BMW · hidden features
BMW 1 Series F20/F21 coding: hidden features
Short answer: Our catalogue lists 70 features for the BMW 1 Series F20/F21 in 12 categories; the largest are screens and instruments (17), lighting (12) and audio (7). We work with ISTA, E-Sys and NCS Expert. Whether a feature fits your car is confirmed at the diagnosis.
| Versions | 1 Series 5-door, 1 Series 3-door, M135i, M140i |
|---|---|
| Chassis | F20, F21 |
| Model years | 2011-2019 |
| Features in the catalogue | 70 |
| Categories | 12 |
| With a condition (option or equipment needed) | 37 |
| Software | ISTA, E-Sys and NCS Expert |
| Workshop | Rotterdam & Waddinxveen, by appointment |
For the BMW 1 Series F20/F21 (1 Series 5-door, 1 Series 3-door, M135i, M140i; chassis F20, F21; model years 2011-2019) our catalogue lists 70 features in 12 categories. Below you see per category what we can switch on or retrofit.
Each feature shows how certain we are: “likely possible” means several independent sources confirm it; “checked at diagnosis” means it differs from car to car. Final compatibility is always confirmed at the diagnosis of your car.
Seven Tuning works in Rotterdam and Waddinxveen: the workshop is in Waddinxveen and serves Rotterdam and the surrounding area. Remote coding works anywhere in the Netherlands and abroad, when the job allows it.
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Screens and instruments (17)
Digital speed in the cluster
Besides the analogue dial, your speed is shown as a number in the instrument display. You read it at a glance.
Sport displays (power and torque)
Live gauges for power and torque appear in the iDrive screen, on M models with a choice of colour. Nice if you want to see what the engine is doing.
Video in motion
Videos and TV remain visible on the iDrive screen while driving instead of being blocked.
For the passenger only.
Play videos from USB
The iDrive system plays video files from a USB stick and supports extra video formats.
While driving, for the passenger only.
Condition: NBT or NBT EVO navigation
Skip iDrive start notice
The warning text when the iDrive system starts disappears, so the main menu is available straight away.
Skip camera and PDC notice
When the rear-view camera comes on, the same warning no longer appears each time; you see the camera image straight away.
Condition: Rear-view camera fitted
Different iDrive start logo
At start-up the iDrive screen shows a different logo, for example the M logo.
Condition: NBT or NBT EVO navigation
M logo in the instrument cluster
The instrument cluster shows an M or M Performance logo at start-up. On the M2 other M logos can also be chosen.
Tyre pressure and temperature per wheel
The iDrive menu shows the current pressure and temperature of each tyre instead of just a status.
Condition: Tyre pressure sensors in the wheels
Full messages in iDrive
Text and other messages are shown in full, even when they are long, instead of being cut off.
Do not read messages while driving.
More information in the head-up display
The head-up display also shows music lists, phone, indicators or cruise control, so you need to look down less.
Condition: Factory head-up display fitted
xDrive status and tilt angle display
On xDrive models, iDrive shows how power is split between the axles and the car’s tilt angle.
Condition: xDrive models
Current gear always displayed
The cluster permanently shows the engaged gear and shift indication, not only in manual mode.
Time and date from GPS
The clock sets itself via GPS, including the summer/winter time change, and the date can appear in the cluster.
Condition: Navigation system fitted
Apple CarPlay enabled (NBT EVO)
On cars with the later NBT EVO system (ID5/ID6), Apple CarPlay becomes available on the original screen without extra hardware.
We first check which iDrive system and software version the car has.
Condition: NBT EVO ID5/ID6 (generally production from mid-2016)
Full-screen CarPlay
CarPlay uses the full width of the iDrive screen instead of part of it.
Condition: NBT EVO ID5/ID6 with CarPlay
Update iDrive to the ID6 interface
An NBT EVO with ID5 software gets the newer ID6 menu structure with a tile-based home screen.
Condition: NBT EVO ID5
Lighting (12)
Extended welcome lighting
When you unlock, low beam, fog lamps, angel eyes or tail lights can also switch on, optionally only in the dark. Duration and brightness are adjustable.
Longer coming-home light time
The headlights stay on longer after you get out than the standard menu times allow, so you reach your front door safely.
Brighter angel eyes
The light rings in the headlights can shine brighter as daytime running or parking light. This gives a clearer, more modern look.
Condition: Headlights with LED or xenon light rings
Daytime running lights – adjust via iDrive
Daytime running lights appear as a setting in the iDrive menu and their behaviour per light-switch position can be adjusted. The final setting is agreed in the workshop.
