
Notes
4
Notes
Using this Owner's Manual
We have tried to make all the information in this 
Owner's Manual easy to find. The fastest way to 
find specific topics is to refer to the detailed 
index at the back of the manual. If you wish to 
gain an initial overview of your vehicle, you will 
find this in the first chapter.
Should you sell your BMW some day, please 
remember to hand over the Owner's Manual as 
well; it is an important component of your vehi-
cle.
Additional sources of information
Should you have any other questions, your 
BMW center will be glad to advise you at any 
time.
Information on BMW, e.g. on technical aspects, 
can also be found on the Internet at 
www.bmwusa.com.
Symbols used
Indicates precautions that must be fol-
lowed precisely in order to avoid the pos-
sibility of personal injury and serious damage to 
the vehicle.<
Indicates information that will assist you 
in gaining the optimum benefit from your 
vehicle and enable you to care more effectively 
for your vehicle.<
Refers to measures that can be taken to 
help protect the environment.<
*Indicates special equipment, country-spe-
cific equipment and optional extras, as well as 
equipment and functions not yet available at the 
time of printing.
"..." Identifies Control Display texts used to 
select individual functions.
{...} Verbal instructions to use with the voice 
command system.
{{...}} Identifies the answers generated by the 
voice command system.
Symbols on vehicle components
Indicates that you should consult the rel-
evant section of this Owner's Manual for 
information on a particular part or assembly. 

iDrive
16
iDrive
iDrive integrates the functions of a large num-
ber of switches. This allows these functions to 
be operated from a single central position. The 
following section provides an introduction to basic menu navigation. The control of the indi-
vidual functions is described in connection with 
the relevant equipment.
Controls
1Control Display
2 button
Opening start menu
3Controller
The controller can be used to select menu 
items and to adjust settings:
>Move in four directions, arrow 4
>Turn, arrow 5
>Push, arrow 6Operate the controller only when traffic 
and road conditions allow this, to avoid 
endangering the car's occupants and other 
road users by being distracted.< 

At a glance
 17Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Menu overview
Communication
>Telephone*
>BMW Assist* or TeleService*
Navigation
>Navigation system
>Onboard information, e.g. for displaying the 
average fuel consumption
Entertainment
>Radio
>CD player and CD changer
*
>AUX-In port, USB/audio interface* for 
external audio device
Climate
>Vent settings
>Automatic programs
>Parked car operation
 menu
>Switching off Control Display
>Tone and display settings
>Settings for your vehicle, e.g. for the central 
locking system
>Display of service requirements and dates 
for statutory inspections
>Settings for telephone
Operating principle
As of radio readiness, the following message 
appears on the Control Display:
To hide the message: 
Press the controller.
The start menu is displayed.
The message is automatically hidden after 
approx. 10 seconds.
Start menu
All iDrive functions can be called up via five 
menu items.
Opening start menu
Press the   button.
To open the start menu from the   menu:
Press the   button twice. 

iDrive
22 If the car is equipped with two drives and a 
CD with compressed audio files is played, 
the current track is stored.<
Executing a function
 ...   Press the key.
The function is executed immediately. This 
means that, for example, if a phone number is 
selected, the connection is established, or if a 
navigation destination is called up, destination 
guidance is started.
Displaying memory key assignments
You can have the assignment of a memory key 
displayed by touching the key with your finger. 
Please do not wear gloves when doing so. 
Touching the keys with an object such as a pen 
will not work.
Displaying brief information
 ...   Touch the key.
The key assignment is displayed.
 Navigation destination
 Entertainment source
 Telephone, phone number
 Not assigned
Displaying detailed information
 ...   Touch the key for a longer 
period.
Clearing key assignments
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Select "Programmable Memory Keys" and 
press the controller.
6.Select "Delete assignment of all memory 
keys" and press the controller.
7.Select "Yes" and press the controller. 

Controls
 29Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer to 
page86
>Language on the Control Display, refer to 
page86
>Units of measure for fuel consumption, dis-
tance covered/remaining distances, and 
temperature, refer to page78
>Show visual warning for Park Distance Con-
trol PDC
*, refer to page88
>Welcome lamps, refer to page100
>Pathway lighting, refer to page101
>Daytime running lamps, refer to page101
>Automatic climate control: AUTO program, 
activating/deactivating cooling function and 
automatic recirculated-air control, setting 
temperature, air flow rate and distribution, 
refer to page105 ff
>Audio volume, refer to page161
>Tone control, refer to page161
>Speed-dependent volume control, refer to 
page161
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system is ready for opera-
tion whenever the driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid
>Fuel filler door
>Convertible: center armrest and glove com-
partment
Operating from outside
>Via the remote control
>Via the door lock
>In cars with convenient access
*, via the 
handles on the driver's and front passen-
ger's doorsThe anti-theft system is also operated at the 
same time. It prevents the doors from being 
unlocked using the lock buttons or door han-
dles. In addition, if the remote control is used, 
the welcome lamps, interior lamps and the 
door's courtesy lamps
* are switched on or off. 
The alarm system
* is also armed or disarmed.
For further details of the alarm system,
 refer to 
page35.
Operating from inside
By means of the button for central locking, refer 
to page32.
In the event of a sufficiently severe accident, the 
central locking system unlocks automatically. In 
addition, the hazard warning flashers and inte-
rior lamps come on.
Opening and closing:
Using the remote control
Persons or animals in a parked vehicle 
could lock the doors from the inside. You 
should therefore take the remote control with 
you when you leave the vehicle so that the latter 
can be opened from outside.<
Convertible: to operate the retractable 
hardtop with the remote control, the 
doors and luggage compartment lid must be 
closed and the cargo bay partition must be 
folded down and engaged on both sides. Refer 
also to page41.<
Unlocking
Press the   button.
The interior lamps, the courtesy lamps
* and the 
welcome lamps come on.
You can also set the way in which the car is 
unlocked. The setting is stored for the remote 
control currently in use.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller. 

