New '650i owner; have a few questions

Hey guys! I've been utilizing the forums on here for the past few months, but I finally decided to register First things first, I recently bought a black '06 650i coupe, but after reading a few things online, a few questions have popped up.

1. What is the little silver insert slot on the passenger side of the center console? The dealer said they didn't know what it was for (nice, huh?), but I know there has to be some reason behind it!

2. Are the mirrors power/manual folding? The dealer mentioned absolutely nothing about it, but as I'm reading through posts/forums, it seems that they do, in fact, fold in/up....is there a button for it somewhere?

(Im on vacation, my first one since buying the car, so naturally, I spend my nights thinking about it LOL. This also means that I can't inspect my car whenever a random though pops in my head, so I came to you guys

3. How do I go about installing a auxiliary input? Is there a chance that the previous owner installed one already? I haven't done much fooling around in the glove box/CD changer, so I'm not sure if there's an input back there or not.

4. What products do you guys recommend in terms of washing/drying/waxing your car?

Thanks for your help guys, sorry if these questions have obvious answers, but this is my first car, and the dealer failed to explain a lot of this upon buying.

Chuck

1. What is the little silver insert slot on the passenger side of the center console? The dealer said they didn't know what it was for (nice, huh?), but I know there has to be some reason behind it!

That's the slot that holds the cupholder, I think. The cupholder should be in the center console but back at the passenger's end.

2. Are the mirrors power/manual folding? The dealer mentioned absolutely nothing about it, but as I'm reading through posts/forums, it seems that they do, in fact, fold in/up....is there a button for it somewhere?

No, I don't think the mirrors are power folding. You can fold them manually by hand.

(Im on vacation, my first one since buying the car, so naturally, I spend my nights thinking about it LOL. This also means that I can't inspect my car whenever a random though pops in my head, so I came to you guys

3. How do I go about installing a auxiliary input? Is there a chance that the previous owner installed one already? I haven't done much fooling around in the glove box/CD changer, so I'm not sure if there's an input back there or not.

Don't really know about this.

4. What products do you guys recommend in terms of washing/drying/waxing your car?

I don't have a lot of time to take care of my car. Most of the time, I use a touchless car wash. The convertible top seems fine with this option. When I have a bit more time, I actually like the Griot's waterless car wash product a lot. It cleans well, leaves a nice shine, and takes about 20 mins to complete. When I have the time, I hand wash with Dawn, polish with Klasse (the red bottle), then, apply two coats of Collinite (the product that comes in a bottle as a liquid rather than the one that comes as a hard paste in the can). I do this twice a year and find that I get pretty good paint protection with it.

Hope this helps!

1. That is the cupholder slot. Check the center console back cubby area, there is a front area to the center console which is your armrest, you can store general stuff. Right behind that is a second drink holder that also acts as storage for the silver cupholder that plugs into that slot. Perhpas yours is in there, I think it goes in kinda upside down. Never done it so I cannot say for sure.

2. The 6 series has no power mirror fold option. The M6 does and some have retrofitted the 6 with the M6 power folding mirrors, but it is VERY expensive.

3. The '06 does not have Aux Input, but some owners have added this after the fact, so your can may or may not have it. The most common retrofit area is in the glovebox. In '07 they added Aux In as standard in the center console armrest so you just missed out by one year. If you do not have this in your car it will take about a $70 piece of hardware plus $150 install or more, then a $150-$250 dealer code update. If you are comfortable taking apart your center dash to get to the back of the Idrive computer then you can just buy the hardware and install yourself. Also, you can download the software and buy a programming cable to turn the option on once you install the hardware, but it is not for a novice.

4. I use sealants, typically Opti-Seal by Optimum, it lasts a full 6 months. I apply a pure carnuba called DP Max Wax for additional monthly shine, but it adds no protection, just pure visual appeal. I use Collinite on my rims. Love that stuff. I never use an automated wash, even the touchless, since they make for the lack of touching with heavy chemicals. For the interior I use Aerospace 303 Protectant. Way better than Armor All. I have a bunch of microfiber towels from walmart, use maguiars gold class soap only. For a mildly dirty car I use Adams quick detailer spray, can waterless clean my car in 20 minutes.

Congrats and welcome!

Might want to read the owners manual. It will answer all of these I think. If you don't have one, you can download a PDF copy at BMW.com. Lots of info in it.

My 08 has power folding mirrors. The little square button just above the driver's side window regulator button is what activates it.

Originally Posted by SUK

Hey guys! I've been utilizing the forums on here for the past few months, but I finally decided to register First things first, I recently bought a black '06 650i coupe, but after reading a few things online, a few questions have popped up.

1. What is the little silver insert slot on the passenger side of the center console? The dealer said they didn't know what it was for (nice, huh?), but I know there has to be some reason behind it!

