
Contents
Contents
Notes
6About this Owner's Manual
6Symbols used
6Symbol on vehicle parts
6Your individual vehicle
6Status at time of printing
7For your own safety
7Service and warranty
8Reporting safety defects
Overview
12Cockpit
13Instrument cluster
14Indicator and warning lamps
Opening and closing
18Keys
18Central locking system
18Remote control
20Door lock
20Interior
21Luggage compartment lid
22Luggage compartment 
22Electric power windows
23Manual convertible top
24Fully automatic convertible top*
26Wind deflector*
27Alarm system*
Adjustments
29Safe seating position
29Seats
30Seat memory*
 
31Seat heating*
31Safety belts
32Steering wheel 
32Mirrors 
33Airbags
34Transporting children safely
37Vehicle Memory, Key Memory 
Driving
38Ignition lock 
38Engine
39Parking brake 
40Manual transmission 
40Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*
42Electric Power Steering EPS
42Drivelogic*
42Turn signal indicators/Headlamp 
flasher 
43Washer/wiper system and 
rain sensor* 
44Cruise control* 
Lamps
45Parking lamps/Low beams
46High beams/Standing lamps
46Instrument lighting
46Fog lamps
46Interior lamps
© 2002 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 156 897
US English VIII/02
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper –
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling. 

Opening and closing
22
Luggage compartment 
Emergency release
This lever releases the luggage compart-
ment lid from inside the luggage compart-
ment.
To enlarge the luggage compartment
The luggage compartment can be enlarged 
when the convertible top is closed. 
Simultaneously turn the handles on both 
sides of the luggage compartment to the 
right past the resistance point.
The convertible top compartment panel is 
raised.
Before opening the convertible top:
Turn the handles to the left and fold the 
convertible top compartment panel down-
ward.
Before opening the convertible top, 
make sure that the convertible top 
compartment panel has been folded down 
in the luggage compartment to avoid any 
possible damage.<
Electric power windows
The illustration shows the power window 
switches in the trim of the passenger door.
To open and close the windows
Ignition key in position 1 or higher
>Press the switch until you feel resis-
tance: the window continues to move 
downward as long as you continue to 
press the switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: the window moves automat-
ically. Pressing the switch again stops 
the opening cycle.
You can close the windows in the same 
manner by pulling the switch.
The window on the passenger side does 
not move automatically.
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still use the electric power win-
dows for up to 15 minutes, as long as no 
one opens any of the doors.
When leaving the vehicle, always 
remove the ignition key from the lock 
and remember to close the doors to pre-
vent children from operating the power 
windows and injuring themselves, etc.<
For convenience operation via the door 
lock, refer to page 20. 

Opening and closing
24 1.Press button; see arrow 1
The convertible top is released and 
moves up slightly; see arrow 2
2.Holding on to the handle, pull the con-
vertible top forward onto the windshield 
frame
3.Lock the convertible top by turning the 
handle until you hear the convertible 
top engage.
At higher speeds, the ensuing vac-
uum in the passenger compartment 
can cause the convertible top to begin flut-
tering. Increase the air supply so that a low 
pressure draft does not occur in the vehi-
cle.<
Fully automatic convertible 
top*
The fully automatic convertible top com-
bines assured protection against the ele-
ments with simple and easy handling.
Here are a few tips so that you get the most 
out of your roadster:
>it is advisable to close the convertible 
top when the vehicle is parked. The 
closed convertible top not only protects 
the passenger compartment from 
unforeseeable damage from the 
weather, but also provides a certain 
degree of theft protection. In addition, 
only keep valuables in the locked lug-
gage compartment, even with the con-
vertible top closed.
>Never mount a roof-mounted luggage 
rack system on the convertible top. 
>To prevent damage, do not operate the 
convertible top 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 closing 
process has not been completed can 
cause vehicle damage or personal injury.
Do not lay objects on the convertible top, 
since they could fall off when the convert-ible top is operated and cause damage or 
injuries.
Do not reach into the convertible top mech-
anism during opening and closing. Keep 
children away from the moving parts of the 
convertible top during operation.<
If possible, only operate the convert-
ible top with the vehicle stopped, as 
otherwise the process may be interrupted.
If you set the convertible top in motion with 
the vehicle stationary and then have to start 
suddenly – for instance, at a traffic light – 
you can still complete the operation by 
driving as slowly as possible and again 
pressing and maintaining pressure on the 
button.<
At higher speeds, the ensuing vac-
uum in the passenger compartment 
can cause the convertible top to begin flut-
tering. Increase the air supply so that a low 
pressure draft does not occur in the vehi-
cle.<
To open and close
1To close
2To open
If at all possible, only operate the con-
vertible top if the engine is running. 
This saves unnecessary battery wear.
Before closing the convertible top, remove 
any objects from the windshield frame that 
could keep the convertible top from closing 
properly.< 

