What are these buttons . . . .

phil3103 · 05-21-2011, 06:11 PM

The line of buttons just above the geartick, or below the smart buttons for those with the iDrive?

On a lot of cars I've looked at there is just one button that has a picture on it. The others look like dummies that might come into play if you spec certain options.

Can anyone shed any light for me please?

rogerxp · 05-21-2011, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil3103

On a lot of cars I've looked at there is just one button that has a picture on it. The others look like dummies that might come into play if you spec certain options.

You're spot on there. Heater seats, electric rear sun-blind, front/rear parking sensors were all there in my E92. Doubt things have changed in the newer car.

phil3103 · 05-21-2011, 06:20 PM

Ah right. Thanks Roger. That makes sense. I think the heated seats are now up in the climate control module near the satnav screen. But it makes sense that thinks like engaging the parking sensors etc would be there.

I hate to see dummy buttons. Makes it look like you've been stingy on the options. But not a chance am I paying for the electric sun blinds! For the 1-2 occasions I'll have someone in the back! And I've got the dark windows already. So I guess I'll just have to live with it.

Well that one was short and sweet!

M3-FAST · 05-21-2011, 06:20 PM

They are programmable short cut buttons.

Rest your finger lightly over one and the idrive will show what it has been programmed for.

To program one press and hold after selecting the function you want to short cut.

Eg. To ring home, use the drive so you are just about to make the call and then before dialling press and hold one of the buttons.

When that button is next pressed it will ring home. Also great for rds on/off and sat nav home!

M3-FAST · 05-21-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

They are programmable short cut buttons.

Rest your finger lightly over one and the idrive will show what it has been programmed for.

To program one press and hold after selecting the function you want to short cut.

Eg. To ring home, use the drive so you are just about to make the call and then before dialling press and hold one of the buttons.

When that button is next pressed it will ring home. Also great for rds on/off and sat nav home!

Doh! Just realised you meant the lower buttons, yes they are for higher spec cars with more options!!

ghosty · 05-22-2011, 03:43 AM

One slot might be for some active hill start assist type thingy (thats tge technical name, lol) if I remember correctly. No idea what it is though but remember reading that somewhere, I think

AlanQS · 05-22-2011, 06:28 AM

I don't think any level of spec turns all the blanks into real buttons. The hill assist button would be on 6 cylinder cars but they didn't have the auto stop/start button so one or other of those buttons used to be the minimum on that panel. All that could then be added were the heated seat buttons - until they were moved to the a/c panel and the button for the rear sun-blind... unless anyone knows better?

Dave_3 · 05-22-2011, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanQS

I don't think any level of spec turns all the blanks into real buttons.

I think that is right - only button missing from mine was a hill-descent option for the 4x4 versions (not available on my 335D, or probably at all in the UK).

I think the heated seats buttons have moved to the heater controls in the LCI models so even more blanks left.

Odd. Even in the most highly specced cars to find so many blanks.

D.

Jules59 · 05-29-2011, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_3

I think the heated seats buttons have moved to the heater controls in the LCI models so even more blanks left.

D.

Nope, they are still in the same place on my E91 LCI.

rich1068 · 05-29-2011, 05:21 AM

Odd. As Dave_3 says they're with all the AC controls on my E91.

05-21-2011, 06:11 PM	#1
phil3103 Private First Class 19 Rep 197 Posts Drives: E90 / E46M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Dorset iTrader: (0)	What are these buttons . . . . The line of buttons just above the geartick, or below the smart buttons for those with the iDrive? On a lot of cars I've looked at there is just one button that has a picture on it. The others look like dummies that might come into play if you spec certain options. Can anyone shed any light for me please?
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05-21-2011, 06:20 PM	#3
phil3103 Private First Class 19 Rep 197 Posts Drives: E90 / E46M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Dorset iTrader: (0)	Ah right. Thanks Roger. That makes sense. I think the heated seats are now up in the climate control module near the satnav screen. But it makes sense that thinks like engaging the parking sensors etc would be there. I hate to see dummy buttons. Makes it look like you've been stingy on the options. But not a chance am I paying for the electric sun blinds! For the 1-2 occasions I'll have someone in the back! And I've got the dark windows already. So I guess I'll just have to live with it. Well that one was short and sweet!
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05-21-2011, 06:20 PM	#4
M3-FAST Defected to the dark side..... 210 Rep 5,795 Posts Drives: BMW M5 LCi Join Date: May 2007 Location: Stafford, UK iTrader: (11) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [10.00] 2007 325i M-sport C ... [9.00]	They are programmable short cut buttons. Rest your finger lightly over one and the idrive will show what it has been programmed for. To program one press and hold after selecting the function you want to short cut. Eg. To ring home, use the drive so you are just about to make the call and then before dialling press and hold one of the buttons. When that button is next pressed it will ring home. Also great for rds on/off and sat nav home!
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05-22-2011, 03:43 AM	#6
ghosty Lieutenant 13 Rep 497 Posts Drives: e92 335d se Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Essex iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 335d SE [0.00]	One slot might be for some active hill start assist type thingy (thats tge technical name, lol) if I remember correctly. No idea what it is though but remember reading that somewhere, I think
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05-22-2011, 06:28 AM	#7
AlanQS Colonel 240 Rep 2,810 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	I don't think any level of spec turns all the blanks into real buttons. The hill assist button would be on 6 cylinder cars but they didn't have the auto stop/start button so one or other of those buttons used to be the minimum on that panel. All that could then be added were the heated seat buttons - until they were moved to the a/c panel and the button for the rear sun-blind... unless anyone knows better?
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05-29-2011, 05:21 AM	#10
rich1068 has left the building 90 Rep 3,359 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Odd. As Dave_3 says they're with all the AC controls on my E91.
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