BMW newbie with (a lot of) newbie questions, sorry in advance :)

[Memphis17CPM4]

Hi, I am brand new to the BMW world. I had always wanted one growing up; I always was memorialized by the allure of the M series cars. I kicked the tires over the years test driving, and reading up on them, but couldn't afford one. 10 years ago I bought a TypeS Acura TL. This was the closest (but yet furthest) thing to an M series I could responsibly purchase. I recently was talked into enjoying life, being reminded that we may not be here tomorrow. Since my financial situation isn't a bottle neck I "manned up" and drove one home. I flew to Dallas and drove 600 miles home as my first drive as an owner. WOW!

My car has CP, EP, DA packages. I think the only options the car doesn't have is adaptive headlights (wish it did). I am the second owner, the car had 2,500 miles on it. Unfortunately the "book" wasn't in the leather binder. I am going to locate one and order it.

I have several questions, and tons more to follow I am sure. If anyone could help me that would be greatly appreciated. If any of these is remedial or basic, sorry to have cluttered this thread up. But, I'm wearing some fire retarded clothing and have thick skin

Questions (I have looked in the infotainment center prior to asking these):

1) How can I program the seats so that when I turn the car off they go all the way back for ease of exit and entry. And, when I start the car they go to the pre-programmed positions.

2) When I get into the car start it and drive away is that a different driver setting then M1 or M2? I've read on here that there is a "passive" setting but don't see it in any of the options. I've set M1 to the most softest and efficient settings and M2 to the "race" settings. Ideally, I'd like for M1 to be a hybrid of comfort and race mode if there is a default mode prior to hitting M1 or M2. If there is a default mode, what are the individual settings defaulted to?

3) I have the driver assist package. So:
3a) Besides the red car appearing on my HUD, is there an auto brake that engages at some point?
3b) Is adaptive cruise control standard? I don't see any mention of it in my car
3c) Is there a way to set the back up camera and parking radar to engage as a default when putting the car in reverse?

4) I take it the spare tire is a flatbed?
5) The wireless connectivity (playing music from my phone, making calls, etc) isn't the best. It cuts in and out constantly. Is this common or is there a fix?
5a) After I have engaged Apple car play and stop using it by switching to satellite radio about 5-10 minutes later Apple car play starts playing again.
6) I don't have a remote for my garage door opener. Is there any way around getting the car's ability to operate my garage door without one? Do I need to get a universal garage door opener?

I guess I will stop there for now.

[ibimmer954]

First of all, the owners manuals are available in PDF form online. Google for it. Get the one for your model year since every model year is a little different. That will answer many of the questions.

[Who's on first]

1) Car needs to be coded.

2) Car always starts - Comfort - Sport - Sport. Cannot be adjusted. Set M1&2 up as you wish.

3)

a) It?ll brake in emergency only.. DO NOT TEST IT.

b) No adaptive cruise available.

c) Press down on iDrive controller (when backing up) it remembers last setting (I think).

4) Yep. Small can under trunk floor, may help some situations.

5) I don?t have wireless charging or Apple Car Play

6) Button on the door opener unit, Home link button the a few seconds.

[Memphis17CPM4]

Originally Posted by Who's on first

1) Car needs to be coded.

2) Car always starts - Comfort - Sport - Sport. Cannot be adjusted. Set M1&2 up as you wish.

3)

a) It?ll break in emergency only.. DO NOT TEST IT.

b) No adaptive cruise available.

c) Press down on iDrive controller (when backing up) it remembers last setting (I think).

4) Yep. Small can under trunk floor, may help some situations.

5) I don?t have wireless charging or Apple Car Play

6) Doubt it.

Thank you!

[KevinM]

Congratulations and welcome! In addition to the response above:

Originally Posted by Memphis17CPM4

Unfortunately the "book" wasn't in the leather binder. I am going to locate one and order it.

In addition to PDFs that are available on the web through the BMWNA site, you can download the "BMW Driver's Guide" to your phone or tablet. I really like this version of the manual because it is easily searchable and is specific to your car.

Originally Posted by Memphis17CPM4

4) I take it the spare tire is a flatbed?

In addition to the tire sealant, there is a compressor under the trunk floor.

Originally Posted by Memphis17CPM4

5) The wireless connectivity (playing music from my phone, making calls, etc) isn't the best. It cuts in and out constantly. Is this common or is there a fix?

I have not experienced this; I have found Bluetooth wireless streaming to be pretty good. Obviously your phone signal needs to be reasonably strong for the system to work well for music, calls, etc. If your car has its own wireless hotspot that is not working well, that is a different issue.

Originally Posted by Memphis17CPM4

6) I don't have a remote for my garage door opener. Is there any way around getting the car's ability to operate my garage door without one? Do I need to get a universal garage door opener?

