[330m]

How dumb is that?

All 5 of the 12volt outlets are OFF unless the ignition is on or the engine running? (1 next to gear shift, 1 under armrest, 2 in rear console, 1 in trunk)

I'm really pissed that I can't charge my Ipod or phone or GPS speed trap locator etc. when the car is parked up. Also the mini fridge for use in the trunk will get warm when you take a break on a journey!! (warm beer and sandwiches - not good!)

I only bought the 'luggage pack' because it came with a 12v socket in the trunk.

Never has this in a car before - it sucks!

i was pissed about that also.. previous e46 was able to charge when car was off.

[rayxi]

well, lets just say that you had to charge something and left it in the car for a whole day(24 hours), that would drain the battery and you'd be stranded. Plus, there are other electrical sources besides your car unless you live in your car.

[Chuck_IV]

This kinda sucks, I know. There are a couple quirky things on the BMW that even my Dodge Durango does better. This is one of them. My Durango has 3 lighter sockets, 1 of which stays on all the time(one in the back) and 2 upfront that you can CONTROL whether it's on or off when key is out. You just remove a specific fuse(as per the owner's manual) and the lighter sockets will turn off when the ignition is off. But, either way, you have a choice.

I can't believe BMW, for all it's wisdom, didn't make it so at least one of the 2, upfront lighter sockets would stay on all the time.

thats true.. but a few hours wouldnt hurt. Ive charged stuff for few hours and battery was fine.

[330m]

Originally Posted by rayxi

well, lets just say that you had to charge something and left it in the car for a whole day(24 hours), that would drain the battery and you'd be stranded. Plus, there are other electrical sources besides your car unless you live in your car.

A car battery will last for weeks with a phone charger plugged in.

For work I have a large 12v re-chargeable torch which (in previous cars) I left charging all the time in the trunk. Sometimes for a week without using the vehicle. No problems. Never failed to start.

Also a bluetooth headset was always charging in the armrest. No problem.

I'm going to try and see if its configurable by the dealers.

[BMW06]

There is one in the glove box (which charges your flash-light) that remains on all the time...

Thats what I had read somewhere. But pretty positive about it.

You need to get an adapter (approx $5) from you dealer to make it a regular socket.

[- Paul -]

It definately stays on all the time - I use mine for the pocketpc gps

[E90Fleet]

They had way to many problems on the 7 Series and some on the 5 Series with cars batteries being drained by all kinds of things being left in the power sockets, So they made them all switch off, and now dont get those problems

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by 330m

A car battery will last for weeks with a phone charger plugged in.

Not with these new cars

The cars systems wont go into sleep mode if there is something drawing power from the sockets, and with the large amount of computers in the car, the current draw is pretty high.

5 Series were having problems with batteries being drained in a few days because of cars not going into sleep mode due to chargers ( many chargers kept the car awake even if the phone wasnt pluged into them , due to their wiring setup ).

So BMW make them go off now, as are a number of other manufacturers

[330m]

Originally Posted by 1stnewcar

It definately stays on all the time - I use mine for the pocketpc gps

So did you buy an adaptor for the flash light socket??

I phoned my dealer and they said 'huh? what you talking about?"

Do you have a part number?

[- Paul -]

Yep I did - you can't get them in the uk! I ordered mine off t'interweb - Will post a link when I find it. Had a right search trying to find them.

[- Paul -]

See here for part no - picture - still can't find where I bought it from. Will post when I find it.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=885

EDIT Got it off ebay user eluka_com

Hope that helps

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by 330m

So did you buy an adaptor for the flash light socket??

I phoned my dealer and they said 'huh? what you talking about?"

Do you have a part number?

Adapter only officialy available in the USA ( been like that for years )

[firstkill]

its like a 5-10 dollar part here in the US


FK