new guy / Side illumination

Last week i bought my first of what i feel will be several bmw's.
I bought a 2001 325ci silver, with a dark red leather (leatherette?) interior- and absolutely love it.

I think this forum is going to be a great resource. I have already found several posts that have been useful. I have the common 325 faulty sunroof shade clip problem, and thanks to this forum will now do it myself as opposed to paying the dealer big bucks for it.

Two questions:

1.) What is this deep red colored leather called?

2.) I HAVE READ THE MANUAL - so please no noobie flames, but I do have a question about the side illumination. How does this work / what does it do?

thanks


p.s. who's in So. Carolina ?

1. Tanin Red, and that's leather, not leatherette (I know, it's hard to tell)
2. Huh?

Originally Posted by BURT

..but I do have a question about the side illumination. How does this work / what does it do?

Are you talking about the headlights that move and illuminate around corners? If so, you don't have that in a 2001 model... I beleive that came out in either the 2004 or 2005 MY....

If that's not what your talking about, then I concur with Kaz... Huh?

no, i read something in the manual about side illumination for use when parking. i.e. a light that shines down on the curb. I dont have my manual with me, but i remember not understanding exactly how to use it.

Originally Posted by BURT

no, i read something in the manual about side illumination for use when parking. i.e. a light that shines down on the curb. I dont have my manual with me, but i remember not understanding exactly how to use it.

Ahhhh.....I know what you are talking about.

There isn't a light that shines on the curb. When you shut the car off and move the blinker switch like you were you signaling, the tail light and headlight (parking light) on that side of the car will illuminate. (my car has been modified and behaves differently so I am not sure how a stock US car works)

This is primarily used in Europe when people park on the curb along narrow streets at night. They illuminate the side of the car sticking out into traffic so no one will hit it.

well thats disapointing, but thank you very much.

I have read these boards for days and know about auto climate, down only us convenience windows, and newer Business cd radios playing mp3.s --

I also know how to get more performance out of a 325 ,
a) driving school
b) trade it in for a 330 (this one is fast enough for me, thanks)


can you guys think of anything else a new driver might need to know?

Originally Posted by BURT

can you guys think of anything else a new driver might need to know?

Wander over to the detailing forum and start reading!

Originally Posted by Desertnate

Wander over to the detailing forum and start reading!

This is my first bimmer, not my first car
I know, I know, zaino is the nectar of the gods.

im looking for things to look out for, or cool things that i might not have discovered yet -- like the automatic pollution blocker.

Why dont my back vent windows express close?

thank you

Originally Posted by BURT

This is my first bimmer, not my first car
I know, I know, zaino is the nectar of the gods.

im looking for things to look out for, or cool things that i might not have discovered yet -- like the automatic pollution blocker.

Why dont my back vent windows express close?

thank you

I think what you're looking for are "easter eggs".
Try this link: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...ht=easter+eggs

Welcome aboard!

perfect thanks