What features did you not find until after ownership?

[Styral]

My previous car was a Honda S2000. I had the car for a month before I found someone post on the forums about the "Hidden Compartment".

I found it funny that I could find a feature a month into ownership that I didn't know existed.

Then today it finally happened again in my 08' M3.

I went to switch my radio station to one of my presets (1-6). Then noticed that when I touched the preset number without actually pressing down, the iDrive screen would display the preset I was about to select. I had no idea that our radio buttons were touch sensitive.

If this thread has already been created I apologize.

But as the title states, what features did you guys not find until after owning the car?

[Rat3d ///M]

Didn't know there was a "kickdown" feature in the accelerator until like 6 months ago..a year and a half after buying the damn car

[CHE///MIST3]

I discovered that by accident as well, and like to I tell people this is BMW genius at work because they invented essentially "touch screen radio" long before there were even touch screens in cars !

Also the time-programmable cabin venting you can do on hot days is a pretty cool feature for those of us in hot states and that get out of work at usually the same hour......I actually have used that feature one time and I got out of work late that day. So i'll probably never use it again. Haha

GM

Originally Posted by Styral

My previous car was a Honda S2000. I had the car for a month before I found someone post on the forums about the "Hidden Compartment".

I found it funny that I could find a feature a month into ownership that I didn't know existed.

Then today it finally happened again in my 08' M3.

I went to switch my radio station to one of my presets (1-6). Then noticed that when I touched the preset number without actually pressing down, the iDrive screen would display the preset I was about to select. I had no idea that our radio buttons were touch sensitive.

If this thread has already been created I apologize.

But as the title states, what features did you guys not find until after owning the car?

[burtonsbs5114]

I should probably set those presets, lol. I just have my presets set in the idrive and not the hard buttons.

[Rajmun340]

They put touch sensitive buttons but chose a low quality button depressing mechanism and idrive does not even display the current radio station at all times . it's like failing to do the basics and then adding some unnecessary feature on top. How about putting a second row of buttons and learn from Honda how to choose proper quality buttons.

[///Motown]

Originally Posted by Rat3d ///M

Didn't know there was a "kickdown" feature in the accelerator until like 6 months ago..a year and a half after buying the damn car

just had too google "kickdown"...



because 6MT

[e1000]

BTW, those presets can be just about anything, a GPS location, telephone number, etc

[Rainer M]

And they are hardly hidden.

Perhaps the manual can "uncover" more of those secrets?

[Rat3d ///M]

Originally Posted by ///Motown

just had too google "kickdown"...



because 6MT

It's quite a fun little feature of the car, but I've only used it a few times. I went SC shortly after discovering it, and the car doesn't react well to the kickdown feature with the supercharger for some reason.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Rat3d ///M

It's quite a fun little feature of the car, but I've only used it a few times. I went SC shortly after discovering it, and the car doesn't react well to the kickdown feature with the supercharger for some reason.

Ha, guess your rear tires aren't a fan of kick downs. Saw your youtube video on the mountain roads btw, very nice both video, and car!

[Law]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

They put touch sensitive buttons but chose a low quality button depressing mechanism and idrive does not even display the current radio station at all times .

That's what split screen is for.
Options-->Enable split screen-->Entertainment details
The split content is fixed on the right "at all times" (not affected by the main iDrive screen on the left) until the user decides to change it.

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

it's like failing to do the basics and then adding some unnecessary feature on top. How about putting a second row of buttons and learn from Honda how to choose proper quality buttons.

Not really. The buttons aren't solely there to serve as radio presets.
The user can program various menus and submenus that are frequently used.

For example, one can program their home address as a preset, so after checking out that new restaurant downtown, one can easily press the assigned preset button and be on his way home instead going through menus.

Another useful feature to preset for those in hot climates is the "parked-car vent" menu. On a hot day, right after parking, select the preset number that brings you to the parked-car vent menu and activate the function instead of going through menus to activate the function.

Its convenient to have certain features easily accessible via a shortcut that is the preset button. But obviously it helps to be reminded what each preset is assigned to.
That's why BMW implemented a touch feature that displays the assigned feature/menu when the button hovered over with the finger.


If you're using the presets solely as radio shortcuts, then this may seem like redundant over-engineering.
But if you're like me and use these buttons as shortcuts to features hidden inside iDrive's submenus, then this is a very convenient and intuitive solution.

[4130]

I use my preset buttons for phone speed dials, traffic shortcut, and screen off for times I want a blacked out console. As stated above, touch sensitivity allows me to remind myself which is which without actually engaging.

[cenix]

Throttle actuators and rod bearings were a pleasant surprise... sorry, had to do it.

[New2Roundel]

I realized all the small details that I don't have access to without iDrive--none of them are deal breakers, but interesting nonetheless.

[burtonsbs5114]

Originally Posted by ///Motown

just had too google "kickdown"...



because 6MT

Hahaha. Me too. 6mt ftw!!!

[M3Bimmer77]

Wife ejector!!!!!

[Kong Sheng Han]

The rod-bearing-like-to-spontaneously-go-boom feature.

[jaehshim]

there's a usb port when you open the glove box, though i don't know what it's used for... I use the usb port in the center console.

[MaximusB]

Originally Posted by jaehshim

there's a usb port when you open the glove box, though i don't know what it's used for... I use the usb port in the center console.

I believe the USB inside the glove is always active, so even when your car is off it'll charge your phone and you can lock the glove box unlike the centre console.

[dparm]

Until earlier this summer (about 3 years of ownership), I didn't realize the split armrest actually slid forward. I thought it had the crease purely for styling reasons.

[BigRussia]

Originally Posted by jaehshim

there's a usb port when you open the glove box, though i don't know what it's used for... I use the usb port in the center console.

I think that one is used for updating the nav maps and other software.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by BigRussia

I think that one is used for updating the nav maps and other software.

Correct, glovebox one is for the CCC/CIC. Center console is for media.