[richard in NC]

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I decided to start a thread for those interesting features and quirks you discover along the way. For long time BMW owners, some may be old hat, but many are interesting discoveries none the less. I'll start.

On the first drive after break in service on a cold morning, I discovered the X3M has a variable warning redline/yellow zone on the tach. I've not seen that since my '02 M5. I now wonder if the redline was always kept lower prior to break in service.

[hellcat2m4]

It should have been there from the start I beleive. It was also present on my F82 during the cars warm up phase.

As the car warms up you should see that yellow getting smaller and smaller until it makes its way to between 6.5k-7.2k rpms where it will settle letting you now redline since the engine is warm.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by hellcat2m4

It should have been there from the start I beleive. It was also present on my F82 during the cars warm up phase.

As the car warms up you should see that yellow getting smaller and smaller until it makes its way to between 6.5k-7.2k rpms where it will settle letting you now redline since the engine is warm.

The redline was also lower, about 6200 at first. I didn't know the F82 had it. My F10 M5 did not, nor does my M2C.

[floating.spirit]

I was sitting in the driveway in neutral. Then I opened my door and started to get out and I noticed it automatically switched itself into park. Fortunately my driveway doesn't have much of an incline so it held.

[strohw]

Originally Posted by richard in NC

The redline was also lower, about 6200 at first. I didn't know the F82 had it. My F10 M5 did not, nor does my M2C.

You probably just referenced it when it wasn't fully warm. I agree with Hell in that it did move up to the correct red line even when it was new before break in. Though as far as I can tell the engine doesn't hit redline on auto shifts unless you have it in D3. As far as I can tell D2 shifts around 6.5k no matter what.

[DaMage1913]

Does anyone with an X3 M Competition have a "comfort access hands free tailgate" that works when you "kick" under the rear bumper and then it pops the back tailgate open?
And does this work on a normal X3 M? Or is it just listed as standard equipment but not really there like on the X5 M? OR is it when you get the M Carbon Exterior Package, that this feature is removed?
I suspect it is because of the M Carbon rear diffuser since it is solid and has no sensors on it or holes that could be hiding sensors on it.

There is a video

which 11:00 minutes in, the tailgate pops open, but then she says on some M cars with carbon fiber this feature doesn't work.
So does anyone have the M Carbon Exterior Package and this feature works? Or is that what the issue is?

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by DaMage1913

Does anyone with an X3 M Competition have a "comfort access hands free tailgate" that works when you "kick" under the rear bumper and then it pops the back tailgate open?
And does this work on a normal X3 M? Or is it just listed as standard equipment but not really there like on the X5 M?

I have it on my X4MC and it worked flawlessly both opening and closing until I installed the stealth hitch.

Been hit or miss since.

Comfort access (322) and automatic trunk (316) are both standard features here in Canada on the x3m and x4m lines.

[richard in NC]

"Kick open" works fine on my X3M and better than my M550i. It is stock so far. It's listed as standard equipment somewhere.

[BMWZ4]

Kick works for me as well (X3MC)

[floating.spirit]

Originally Posted by DaMage1913

Does anyone with an X3 M Competition have a "comfort access hands free tailgate" that works when you "kick" under the rear bumper and then it pops the back tailgate open?
And does this work on a normal X3 M? Or is it just listed as standard equipment but not really there like on the X5 M? OR is it when you get the M Carbon Exterior Package, that this feature is removed?
I suspect it is because of the M Carbon rear diffuser since it is solid and has no sensors on it or holes that could be hiding sensors on it.

There is a video

which 11:00 minutes in, the tailgate pops open, but then she says on some M cars with carbon fiber this feature doesn't work.
So does anyone have the M Carbon Exterior Package and this feature works? Or is that what the issue is?

I think you named it, I believe I read that folks with the carbon fiber rear diffuser noticed that it interferes with the kick to open. I have kick-to-open on my X3MC and it works fine but I don't have the carbon rear diffuser.

[mjrennie]

My boot kick feature works 100% of the time, 25% of the time. Not great.

[floating.spirit]

Originally Posted by richard in NC

I decided to start a thread for those interesting features and quirks you discover along the way. For long time BMW owners, some may be old hat, but many are interesting discoveries none the less. I'll start.

