Hidden features and retrofits for the BMW 5 Series / M5 (F10/F11/F18) 2009–2017
62 features for the BMW 5 Series / M5 (F10/F11/F18) 2009–2017: what it does, duration and price from. Workshop in Waddinxveen, remote across the Netherlands.
Final compatibility is confirmed at diagnosis.
Display 19
Skip the camera disclaimer
The camera image appears immediately, without a warning text first.
Keep looking around yourself; the camera is an aid.
Condition: Rear view or surround view camera fitted; CIC (to 2012), NBT (2012/13 on) or NBT EVO (from 2016)
Likely15 minPrice on request
Camera and sensors stay on longer
Raises the speed at which the camera and parking sensors switch off automatically, handy when manoeuvring slowly.
Intended for manoeuvring, not for use during normal driving.
Condition: Side view / surround view camera (TRSVC or iCAM) fitted
Likely15 minPrice on request
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto activation
Your phone on the car screen via the USB cable: navigation, music and messages in a familiar layout.
Depends on the infotainment type; we check this first.
Condition: NBT EVO (approx. 2016-2017 production)
Likely15 minPrice on request
Apple CarPlay full screen
Lets Apple CarPlay use the whole screen instead of the split view.
Only with certain software versions of the navigation unit.
Condition: NBT EVO (approx. 2016-2017 production)
Checked at diagnosis15 minPrice on request
Compass in the cockpit
Shows a compass in the instrument cluster, even without an active navigation route.
The map requires factory navigation.
Condition: Navigation and multifunction instrument display
Likely15 minPrice on request
Virtual cockpit start logo
The digital instrument cluster shows a different logo of your choice at start-up.
After you get out, the lights stay on longer or switch on automatically so you can reach the front door safely. A wider time range becomes available in the menu.
Checked at diagnosis15 minPrice on request
Daytime running lights – adjust in menu
The daytime running lights appear as a setting in the vehicle menu, so their behaviour can be chosen deliberately. The final setting is agreed in the workshop.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop; you sign for it at intake.
Likely15 minAgreed in the workshop
Headlamp washers less often
The headlamp washers no longer spray every time you wash the windscreen, but only after a number of times. That saves washer fluid.
Condition: Headlight washers fitted
Likely15 minPrice on request
High-beam assistant release
High beam switches on and off automatically depending on oncoming and preceding traffic. The activation speed can also be adjusted.
Only works with the camera behind the windscreen; we check this first.
Condition: Camera for high-beam assistant fitted (KAFAS)
Likely15 minPrice on request
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.
Likely15 minPrice on request
Coming/leaving home with fog lights
When unlocking or locking, the fog lights or rear lights light up as well as the headlights, so you see more around the car in the dark.
Only with factory-fitted fog lights.
Likely15 minPrice on request
Comfort 7
Comfort-indicator flash count
A short tap on the indicator stalk gives the number of flashes you prefer, for example five instead of three when changing lanes.
Likely15 minPrice on request
Windows and sunroof via the key
Holding the button on the key opens or closes all windows (and the sunroof) at once. Nice for airing the car on hot days.
Likely15 minPrice on request
Easy entry driver seat
When the driver door opens, the electric seat moves back a little and returns to your position when you start. Getting in becomes easier.
Only with an electric memory seat.
Condition: Electric seats with memory (and electric steering column where applicable)
Likely15 minPrice on request
Mirrors folding on lock
The door mirrors fold in automatically when you lock the car with the key and fold out again when you unlock. Handy in narrow streets and car parks.
Only possible if the mirrors fold electrically.
Condition: Electrically folding mirrors fitted
Likely15 minPrice on request
Seat heating temperature adjustment
Adjusts how warm the seat heating levels get, for example a little warmer on the highest setting.
We stay within safe factory values.
Condition: Seat heating fitted
Likely15 minPrice on request
Remember seat heating
The car remembers the last seat-heating level and switches it back on after starting, within the time window the manufacturer allows.
Condition: Seat or steering wheel heating fitted
Checked at diagnosis15 minPrice on request
Extra wipe after washing
A few seconds after washing, the wipers make one more sweep so no drips are left running down the windscreen.
Checked at diagnosis15 minPrice on request
Convenience 6
Radio off when the door opens
When you switch off and get out, the radio or navigation stops right away.
Likely15 minPrice on request
Doors locking from a set speed
The doors lock automatically once you drive off above a low speed and unlock again when you switch off the engine.
Likely15 minPrice on request
Register a new battery
After replacing the 12 V battery we register the new battery with the correct type and capacity, so charging and start-stop work properly.
Checked at diagnosis15 minPrice on request
Mirror dip on reverse
When you select reverse, the passenger mirror tilts down so you can see the kerb. It returns once you drive off.
Depends on mirror and door module version.
Condition: Memory mirrors / mirror tilt function fitted
Likely15 minPrice on request
Rain and light sensor sensitivity
The automatic wipers and lights react earlier or later, to your preference.
Condition: Rain-light sensor fitted
Checked at diagnosis15 minPrice on request
Start-stop – remember last setting
The car remembers whether you had switched the start-stop system off, so you do not need to press the button on every trip. The final setting is agreed together.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop; you sign for it at intake.
