
 
Contents
 
9
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags61
Transporting children safely63
Rollover protection system67
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory69
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock70
Starting the engine70
Switching off the engine72
Parking brake72
Manual transmission73
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*74
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher77
Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor*78
Cruise control*79
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer81
Tachometer81
Energy control81
Fuel gauge82
Engine coolant temperature 
gauge82
Service interval display83
Check Control83
Clock84
Computer85
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)*87
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)*88
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)*90
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)*92
Flat Tire Monitor*93
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams96
Instrument lighting97
High beams/Standing lamps97
Fog lamps*98
Interior lamps98
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning100
Automatic climate control*104
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Glove compartment109
BMW Universal Transmitter*110
Storage compartments112
Cellular phone*113
Ashtray, front*113
Ashtray, rear*114
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Ski bag*115
Cargo loading116
Roof-mounted luggage rack for 
the hardtop*118
 
Controls and features
 
handbook.book  Page 9  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM 

41
After the ignition has been 
switched offYou can still use the electric power win-
dows for up to 15 minutes, as long as 
no one opens any of the doors.
Manual convertible topThe fabric top offers the perfect protec-
tion against weather and one person 
can open and close it easily and simply.
To gain maximum satisfaction from your 
convertible, please observe the follow-
ing: We strongly recommend that you 
close the convertible top before leaving 
the vehicle parked. When closed, the 
top not only guards the passenger 
compartment from unforeseeable dam-
age from the weather, but also affords a 
degree of protection against theft.
However, even when the top is closed 
valuables should always be stored in 
the locked luggage compartment.
Never attempt to mount any kind of roof 
rack or luggage carrier on the convert-
ible top.
Closing the electric power win-
dows: to help ensure that the win-
dows seal securely, you should either 
close the rear windows first or close all 
four windows at the same time.<
Electric power windows
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book  Page 41  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM 

46
Fully-automatic convertible top*The fully-automatic convertible top 
combines the benefits of effective pro-
tection against the elements with sim-
ple and convenient operation.
To gain maximum satisfaction from your 
convertible, please observe the follow-
ing:
>We strongly recommend that you 
close the convertible top before leav-
ing the vehicle parked. When closed, 
the top not only guards the passen-
ger compartment from unforesee-
able damage from the weather, but 
also affords a degree of protection 
against theft. However, even when 
the top is closed valuables should 
always be stored in the locked lug-
gage compartment
>Never attempt to mount any kind of 
roof rack or luggage carrier on the 
convertible top
>To avoid damaging the convertible 
top, do not activate it at temperatures 
below 147/ –106.
Never store the convertible top 
while it is wet to avoid permanent 
damage from moisture.<
Driving when the opening or clos-
ing process has not been com-
pleted can cause vehicle damage or 
personal injury.
To avoid possible legal violations, 
always remember that traffic regula-
tions always take priority over these 
instructions.
Do not lay objects on the convertible 
top, as they could fall off when it 
moves, causing vehicle damage or per-
sonal injury.
Always keep your hands and fingers 
well away from the top's mechanism 
while it is opening and closing. Ensure 
that children remain at a safe distance 
from the top's travel range while it is in 
motion.<
Try to make sure that the vehicle 
is completely stationary before 
using the fully-automatic convertible 
top. Otherwise the opening or closing 
procedure could be interrupted.
If you set the convertible top in motion 
while the vehicle is stationary and then 
have to start suddenly – for instance, at 
a traffic light – you can still complete 
the procedure by driving as slowly as 
possible and again holding the corre-
sponding button pressed.
Before closing the top, always ensure 
that the windshield frame is clear of any 
obstructions that could prevent the top 
from closing correctly.<
When closing the electric power 
windows while underway, always 
remember to either start by closing the 
rear windows or to close all of them at 
once. Failure to adhere to this 
sequence can prevent the windows 
from sealing tightly at high speeds.<
At higher speeds, the ensuing 
vacuum in the passenger com-
partment can cause the convertible top 
to begin fluttering. Increase the air sup-
ply via the ventilation controls so that a 
vacuum does not occur in the vehicle.<
handbook.book  Page 46  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM 