I'm not sure I fully understand. How do you open your garage door? If it is a manual door, you will need to install a garage door opener for Homelink to work.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by Memphis17CPM4

Hi, I am brand new to the BMW world. I had always wanted one growing up; I always was memorialized by the allure of the M series cars. I kicked the tires over the years test driving, and reading up on them, but couldn't afford one. 10 years ago I bought a TypeS Acura TL. This was the closest (but yet furthest) thing to an M series I could responsibly purchase. I recently was talked into enjoying life, being reminded that we may not be here tomorrow. Since my financial situation isn't a bottle neck I "manned up" and drove one home. I flew to Dallas and drove 600 miles home as my first drive as an owner. WOW!

My car has CP, EP, DA packages. I think the only options the car doesn't have is adaptive headlights (wish it did). I am the second owner, the car had 2,500 miles on it. Unfortunately the "book" wasn't in the leather binder. I am going to locate one and order it.

I have several questions, and tons more to follow I am sure. If anyone could help me that would be greatly appreciated. If any of these is remedial or basic, sorry to have cluttered this thread up. But, I'm wearing some fire retarded clothing and have thick skin

Questions (I have looked in the infotainment center prior to asking these):

1) How can I program the seats so that when I turn the car off they go all the way back for ease of exit and entry. And, when I start the car they go to the pre-programmed positions.

2) When I get into the car start it and drive away is that a different driver setting then M1 or M2? I've read on here that there is a "passive" setting but don't see it in any of the options. I've set M1 to the most softest and efficient settings and M2 to the "race" settings. Ideally, I'd like for M1 to be a hybrid of comfort and race mode if there is a default mode prior to hitting M1 or M2. If there is a default mode, what are the individual settings defaulted to?

3) I have the driver assist package. So:
3a) Besides the red car appearing on my HUD, is there an auto brake that engages at some point?
3b) Is adaptive cruise control standard? I don't see any mention of it in my car
3c) Is there a way to set the back up camera and parking radar to engage as a default when putting the car in reverse?

4) I take it the spare tire is a flatbed?
5) The wireless connectivity (playing music from my phone, making calls, etc) isn't the best. It cuts in and out constantly. Is this common or is there a fix?
5a) After I have engaged Apple car play and stop using it by switching to satellite radio about 5-10 minutes later Apple car play starts playing again.
6) I don't have a remote for my garage door opener. Is there any way around getting the car's ability to operate my garage door without one? Do I need to get a universal garage door opener?

I guess I will stop there for now.

6) The garage opener main unit probably has a learning button on the actual unit. You'll have to climb up there and take a look. I believe the process for programming the car is a bit different if your garage opener uses a rolling code. Look up a user manual for the garage owner on in the internets.

[scourgem3]

Just wanted to say congrats! Always great to hear when someone is able to make their dream car a reality since most of us can relate. Enjoy!

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by KevinM

In addition to the tire sealant, there is a compressor under the trunk floor.

What's that compressor for?

[04RC51]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

What's that compressor for?

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by 04RC51

I was seriously asking.....

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

I was seriously asking.....]

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

first time I see that so it can inflate the tire if it was flat or is it just for topping up?

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

first time I see that so it can inflate the tire if it was flat or is it just for topping up?

You don't have a spare tire, so the kit comes with goo that injects into your flat tire to plug the hole and inflate the tire so you can drive a short distance.

Ignore the kit and call a road assistance service.

[TonySCV]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Ignore the kit and call a road assistance service.

Yes. Exactly. The goo makes a mess and rarely works. Just know if you get a flat, you'll be calling AAA and getting a tow to a tire shop.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

You don't have a spare tire, so the kit comes with goo that injects into your flat tire to plug the hole and inflate the tire so you can drive a short distance.

Ignore the kit and call a road assistance service.

Right, thanks man, you are the M Guru

[F80_patrickmurray]

If you do not have a garage door opener hit the learn button on the unit and go back to the car while its on and in front of your garage, hold down on home link button on the mirror 3 times for about 5 seconds each.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by F80_patrickmurray

If you do not have a garage door opener hit the learn button on the unit and go back to the car while its on and in front of your garage, hold down on home link button on the mirror 3 times for about 5 seconds each.

I think he doesn't have the homelink buttons

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by TonySCV

Yes. Exactly. The goo makes a mess and rarely works. Just know if you get a flat, you'll be calling AAA and getting a tow to a tire shop.

Or keep a tire repair kit in the car. It only takes 5-10 minutes to plug a tire.

[F80_patrickmurray]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

I think he doesn't have the homelink buttons

He should, its a standard feature on the F8X

[Memphis17CPM4]

I bought this townhouse last year and it didn't come with a remote for the garage door opener. The opener is also circa 1983... The opener has dip switches, doesn't have a learn button. I think I am SOL.

Thank you to all for the other answers!

[djMpower]

Originally Posted by Memphis17CPM4

I bought this townhouse last year and it didn't come with a remote for the garage door opener. The opener is also circa 1983... The opener has dip switches, doesn't have a learn button. I think I am SOL.

Thank you to all for the other answers!

I have an archaic remote with dip switches as well and got Homelink working just fine. On mobile so will give short instructions. If it doesn't work PM me for more details. Hold remote up to mirror. Hold remote button and Homelink button until you see rapid flashes in Homelink (takes like 10 seconds). Test Homelink on gate.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats!