This is how to trick Bimmercode into coding Ambient Lighting in iDrive 8.5

SctsOut06 · 04-05-2025, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chapman1977

Exactly the same thing happened to me after meddling with the colors for the inside.

Was hoping the error message would go away but it didn't. Tried rolling back the color changes and still have the error message.

Any ideas what else I could do?

Thankful for any hints - have the latest software installed and updated BimmerCode to the latest version. 2024 pre-LCI...

Weird. I just cycled the ignition and it went away. No issues since.

Wish I could help more!

Kramers oddly shaped hair · 07-12-2025, 05:08 PM

Do we still have to put the car in diagnostic mode before coding?

RK_Bimmer · 10-03-2025, 04:35 PM

Tried this today on my 2025 and still works! Thanks for the write up. I used the same Amazon package OP referenced. Once you do it takes less than 2 minutes to change.

KSnATXM2 · 10-13-2025, 09:11 AM

Did this as well on my 2024 on Saturday evening, and still works. I appreciate this so much!

Soygen · 10-13-2025, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RK_Bimmer

Tried this today on my 2025 and still works! Thanks for the write up. I used the same Amazon package OP referenced. Once you do it takes less than 2 minutes to change.

What iDrive version do you have? Can I assume this stuff is totally locked out for my upcoming 2026 delivery?

RK_Bimmer · 10-13-2025, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soygen

What iDrive version do you have? Can I assume this stuff is totally locked out for my upcoming 2026 delivery?

8.5. Took delivery of my 25’ in July. If you select M2 on BimmerCode it’s pretty barebones. You have to select M3 in BimmerCode for ambient lighting.

jmg · 10-14-2025, 10:11 AM

I’m currently running a beta version of bimmercode. These colors can now be coded without going into expert mode. I’m not entirely sure if the public release can do this. Sounds like it can’t from the most recent posts.

Can anyone confirm so I can update the tutorial?

rodtodd · 12-29-2025, 06:18 PM

Still works on 12/29/25 with a 25 M2. Coded red to ivory with the M3 settings as mentioned before.

rodtodd · 12-29-2025, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg

I’m currently running a beta version of bimmercode. These colors can now be coded without going into expert mode. I’m not entirely sure if the public release can do this. Sounds like it can’t from the most recent posts.

Can anyone confirm so I can update the tutorial?

Did not have to use expert mode.

coopertrooper · 01-09-2026, 03:46 AM

Hi, been messing around with bimmercode.

Can anyone confirm - I have a 2024 m240, is it possible or not to get the 3 m colours in the door panel lighting through bimmercode.

I have spent ages messing around - is it even possible?

Any help appreciated 👍🏻

delphian · 01-12-2026, 05:06 PM

Has this been done in the most recent iDrive 8.5 versions?

curtdragon · 01-12-2026, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delphian

Has this been done in the most recent iDrive 8.5 versions?

The colors in general? Yes. Mine are set to purple right now

delphian · 01-12-2026, 06:00 PM

Yes, the colors. Which iDrive version are you running? Mine is 11/2025.30. I assume M2 and M3 would all be the same?

delphian · 01-12-2026, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodtodd

Still works on 12/29/25 with a 25 M2. Coded red to ivory with the M3 settings as mentioned before.

Which iDrive version were you running when you did it?

delphian · 01-14-2026, 08:14 PM

In the Body Domain Controller, what are the "ambient lighting color contour" and "ambient lighting color" options? Anyone play around with these?

jmg · 01-14-2026, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delphian

In the Body Domain Controller, what are the "ambient lighting color contour" and "ambient lighting color" options? Anyone play around with these?

Yes, one is the footwell, the other is the dash. I forgot which was which though!

Nicname · 03-14-2026, 08:33 AM

Is ambient lighting still possible to code on 11/2025.50 G87 CS?

Really want all red or purple interior. Would love to disable the ok screen and 5 click turn signal but those def don’t seem possible.

ranxoren · 03-14-2026, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicname

Is ambient lighting still possible to code on 11/2025.50 G87 CS?

Really want all red or purple interior. Would love to disable the ok screen and 5 click turn signal but those def don’t seem possible.

Yeah don’t think those latter 2 are possible via BimmerCode yet. Hopefully they update at some point soon

Nicname · 03-14-2026, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranxoren

Yeah don’t think those latter 2 are possible via BimmerCode yet. Hopefully they update at some point soon

Yeah do you know anything about the interior working by choosing M3 options? Don’t want to go around messing if there’s no point. I at least got ASD off.

ranxoren · 03-14-2026, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicname

Yeah do you know anything about the interior working by choosing M3 options? Don’t want to go around messing if there’s no point. I at least got ASD off.

