[MCL_24]

I am new to BMW. Just picked up my 2019 540ix yesterday and I'm trying to learn the ins and outs of iDrive.

I've tried skimming through the owners manual. I also flipped through the menus before driving to see what options stuck out, but I feel like I'm not familiar with the system at all.

Wanted to ask you guys what some top tips or best things to know would be? Common settings you guys turn on or off? The car is a 2019 so I also believe I need to figure out which version of iDrive it has (6 is my guess).

A few initial questions that come to mind -
- Is the Driver 1 / Driver 2 designation decided on which key you have in your pocket? If so, is there a way to switch that?
- If I set audio settings, do they only hold for a specific input (FM vs XM vs streaming from my phone)
- Is there an option to prevent the car from braking by itself if it senses getting too close to a car in front? I haven't experienced this yet but my sales woman mentioned it.

[ezaircon4jc]

Not much help, but the iDrive is intuitive... once you delve into it. I learned with my 1st BMW (2012 F10) that the iDrive has a pretty steep learning curve. That unit was CIC and since then I have a 2014 F10, which has the NBT (iDrive 4?) and a 2019 G30 with ID6. To me, the ID6 is more complicated than the NBT. I still am unsure how the "automatic" parking works, and we've had the car for 7 months!

I've had iDrive for almost 10 years now and still don't know that one.

Not really sure the question. The audio starts where it left off, AFAIK.

That might be under Intelligent Safety.

[jag81]

2. audio settings (assuming you mean your equaliser settings) stay the same regardless of audio source

3. Mine makes an audio noise first, if it thinks there is a potential collision. I've never had it self brake. this did happen to me a couple of times in my old Mercedes, and that was without any real warning. very alarming.
however, when in reverse, it has slammed on the anchors when it thought i was going to reverse into something... often it was a manhole/drain cover or a slight kerb. This was vert annoying and i switched it off through the vehicle saftey menus

[AP]

Shortcut to the intelligent safety is the button under the dash vents.

I think if it's surrounded by a green circle everything is on and yellow indicates a custom set up (potentially some items disabled)

[AP]

Worth setting up shortcuts aswell for the buttons labelled 1-8

For ideas I have mine set up for tyre pressure, power display, fuel consumption and I have 1 to turn off the idrive display completely ( for prolonged night driving where I don't want it glaring at me in an otherwise dark environment)

[MCL_24]

Thanks everyone - appreciate all of the info. I'll have to read the manual closer to figure out what I can make a preset. I'm sure there are Youtube videos too.

I'm usually pretty tech literate.. just haven't spent enough time sitting in the car (without actively driving) where I can navigate through all of the menus slowly.

[Joe-BMW33]

Most has been answered, but if it is any consolation, I find the menu system and what is in the categories confusing. You just get to know what is where. For the most part you will either be in Vehicles Settings or iDrive Settings. How they determine what is in where is beyond me.

Audio setting are global for every input. Some things I like that are different from default:

- Lock all doors on drive off
- Unlock all doors with key FOB single push
- Unlock all doors at engine stop
- Ambient lighting to NOT dim at night
- Automatic heat seats below 40F
- Automatic ventilate seats above 80F
- Automatic Heat Steering Wheel below 40F
- Lane Change Intervention set to Reduced
- Magnify Speed in Speedo
- Fold Mirrors on lock
- There is a tweak to tailgate I can't remember
- Bowers and Wilkins (if you have it), speakers on all the time full brightness

As mentioned, buttons 1-8 are your friend. For me, I assign these buttons as follows:

1
Apple Carplay
2
Sirius XM
3
One of my favorite sports radio FM stations
4
The other favorite sports radio FM station
5
Tires Pressure
6
Sport Displays
7
Presets
8
Bowers and Wilkins EQ

After you get comfortable with iDrive, you will want to use Bimmercode to do many other things, like killing Auto Stop Start, Video In Motion, 200mph Speedo, Start in a different mode other than comfort, and a lot more.

There are few things people hire coders for such as full screen Apple Carplay and Anti-dazzle and VLD headlights.

[MCL_24]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Most has been answered, but if it is any consolation, I find the menu system and what is in the categories confusing. You just get to know what is where. For the most part you will either be in Vehicles Settings or iDrive Settings. How they determine what is in where is beyond me.