Controls
 35Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Coupe
Convertible
To close the luggage compartment lid, 
press it down lightly. The lid is closed 
automatically.<
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the luggage com-
partment lid is opened
>To movements inside the vehicle: Interior 
motion sensor, refer to page36
>When the car's inclination changes, for 
instance if an attempt is made to jack it up 
and steal the wheels or to raise it prior to 
towing away
>When there is an interruption in the power 
supply from the battery
The alarm system signals unauthorized entry 
attempts for a short time by means of:
>An acoustic alarm
>Switching on the hazard warning flashers
>Flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
You can open the luggage compartment lid 
even when the alarm system is armed, by 
pressing the   button on the remote control, 
refer to page30. The lid is locked and moni-
tored again as soon as you close it.
Panic mode*
You can trigger the alarm system if you find 
yourself in a dangerous situation:
Press the   button for at least three seconds.
To switch off the alarm: press any button.
Switching off an alarm
>Unlock the car with the remote control, refer 
to page29.
>Insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp under the inside rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after locking: 
doors, hood or luggage compartment lid are 
not properly closed. Even if you do not close 
the alerted area, the system begins to mon-
itor the remaining areas, and the indicator 
lamp flashes continuously after approx. 
10 seconds. The interior motion sensor and 
the tilt alarm sensor are not activated. 

Opening and closing
38
Warning lamps
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when you attempt to 
start the engine: the engine cannot 
be started. The remote control is not inside the 
vehicle or is malfunctioning. Take the remote 
control with you inside the vehicle or have it 
checked. If necessary, insert another remote 
control into the ignition switch.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up while the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer inside the vehicle. After the engine is 
switched off, the engine can only be restarted 
within approx. 10 seconds.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on and a message 
appears on the Control Display: 
replace the battery in the remote control.
Replacing the battery
The remote control for convenient access con-
tains a battery that will need to be replaced from 
time to time.
1.Take the integrated key out of the remote 
control, refer to page28.
2.Remove the cover.
3.Insert the new battery with the plus side fac-
ing up.
4.Press the cover on to close.
Take the old battery to a battery collec-
tion point or to your BMW center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, watch the windows 
while closing them. 
Take the remote control with you when you 
leave the car, otherwise children could operate 
the electric windows and possibly injure them-
selves.<
Opening, closing
Coupe
>Press the switch to the resistance point:
The window opens as long as you press the 
switch.
>Press the switch beyond the resistance 
point:
The window opens automatically. Press the 
switch again to stop the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch.
Convertible: individually
>Press the switch to the resistance point:
The window opens as long as you press the 
switch. 

Controls
 41Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
4.Unplug the motor. Considerably less effort 
will be required for manual operation.
5.Insert the Allen wrench supplied with the 
onboard tool kit, refer to page230, into the 
opening provided. Move the glass roof in 
the desired direction.
6.Reinstall the control unit and reattach the 
lamp cover.
Convertible: retractable 
hardtop
The retractable hardtop combines reliable 
weather protection with simple and convenient 
operation.
The following tips will enhance your driving 
pleasure in your convertible:
>It is advisable that you close the retractable 
hardtop when you park the vehicle. Not only 
does the closed hardtop protect the vehicle 
interior against unanticipated weather dam-
age, it also offers theft protection. However, 
even when the hardtop is closed, valuables 
should only be stored in the locked cargo 
bay.>Do not attach roof rack systems to the 
retractable hardtop, and in particular do not 
attach magnetic racks.
>Do not attach rack systems to the luggage 
compartment lid, and in particular do not 
attach magnetic racks.
>When the retractable hardtop is operated, 
the luggage compartment lid swivels out 
backwards and upwards. Before operating 
the retractable hardtop, ensure that the 
necessary space is clear, e.g. when parking 
in front of a wall.
>If you open the hardtop while it is wet, e.g. 
after driving in the rain, water may drip into 
the cargo bay. If necessary, remove items 
from the cargo bay beforehand to avoid 
water stains or soiling.
Do not place any objects on the retract-
able hardtop or on the luggage compart-
ment lid, otherwise they could fall during move-
ments of the retractable hardtop and cause 
damage or injury.
Never move the retractable hardtop when the 
rollover protection system is in the activated 
position.
Driving when the hardtop is not fully opened or 
closed may result in damage or injury.
Do not reach into the mechanism while the 
hardtop is opening or closing. Keep children 
away from the swiveling area of the retractable 
hardtop.<
The retractable hardtop cannot be moved 
at temperatures below + 147/–106. A 
message appears on the Control Display.<
The retractable hardtop can only be 
opened and closed when the vehicle is 
stationary. To avoid causing damage, do not 
drive off until the hardtop has stopped mov-
ing.<
Before opening and closing
>Comply with the safety precautions 
described above.
>Ensure that the cargo bay partition is folded 
down and engaged on both sides, refer to 
page117, otherwise it will not be possible 
to open the retractable hardtop.