Get CONTROLS -> iDrive Guide for BMW 5 Series 4 Door 2022

iDrive

CONTROLS

iDrive

systems and devices while the vehicle is sta‐

tionary.

Vehicle features and

options

This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐

cific and optional features offered with the series.

It also describes features and functions that are

not necessarily available in your vehicle, e.g., due

to the selected options or country versions. This

also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐

tems. When using these functions and systems,

the applicable laws and regulations must be ob‐

served.

Input and display

Main menu

General information

The main menu is divided into two areas. The

left area contains menu items that can be used

to call up all the iDrive functions. The right area

contains widgets that provide quick access to

certain functions.

Operating concept

Principle

iDrive is the operating concept of the infotain‐

ment system and includes a large number of

functions.

General information

These functions can be operated as follows:

Media/Radio

▷ Via the Controller.

All functions of the entertainment system,

e.g., radio stations or connection with external

devices.

▷ Via the touchscreen.

▷ Via the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

▷ Depending on the equipment: with the ges‐

ture control.

Communication

Phone and message functions, e-mail and

calendar, and also the connection and manage‐

ment of mobile devices, such as smartphones.

Safety information

Warning

Navigation

Operating the integrated information systems

and communication devices while driving can

distract from traffic. It is possible to lose control

of the vehicle. There is a risk of accident. Only

use the systems or devices when the traffic sit‐

uation allows. As warranted, stop and use the

Access to the navigation system, destination

input and traffic bulletins. Configurable map

views and other functions, such as points of in‐

terest and areas to be avoided.

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My Car

Information about vehicle status and trips.

▷ Only those letters and numbers are offered

during entry for which data is available.

Access to the Integrated Owner's Manual and

also administration of driver profiles and range of

adjustments for vehicle and iDrive.

▷ Destination search: place names can be en‐

tered in all languages that are available in

iDrive.

Apps

Activating/deactivating the

functions

Several menu items are preceded by a check‐

box. The checkbox indicates whether the func‐

tion is activated or deactivated. Selecting the

menu item activates or deactivates the function.

Management of apps, access to apps and ve‐

hicle functions. Additional apps and vehicle func‐

tions can be purchased from the BMW Store.

Widgets

Widgets provide quick access to fre‐

quently used functions. The configured widgets

display dynamic contents such as the navigation

map, and serve as interfaces at the same time.

Function is activated.

Function is deactivated.

Status information

Letters and numbers

Letters and numbers can be selected when mak‐

ing the destination input, for example.

General information

The status field can be found in the upper area of

the Control Display. Status information is dis‐

played in the form of symbols.

Letters and numbers can be entered using the

Controller, the touchpad, touchscreen or voice

control. The keyboard's display changes auto‐

matically.

Radio symbols

Icon

Meaning

Icon

Function

HD Radio station is being received.

Satellite radio is switched on.

Change between capital and

lower-case letters.

Enter a blank space.

Switching between languages.

Use voice control.

Telephone symbols

Icon Meaning

Incoming or outgoing call.

Confirm entry.

Missed call.

Slide the input area to the left or

right.

Signal strength of mobile phone net‐

work.

Entry comparison

Network search.

When entering names and addresses, the choice

is narrowed down with every letter and number

and added automatically as needed.

Mobile phone network is not available.

The critical charge state of the mobile

phone has been reached.

Entries are continuously compared with data

stored in the vehicle.

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CONTROLS

Icon Meaning

Roaming is active.

Locating is active.

Stop.

Data protection.

SMS text message received.

Message received.

Reminder.

Destination guidance active.

Passengers on board.

Do not disturb.

Sending not possible.

Programmable memory buttons

General information

Entertainment symbols

The iDrive functions can be stored on the pro‐

grammable memory buttons and called up di‐

rectly, for instance radio stations, navigation des‐

tinations, phone numbers and menu entries.

Icon

Meaning

Bluetooth audio.

USB device.

Connected Music.

WLAN.

Overview

Apple CarPlay.

Android Auto.

Other symbols

Icon Meaning

Check Control message.

