BMW noob

[jamei303]

Just booked a 520d estate for hire because I need to lug some stuff across the country and why hire a van if it will fit in an estate car?

Is there anything I should know about BMWs before getting in and driving off? Like newbies can never figure out how to undo the fuel cap first time or some other similar minor but highly embarrassing thing?

[MitchT]

I don't know if other makes of car are the same these days but modern BMWs have indicator stalks which are more like a switch which requires a relatively soft touch. On my ancient 3 Series the stalk moves to the left or right position and needs to be returned to the centre position to cancel the signal, as is the case with all other cars I've ever driven. On my OH's relatively new 1 Series the stalk only moves a tiny bit to activate the signal and returns to the centre immediately. To cancel the signal you push it again in the original direction. Push it the other way (thinking you're cancelling the existing signal) and the car will start signalling the other way. The OH didn't realise that I wouldn't know this, so she didn't explain, and as I'd never experienced a system like this I didn't know. Que me driving along indicating one way, then the other, several times over until it eventually cancelled itself due to a slight curve in the road.

[_Hoppers]

jamei303 said:

Just booked a 520d estate for hire because I need to lug some stuff across the country and why hire a van if it will fit in an estate car?

Is there anything I should know about BMWs before getting in and driving off? Like newbies can never figure out how to undo the fuel cap first time or some other similar minor but highly embarrassing thing?

Fuel filler flap locks and unlocks with central locking

[dave_s13]

Join the Facebook owners group as it'll probably self immolate, break down or you'll want some inspiration for mods or summat.

[Mr Tidy]

If it's a manual it won't start unless you've got the clutch pedal fully depressed.

You can probably unlock the tailgate from the key without unlocking the doors - just make sure you don't leave the key in the boot when you close it!

It's definitely going to be better than a van - have a good trip.

[jamei303]

Good to know about the indicators. I once hired a car on a tropical island. It was a dry, dusty day and at the first junction there was a big crowd of pedestrians so I signalled left, which gave one swipe of the wipers. Aware that everyone was watching, I quickly cancelled them only to find they were now at maximum speed and everyone was laughing at me.

[Pica-Pica]

Note: on latest BMWs you can push the indicator switch lightly in EITHER direction to cancel. This feature seems odd at first, but after you have driven the car for a while you think, ‘why don’t all cars do that?’.
If it is an auto, if you are stopped in D, it will go into Park, if you
Switch engine off
Undo driver’s seat belt
Open Driver’s door

[jamei303]

Well the 5 series touring I hired had to unexpectedly go in for service (apparently a feature of BMWs), so the hire place gave me an X5 instead.

Actually my first SUV and felt like being on one of these:



The main embarrassment was the powered tailgate, which worked sometimes, but other times i had to heave it up with my arms.

[mekondelta]

There are plenty of seat adjustments, take some time to find a configuration that works for you. It's easy to be pressured into driving away without getting comfortable. First thing I always do is to raise the seat so I can see around outside the car better. It's amazing how low the seat goes and you can feel like Ant Man if you don't adjust it..