Didn’t try. I did ASD off as well

07-12-2025, 05:08 PM	#46
Kramers oddly shaped hair First Lieutenant 144 Rep 308 Posts Drives: 2025 M240iX Join Date: Jan 2025 Location: SOFL iTrader: (0)	Do we still have to put the car in diagnostic mode before coding?
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10-03-2025, 04:35 PM	#47
RK_Bimmer Enlisted Member 3 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2025 G87 M2 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NOVA iTrader: (0)	Tried this today on my 2025 and still works! Thanks for the write up. I used the same Amazon package OP referenced. Once you do it takes less than 2 minutes to change.
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10-13-2025, 09:11 AM	#48
KSnATXM2 Registered 8 Rep 4 Posts Drives: G87 M2 Join Date: Oct 2025 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Did this as well on my 2024 on Saturday evening, and still works. I appreciate this so much!
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10-14-2025, 10:11 AM	#51
jmg Lieutenant General 23443 Rep 15,309 Posts Drives: G87 M2 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2025 BMW M2 [9.67] 2022 G82 M4C X-Drive [9.80] 2018 F80 M3 CS [9.86] 2018 BMW i3 REx [4.87] 2015 BMW i3 REx [5.37] 2016 BMW F80 M3 [7.63] 2016 BMW F30 340i ZTR [10.00] 2013 BMW F30 328i [9.25] 2006 Audi S4 25Quattro [8.00]	I’m currently running a beta version of bimmercode. These colors can now be coded without going into expert mode. I’m not entirely sure if the public release can do this. Sounds like it can’t from the most recent posts. Can anyone confirm so I can update the tutorial? __________________ 2025 G87 ///M2 LCI - Ohlins R&T, Millway Uniball Camber Plates, SPL Adjustable Tie Rods, Endless ME20 Track Pads, Milltek Single Midpipe, Turner CF High-Rise spoiler, Turner Motorsports Front Splitter, Apex ML-10RT 19x11 Previous: 2022 G82 M4 Comp X-Drive • 2018 F80 M3 CS • 2016 F80 M3
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12-29-2025, 06:18 PM	#52
rodtodd Registered 2 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2025 M2 Join Date: Aug 2025 Location: KY iTrader: (0)	Still works on 12/29/25 with a 25 M2. Coded red to ivory with the M3 settings as mentioned before.
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01-09-2026, 03:46 AM	#54
coopertrooper New Member 4 Rep 18 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: M240i iTrader: (0)	Hi, been messing around with bimmercode. Can anyone confirm - I have a 2024 m240, is it possible or not to get the 3 m colours in the door panel lighting through bimmercode. I have spent ages messing around - is it even possible? Any help appreciated 👍🏻
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-12-2026, 05:06 PM	#55
delphian Enlisted Member 32 Rep 43 Posts Drives: '26 M3 6MT Join Date: Jan 2024 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Has this been done in the most recent iDrive 8.5 versions?
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01-12-2026, 06:00 PM	#57
delphian Enlisted Member 32 Rep 43 Posts Drives: '26 M3 6MT Join Date: Jan 2024 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Yes, the colors. Which iDrive version are you running? Mine is 11/2025.30. I assume M2 and M3 would all be the same? Last edited by delphian; 01-12-2026 at 06:12 PM..
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01-14-2026, 08:14 PM	#59
delphian Enlisted Member 32 Rep 43 Posts Drives: '26 M3 6MT Join Date: Jan 2024 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	In the Body Domain Controller, what are the "ambient lighting color contour" and "ambient lighting color" options? Anyone play around with these? __________________ '26 M3 Black Sapphire Metallic/Black '24 QV Volcano Black/Black - Sold '16 M3 Alpine White/Black - Sold '03 M5 Carbon Black/Caramel - Sold '03 M3 Alpine White/Black - Flooded/R.I.P.
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03-14-2026, 08:33 AM	#61
Nicname Lieutenant Colonel 485 Rep 1,870 Posts Drives: 2026 M2CS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: River Edge, NJ iTrader: (4)	Is ambient lighting still possible to code on 11/2025.50 G87 CS? Really want all red or purple interior. Would love to disable the ok screen and 5 click turn signal but those def don’t seem possible.
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