Daytime running lights are mandatory on newer cars in the Netherlands; we discuss in the workshop what is allowed.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop.
Tail lights with DRL – adjust
The inner and/or outer tail lights can light up together with the daytime running lights, so the car is more visible from behind. We make the choice together in the workshop.
Daytime running lights are mandatory on newer cars in the Netherlands; we discuss in the workshop what is allowed.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop.
Cornering lights via fog lamps
When turning slowly, the fog lamp on the inside of the bend lights up, or the function can be switched off if you prefer.
Condition: Front fog lamps fitted
Fog lamps and high beam behaviour
You choose whether the fog lamps stay on or switch off when you turn on the high beam. The lighting then suits how you drive.
Use fog lamps only in poor visibility.
Condition: Front fog lamps fitted
Automatic headlights switch on earlier
The sensitivity of the light/rain sensor is adjusted so the headlights come on earlier at dusk.
Condition: Rain/light sensor fitted
Door-handle lights when reversing
When you select reverse, the door-handle lights and, if fitted, puddle lights switch on. Handy when parking in the dark.
Condition: Door-handle / puddle lighting fitted (lights package)
Comfort indicator flash count
A short tap on the indicator stalk gives 3, 5 or 7 flashes instead of the default. Pleasant when changing lanes.
Headlamp washers less often
The headlamp washers no longer spray with every windscreen wash, or are switched off. Washer fluid then lasts much longer.
Condition: Headlamp washers fitted
Bulb check adjusted for LED bulbs
After fitting LED bulbs, the bulb monitoring is adapted so error messages and flickering disappear.
Only with approved LED bulbs.
Audio (7)
Hide MW/LW radio bands
The unused medium-wave and long-wave bands disappear from the radio menu, making it tidier.
Extended Bluetooth and audio streaming
Bluetooth music streaming, messages and album art become available on cars that only had basic Bluetooth.
Second phone via Bluetooth
Two phones can be connected at the same time, for example a private and a work phone.
Siri via the voice button
A long press on the steering-wheel voice button talks directly to Siri on your iPhone.
Condition: NBT navigation
Extended Harman Kardon / B&O sound menu
With a premium audio system, extra sound settings appear in the iDrive menu, such as an extended equaliser.
Condition: Harman Kardon or Bang & Olufsen audio fitted
Start-up volume setting
After start-up the radio plays at the volume you left it at, instead of being turned down automatically.
Radio off when the door opens
After switching off the engine, iDrive and the radio turn off as soon as you open the driver’s door.
Driver assistance (6)
Parking sensors switch on automatically
The parking sensors switch on as soon as the car rolls backwards, and the distance and speed at which they switch off can be adjusted.
Condition: PDC fitted
Parking sensor volume
The volume of the front and rear parking beeps can be set separately.
Condition: PDC fitted
Rear camera stays on longer
The rear-view camera stays active longer after shifting to drive, up to an adjustable speed or distance.
Condition: Rear-view camera fitted
Blind-spot assist – activation speed
The speed above which the blind-spot warning becomes active can be lowered so it also helps in town. This is agreed in the workshop.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop.
Condition: Lane change warning / blind-spot detection fitted
Lane departure warning – adjust
The lane departure warning behaviour, such as reacting to road edges without markings, can be adjusted. We agree the setting together.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop.
Condition: Camera-based driving assistant (KAFAS) fitted
Adaptive cruise default follow distance
Adaptive cruise control starts with the follow distance you prefer instead of the default each time.
Condition: Active Cruise Control fitted
Comfort (5)
Mirrors fold on lock
The door mirrors fold in automatically when you lock and fold out when you unlock. Handy in narrow streets and car parks.
Only with electrically folding mirrors.
Mirror dips when reversing
When reversing, the passenger-side mirror tilts down so you can see the kerb. The tilt amount is adjustable.
Condition: Memory mirrors / mirror tilt function fitted
Windows and sunroof via the key
Holding the lock button on the key closes all windows and the sunroof, and the unlock button opens them again.
Windows keep working with the door open
A window you set to close or open automatically no longer stops as soon as a door is opened.
Easy-entry driver’s seat
When the door opens, the seat moves back and returns to your stored position after you get in.
Condition: Electric seats with memory
Retrofit (5)
CarPlay and Android Auto via interface
For older iDrive systems we fit a module so CarPlay and Android Auto work on the original screen with the existing controls.
Condition: CIC, NBT or NBT EVO ID4 head units
Later NBT EVO navigation retrofit
An older iDrive system is replaced with the later NBT EVO generation, with faster menus and modern features such as CarPlay.
