4 series programmable button ideas

[Speed addicted]

I've recently bought a 2015 4 series and it's come with programable buttons (that I discovered while moaning about loosing the two in my old 6 series).


So far I've set the closest one to switch off the Idrive display as I find it a bit bright on unlit roads.

I'll set another one for nav to get me home, possibly a third for switching on and off the split screen.


What do other people set up the rest of the buttons to do? I'm rapidly running out of ideas!

[_Hoppers]

Volume/Sound Settings (bass/treble etc)
Trip Computer
Messages (For transferring satnav destinations from iPhone app)
Sports Display (never use it though)
Display Off/On
Home directions for satnav

Can't remember what I set the last two for!

EDIT: One is for Lights (to turn on/off 3 flash indicator setting)

Edited by _Hoppers on Tuesday 15th October 13:33

[Pica-Pica]

8 is to set to switch Sat Nav off (or on, if it is off - it defaults to the opposite).
7 is to set Sat Nav to home destination.

The others are radio stations, but thinking about it I may set one or two to my stored music.

I find the map is useful to look ahead for hold ups, but the button next to iDrive is easier than a programmed ‘radio’ button.

Another feature is to set the left stalk settings to show certain features on the instrument cluster. I cannot remember the full options available, but I have just got distance to empty, and average mpg. Although I admit they are redundant as the overall average mpg does not vary much, and the fuel gauge is good enough and the warning comes on at 50 miles left, so I may remove those.

One question for all. How do you set your map/sat nav view? Being a keen map reader, I always have it ‘North-oriented’, rather than ‘direction of travel’.

I have tried the sport instrumentation, but it is interesting now and again, but not essential. It is quiet surprising (and logical) how often you get the torque figure up to maximum quickly.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Tuesday 15th October 14:05

[Speed addicted]

Pica-Pica said:

Another feature is to set the left stalk settings to show certain features on the instrument cluster. I cannot remember the full options available, but I have just got distance to empty, and average mpg. Although I admit they are redundant as the overall average mpg does not vary much, and the fuel gauge is good enough and the warning comes on at 50 miles left, so I may remove those.

Mine is currently set to all the options, I'll be trimming down the list as well. Thought about switching off the miserometer display on the bottom of the rev counter too, but it's a lot less depressing than anything else I've had recently so it's staying for the time being.

[Bam89]

I used to have my most commonly dialled contacts as a couple of the buttons. Much easier to call someone by pressing one button than any other way of getting to it

[williamp]

1 is sat name home
2 is fun kids radio station

7 is sat nav work
8 is absoluts radio 90s.

I only do the school run once a day..

[gizlaroc]

1. LBC
2. Radio 2
3. Talk Radio
4. Screen Off
5. Radio 5 Live
6. Dial Home
7. Messages
8. Nav Home

[Speed addicted]

Pica-Pica said:

One question for all. How do you set your map/sat nav view? Being a keen map reader, I always have it ‘North-oriented’, rather than ‘direction of travel’.

I always have it in direction of travel, 2D rather than 3D as I find it easier to see what’s ahead.

Been adding shortcuts tonight, good call on the messages to add maps from the phone. Not sure if I’ll need it but it’s neat!

[JakeT]

1. Radio 1
2. Radio 2
3. Capital
4. Radio 4
5. Heart
6. Oil Level
7. AUX input
8. Display off.

I don't really use the buttons 1-5 as I just select using iDrive. I do like the display off at night though.

I have the map set to north facing. I tend to use it as a map sometimes if the roads are bad and I know which general direction I need to go in. I might change a couple of the buttons to set the map to night mode, and bits like that.