[Adman Mike]

Sounds like there is a lot of great stuff on the F30/32 - but what about silly or useless things - any suggestions?

I'll get the ball rolling - I know it will upset some - automatic folding mirrors, WTF?

[Drk280]

Sadly u need them if you want auto dimming outside mirrors which is an amazing feature, but yes I never fold them in

[bcl0328]

how are those useless? i fold them EVERY time i park so no one hits them or knocks them off. and in my garage at home, it makes it easier to walk by since it is a tight fit.

[Kankles]

Here in Brussels the folding mirrors are essential as many of the streets (parking) are tight and those with non-folding mirrors are getting theirs schwacked off all the time

[Robin_NL]

^So this means the most pointless F30 feature are nonfolding mirrors. Which I happen to have.

Cheers
Robin

[m630]

Originally Posted by Adman Mike

Sounds like there is a lot of great stuff on the F30/32 - but what about silly or useless things - any suggestions?

I'll get the ball rolling - I know it will upset some - automatic folding mirrors, WTF?

they are very very useful, especially in tight parking, unsure why you wouldnt have that need in the UK as your streets are roads are very tight!

[yellolab]

Ecopro tips is plain stupid.

Kevin

[bobert]

I agree the folding mirrors are great. Most useless feature to me is the swinging pendulum that is the "MPG meter" under the speedo.

[DrivenByE30]

folding mirrors are useful...
electrically folding mirrors are convenient and useful...
(but, touch wood, i hope my electrical folding mirrors dont stop working one day...
because non folding mirrors get broken...

swinging MPG instantaneous meter pendulum (under the tacho) is useful too because i know how to read it...

i can't think of anything non-useful in my car yet ... ??!!

[bobert]

Originally Posted by DrivenByE30

folding mirrors are useful...
electrically folding mirrors are convenient and useful...
(but, touch wood, i hope my electrical folding mirrors dont stop working one day...
because non folding mirrors get broken...

swinging MPG instantaneous meter pendulum (under the tacho) is useful too because i know how to read it...

i can't think of anything non-useful in my car yet ... ??!!

You're right, of course - under the tach. I'm used to Japanese cars, where in all of my cases it was on the left! It's not so easy to read it bcz I typically have it moving quickly! At any rate, it's of dubious accuracy.

[Maz335i]

Originally Posted by DrivenByE30

folding mirrors are useful...
electrically folding mirrors are convenient and useful...
(but, touch wood, i hope my electrical folding mirrors dont stop working one day...
because non folding mirrors get broken...

swinging MPG instantaneous meter pendulum (under the tacho) is useful too because i know how to read it...

i can't think of anything non-useful in my car yet ... ??!!

I'm surprised no one pointed out the ORANGE SIDE REFLECTORS???

LOL, I know its not useless but couldnt help it...

[bobert]

Originally Posted by Maz335i

I'm surprised no one pointed out the ORANGE SIDE REFLECTORS???

LOL, I know its not useless but couldnt help it...

Good one!

[rmd]

Originally Posted by bcl0328

how are those useless? i fold them EVERY time i park so no one hits them or knocks them off. and in my garage at home, it makes it easier to walk by since it is a tight fit.

Same here...I use them every day.

[CurlyFatAngry]

Folding mirrors are far from useless I use them everyday when I park in garages where cars are tightly placed, also try living in a big city where cyclists go by your expensive BMW mirror hanging out there.

[justinnum1]

i wish they would close automatcailly when you lock the doors and open up when you unlock

[TonyS]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

i wish they would close automatcailly when you lock the doors and open up when you unlock

I'm glad mine don't unfold automatically because I'd smack them off every time I reversed out of my garage - without folding the mirrors there's only about 1 inch clearance each side.

I do like the way they unfold as soon as you get to about 15mph though - I think that's very cool.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by bobert

I agree the folding mirrors are great. Most useless feature to me is the swinging pendulum that is the "MPG meter" under the speedo.

That's it!
VERY pointless.

I'd like to make the needle stop moving.
There is digital readout that can show instant MPG if one MUST see it.

I can't tell if the foot swipe to open the trunk/boot is useless of not, because I've now tried it on 3 - 3 series, including mine, and haven't had any success on any of the cars.

The console cup holder cover is pretty dull too.
It doesn't retract, and you have to store it somewhere if you want to use it again. I removed it and it's now in my glovebox where it will remain, likely until I return the car in 3yrs.
So....USELESS in any meaningful way.

[boltjames]

It's a tie between ASS and EcoPro mode.

Owners of $50,000 German luxury cars don't care about the environment, don't care about saving a few pennies, and don't want their cars turning themselves off when they feel like it.

There are hundreds of other cars to which these features are suited, but on an imported luxury performance car they're just hypocritical.

BJ

[S_M]

Originally Posted by RPM90

That's it!
VERY pointless.

I'd like to make the needle stop moving.
There is digital readout that can show instant MPG if one MUST see it.

I can't tell if the foot swipe to open the trunk/boot is useless of not, because I've now tried it on 3 - 3 series, including mine, and haven't had any success on any of the cars.

The console cup holder cover is pretty dull too.
It doesn't retract, and you have to store it somewhere if you want to use it again. I removed it and it's now in my glovebox where it will remain, likely until I return the car in 3yrs.
So....USELESS in any meaningful way.

Agreed on the cupholder cover. Thing has been in my glovebox for 5 months now collecting dust.

[batislav]

Originally Posted by boltjames

It's a tie between ASS and EcoPro mode.

Owners of $50,000 German luxury cars don't care about the environment, don't care about saving a few pennies, and don't want their cars turning themselves off when they feel like it.

There are hundreds of other cars to which these features are suited, but on an imported luxury performance car they're just hypocritical.

BJ

I donate lots of money to environmental groups.

I also know that BMW has won the sustainable car company of the year most years the past decade and numerous greenest car company awards. Due to the fact that manufacturing can cause more emissions than a car produces in it's lifetime, the average BMW often has less of a carbon footprint than the average prius--creating the batteries is very emissions heavy.

BMW also treats their workers better than many car companies.

Not that BMW should be nominated for sainthood, but for people who care about the environment and working conditions, they are as good a company to choose from as any other.

Products from "budget" companies are often produced under more inhumane conditions and with poorer manufacturing standards and emissions than premium companies.

MPG is not the most important factor in determining environmental impact.

[YeaG30]

Originally Posted by smohr33

Agreed on the cupholder cover. Thing has been in my glovebox for 5 months now collecting dust.

how does it collect dust in a fully enclosed compartment?

[F30AM]

Cover for cup-holders: a rubbish design.
I'll bin mine when I get the car!