2. Are the mirrors power/manual folding? The dealer mentioned absolutely nothing about it, but as I'm reading through posts/forums, it seems that they do, in fact, fold in/up....is there a button for it somewhere?

(Im on vacation, my first one since buying the car, so naturally, I spend my nights thinking about it LOL. This also means that I can't inspect my car whenever a random though pops in my head, so I came to you guys

3. How do I go about installing a auxiliary input? Is there a chance that the previous owner installed one already? I haven't done much fooling around in the glove box/CD changer, so I'm not sure if there's an input back there or not.

4. What products do you guys recommend in terms of washing/drying/waxing your car?

Thanks for your help guys, sorry if these questions have obvious answers, but this is my first car, and the dealer failed to explain a lot of this upon buying.

Chuck

This has got to be a prank. I'm not falling for it.

I've been using the complete line of 303 products- their aerospace protectant is fabulous, and the fabric cleaner is great on carpet spots and the convertible top cleaner is very nice- keeps my black top black and healthy looking. The carpet spots literally disappear although I've yet to work on thatbit of orange crayon, I hope the protectant will at least mean it's not a perma-spot.

And don't mind the fuss- my 08 is my first Bimmer (I stepped from Volvo to Lexus to my 650iC as a toy). I bought her used and while the salesman did a pretty good job had he not found me a cup holder to fit in that slot, I would've been clueless too. I'm still finding things after nearly 2 years of ownership (I don't drive her all the time) that make me say "oh, so THAT's how that works!". I could read the manual which is nearly as big as a bible. It's more fun to find out other ways.

Any ideas on dressing the black plastic around the convertible top? I've got some fade there I inherited.

Originally Posted by poorMe

I've been using the complete line of 303 products- their aerospace protectant is fabulous, and the fabric cleaner is great on carpet spots and the convertible top cleaner is very nice- keeps my black top black and healthy looking. The carpet spots literally disappear although I've yet to work on thatbit of orange crayon, I hope the protectant will at least mean it's not a perma-spot.

And don't mind the fuss- my 08 is my first Bimmer (I stepped from Volvo to Lexus to my 650iC as a toy). I bought her used and while the salesman did a pretty good job had he not found me a cup holder to fit in that slot, I would've been clueless too. I'm still finding things after nearly 2 years of ownership (I don't drive her all the time) that make me say "oh, so THAT's how that works!". I could read the manual which is nearly as big as a bible. It's more fun to find out other ways.

Any ideas on dressing the black plastic around the convertible top? I've got some fade there I inherited.

Mother's Back To Black is what I use. It can be found at Walmart. It has to be reapplied regularly.

303 for all interior surfaces and exterior rubber seals.
Leatherique products to clean and condition the leather.

Welcome and congrats!

Originally Posted by poorMe

I've been using the complete line of 303 products- their aerospace protectant is fabulous, and the fabric cleaner is great on carpet spots and the convertible top cleaner is very nice- keeps my black top black and healthy looking. The carpet spots literally disappear although I've yet to work on thatbit of orange crayon, I hope the protectant will at least mean it's not a perma-spot.

And don't mind the fuss- my 08 is my first Bimmer (I stepped from Volvo to Lexus to my 650iC as a toy). I bought her used and while the salesman did a pretty good job had he not found me a cup holder to fit in that slot, I would've been clueless too. I'm still finding things after nearly 2 years of ownership (I don't drive her all the time) that make me say "oh, so THAT's how that works!". I could read the manual which is nearly as big as a bible. It's more fun to find out other ways.

Any ideas on dressing the black plastic around the convertible top? I've got some fade there I inherited.

+1 on Nick's suggestions. If you were asking about fading on the black plastic base around the bottom of the vert top, then use Forever Black to stain it back to black. Make sure you completely clean the base of any other amorall or other types of treatment you have been using first so that the forever black will take properly without blotching. See this thread for the details and references to other threads on the same topic.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...=forever+black

let us know how it works out.

Yes exactly Greg. Thank you - I will do just that when I've garaged her (aka Sexy Beast

I also have the power side mirrors btw. Perhaps it was an option with the Sports package? Apparently the only thing mine is 'missing' is the windshield pop-up display. I've got every other bell and whistle there is and I'm not complaining

Ok - good. In my '07 I have the sports package but no power side mirrors

Originally Posted by poorMe

Yes exactly Greg. Thank you - I will do just that when I've garaged her (aka Sexy Beast

I also have the power side mirrors btw. Perhaps it was an option with the Sports package? Apparently the only thing mine is 'missing' is the windshield pop-up display. I've got every other bell and whistle there is and I'm not complaining

The previous owner must have retrofitted M6 mirrors. They folded back then.