Compiled by Jim Surdick, November 2004
Engine bay area & exterior:
Early models had a slip sensor on the A/C clutch that would disengage the A/C compressor if the belt slipped. This could be caused by either a loose belt or by deep standing water spraying into the engine bay. Cleared by stopping and restarting the engine.
Hydraulic steering and braking boost. Uses either Pentosin 7.1 or 11S, which should be printed on the cap of the hydraulic reservoir found by the driver’s side shock post.
Servotronic was an option that allowed for additional steering boost through either a engine rev (lower = higher boost) or vehicle speed (lower = higher boost) servo system.
Limp-home capability. If one side of the engine fails to function correctly, the car can run on the other side, albeit with a severe loss in power and acceleration.
Heated windshield washer jets.
Auxiliary electric fan for cooling, switches on when engine reaches a certain temp (approx. 180 degrees Fahrenheit)
Brake pad sensors set off a brake pad wear warning on the on-board computer display.
ASC+T on some models adjusts throttle and applies braking if wheel spin is detected. Activated by default, and deactivated by pushing ASC button which illuminates lamp in center of speedo display.
Heated side rearview mirrors
Heated outside door locks (driver’s only?)
Two batteries in trunk, one on left, and the other on the right behind the CD changer unit, both in parallel circuit.
Trunk can be opened with key by inserting the key, pushing up and turning onequarter turn, remove key and press up on button.
Adaptive motor management system and throttle body synchronization.
Adaptive Steptronic transmission. Resets on each run.
Launch control on some automatics (check)
Rear fog lights on non-US models
Headlight washer system on non-US models, refilled by water catch at end of rain gutter on right hand side panel, goes to trunk reservoir.
Individual ignition coils for each spark plug on 840’s
Micro filters for cabin ventilation system
EDC III electronic damper control shocks as an option
Euro models had AHK for four-wheel steering, hydraulic control unit in trunk under spare tire.
Speed sensing wipers
Euro cars had self-leveling headlights and Vertical angle control knob in dash
By turning headlights on and off in rapid succession for 7 (or 
times, then the lights will stay up when off to allow cleaning the glass without heat from bulbs.
Fuel filler door locks with car or when glove box is locked.
Hidden towing hook with screw in towing eye in toolbox in trunk.
Ducted to cool front brakes as well as alternator.
Sport and normal mode for transmission.
Interior options and features:
Auto dimming inside rearview mirror option available (if yours has it you should see a light sensor dot on the mirror itself and have off, and possibly light and dark settings). Later models didn’t have the low and high setting on the auto dim mirror, but it did have auto dim when reversing.
Front windows raise automatically at approx. 90 mph. Cancel by opening windows again. Resets when car is turned off and then back on.
Locking and unlocking the glove box also locks and unlocks the trunk.
Seat heaters on some models with two-step heat. Starts on maximum heat, then reduces to lower heat, then turns off. Button allows for high, low, or off.
Three saved settings for driver's steering wheel position, exterior mirrors settings, and seat position. Auto up steering wheel when vehicle is stopped and ignition turned off.
Auto drop of front windows when exterior or interior door handle is first activated.
Holding key in open position in door lock opens all windows and sunroof. Holding key in locked position closes all windows and sunroof. Later models also had this feature activated in the central locking system remote control by holding the lock button in open position.
Seatbelt height lowers and rises depending upon seat height setting.
Pushing in on the turn signal stock cycles through on-board computer displays, and can be programmed as to data shown and order of display.
Some models had auto ventilation feature with two user programmed ventilation times.
Two consumption displays, separately clearable.
Engine disables code programmable through OBC, and many more features too numerous to fully list here.
Running average speed display.
One touch down for all windows, one touch up for front windows Passenger side outside mirror tilts downward when car is put in reverse and outside mirror control switch is set to left mirror.
Vanity mirrors on visors turn off automatically when visor is put in raised position even if the sliding view panel isn’t closed.
Electric lumbar support on front driver’s seat.
Diagnostic codes available via “stomp test”. Turn key to “on” position, without starting engine, and press gas pedal fully 5 times within 5 or so seconds. Available on OBD I cars.
Some model radios have vehicle speed sensing for low-level volume boost.
You can identify your stock radio by pressing the “-“ and “PROG” keys simultaneously.
Speed warning set on OBC
Programmable timed heater on some models.
Weather band on some stock radios.
Valet key will not unlock glove box or trunk, but will open door and start car.
Rubber skirt on right side of brake pedal for “no grab” on bare feet or soles of shoes.
Optional matching luggage was available.
First-aid kit between rear seats.
Fold down rear seats on 93 and later models
Integrated antenna and glass heater in rear glass.
Available with leather dash in Europe, and sunroof delete (no sunroof), and BMW individual colors
Hands-free voice activated cell phone dialing with auto radio mute
Ski bag available.
Intensive wash (two level) windshield wash system
Interior lights come on when door handle is pulled, and will do so for three (times) then automatically disengage until system resets after “ a while”
Switchable headlight beams between LHD/RHD via lever in pop-up headlight unit on Euro models.
Hidden pockets in front of driver and passenger front seats
Power door lock button and doors lock by pressing down on door lock itself. Window and sunroof obstruction sensor reopens if blocked or high drag is experienced.
Resistance based lamp failure warning on OBC for exterior lights.
