[Russ200]

Hi guys been bored at work so decided to have a look at BMW vin checker and my car is supposed to have coding of alarm signal (8S2) and ambient lighting (4UR).

1. Does the alarm signal sound the horn or just flash the lights?

2. Is the ambient lighting mean the dash/door lighting as I don't have this or it's super dull and I can't see it.

Not looked in Idrive menu for a while but I don't think there is a setting for ambient lighting.

[DanChapman90]

Originally Posted by Russ200

Hi guys been bored at work so decided to have a look at BMW vin checker and my car is supposed to have coding of alarm signal (8S2) and ambient lighting (4UR).

1. Does the alarm signal sound the horn or just flash the lights?

2. Is the ambient lighting mean the dash/door lighting as I don't have this or it's super dull and I can't see it.

Not looked in Idrive menu for a while but I don't think there is a setting for ambient lighting.

Not sure about the alarm but I believe ambient lighting came standard on 530d upwards so you should have it.
In pre-lci cars I believe it was only orange whereas lci cars have the choice of orange or white and a brightness adjustment.
There are strips underneath the door trims of light, behind the door handles and in the storage pockets as well.

[Russ200]

Yea I think it is there but I have never seen it on at all nothing in the Idrive menu under lighting though. I have had a quick look under the door trim and could see what looks like a light strip.

When looking online last night I saw there should be a menu in Idrive but I don't it. Will pop to BMW soon and ask them as I would like an alarm blip on locking too if that's poss.

[Mac B]

On my 530D (Dec 2013) the wheel which adjusts the instrument lighting level (on the right of the main light switch) simultaneously adjusts the ambient lighting level.

[Russ200]

I will have to check that then as my dash lights are set to very low. I take it the ambient light only come on with headlights on

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Russ200

I will have to check that then as my dash lights are set to very low. I take it the ambient light only come on with headlights on

I'm sure ambient lighting is only on with headlights. Assuming it is dark when you benefit from ambient, headlights will be on anyway.

If your dash lights are low then that will be the reason for not noticing the ambient lighting.

I've got cinnamon interior and ambient really works well with it, even on a reasonably low setting. Really good when at the higher levels. I understand some trims seem to almost lose (or wash out) some of the ambient illumination.

[Russ200]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

I'm sure ambient lighting is only on with headlights. Assuming it is dark when you benefit from ambient, headlights will be on anyway.

If your dash lights are low then that will be the reason for not noticing the ambient lighting.

I've got cinnamon interior and ambient really works well with it, even on a reasonably low setting. Really good when at the higher levels. I understand some trims seem to almost lose (or wash out) some of the ambient illumination.

Thanks for that info I have been out and turned the lights on and turned dash lights up to the max and there's a very faint light even in pitch dark I don't think it would even be noticeable.

[Martin2C]

They are predominantly linked to the dashboard lighting, but there's a seperate setting in the settings. I have both up to max and it's pretty bright, bordering on too bright sometimes.

[Russ200]

I found it on the dash lights but even then its not very bright, I Dont have any setting in Idrive for it that must be an LCI thing.

[Johnny Grabble]

The iDrive setting is indeed an LCi thing. As for ambient lighting in general, I had a pre LCi f10 without it and a post LCi with it, both with black leather. The effect with black leather is not worthy of note regardless of which colour is chosen.
Another triumph of marketing over reality.
No surprise really. I bought a dishwasher which claimed "this dishwasher takes 12 full place settings" yeah right. It is also German. On a good day you can get 4 in it. Ambient lighting evidently works along the same lines.

[Russ200]

yea i'm not overly fussed to be fair just never noticed it on at all even though its listed on the spec sheet. But looking at it now even if the had the dash lights on full i still wouldn't of noticed it.

[Martin2C]

I'm surprised because I've always thought it was pretty bright.

[Frobius]

Yep, mine are pretty dim too. Orange seems brighter than white, but I've not tried in proper pitch black yet.

[shiner]

I had this on my post LCI Oct 2013 530D MSport Touring. Also have it on my Dec 2014 535D MSport as well - identical in operation and on the iDrive between the two.

Ambient lighting a lovely feature, makes the cabin a really nice place.