Opening and closing
28 >If the indicator lamp goes out as soon 
as the system is disarmed: 
No manipulation or attempted intru-
sions have been detected in the period 
since the system was armed
>If the indicator lamp flashes for 
10 seconds when the system is being 
disarmed: 
An attempted entry has been detected 
in the period since the system was 
armed.
After an alarm has been triggered, the indi-
cator lamp will flash continuously.
Interior motion sensor*
The system monitors the footwells and the 
seating areas of the driver and passenger.
Deactivate the interior motion sensor 
– refer to Avoiding unintentional 
alarms – if children or animals are to remain 
in the vehicle.<
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion 
sensor can be deactivated at the same 
time. You can do this to prevent a false 
alarm from being triggered, for instance in 
garages with elevator ramps or when the 
vehicle is transported by train.
Lock the vehicle twice = arm the system:
Press the button on the remote control 
twice in succession,
or
lock the vehicle twice with the key. Refer to 
page 20.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and 
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm 
sensor and the interior motion sensor are 
deactivated as long as the system is 
armed. 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 29
Adjustments
Safe seating position
For relaxed and fatigue-free driving you 
should select a seating position that 
reflects your personal requirements. The 
correct seating position combines with 
safety belts and airbags to enhance occu-
pant safety in the event of an accident. To 
ensure that the vehicle's safety systems 
provide you with optimal protection, we 
request that you direct your careful atten-
tion to the following section.
For supplementary information on trans-
porting children, refer to page 34.
Sitting safely with airbags
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between yourself and the air-
bags.
Always hold the steering wheel by its rim 
with hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions, 
to minimize the risk of injuries to your 
hands or arms in the event of airbag 
deployment. Never allow any objects, indi-
viduals or animals to obstruct the areas 
between passengers and airbags. Never 
use the front airbag's cover as a storage 
tray or support for objects of any kind. 
Never allow front passengers to rest their 
feet or legs on the airbag cover.<
For airbag locations and additional infor-
mation on airbags, refer to page 33.
Sitting safely with safety belts
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passen-
ger's lap. Avoid twisting the belt while rout-
ing it firmly across the pelvis and shoulder, 
wear it as snugly against your body as pos-
sible. Do not allow the belt to rest against 
hard or fragile objects. Do not route the belt 
across your neck, or run it across sharp 
edges. Be sure that the belt does not 
become caught or jammed. Avoid wearing 
bulky clothing and pull on the lap belt peri-odically to retension it over your shoulders. 
In the event of a frontal impact, a loose lap 
belt could slide over your hips, leading to 
abdominal injury. In addition, the safety 
belt's restraint effectiveness is reduced if 
the belt is worn loosely. Expectant mothers 
should always wear their safety belts, tak-
ing care to position the lap belt against the 
lower hips, where it will not exert pressure 
against the abdominal area.<
For information on using the safety belts, 
refer to page 31.
Seats
Before adjusting your seat, always 
observe the following precautions
Never try to adjust your seat while 
operating the vehicle. The seat could 
respond with an unexpected movement, 
and the ensuing loss of vehicle control 
could result in an accident. Never ride with 
the backrest inclined to an extreme angle – 
especially important for the front passen-
ger to remember. If you do so, there is a 
risk that you will slide under the safety belt 
in the event of an accident, thus reducing 
the protection provided by the safety belt.<
Seat adjustment
1Backward/forward
Pull lever 1 and slide the seat into the 
desired position. 

Adjustments
32
To unlock the safety belt
1.Press the red button in the belt buckle
2.Hold the belt
3.Guide the belt back into its reel.
If the safety belt system has been 
stressed as a result of an accident or 
if it has been damaged in any other way: 
have the safety belt mechanism, including 
the safety belt tensioners and any child-
restraint systems, replaced by your BMW 
center. In addition, have your BMW center 
inspect the safety belt anchors. Otherwise, 
the system cannot be guaranteed to pro-
vide the required protection in the event of 
an accident.<
Steering wheel 
Adjustments
Never attempt to adjust the steering 
wheel while driving the vehicle. It 
could respond with unexpected move-
ment, posing a potential accident hazard.<
1.Push the locking lever downward
2.Adjust the steering column's reach and 
rake to suit your seat position
3.Pull the lever back in.
Mirrors 
To adjust exterior mirrors
1Switch for 4-way adjustment
2Selection switch for changing between 
mirrors
3Button
* for folding mirrors in and out
Fold the mirrors in and out by pressing the 
button repeatedly. This can be useful in car 
washes or narrow streets, for example, or 
for repositioning mirrors that have been 
folded forward.
The mirror can be folded in at driving 
speeds of up to 6.2 mph / 30 km/h.<
To adjust manually
The mirrors can also be adjusted manually:
Press on the edges of the lens.
Electric defrosting*
Both mirrors are automatically heated in 
ignition key position 2.
Interior rearview mirror 
To reduce the glare from vehicles behind 
you when driving at night, turn the rotary 
knob. 