118
Roof-mounted luggage rack for the hardtop*A special roof-rack system is available 
as an optional extra for your BMW. 
Please observe the precautions 
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the anchorages:
To fold up the covers – see arrow – 
please use the tool which is provided 
with the roof-rack system.Loading and driving notesRoof-mounted luggage racks raise the 
center of gravity of the vehicle when 
they are loaded. For this reason, they 
exercise a major effect on the vehicle's 
handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember 
not to exceed the approved roof load 
capacity, the approved gross vehicle 
weight or the maximum axle loads 
when loading the rack. These weights 
are listed under Technical data on 
page 164.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky, 
and attempt to distribute it evenly. 
Always load the heaviest pieces first so 
that they are at the bottom. Make sure 
that no objects will be in the way when 
the luggage compartment lid is opening 
or closing.
Secure the roof-mounted luggage cor-
rectly and securely to prevent it from 
shifting or being lost during driving.
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden 
acceleration or braking. Do not corner 
at high speeds.
The roof-mounted luggage rack and the 
roof load increase the aerodynamic 
resistance: increased fuel consumption 
and additional stress on the vehicle's 
body are the result.
handbook.book  Page 118  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM 

125
Hardtop*It is not necessary to remove the fabric 
top even in the winter, when the hard-
top is generally in constant use. But you 
can also remove it easily at any time. 
Before the fabric top is stored in the 
convertible top compartment, it must 
be absolutely dry in order to avoid 
water spots and mildew from forming.
The hardtop offers reading lamps and 
clothes hooks that can be used just by 
pressing. It is also possible to mount a 
luggage rack on the roof. Please con-
sult your BMW center.
When hanging clothing from the 
hooks, be sure that they will not 
obstruct the driver's vision. Do not hang 
heavy objects on the hooks. If you do 
so, they could cause personal injury 
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
Two people are required for installation 
or removal. Work with extreme caution 
in order to avoid paint damage and 
damage to the body or hardtop.
To facilitate hardtop installation or 
removal, you can obtain a specially 
designed hardtop lift* or hardtop rack* 
at your BMW center.
Storage
Storing the hardtop on the floor: 
slide the styrofoam block that 
came with the hardtop onto its center. 
The arrow on top of the styrofoam block 
has to be pointing upward when you 
are doing this.<
Installation1. Lower the side windows com-
pletely and flip the sun blinds 
down. If necessary, remove the 
antenna rod to avoid any damage
2. On vehicles with manual convert-
ible top operation, first release the 
convertible top compartment lid, 
and, if necessary, open it some-
what. On vehicles with fully-auto-
matic convertible top operation, 
open the convertible top compart-
ment lid slightly by pressing the 
button for the operation of the con-
vertible top
3. Remove the trim pieces on both 
sides by pulling them off toward 
the back – see arrow – and reclose 
the convertible top compartment 
lid
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book  Page 125  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM 

Everything from A to ZOil additives 137
Oil change intervals, refer to 
the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US 
models/Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
Oil consumption 136
Oil dipstick 136
Oil filter change 165
Oil level
checking 136
indicator lamp 19
warning lamp 18
Oil pressure
warning lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 83
Oil types 137
Onboard computer, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 146
Opening and closing
from the inside 34
via the door lock 33
via the remote control 31
Operating elements 14
Outlets, ventilation 104
Outside temperature dis-
play 85P
Panic mode, trigger alarm 
32
Park Distance Control 
(PDC) 87
Parking aid 87
Parking brake 72
Parking lamps 96
replacing bulb 148
PDC Park Distance 
Control 87
Pocket flashlight 109
Pollen 103, 108
Power output 162
Power seat 53
Pressure, tires 25, 92, 127
monitoring 92
R
Radiator 165
Radio, refer to the Owner's 
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 78
Range 86
Reading lamps
front 98
rear 98
Rear lamps 149
Rear window defroster 
102, 107
Rearview mirror 59Recirculated-air mode 
102, 107
Refueling 24
Remote control 31
Remote control keys 30
Replacement key 30, 31
Reporting safety defects 6
Reserve indicator lamp 82
Restraint system 63
Reverse 73
Rims 130
Rollover protection 
system 67
indicator lamp 19
lowering 67
Roof load capacity 164
Roof-mounted luggage rack 
118, 125
Run Flat tires 129, 155
S
Safe seating position 52
Safety belts 56
seat-integrated safety belt 
system (SGS) 55
Seat
rear entry aid 55
Seat adjustment 52
lumbar support 53
thigh support 53
Seat heating 58
Seat memory 57Securing cargo 116
Securing child-restraint sys-
tem 65
Securing devices 117
Selector lever, automatic 
transmission 74
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 140
Service Engine Soon
warning lamp 19
Service interval display 
83, 140
Setting
clock 84
Shiftlock 74
Side airbags 61
Side turn signal indicators
replacing bulb 149
Size 163
Ski bag 115
Snow chains 131
Socket 114
Spare key 30
Spare tire 151
Speedometer 16
Standing lamps 97
Starting problems 70
Starting the engine 70
Steering wheel lock 70
Steering wheel with multi-
function buttons 22
Steering wheel, adjusting 59
handbook.book  Page 172  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM