[SomeRandomer123]

I don't know how well known this is but (I think all) BMW's with a Stop/Start button can be emergency started without the key.
Here's how it works if you are not familiar:
(Doesn't work with Comfort Access as you can imagine - doesn't need to!)

1) Start and drive car normally with key in ignition slot.

2) Stop and switch off normally

3) Remove key from ignition slot normally.

All very normal...

A BADDIE IS COMING AND YOU HAVE DROPPED YOUR KEY IN THE FOOTWELL OR OUTSIDE THE CAR!

Emergency start:

4) Forget the key, depress the clutch and hit the Starter!

5) Floor it!

How:
After the engine has shut down, you have approximately 15 seconds available where you can re-start it without inserting the key. After the 15 seconds, the key must be inserted.

Why:
So baddies don't steal you - or even worse - your BMW.

So does the new X3 do this?
Try it!

Thanks
Dan

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

I don't know how well known this is but (I think all) BMW's with a Stop/Start button can be emergency started without the key.
Here's how it works if you are not familiar:
(Doesn't work with Comfort Access as you can imagine - doesn't need to!)

1) Start and drive car normally with key in ignition slot.

2) Stop and switch off normally

3) Remove key from ignition slot normally.

All very normal...

A BADDIE IS COMING AND YOU HAVE DROPPED YOUR KEY IN THE FOOTWELL OR OUTSIDE THE CAR!

Emergency start:

4) Forget the key, depress the clutch and hit the Starter!

5) Floor it!

How:
After the engine has shut down, you have approximately 15 seconds available where you can re-start it without inserting the key. After the 15 seconds, the key must be inserted.

Why:
So baddies don't steal you - or even worse - your BMW.

So does the new X3 do this?
Try it!

Thanks
Dan

No need. The X3 has no key slot. If the key is inside the car, one push on the button (with your foot on the brake pedal) starts it up. No Slot, no need to insert anything, no place to insert anything. In fact, you can leave the car with the key in your pocket and the car will continue to run. Just don't forget the key is gone and shut it off.

If you drop it outside the car, you're out of luck. It won't restart.

[RxCritical]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

No need. The X3 has no key slot. If the key is inside the car, one push on the button (with your foot on the brake pedal) starts it up. No Slot, no need to insert anything, no place to insert anything. In fact, you can leave the car with the key in your pocket and the car will continue to run. Just don't forget the key is gone and shut it off.

If you drop it outside the car, you're out of luck. It won't restart.

Plus none of us in the Colonies have a clutch.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by RxCritical

Plus none of us in the Colonies have a clutch.

Well...I have a rusty old Centerforce ceramic-puck disc and pressure plate sitting on the garage floor, and my wife has a "clutch" purse. Stepping on either definitely won't start the X3

[RxCritical]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Well...I have a rusty old Centerforce ceramic-puck disc and pressure plate sitting on the garage floor, and my wife has a "clutch" purse. Stepping on either definitely won't start the X3

True dat.

[SomeRandomer123]

Ahh very true!
You Americans need to learn to drive too!! I completely forgot that almost all of your cars were Auto's. Or stick shift which I absolutely hate!
I drove a Mercedes ML and that had stick shift - bloody awful it was!
Almost every car over here is a Manual so us Brits (does that count Scotland what with the recent "outage?") can actually drive. Well, most.
Although saying that, our next car will be auto and will have an 8spd transmission as we are looking at top of the range!

[RxCritical]

Actually BMW does not offer the manual here. Only Automatic. So there is not much choice. Of course less than 1% of the American buyers would choose a manual in the X3 so it kinda makes sense.

[pault]

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

You Americans need to learn to drive too!!

That's fighting talk Also, must be hard for you living in the UK and not liking 'stick shift'

[skier219]

I was actually surprised how scarce manual transmission BMWs are in the US. Makes it hard to shop and test drive if you're looking for one. Dealers are definitely catering to automatic-loving US buyers.

[Le Chef]

Apparently more and more Brits are ordering automatics as they spend a large part of commuting sat stationary in gridlock.

[Harplayr]

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

Ahh very true!
You Americans need to learn to drive too!! I completely forgot that almost all of your cars were Auto's. Or stick shift which I absolutely hate!
I drove a Mercedes ML and that had stick shift - bloody awful it was!
Almost every car over here is a Manual so us Brits (does that count Scotland what with the recent "outage?") can actually drive. Well, most.
Although saying that, our next car will be auto and will have an 8spd transmission as we are looking at top of the range!

I can drive real good.
280 yards straight down the fairway!
It's puttering along that's difficult.

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

Apparently more and more Brits are ordering automatics as they spend a large part of commuting sat stationary in gridlock.

Very true! Much more cheap hatchbacks are offering Auto

[SomeRandomer123]

Haha I mean the stupid gear stalk that comes out the side if the wheel!

[Santa69]

Originally Posted by skier219

I was actually surprised how scarce manual transmission BMWs are in the US. Makes it hard to shop and test drive if you're looking for one. Dealers are definitely catering to automatic-loving US buyers.

I had a manual 6 in a 2004 X3. Very rare in US. Initially disappointed that my msport X3 did not come with a stick, but between the improved gas mileage from the auto 8 speed and worsening traffic conditions in my area, I am now a convert.

[Bustofa]

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

Haha I mean the stupid gear stalk that comes out the side if the wheel!

Isn't that a column shift?

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by Bustofa

Isn't that a column shift?

I don't really care to be honest, I just felt it was crap.

[Bustofa]

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

I don't really care to be honest, I just felt it was crap.

Please yourself!