Audio setting are global for every input. Some things I like that are different from default:

- Lock all doors on drive off
- Unlock all doors with key FOB single push
- Unlock all doors at engine stop
- Ambient lighting to NOT dim at night
- Automatic heat seats below 40F
- Automatic ventilate seats above 80F
- Automatic Heat Steering Wheel below 40F
- Lane Change Intervention set to Reduced
- Magnify Speed in Speedo
- Fold Mirrors on lock
- There is a tweak to tailgate I can't remember
- Bowers and Wilkins (if you have it), speakers on all the time full brightness

As mentioned, buttons 1-8 are your friend. For me, I assign these buttons as follows:

1
Apple Carplay
2
Sirius XM
3
One of my favorite sports radio FM stations
4
The other favorite sports radio FM station
5
Tires Pressure
6
Sport Displays
7
Presets
8
Bowers and Wilkins EQ

After you get comfortable with iDrive, you will want to use Bimmercode to do many other things, like killing Auto Stop Start, Video In Motion, 200mph Speedo, Start in a different mode other than comfort, and a lot more.

There are few things people hire coders for such as full screen Apple Carplay and Anti-dazzle and VLD headlights.

Completely understand everyone's settings should be tailored to their wants/needs but this is a perfect list of suggestions.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Most has been answered, but if it is any consolation, I find the menu system and what is in the categories confusing. You just get to know what is where. For the most part you will either be in Vehicles Settings or iDrive Settings. How they determine what is in where is beyond me...

Probably makes sense in German

[r1cero]

I would also add rolls royce sounds via bimmercode, it should have been there by default imo.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by r1cero

I would also add rolls royce sounds via bimmercode, it should have been there by default imo.

I was tempted to check this out, but after 30+ years of driving BMW's, you kind of get used to which BMW exclusive sounds mean what, especially the check control stuff.

[r1cero]

They are of the same type, just upgraded with nicer sound. I don't see how one would go back to default after checking it out.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by r1cero

They are of the same type, just upgraded with nicer sound. I don't see how one would go back to default after checking it out.

Well now you put the bug in my ear! Something to do at lunch. Which module? Head Unit?

[MCL_24]

Had a couple additional questions for you guys that I wasn't clear on after reading through the owners manual:

Does the difference between comfort or sport mode change the stiffness of the suspension? I would think so…

If possible, I'd like to set up a mode where the engine is in comfort (or even eco pro) but the suspension is sport/stiffer. Is that doable?

The sport displays - My car says it's unable to save as a preset. Sound odd? Also speed magnification sounded cool but I didn't see that option… maybe not available on my '19 540?

Since some of you guys are really into CarPlay and this is the first vehicle I've owned with that functionality…. Is it possible to switch the dash screen to CarPlay for use of navigation, etc through my phone but still play XM or FM through the car (not via my phone)? Yesterday I was playing XM but then loaded CarPlay to use the map and then the car switched to playing whatever song was cued up on my phone. Found it a little annoying.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by MCL_24

Had a couple additional questions for you guys that I wasn't clear on after reading through the owners manual:

Does the difference between comfort or sport mode change the stiffness of the suspension? I would think so…

If possible, I'd like to set up a mode where the engine is in comfort (or even eco pro) but the suspension is sport/stiffer. Is that doable?

The sport displays - My car says it's unable to save as a preset. Sound odd? Also speed magnification sounded cool but I didn't see that option… maybe not available on my '19 540?

Since some of you guys are really into CarPlay and this is the first vehicle I've owned with that functionality…. Is it possible to switch the dash screen to CarPlay for use of navigation, etc through my phone but still play XM or FM through the car (not via my phone)? Yesterday I was playing XM but then loaded CarPlay to use the map and then the car switched to playing whatever song was cued up on my phone. Found it a little annoying.

I have an M550, so I won't weigh in on the suspension of the 540, but on mine, the drive modes effect the stiffness of the suspension and dampening. In terms of setting up a mix of variables, set up an Individual Drive mode and tick the boxes you want, such as normal engine, sport suspension, normal steering, sport exhaust. These are M550 options, you may not see them all.

When in CarPlay, hit the Menu button on top of the iDrive controller. You can also hit the BMW button in Carplay, but the Menu button is easier. This will allow you to select Sirius or whatever. Hit the Map button to go back to your CarPlay Apple Map on the screen. Not sure what you mean when referring to your phone. You can launch a route on your phone and it will appear on the big screen. Apple CarPlay and your phone work together.

[r1cero]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Well now you put the bug in my ear! Something to do at lunch. Which module? Head Unit?

I have no idea. But here you can hear the sounds -

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by r1cero

I have no idea. But here you can hear the sounds -

Hmmm....I am not sure that's for me. Thank you though for sharing this.