Condition: Auto start-stop fitted
Likely15 minAgreed in the workshop
Access 2
Alarm and interior monitoring settings
Adjusts the alarm or interior monitoring, for example if you often leave a pet in the car or use a car wash.
Check your insurance conditions first.
Condition: Factory anti-theft alarm fitted
Likely15 minPrice on request
Doors unlock at switch-off or in P
After auto-locking, the doors unlock again as soon as you remove the key or, with DSG, select P.
Likely15 minPrice on request
Audio 4
Bluetooth audio streaming
Where the hardware supports it, music streaming from the phone (A2DP) over Bluetooth is enabled.
Whether it works depends on the exact MMI/radio version.
Condition: CIC (to 2012), NBT (2012/13 on) or NBT EVO (from 2016)
Likely15 minPrice on request
Second phone via Bluetooth
Two phones connected at the same time, for example a private and a work phone, without switching back and forth.
Condition: CIC (to 2012), NBT (2012/13 on) or NBT EVO (from 2016)
Likely15 minPrice on request
Siri via the voice button
A long press on the steering-wheel voice button talks directly to Siri on your iPhone.
Condition: NBT or NBT EVO (not CIC)
Likely15 minPrice on request
Maximum volume at start-up
At start-up the audio never begins louder than a chosen level, so you are not startled.
Condition: CIC (to 2012), NBT (2012/13 on) or NBT EVO (from 2016)
Checked at diagnosis15 minPrice on request
Sound 2
Acoustic lock confirmation
A short tone when locking and/or unlocking confirms that the car really is locked.
Requires alarm siren or suitable horn.
Likely15 minPrice on request
Switch off artificial engine sound
The extra sound through the speakers can be switched off for a quieter cabin, or back on. Only possible when it was fitted at the factory.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop; you sign for it at intake.
Condition: Active Sound Design (ASD) module fitted, mainly petrol/diesel performance and M models
Likely15 minAgreed in the workshop
Climate 1
Remember recirculation and AirCare
The recirculation or AirCare setting is kept after switching off, so you do not have to select it again on every trip.
Likely15 minPrice on request
Assistance 6
Adaptive cruise follow distance remembered
Adaptive cruise control remembers your chosen following distance and, where possible, the speed can be set in 1 km/h steps.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop; you sign for it at intake.
Condition: Active Cruise Control fitted
Checked at diagnosis15 minAgreed in the workshop
Lane assist – adjust and remember
When Lane Assist intervenes, the steering vibration and whether it remembers its last on/off state are tuned to your driving style. The final setting is chosen together.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop; you sign for it at intake.
Condition: Lane departure warning camera (KAFAS) fitted
Likely15 minAgreed in the workshop
Parking aid: auto-on and speed limit
Set whether the front parking sensors switch on by themselves at low speed and up to which speed camera and sensors stay active.
Condition: Park Distance Control fitted
Checked at diagnosis15 minPrice on request
Blind spot warning – activation speed
The blind spot warning can become active at a lower speed, for example from about 20 km/h instead of 50 km/h. The final setting is agreed in the workshop.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop; you sign for it at intake.
Condition: Lane change warning (blind spot radar) fitted
Likely15 minAgreed in the workshop
Enable the speed limiter
Using the cruise control buttons you set a maximum speed the car will not exceed. Handy in average-speed-check zones.
Works only with factory cruise control; kick-down can override the limit.
Condition: Cruise control fitted
Likely15 minPrice on request
Traffic-sign recognition coding
The camera behind the windscreen reads speed signs and shows the current limit in the instrument cluster and on the screen.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop; you sign for it at intake.
Condition: Speed Limit Info camera (KAFAS) and navigation fitted
Likely15 minAgreed in the workshop
Safety 2
Brake lights flash in an emergency stop
In an emergency stop the brake lights flash rapidly so traffic behind you is warned earlier.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop; you sign for it at intake.
Likely15 minAgreed in the workshop
Seatbelt reminder – adjust
The seatbelt reminder can be set differently, for example for work where you often get in and out briefly. We discuss which setting suits you in the workshop.
We agree the exact setting with you in the workshop; you sign for it at intake.
Likely15 minAgreed in the workshop
Performance 2
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 transmission (ZF 8HP or Aisin, depending on model)
2TB
Likely30 minPrice on request
Choose the start-up driving mode
The car starts in the driving mode of your choice, for example Sport or your own Individual setting, instead of always Comfort.
Condition: Driving Experience Control fitted
Likely15 minPrice on request
Retrofit 4
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.
A major conversion; we quote beforehand based on your car.
Condition: Cars with CIC or NBT head unit
Likely240 minPrice on request
Multifunction wheel and paddle shifters
A multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters is fitted and coded, so you control radio, phone and gears from the wheel.
Airbag work by the workshop only.
Condition: Automatic transmission
Likely60 minPrice on request
Rear-view camera retrofit
A genuine rear-view camera with guidelines on the infotainment screen, coded as if fitted at the factory.
Price and feasibility after checking your equipment.
Condition: CIC or NBT navigation
Likely120 minPrice on request
Close the tailgate from the key
Besides opening, the electric tailgate can also be closed with the key. Handy with your hands full.
Electric tailgate only.
Condition: F11 Touring or sedan with automatic boot lid
Likely15 minPrice on request
Services 1
Workshop services for the same Build. Without a price: price on request.