Programmable memory buttons

Sound output active.

Sound output deactivated.

Voice activation system active.

Storing a function

A function can be stored on a programmable

memory button. A button with a stored function

can be overwritten with another function.

Request for the current vehicle posi‐

tion.

1. Select function via iDrive, for instance radio

station.

Checking the current vehicle position.

Driver profile.

2.

Press and hold the desired button

until the displayed bar on the Control Display

has loaded completely.

Notifications.

Service notifications.

Information.

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iDrive

CONTROLS

Executing a function

Control Display

Safety information

Press the button.

The function will work immediately. This means,

for instance that the number is dialed when a

phone number is selected.

NOTICE

Objects in the area in the front of the Control

Display can shift and damage the Control Dis‐

play. There is a risk of damage to property,

among other potential damage. Do not place

objects in the area in front of the Control Dis‐

play.

Displaying the key assignment

Touch buttons with finger. Do not wear gloves or

use objects.

The assignment of the buttons is displayed in

the upper area of the Control Display.

Switching on/off automatically

Deleting all button assignments

All button assignments can be deleted.

The Control Display is turned on automatically

when the vehicle is unlocked or as soon as the

control display is needed for operation.

1. Press and hold buttons 1 and

ously for approx. 5 seconds.

simultane‐

In certain situations, the Control Display is

switched off automatically, for instance if no op‐

eration is performed on the vehicle for several

minutes.

2. "OK"

Control Display and

Controller

Switching on/off manually

The Control Display can also be switched off

manually.

Principle

The iDrive functions are displayed on the Control

Display. The Control Display can be operated us‐

ing the Controller, touchpad, and touchscreen.

1. Tip the Controller up.

2. "Screen off"

Press the Controller or any button on the Con‐

troller to switch it back on again.

Overview

System limits

In the case of very high temperatures on the

Control Display, for instance due to intense solar

radiation, the brightness may be reduced down

to complete deactivation. Once the temperature

is reduced, for instance through shade or air con‐

ditioning, the normal functions are restored.

1

2

Control Display with touchscreen

Controller with buttons and touchpad

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iDrive

CONTROLS

Buttons on the Controller

Controller

Button Function

General information

The buttons can be used to open the menus di‐

rectly. The Controller can be used to select

menu items and enter the settings.

Go to the main menu.

Go to the Media/Radio menu.

Go to the Communication menu.

Go to navigation map.

Some iDrive functions can be operated using the

touchpad on the Controller.

Operation

▷ Turn to switch between menu items, for ex‐

ample.

Go to destination input menu for navi‐

gation.

Go to the previous display.

Go to the Options menu.

Operating via the

Controller

▷ Press to select a menu item, for example.

Opening the main menu

Press the button.

▷ Tilt in four directions to switch between dis‐

plays, for example.

The main menu is displayed.

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CONTROLS

Adjusting contents

Selecting a menu

Depending on the equipment, the contents of

menus "MEDIA", "COM" and "NAV" can be ad‐

justed, for instance to remove the entries of

functions that are not used from the menu.

Selecting menu items

1. Turn the Controller until the desired menu

item is highlighted.

2. Press the Controller.

1. Select the menu.

2. "Personalize menu"

3. Select the desired setting.

Select a widget

1. Move the Controller in the main menu to the

right.

Changing between displays

After a menu item is selected, for instance

"Settings", a new display appears.

2. Turn the Controller until the desired widget is

selected.

3. Press the Controller.

▷ Tilt the Controller to the left.

It is also possible to select widgets in the instru‐

ment cluster.

The current display closes and the previous

display is shown.

Adjusting the menu

Adjusting widgets

The widgets can be adjusted in the main menu.

It is possible to create multiple pages with widg‐

ets and switch between pages. The adjustments

can only be performed when the vehicle is sta‐

tionary.

▷

Press the button.

The previous display re-opens.

▷ Tilt the Controller to the right.

The new display opens.

An arrow indicates that additional displays can be

opened.

Going to the Options menu

1. Select the desired page in the main menu.

Only the currently selected page can be ad‐

justed.

Press the button.

2. Tip the Controller up.

The "Options" menu is displayed.

3. "Adjust main menu"

The menu consists of various areas, for instance:

4. Select the desired adjustment:

▷ "MEDIA": control options for the selected

main menu.

▷

Symbol and select desired widget: add

new widget.

▷ "Help": help for the selected menu.

▷ "Control display off": system settings.

The requested widget will be inserted in

the relevant position. A maximum of four

widgets can be displayed per page.

Entering letters and numbers

▷

Select icon: delete selected widget.

Input

▷ Add new page: "Add page".

1. Turn the Controller: select letter or number.

▷ Delete selected page: "Delete page".

2.

: confirm entry.

▷ Adjust the content of the widget: select

widget.

5. "Done"

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iDrive

CONTROLS

Deleting

Entering special characters

Icon Function

Input

Operation

Press the Controller: delete letter or

number.

Delete a charac‐ Swipe to the left on the

ter.

touchpad.

Hold the Controller down: delete all let‐

ters or numbers.

Enter a blank

space.

Swipe to the right in the

center of the touchpad.

Enter a hyphen. Swipe to the right in the up‐

per area of the touchpad.

Using alphabetical lists

For alphabetical lists with more than 30 entries,

the letters for which an entry exists can be dis‐

played in a text box.

Enter an under‐ Swipe to the right in the

score.

lower area of the touchpad.

1. Turn the Controller to the left or right quickly.

2. Select the first letter of the desired entry.

Using the map

The map in the navigation system can be moved

via the touchpad.

The first entry of the selected letter is dis‐

played in the list.

Function

Operation

Move map.

Swipe in the appropriate di‐

rection.

Operation via touchpad

Enlarge/shrink

map.

Drag in or out on the touch‐

pad with fingers.

General information

Some iDrive functions can be operated using the

touchpad on the Controller.

Display menu.

Tap once.

Using alphabetical lists

Alphabetical lists with more than 30 entries per‐

mit a direct jump to letters for which an entry ex‐

ists.

Selecting functions

1. "CAR"

2. "Settings"

3. "General settings"

4. "Touchpad"

Enter the first letter on the touchpad.

The first entry of the entered letter is displayed in

the list.

5. Select the desired setting.

Entering letters and numbers

Operation via touchscreen

▷ Enter characters as they are displayed on the

Control Display.

▷ Always enter associated characters, such as

accents or periods so that the letter can be

clearly recognized.

General information

The Control Display is equipped with a touch‐

screen.

▷ The set language determines what input is

possible. Where necessary, enter special

characters via the Controller.

You can tap on menu items and widgets. Touch

the touchscreen with your fingers. Do not use

any objects.

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CONTROLS

▷ To show the display bar, pull down the dis‐

play bar at the top edge of the screen.

Opening the main menu

Tap on the icon.

▷ To hide the display bar, pull up the display bar

at the top edge of the screen.

Changing between displays

After a menu item is selected, a new display

opens.

An arrow indicates that additional displays can be

opened.

▷ Swipe to the left.

▷ Tap arrow.

The main menu is displayed.

The new display opens.

Adjusting widgets

The widgets can be adjusted in the main menu.

It is possible to create multiple pages with widg‐

ets and switch between pages. The adjustments

can only be performed when the vehicle is sta‐

tionary.

Entering letters and numbers

Input

1. Depending on the equipment version, tap

the

icon on the touchscreen or a key‐

1. Select the desired page in the main menu.

Only the currently selected page can be ad‐

justed.

board is displayed on the Control Display

when the touchscreen is approached.

2. Enter desired letters and numbers.

2.

Tap the icon in the main menu.

Deleting

3. Select the desired adjustment:

▷

Tap icon and select desired widget:

add new widget.

Icon Function

Tapping the icon: deletes the letter or

number.

The requested widget will be inserted in

the relevant position. A maximum of four

widgets can be displayed per page.

Tapping and holding the icon all letters:

deletes all letters or numbers.

▷

Tap icon: delete selected widget.

▷ Add new page: tap "Add page".

▷ Delete selected page: tap "Delete page".

Using the map

The navigation map can be moved using the

touchscreen.

▷ Adjust content of the widget: tap center of

widget.

4. Tap "Done".

Showing/hiding the display bar

In the upper area of the Control Display, it is pos‐

sible to show or hide a display bar with additional

functions.

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iDrive

CONTROLS

Functional requirements

Function

Operation

▷ A language that is supported by the Personal

Assistant must be set via iDrive.

Move map.

Swipe in the appropriate di‐

rection.

Setting the system language, refer to

page 62.

Enlarge/shrink

map.

Drag in or out with the fin‐

gers.

▷ Always say commands in the configured sys‐

tem language.

Display menu.

Tap once.

Enter the following settings to access the full

range of functions:

Using alphabetical lists

For alphabetical lists with more than 30 entries,

the letters for which an entry exists can be dis‐

played in a text box.

▷ "Online speech processing" is activated.

▷ All settings under "BMW ConnectedDrive"

activated.

▷ Activation word is activated.

▷ The Driver profile is activated.

1. Tap the letter in front of the list.

A letter box is displayed.

▷ "Synchronize driver profile" under

"Personalization" is activated.

2. Tap the first letter of the desired entry.

▷ Relevant ConnectedDrive Services pur‐

chased from the ConnectedDrive Store.

BMW Intelligent Personal

Assistant

Activating the voice control

system

Principle

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is a per‐

sonal assistant that enables natural voice opera‐

tion of various vehicle functions. The Personal

Assistant simplifies the operation of the vehicle

with the automation of processes and habits.

General information

There are various methods for activating the

voice control feature:

▷

Press the button on the steering

wheel.

General information

▷ BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is availa‐

ble depending on the national-market ver‐

sion.

The microphone on the driver's side is active.

▷ Say the wake word ›Hello BMW‹ or a personal

wake word.

The microphones on the driver's or front pas‐

senger's side are active with the following

voice control, depending on where the activa‐

tion word was spoken.

▷ The system includes special microphones on

the driver side and the front passenger side.

▷ Say commands at a normal volume. Speaking

directly into the microphone does not im‐

prove the speech recognition.

Then say the command. The activation word and

the command can be spoken without pause in

one sentence. No other commands may be avail‐

able. In this case, operate the function via iDrive.

▷ Say the commands and numbers fluently as

well as with normal volume, emphasis, and

speed.

▷ ›...‹ identifies commands that can be spoken.

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Activation word from third-party providers

Button on the steering wheel

Depending on the national-market version, some

third-party providers provide digital voice assis‐

tants, e.g., Siri, Amazon Alexa or Google Assis‐

tant.

1.

Press the button on the steering

wheel briefly.

2. Say the command.

Supported voice assistants can be used with a

connected smartphone in the vehicle. In addition

to the preset or personal activation word, the ac‐

tivation word from connected third-party provid‐

ers can be used.

Wake word

General information

Speaking the wake word ›Hello BMW‹ or the per‐

sonal wake word will start the system.

1. "CAR"

2. "Settings"

Preset wake word

3. "General settings"

4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"

5. "Voice control"

The preset wake word ›Hello BMW‹ can be acti‐

vated and deactivated.

1. "CAR"

6. "Third-party providers"

7. Select the desired setting.

2. "Settings"

3. "General settings"

4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"

5. "Voice control"

6. "Wake word"

Ending voice control

▷

Press the button on the steering

wheel again.

▷ ›Cancel‹

7. "Wake word"

Personal wake word

▷ Tilt the Controller to the right or left.

▷ Press the Controller.

In addition to a preset activation word ›Hello

BMW‹, a personal activation word can be set up

in the active driver profile. The personal activa‐

tion word can also be changed or deleted.

Possible commands

General information

Most contents on the Control Display can be

spoken as commands, e.g. menu items or list en‐

tries. Say list entries as shown.

The activation word should consist of multiple

syllables to ensure good recognition. An addition,

such as ›Hello‹ is not necessary.

1. "CAR"

2. "Settings"

Instructions can be issued or questions can be

asked where the Personal Assistant provides

support.

3. "General settings"

4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"

5. "Voice control"

6. "Wake word"

7. "Personal wake word"

8. "Set wake word"

9. Select the desired setting.

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CONTROLS

The voice control system and the feedback it

provides does not replace the printed or

Integrated Owner's Manual. The speech recog‐

nition and quality of the feedback may vary.

Function examples

Vehicle status and vehicle information

▷ ›Is my tire pressure still OK?‹

▷ ›Show me the sport displays.‹

▷ ›Open Owner's Manual.‹

›How can the passenger airbag be deactivated‹

The Personal Assistant returns feedback. When

stationary, the section of the integrated Owner's

Manual is displayed on the Control Display.

Navigation

▷ ›Drive me to 300 Chestnut Ridge Road,

Woodcliff Lake in New Jersey.‹

Menu items

The commands of the menu items are spoken

just as they are selected via the Controller.

▷ ›Take me home.‹

▷ ›Are there any traffic messages?‹

1. Activating the voice control system.

2. ›MEDIA‹

Communication

3. ›Presets‹

For example, when a mobile phone is connected,

calls can be started or SMS can be sent.

The stored stations are displayed on the Control

Display.

▷ ›Call John Doe on cell phone.‹

▷ ›Dial the number 1 8 0 0 8 3 1 1 1 1 7.‹

Help for voice control

▷ ›New text message to John Doe: I'll be right

there.‹

▷ ›Voice commands‹: to have the available spo‐

ken commands announced.

▷ ›General information on voice control‹: have

information on the operating principle of the

voice control announced.

Entertainment

▷ ›What song is this?‹

▷ ›Play Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis Presley‹

▷ ›Next title.‹

▷ ›Help‹: have help for the current menu read

out loud.

Climate control

Settings

▷ ›Turn off the air conditioning.‹

▷ ›Activate fresh air.‹

▷ ›I'm cold.‹

Setting the voice control

You can set the system to use standard dialog or

a short version.

Windows and light

The short version of the voice control plays back

short messages in abbreviated form.

▷ ›Open the windows automatically.‹

▷ ›Delete activation point for automatic power

window.‹

1. "CAR"

2. "Settings"

▷ ›Ambient lighting.‹

3. "General settings"

4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"

5. "Voice control"

Owner's Manual via voice operation

You can ask simple questions about vehicle

functions and the operation of the vehicle.

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CONTROLS

6. "Response length"

The device must be connected via Apple Car‐

Play or Android Auto.

7. Select the desired setting.

1.

Press and hold the button on the

steering wheel for approx. 3 seconds.

Speaking during voice output

It is possible to answer during inquiries of the

voice activation system. The function can be de‐

activated if inquiries are often undesirably inter‐

rupted, for instance due to background noise or

conversations in the vehicle.

The voice activation of the smartphone is ac‐

tivated.

2.

Release the button.

If activation is successful, a confirmation ap‐

pears on the Control Display.

1. "CAR"

2. "Settings"

3. "General settings"

4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"

5. "Voice control"

Automating routines

General information

The Personal Assistant can automate routines,

for instance the automatic activation of the seat

heating from a specific outside temperature.

Rules are created for this purpose, which can be

activated and deactivated at any time.

6. "Speaking during voice output"

Online speech processing

Online voice processing improves the quality of

the speech recognition and search results for

points of interest. To use the functions, data is

transmitted to a service provider via an encrypted

connection and stored locally there.

Activate/deactivate

1. "APPS"

2. "Installed apps"

1. "CAR"

3. "Personal assistant"

4. "Automate habits"

5. Select the desired setting.

2. "Settings"

3. "General settings"

4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"

5. "Voice control"

Caring Car

Principle

Different vehicle functions in the car's interior are

harmonized for the driver in a short-term pro‐

gram.

6. "Online speech processing"

Adjusting the volume

Turn the volume button during the voice guid‐

ance until the desired volume is set.

The volume remains constant even if the volume

of other audio sources is changed.

General information

By selecting a program, the interior lighting, cli‐

mate control and music selection will be ad‐

justed. A program takes 3 minutes.

Using the voice activation of the

smartphone

Depending on the device, a smartphone con‐

nected to the vehicle can be used via voice con‐

trol.

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CONTROLS

Activate/deactivate

1. "CAR"

Overview

2. "Caring Car"

3. Select the desired program.

The program can be stopped prematurely:

"End program"

Adjusting a program

1. "CAR"

The camera in the headliner detects gestures

that are carried out in the area of the center con‐

sole at the height of the Control Display.

2. "Caring Car"

3. Select the desired program.

4. "Music settings"

5. Select the desired setting.

Activate/deactivate

1. "CAR"

System limits

▷ The Personal Assistant provides information

about vehicle functions that may not be in‐

stalled in the vehicle.

2. "Settings"

3. "General settings"

4. "Gesture control"

5. "Gesture control"

This also applies to safety-related functions

and systems.

Settings

1. "CAR"

▷ Certain noises can be detected and may lead

to problems. Keep the doors, windows, and

glass sunroof closed.

2. "Settings"

▷ Noises from the front passenger or the occu‐

pants can impair the system. Avoid making

other noise in the vehicle while speaking.

3. "General settings"

4. "Gesture control"

5. Select the desired setting.

▷ Major language dialects can cause problems

with the speech recognition feature.

Carrying out gestures

▷ Perform gestures underneath the interior mir‐

ror and next to the steering wheel.

▷ A poor data connection influences the re‐

sponse time of the Personal Assistant and

the Search.

▷ Execute gestures clearly.

▷ The gestures can also be executed from the

front-passenger side.

BMW Gesture Control

Principle

Several iDrive functions can be operated by hand

motion using BMW Gesture Control.

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Possible gestures

Gesture

Operation

Function

Move index finger forward and backward in the di‐ Accept call.

rection of the screen.

Select a highlighted entry in a

list during voice control.

Confirm pop-up.

Move hand across the width of the Control Display Reject call.

in the direction of the front-passenger side.

Close pop-up.

End voice control.

Slowly move hand clockwise in a circular pattern

with the index finger stretched out forward.

Increase the volume.

Gesture is detected after one circular motion.

Slowly move forearm counterclockwise in a circular Reduce the volume.

pattern with the index finger stretched out forward.

Gesture is detected after one circular motion.

Pinch with thumb and index finger and move hand Surround View: turn camera

horizontally to the right or left.

view.

This gesture can only be exe‐

cuted while the vehicle is sta‐

tionary.

Move stretched out index and middle finger for‐

ward.

Individually assignable gesture.

Move fist with thumb extended to the left back and Reverse Skip function.

forth.

The previous title is played.

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Gesture

Operation

Function

Move fist with thumb extended to right left back

and forth.

Forward Skip function.

The next title is played.

Stretch out five fingers, form a fist and stretch five

fingers out again.

Individually assignable gesture.

▷ The gesture is executed outside of the de‐

tection range.

Assigning gesture individually

General information

Two gestures can be assigned individually and

can be configured for certain functions, such as:

▷ Wearing of gloves or jewelry.

▷ Smoking in the car's interior.

▷ Destination guidance to home address.

▷ Mute/Playback

▷ Control Display on/off

Select function

1. "CAR"

2. "Settings"

3. "General settings"

4. "Gesture control"

5. "Function assignment gesture 1" or

"Function assignment gesture 2"

6. Select the desired setting.

System limits

Gesture recognition by the camera in the head‐

liner can be disturbed by the following circum‐

stances:

▷ The camera lens is covered.

▷ Objects are located on the interior mirror.

▷ The camera lens is dirty, clean camera lens.

Sensors and camera lenses, refer to

page 384.

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CONTROLS -> iDrive for Your BMW 5 Series 4 Door 2022

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