Page 3 of 250
128i
135iOwner's Manual for Vehicle
Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with 
enhanced control and security when you drive it. We therefore 
have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize 
yourself with the information that we have compiled for you 
before starting off in your new vehicle. It contains important data 
and instructions intended to assist you in gaining maximum use 
and satisfaction from your BMW's unique range of technical fea-
tures. The manual also contains information on maintenance 
designed to enhance operating safety and contribute to main-
taining the value of your BMW throughout an extended service 
life.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet for US models or a Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 5 of 250

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find information on a partic-
ular topic or item is by using the index beginning 
on page232.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
7Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
21Letters and numbers
22Voice activation system
Controls
26Opening and closing
43Adjustments
52Transporting children safely
55Driving
63Controls overview
75Technology for driving comfort and 
safety
86Lamps
91Climate
96Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
108Things to remember when driving
Navigation
116Navigation system
117Destination entry
126Destination guidance
133What to do if …
Entertainment
136On/off and tone
139Radio
142Satellite radio
147CD/DVD player and CD changer
154Music collection
159External devices
Communications
166Telephone
178Contacts
180BMW Assist
Mobility
188Refueling
190Wheels and tires
198Under the hood
203Maintenance
205Care
209Replacing components
215Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
222Technical data
227Short commands for the voice activation 
system
232Everything from A - Z 
         
        
        
     
        
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Mobility
 215Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Giving and receiving assistance
Emergency Request*
Conditions for an Emergency Request:
>Full preparation package mobile phone: this 
equipment makes it possible to send an 
Emergency Request even if no mobile 
phone is paired with the vehicle.
>BMW Assist is activated. Activating BMW 
Assist, refer to page182.
>Radio readiness is on.
>The BMW Assist system is logged on to a 
mobile phone network.
>The Emergency Request system is opera-
ble.
Once your service contract for BMW Assist 
expires, the BMW Assist system can be deacti-
vated by a BMW center without you having to 
visit a workshop. Once the BMW Assist system 
has been deactivated, Emergency Requests 
are not possible. The BMW Assist system can 
be reactivated by a BMW center after a new 
contract has been signed.
Sending an Emergency Request
1.Briefly press the cover flap to open.
2.Press the SOS button until the LED in the 
button lights up.
As soon as the voice connection to the BMW 
Assist Response Center has been established, 
the LED flashes.
Once the BMW Assist Response Center has 
received your Emergency Request, the 
BMW Assist Response Center contacts you and takes further steps to help you. Even if you 
are unable to respond, the BMW Assist 
Response Center will be able to initiate further 
steps to assist you under certain conditions.
If the circumstances allow this, remain in the 
vehicle until the connection has been estab-
lished. You will then be able to provide a 
detailed description of the situation.
Data for determining the necessary rescue 
measures are transmitted to the BMW Assist 
Response Center, e.g. the current position of 
your vehicle, if it can be determined.
If the LED is flashing but the BMW Assist 
Response Center cannot be heard over the 
hands-free system, it is possible that the 
hands-free system is malfunctioning. You may 
still be heard by the BMW Assist Response 
Center, however.
Under certain conditions, an Emergency 
Request is sent automatically immediately after 
a severe accident. This Automatic Collision 
Notification is not affected by the button being 
pressed.
For technical reasons, the Emergency 
Request service cannot be guaranteed 
for the most unfavorable conditions.<
Roadside Assistance
The BMW Roadside Assistance is there to 
assist you around the clock in the event of a 
breakdown, including on weekends and public 
holidays.
The phone numbers of Roadside Assistance in 
your home country can be found in the Contact 
brochure.
First aid pouch*
Some of the articles contained in the first aid 
pouch have a limited service life. Therefore, 
check the expiration dates of the contents reg- 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 223 of 250
Reference
This chapter contains technical data, short
commands for the voice activation system and
an index that will help you find information most
quickly.
Reference 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 224 of 250
Technical data
222
Technical data
Engine data
128i135i
Displacement cu in/cmμ182.8/2,996 181.8/2,979
Number of cylinders 6 6
Maximum power output hp 230 300
at engine speed  rpm 6,500 5,800
Maximum torque lb ft/Nm 200/270 300/407
at engine speed  rpm 2,750 1,400 - 5,000 
         
        
        
     
        
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Technical data
224
Convertible
All dimensions given in inches/mm. 
Smallest turning circle dia.: 35.1 ft/10.7 m. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 228 of 250
Technical data
226
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank:  US gal/liters approx. 14.0/53 Fuel grade: page189
including reserve of US gal/liters approx. 2.1/8.0
Window washer system For more details: page61
including headlamp washers US qt/liters approx. 6.3/6.0 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 237 of 250

Reference 235
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Corner-illuminating lamps, 
refer to Adaptive light 
control87
Cornering lamps, refer to 
Adaptive light control87
Country codes DVD149
Courtesy lamps90
Criteria for route126
Cross-hairs in navigation122
Cruise control61
Cruising range65
Cupholders100
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights225
Current fuel consumption65
Current playback
– external devices161
– of music collection156
Customer Relations183
D
Dashboard, refer to 
Cockpit10
Dashboard lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting89
Data
– dimensions223
– sizes223
Data, technical222
– capacities226
– engine222
– weights225
Data transfer184
Date
– setting70
– setting format71
Daytime running lights, switch 
positions87
DBC Dynamic Brake 
Control76
Deactivating front passenger 
airbags83
Deadlocking, refer to 
Locking28
Decommissioning the vehicle, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicleDefect
– door lock30
– fuel filler flap188
– glass roof37
Defogging windows93
Defrosting the windows93
Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation93
Defrosting windshield, refer to 
Defrosting windows93
Defrost position, refer to 
Defrosting windows93
Destination, entering by town/
city name117
Destination address
– entering117,123
Destination entry via BMW 
Assist121
Destination for navigation
– entering by voice123
– entering via map122
– entry117
– home address120
– manual entry117
Destination guidance126
– bypassing a route 
section127
– changing specified 
route126
– continuing126
– starting126
– voice instructions127
– volume of voice 
instructions128
Differential, breaking in108
Digital clock
63
Digital compass98
Digital radio, refer to HD 
Radio140
Dimensions223
Directional indicators, refer to 
Turn signals59
Direction instructions, refer to 
Voice instructions127
Directory for navigation, refer 
to Address book119
Displacement, refer to Engine 
data222Display, refer to Control 
Display16
Display lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting89
Displays, refer to Instrument 
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– of coolant201
– remote control battery35
– vehicle battery213
Distance, refer to 
Computer65
Distance remaining to service, 
refer to Service 
requirements67
Distance to destination, refer 
to Computer65
Distance warning, refer to 
Park Distance Control 
PDC75
Door key, refer to Integrated 
key/remote control26
Door lock29
Door lock, confirmation 
signals28
Doors, emergency 
operation30
DOT Quality Grades194
Draft-free ventilation94
Drinks holders, refer to 
Cupholders100
Drive-off assistance, refer to 
DSC76
Drive-off assistant77
Driving lamps, refer to Parking 
lamps/low beams86
Driving notes108
Driving off on hills, refer to 
Drive-off assistant77
Driving stability control 
systems76
Driving through water110
Driving tips, refer to Driving 
notes108
Dry air, refer to Cooling 
function93
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control76