[perryinva]

You know you don't need Bimmercode to change the interior lighting colors, right? They are changeable from the normal settings menu, and you can see them instantly as you change them, unlike Bimmercode.

[ebirotedu]

Not if you want a color like red.

Originally Posted by perryinva

You know you don't need Bimmercode to change the interior lighting colors, right? They are changeable from the normal settings menu, and you can see them instantly as you change them, unlike Bimmercode.

[perryinva]

So coding something in Bimmercode for ambient colors increases the color choices in the iDrive menu? I actually didn’t look for or find the color selection in the menu until after I had done some Bimmercode, but I had left it at Bronze when it coded that module. So maybe that enabled more colors because Red was definitely there as well as Orange, which is what I typically use to match BMW “tradional” indicator color?

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by perryinva

So coding something in Bimmercode for ambient colors increases the color choices in the iDrive menu? I actually didn’t look for or find the color selection in the menu until after I had done some Bimmercode, but I had left it at Bronze when it coded that module. So maybe that enabled more colors because Red was definitely there as well as Orange, which is what I typically use to match BMW “tradional” indicator color?

I believe it won't add more colors to the list, but will override existing colors. So for example, coding red in the current bronze location on the menu overrides bronze.

[perryinva]

I can see that as a possibility but the previous poster indicated that Red wasn’t available unless you coded for it. But absolutely Red was a regular choice in mine, along with a whole bunch of others, as I tried it out, but never chose it in Bimmercode.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by perryinva

I can see that as a possibility but the previous poster indicated that Red wasn’t available unless you coded for it. But absolutely Red was a regular choice in mine, along with a whole bunch of others, as I tried it out, but never chose it in Bimmercode.

If they have red as a default option, I have not seen it in the 4 BMW's my wife and I have owned.

There was a setting on my M340i that if you opened the door the ambient light would flash red. I don't remember what it was called, but that option isn't available on my Z4.

[chilort]

Is there a way to change the rear tire size / speedo? I've gone with tires that are slightly larger and now my speedo is over my actual speed by 2mph according to radar

[khp3655]

I am getting a used 2022 z4 this weekend. I used to use bimmercode with my old e89 and a 2015 4 series, but I had a bluetooth, low end, OBD2 connector. It worked fine for the little bit of coding I did. Do I need/should I want one of these direct wire connections I keep reading about? If so, which cable do people recommend?

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by khp3655

I am getting a used 2022 z4 this weekend. I used to use bimmercode with my old e89 and a 2015 4 series, but I had a bluetooth, low end, OBD2 connector. It worked fine for the little bit of coding I did. Do I need/should I want one of these direct wire connections I keep reading about? If so, which cable do people recommend?

You'll need/want a cable only if you plan to do more extensive coding such as with esys or ISTA. However, your existing Bluetooth dongle probably won't work well with the Z4 which is a G-series (G29) model.

Take a look at this link and be sure to choose an adapter that works with the G-series or All series. I use the OBDLink CX.

https://bimmercode.app/adapters/

.

[khp3655]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

You'll need/want a cable only if you plan to do more extensive coding such as with esys or ISTA. However, your existing Bluetooth dongle probably won't work well with the Z4 which is a G-series (G29) model.

Take a look at this link and be sure to choose an adapter that works with the G-series or All series. I use the OBDLink CX.

https://bimmercode.app/adapters/

.

Thank you. Coding makes me nervous as it is. I want to make sure that I reduce steps/interfaces where things can go wrong. If getting a good cable is the way to go, I'll get right on it. It looks like you are using a bluetooth one. I don't plan on doing anything fancy, but the simplier it is the better. I did just check and my bimmercode app is full version and ready to go. It looks like my OBD adapters are not compitable, so I'll get something like what you recommended. Now I just need my car, lol.

[perryinva]

I use the Vlinker BM+. No issues at all with Bimmercode or Bimmerlink.

[Matthewstorm]

Originally Posted by perryinva

I use the Vlinker BM+. No issues at all with Bimmercode or Bimmerlink.

That sounds like a stool softener.

[khp3655]

New issue: so I successfully coded some changes yesterday, but I could not find a way to replace any of the ambient light colors except the bronze. I can change the bronze (the first option on the menu) to any color I want, but I not any of the others. I am not a fan of the green and would happily trade it out, but I can’t figure out how to do that. Any ideas?

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by khp3655

New issue: so I successfully coded some changes yesterday, but I could not find a way to replace any of the ambient light colors except the bronze. I can change the bronze (the first option on the menu) to any color I want, but I not any of the others. I am not a fan of the green and would happily trade it out, but I can’t figure out how to do that. Any ideas?

I believe I've heard others report that is the only color that can be changed.

[khp3655]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

I believe I've heard others report that is the only color that can be changed.

Thanks for the feedback. Then I won’t spend more time trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. Now I just have to decide if I like the bronze or red better.

[perryinva]

I personally like orange, to match the buttons, which is traditionally what BMW had when they went to lighted switches. Clearly seen at night with no induced lighting blindness.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by perryinva

I personally like orange, to match the buttons, which is traditionally what BMW had when they went to lighted switches. Clearly seen at night with no induced lighting blindness.

Definitely orange!

[khp3655]

Is there anything really useful in expert mode of BimmerCode that I should be aware of? I’ve coded in most of what seems useful in the basic screens, but I don’t know if there are some hidden gems among the expert screens. I’m hesitating to mess with the expert options unless there is good reason to try.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by khp3655

Is there anything really useful in expert mode of BimmerCode that I should be aware of? I’ve coded in most of what seems useful in the basic screens, but I don’t know if there are some hidden gems among the expert screens. I’m hesitating to mess with the expert options unless there is good reason to try.

It allows you to do some of the coding that would otherwise require ISTA. However, if you don't know exactly what you're doing, it's dangerous.

The non-expert functions of BimmerCode are effectively canned functions whose coding is automated so you don't have to know specific locations and data values. They're relatively safe. Expert mode allows you to change many other functions, some of which could require a trip to the service department if you choose the wrong setting.

[khp3655]

Now that I worked through bimmercode, do I also need bimmerlink? I am sure at some point I will want it, but it seems like it is really only needed once the car throws a code. Am I missing anything? Is there anything bimmerlink will do for me that bimmercode can’t — at least until something goes wrong?

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by khp3655

Now that I worked through bimmercode, do I also need bimmerlink? I am sure at some point I will want it, but it seems like it is really only needed once the car throws a code. Am I missing anything? Is there anything bimmerlink will do for me that bimmercode can’t — at least until something goes wrong?

It's primarily a diagnostic tool, so it is most useful when troubleshooting. Aside from checking codes, which your car is probably throwing all the time - just not critical codes, it's biggest function is registering a new battery. But to be complete, here's the list of Bimmerlink functions from their website:

[perryinva]

Something to mention here, that others may find useful. Under the section with Alarms, if you use any type of OBDII dongle for say, Snapshot or reduced registration fees (in Virginia, if you drive less than 15k miles a year, so can opt for registration fees based on actual miles, a savings of maybe $100 between 2 cars if you drive less than 5k miles a year on each, like we do. It requires a Snapshot dongle left in the OBDII port,) which will set off your car alarm every time it connects via cellular to report mileage, so you must code off OBDII alarming. The agencies that hand out these dongles are clueless about this issue. I only install the dongle once every 2 weeks or so, for a day, so it updates, then yank it out, to reduce any possible battery drain.