterisk is referring to the optional auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors.

On the previous page (Page 42) there's a heading entitled "Automatic Heating".
"Depending on the outside temperature, both exterior mirrors are heated automatically when the engine is running or the ignition is switched on."

When I read this, I did some digging and found a reference to the temperature that the automatic heating kicks in.

Looks like I found it in an old thread (https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...=washer+heater). Someone called BMW and they were told the automatic heating starts when the temperature drops to 5C or below, so I checked it out by touching the mirrors. Very handy, but if you don't know, you don't know!

[parameter416]

Originally Posted by parameter416

Looks like I found it in an old thread (https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...=washer+heater). Someone called BMW and they were told the automatic heating starts when the temperature drops to 5C or below, so I checked it out by touching the mirrors. Very handy, but if you don't know, you don't know!

On Page 54, there's reference to the heated washer nozzles, but again they use the asterisk, so it's unclear whether that means optional equipment or country-specific equipment. I don't have the "Cold Weather Package" - i.e. no headlight washers - but I have the heated windshield washer nozzles. From what I read in that other thread, every 1 series in North America, from 2009 onward, has heated washer nozzles. Handy, but the documentation is confusing.

[m_thompson]

I did Euro Delivery with my 128i, so I have a reflective triangle stored on the trunk lid and a first aid kit.