On the first drive after break in service on a cold morning, I discovered the X3M has a variable warning redline/yellow zone on the tach. I've not seen that since my '02 M5. I now wonder if the redline was always kept lower prior to break in service.

I wasn't aware of that until you pointed it out, thank you! The other posters are correct though I checked it before I had break in service and the red line was moving. Just had BIS today.

[spta97]

Not sure if this really qualifies, but since my iOS 14.2 update (which has been surprisingly good on my XS Max), I get a nifty colored background while using CarPlay when the icon screen is selected.

I recall it used to be just black.

Need to get the full screen but will wait until after my next service in case they update anything.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by spta97

Not sure if this really qualifies, but since my iOS 14.2 update (which has been surprisingly good on my XS Max), I get a nifty colored background while using CarPlay when the icon screen is selected.

I recall it used to be just black.

Need to get the full screen but will wait until after my next service in case they update anything.

CarPlay wallpapers were added to the home screen in iOS 14. They have a few wallpapers to choose from.

[bmwXseries]

Originally Posted by spta97

Not sure if this really qualifies, but since my iOS 14.2 update (which has been surprisingly good on my XS Max), I get a nifty colored background while using CarPlay when the icon screen is selected.

I recall it used to be just black.

Need to get the full screen but will wait until after my next service in case they update anything.

Seems like one of the few new CarPlay features in IOS 14...along with some new Siri capabilities.

[richard in NC]

I found another interesting feature. Disappointed in the lack of cubbies in the back like an earlier X3 had, I noticed the rear side panels are removable and there is space for small items below the amp, etc in those areas. I've already put a small tool kit, rags, etc inside the rim of the spare tire.

[MrItaly]

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

I have it on my X4MC and it worked flawlessly both opening and closing until I installed the stealth hitch.

Been hit or miss since.

Comfort access (322) and automatic trunk (316) are both standard features here in Canada on the x3m and x4m lines.

I added the Stealth Hitch to my X3MC and kick to open still works great every time when the hitch is not inserted. I don't think I've ever tried it with the hitch in as I only insert it when I'm actively towing something. Much prefer the clean look.

[Macanakey]

I've really wanted to add a hitch to my car, but have hesitated to do so because of these hit-or-miss experiences that those of you with hitches seem to have. My hatch has opened with the kick every time & I don't want to give that up.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by MrItaly

I added the Stealth Hitch to my X3MC and kick to open still works great every time when the hitch is not inserted. I don't think I've ever tried it with the hitch in as I only insert it when I'm actively towing something. Much prefer the clean look.

Mine is flaky with nothing attached. Both the tow hitch and receiver tube not attached.

My buddy has an x3mc and like yours the kick works fine. I did the install for both of our cars and the antenna placement is slightly different between the x4mc and x3mc.

I'll see if I can play with it when it warms up. I had to do the same on my M4 with the m perf cf diffuser. The antenna needed to be moved slightly lower. After doing that it was great.

[kzg1969]

I like the programmable heated seats and wheel - set the outside temp to whatever you want and they automatically come on.

[MrItaly]

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

Mine is flaky with nothing attached. Both the tow hitch and receiver tube not attached.

My buddy has an x3mc and like yours the kick works fine. I did the install for both of our cars and the antenna placement is slightly different between the x4mc and x3mc.

I'll see if I can play with it when it warms up. I had to do the same on my M4 with the m perf cf diffuser. The antenna needed to be moved slightly lower. After doing that it was great.

Oddly enough, even from the factory that feature seems to be hit or miss. I seem to recall several folks complaining of inconsistent results when the car was released. I remember my sales rep telling me I'd lose it when I specced my M40i with a factory hitch, but he told me they had to code several out because it just wasn't reliable. No issues on my X3MC.

[spta97]

Originally Posted by MrItaly

Oddly enough, even from the factory that feature seems to be hit or miss. I seem to recall several folks complaining of inconsistent results when the car was released. I remember my sales rep telling me I'd lose it when I specced my M40i with a factory hitch, but he told me they had to code several out because it just wasn't reliable. No issues on my X3MC.

There's a thread on the G01 forum where people are complaining about the tailgate opening while driving!


Mine just narrowly missed my garage door but that was likely due to the sensitive button. Funny how BMW only recesses the lock button