Condition: Cars with CIC or NBT
Heated steering wheel retrofit
A heated steering wheel with its controls is fitted and coded so it works as if factory-fitted.
Steering-wheel paddle shifters
A steering wheel with paddles is fitted and coded so you can also shift the automatic manually from the wheel.
Condition: Automatic gearbox
Digital instrument cluster retrofit
The analogue cluster is replaced by the digital instrument cluster with different layouts per drive mode.
Condition: Cars without the digital cluster
Access and locking (4)
Indicator flash on lock and unlock
You decide how many times the indicators flash when locking and unlocking, or that they do not flash at all.
Audible lock confirmation
The car gives a short sound when locking and unlocking. Pitch, duration and volume can be adjusted.
Condition: Alarm system fitted
Doors lock when driving off
The doors lock automatically as you drive off; the speed at which this happens can be adjusted.
Doors unlock when the engine stops
As soon as you switch off the engine, the doors unlock automatically so passengers can get out straight away.
Climate (4)
Seat heating stronger or milder
The temperature of each seat-heating level is adjusted, for example warmer on level 1 for cold mornings.
Condition: Seat heating fitted
Remember seat heating
Seat heating is remembered after a short stop or even permanently, so you do not have to switch it on every time.
Condition: Seat heating fitted
Remember steering-wheel heating
Steering-wheel heating comes back on for the next drive if it was on when you got out.
Condition: Heated steering wheel fitted
Remember last climate setting
The air conditioning and recirculation start in the setting you left them in instead of reverting to default.
Driving and performance (4)
Start in your preferred drive mode
The car starts in ECO PRO or keeps the last selected mode instead of always returning to Comfort.
Add Sport+ drive mode
On cars without Sport+, this extra sporty mode is added to the drive-mode switch, including the display in the cluster.
Configure your own Sport mode
In iDrive you choose whether the engine, steering and chassis react sporty or comfortably in Sport mode.
Sport automatic gearbox software
The automatic gearbox gets the sportier shift strategy of the sport automatic with quicker shifts and, on suitable cars, launch control.
We first check software and equipment.
Condition: Automatic gearbox (ZF 8-speed) without sport automatic
Convenience (3)
Start-stop – remember last setting
The start-stop system remembers whether you switched it off on the previous drive. The final setting is agreed in the workshop.
The system affects fuel consumption; we discuss the options.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop.
Register a new battery
After replacing the battery, the new one is registered so the charging system charges correctly and the battery lasts longer.
Rear wiper in reverse
With the front wipers on, selecting reverse makes the rear wiper sweep automatically for a better view.
Condition: Hatchback (F20/F21) and Touring (F31)
Safety (2)
Brake lights flash in an emergency stop
Under hard braking the brake lights flash or extra lamps light up, so drivers behind react sooner. Hazard lights can then switch on automatically.
Seatbelt reminder – adjust
The seatbelt reminder can be tuned to your use, for example for the passenger seat when carrying heavy bags. The final setting is agreed in the workshop.
Wearing seatbelts remains mandatory; we discuss what is sensible.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop.
Sounds and chimes (1)
Switch off artificial engine sound
The engine sound added through the speakers is switched off or turned down, so you only hear the real engine.
Condition: Cars with Active Sound Design (mainly 6-cylinder and M models)
Other BMW models
- BMW 1 Series F40
- BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé F44
- BMW 2 Series Coupé G42
- BMW 3 Series G20/G21
- BMW 4 Series G22/G23/G26
- BMW M2, M3 and M4 (G8x)
- BMW 2 Series F22/F23
- BMW 3 Series F30/F31/F34
- BMW 4 Series F32/F33/F36
- BMW M2, M3 and M4 (F8x)
- BMW 5 Series G30/G31
- BMW 5 Series G60/G61
- BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo G32
- BMW 7 Series G11/G12
- BMW 7 Series G70
- BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16
- BMW X3 and X4 (G01/G02)
- BMW X5, X6 and X7 (G05/G06/G07)
- BMW Z4 G29
- BMW coding and hidden features
Frequently asked questions
Which versions does this page cover?
1 Series 5-door, 1 Series 3-door, M135i, M140i, chassis F20, F21, model years 2011-2019.
Does my car need certain options?
For some features it does: 37 of the 70 features have a condition, such as specific equipment or a software version. We check it at the diagnosis before we switch anything on.
How do I request features?
Book through the website or send your plate number via WhatsApp, with the features you want. We tell you what is possible on your car.
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