[bacampbe]

It appears that the 2er convertible gives you a nice new way to run down the batteries. I was troubleshooting a problem with my wife's fob (in which she kept messing up my carefully adjusted seat settings. That part is fixed now.)

In the process of this, I got out without turning the car completely off. I reached in (the top was open in the garage) and hit the button to turn it off. I noticed the running lights stayed on. I assumed they would turn off in a few minutes, and left the car.

The next morning, they were still on. The car started fine, but not without a rather emphatic lecture about discharging the battery.

It seems that, when I turn the car off, the running lights stay on until I open the door. But since I turned it on from outside, I never opened the door. This wouldn't be as likely to happen with the coupe, because reaching the button from outside would be difficult.

So if you have a convertible, don't turn it off from outside. Or if you do, open and close the drivers door before leaving.

[Kiwi]

BMW have just replaced my 1 series due to one of the faults was the engine fan coming on late at night for no reason as I hadn't used the car in 24 hours and not turning off flattened the battery. This may be your problem.

Your lights should turn off after 5 minutes.

The replacement car was not just the fan as the car had other problems as well over 5 months.

[ORIGIN M.]

That light should not stay-on, regardless!

Or just lock, unlock, and lock again, IF there is a code limitation.

Originally Posted by bacampbe

It appears that the 2er convertible gives you a nice new way to run down the batteries. I was troubleshooting a problem with my wife's fob (in which she kept messing up my carefully adjusted seat settings. That part is fixed now.)

In the process of this, I got out without turning the car completely off. I reached in (the top was open in the garage) and hit the button to turn it off. I noticed the running lights stayed on. I assumed they would turn off in a few minutes, and left the car.

The next morning, they were still on. The car started fine, but not without a rather emphatic lecture about discharging the battery.

It seems that, when I turn the car off, the running lights stay on until I open the door. But since I turned it on from outside, I never opened the door. This wouldn't be as likely to happen with the coupe, because reaching the button from outside would be difficult.

So if you have a convertible, don't turn it off from outside. Or if you do, open and close the drivers door before leaving.

[SmoWilly]

Not happening to my convertible...yes the radio/Nav screen will stay on for 10 minutes or so unless you hit the power button twice or hit the lock on the key fob...but nothing with the lights.

[bacampbe]

Originally Posted by SmoWilly

Not happening to my convertible...yes the radio/Nav screen will stay on for 10 minutes or so unless you hit the power button twice or hit the lock on the key fob...but nothing with the lights.

It's not a matter of leaving iDrive on--I turned the car completely off. It's that the feature of "leaving the parking and DRLs until you open the door" doesn't seem to have a time out. I'm not sure the point of that feature (our F30 also does it). But at least there was still enough juice to start the car the next morning.

If you are willing to experiment to see if it's just mine doing it:

1) Put top down. (probably not necessary, but it makes things easier unless you have long arms.)
2) Turn off engine but leave iDrive active (Turn on engine in the first place if needed)
3) Get out and close the door
4) Reach in and turn off iDrive.

Are your DRLs on? Are they still on an hour later?

[SmoWilly]

Alright, I did as requested and could not replicate your position. My lights stayed on for about ten seconds and then shut off. Everything was off and dark.