Happy Birthday To Me! - United Bimmer Community

**hillsider** · 10-05-2007, 10:09 AM

Hey group. I bought a little something for myself, on my 40th birthday a few weeks ago. It's a 95 325iC. Looks sweet, rides great! It's my 2nd Bimmer, I previously had an 89 320i ...
Anyway, I stumbled upon this site in my search for answers to what I'm certain are going to be sillly questions to the guru's here.
#1 There's a toggle switch on the center console, left of the shifter (automatic) that has two positions: (A) and (M), the previous owner did not know what they were, and had no book ... my 89 did not have these ... ?
#2 Is there a simple user's guide out there for the onboard computer (center console above the stereo)? I seem to be able to toggle through some previously input info, but it is not giving me any realtime data ... except the outside temp.
Looking forward to sharing some mod experiences in the near future ...

witeshark · 10-05-2007, 10:21 AM

How about a pic of the console? And

**hillsider** · 10-05-2007, 10:36 AM

Here's the "computer", I'll take a shot of the toggle switch in a bit ...

**hillsider** · 10-05-2007, 11:29 AM

...and here is the mystery switch: left of the shifter: (A) (M)

and thanks, it was a very happy birthday indeed!

**94bmw325i** · 10-05-2007, 11:39 AM

As far as the OBC what exactly were you trying to find out? I can help you with that, but I am not exactly sure what you are looking for. Welcome to United! I think you have to put it in M mode to shift the gears manually, kind of like a sport mode. I have tried it a little, but not that often. I am getting rid of my automatic soon!

**hillsider** · 10-05-2007, 11:51 AM

Thanks [94bmw325i]. As far as the (A)(M) switch, given it's location, my fist thought was Automatic, Manual ... but it seems to not make a difference in shifting either way. I can have it in D in both A and M, and I can shift through Manually in both A and M.
For the OBC, it seems as though it toggles through preset, or 'prerecorded' info when I use the buttons, with the exception of the outside temp, which appears accurate. For instance, the first button [consum] seems to toggle between consum1 and consum2 showing MPG, but I do not think it is current info, it appears to be from a previously set trip? Does this make sense? Maybe I just need to buy a user's manual from eBay or something ... to make sense of [consum] [range] [speed] [code] [limit] and [timer]?

drz · 10-05-2007, 03:00 PM

THe readings on the OBC are averages. If you press the SET/RES, you will reset the readings. If you ever want real-time readings, press the SET/RES key. You will get a reading, but it will soon start averaging.

**hillsider** · 10-05-2007, 03:05 PM

Thanks drz! I thought the set/reset was for the clock only since it is groupoed with the other date/clock features.
How about the 1000 100 10 and 1?

drz · 10-05-2007, 05:13 PM

Those are used to enter settings, such as the time, date, distance, the code, and limit.

**Kasei** · 10-05-2007, 10:08 PM

The M option is for Manual. If you leave it in A and pop it down to 3 that puts it in sportish mode...it moves the shift points up for more spirited driving.

**hillsider** · 10-06-2007, 12:36 PM

Thanks Kasei! I can't wait to try that, it's hard to believe that this car could shift any more 'sporty' the it already does ...