Adjustments
34 gered in every type of collision, e.g. in the 
event of minor accidents, certain vehicle 
roll-over situations or collisions from the 
rear. In these instances, the safety belt pro-
vides sufficient protection. 
Adjust your seat to a position that provides 
maximum distance between you and the 
steering wheel and the instrument panel 
while still allowing comfortable and safe 
access to all vehicle controls. 
To minimize the risk of sustaining hand and 
arm injuries, always hold the steering wheel 
on the rim with the hands at or near the 
9 and 3 o'clock positions. Do not place 
your hands on the center pad. 
Never allow any objects to obstruct the 
area between the airbags and an occupant. 
Do not use the cover panel above the pas-
senger side airbags as a storage area.
Never allow front passengers to lean 
against or rest their feet or legs on the air-
bag cover panel.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or 
modify them in any other way. 
Never install a rear-facing child-restraint 
system in the passenger seat of this vehi-
cle, unless the passenger airbags have 
been turned off and the indicator lamp in 
the center console indicates that the pas-
senger airbags are deactivated.
If you transport children, carefully read and 
comply with the instructions in the follow-
ing section.
Be sure that child-restraints are mounted 
correctly and as far as possible towards the 
rear and in the lowest position. <
Even when all these guidelines are 
observed, there is still a small residual risk 
of injuries resulting from contact with 
deploying airbags in isolated instances. 
The ignition and inflation noise from the air-
bags may induce a mild temporary hearing 
loss in sensitive individuals.
Transporting children safely
Deactivating/reactivating passenger 
airbags
The passenger airbags must be deac-
tivated before using a rear-facing 
child-restraint system on the passenger 
seat, refer also to page 36 for explanation.
BMW also recommends that the passenger 
airbags be deactivated if a child is trans-
ported in a front-facing child-restraint sys-
tem, regardless of the age of the child. If 
you transport a child in the passenger seat 
– not an infant in a rear-facing seat – who is 
properly seated and seat-belted at all 
times, the potential benefits of airbags 
deploying in an accident generally out-
weigh the risks of the child being injured by 
the force of a deploying airbag. 
Therefore, you should deactivate the pas-
senger airbags only if you find it difficult to 
ensure that the child will remain properly 
seated and seat-belted at all times.
Always position the passenger seat as far 
back as possible and at the lowest level.
The above warning and recommendations 
are compatible with regulations estab-
lished by the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration – NHTSA – permitting 
the deactivation of front passenger airbags 
by means of an on-off switch for members 
of certain "at risk" groups.
Specifically, the 'at risk' groups are:
>Infants in rear-facing infant seats
>Persons with certain medical conditions
>Children aged 12 and under in the front 
passenger seat.
NHTSA provides this information via their 
website – www.nhtsa.dot.gov – or via their 
Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-
9393 or 366-0123 in Washington, D.C. 
area.< 

Adjustments
36
LATCH child-restraint mounting 
system*
LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tethers for 
CHildren
The anchorage points for the LATCH child-
restraint system are located at the posi-
tions indicated by the arrows.
For Canadian models only:
The position of the anchorage points is 
indicated by a label on the seat; refer to 
detail in illustration.
Carefully slide the brackets through the 
gaps in the upholstery at the indicated 
locations, see arrows. 
To mount the LATCH child-restraint 
system, please follow the manufac-
turer's operating and safety precautions.<
Commercially available child seats comply-
ing with the legal standard are designed to 
be secured with a seat belt or with the seat 
belt portion of a combination lap/shoulder 
belt. 
Improperly or inadequately installed child-
restraint systems can increase the risk of 
injury to children. Always read and follow 
the instructions that come with the system.Before installing any child-restraint 
device or child seat, please read the 
following: 
Never install a rear-facing child-restraint 
system in the passenger seat of this vehi-
cle, unless the passenger airbags have 
been turned off and the indicator lamp in 
the center console indicates that the pas-
senger airbags are deactivated.
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag 
restraint system for the passenger. 
Because the backrest on any rear-facing 
child-restraint system – of the kind 
designed for infants under 1 year and 
20 lbs/9 kg – would be within the airbag's 
deployment range, you must deactivate the 
passenger's airbags, as the impact of the 
airbags against the child-restraint's back-
rest could lead to serious or fatal injuries, if 
the airbags are not deactivated.
For a child – not an infant –, certain precau-
tions should be taken. Position the passen-
ger seat as far back as possible and at the 
lowest level. This important precaution is 
intended to maximize the distance 
between the airbags and the child. Younger 
children should be secured in an appropri-
ate forward-facing child-restraint system 
that has first been properly secured. Older 
children should be tightly secured with a 
safety belt, sitting with their back against 
the vehicle seat back.
Always ensure that all occupants – of all 
ages – remain properly and securely 
restrained at all times.<
Securing the child-restraint system
The front passenger's safety belt can be 
locked for mounting and securing a child-
restraint system.
A label with the appropriate instructions for 
this is located in the immediate vicinity of 
the buckle latch of the safety belt.