Rudy

I don't know my CIP but yes, they are selectable in iDrive on my car.

Something I noticed today, as a matter of fact, is that when the DRLs are on, the small red LEDs that are on the sides of the rear lights are also on. I don't think I remember seeing or reading about any rear lights being on with the DRLs before...

pa550

I've been seriously considering the CIP upgrade. I pretty much subscribe to the "if it isn't broke..." mentality, especially with software. But there are a couuple of cool features that I'd like to have.

Speaking of upgrades, I'm dropping the car off next week while away on business to have the brake calipers powdered coated and to have stainless flexible brake lines installed. They pull the caliipers off and send them to a guy in Butler. Seems to be a big seller in Shadyside...

Ricracing

In Europe we call all these "small lights" parking lights.

Put on your parking lights on some nite and take a pic, please.

I would just love to see how the US LCI is lit.
The nice front fender lights are a US only feature...

Rudy

We call them parking lights here too -- except that's not exactly what I'm talking about. On the side of the rear light housings, there are four or five (or something close to that) small red LEDs. If only those are lit (and nothing else in the rear) then I wouldn't call that "parking lights" -- side marker lights, maybe, but not parking lights...

kscarrol

Don't know but they are built in with the rest of the headlight unit so you'll need to replace the entire unit if it can be done. These units are something like $1,000 each so you would be looking at a pretty expensive upgrade.

As for older models, I just had my iPod adaptor installed a few weeks ago and that included a software update to at least 25.xx and maybe 26.xx. Don't know because it wasn't on the workorder and I didn't ask. Anyway, I checked on the way home and there is still no option to select DRL in my iDrive, so it doesn't appears to be something that can be added with a software update, at least right now.

bmw4life

In california, I think DRL's are pointless. But that is my honest opinion. I hate it when it on. and when it is dusk or you need it, simply turn on parking lights with fogs, and its sufficient. I even drove at night with angelibrights and fogs only. But one time i forgot to switch on my headlights and passed a cop car, and thought to myself why is that cop looking at me. But luckily he didnt pull me over. I guess i pulled it off with angelibrights and fogs.

Veight

DRL's are not pointless. It has been proven that cars are much more visible during the daytime if the front lights are on. If I manually put my lights on during the day, i forget to turn them off. The DRL's use about zero energy. I just don't know why they aren't standard everywhere. I know in Canada its the law to have them.

Messenger

In Sweden theres law to have lowbeam on all the time, but I think the new brighter angel eyes on LCI are ok.

Hormazd

I had the same CIP on my 545i as on my 550i. DRLs may have been an I-drive option in some pre-LCI cars but they were not angel DRLs. This is an LCI addition and I believe they are brighter than the parking lights. Cars with DRLs are rated better for insurance purposes and they are known to be safer. In bright sunlight too, a car with DRLs is easier to see than one without.

Mine are always on. They are safer and look great too.

kscarrol

Interesting, when did you last update the software on your 545? Maybe the load they did for the iPod install was not a complete update hence the lack of DRL option in my iDrive.