The BMW E90, E91, E92, and E93 — covering the 325i, 328i, and 335i from 2006 to 2013 — are among the most popular platforms in the BimmerCode community. These cars are old enough to be affordable and modified freely, yet their electronics are sophisticated enough that hidden features are genuinely worth unlocking. If you are just getting started with BimmerCode, see our complete F30 guide for the full walkthrough — it covers the app, the adapter, and how to approach coding safely. This guide focuses entirely on what is unique to the E90-chassis cars.
What You Need to Code Your E90
BimmerCode communicates with E90-series cars using the Vgate vLinker BM+ OBD2 adapter. Plug it into the OBD2 port under the driver’s side dash, launch BimmerCode on your phone, and pair via Bluetooth. iOS users need a BLE 4.0-capable adapter — the vLinker BM+ is fully compatible. The E90 uses BMW’s PT-CAN bus architecture, which BimmerCode fully supports, though some modules are structured differently than F-series cars. Most codings are straightforward, and the app guides you through each setting with plain-language descriptions.
Comfort & Convenience Codings
Folding Mirrors on Lock — This is the single most popular E90 coding. Navigate to the FRM (Footwell Module) in BimmerCode and enable the comfort fold option so the door mirrors fold automatically every time you lock the car. The E90 has the motor hardware on most equipped trims — it just needs the software parameter activated. Mirrors unfold automatically when you unlock or start the car. This modification is completely reversible and takes under two minutes.
Seatbelt Chime Disable — The E90 seatbelt warning chime can be coded off in the instrument cluster (KOMBI) module. This is a common request for track day use or off-road situations where occupants are cycling in and out frequently. Note that the seatbelt warning light will still illuminate on the cluster — only the audible alert is affected. Always ensure all occupants are buckled on public roads.
Comfort Access Settings — E90 models equipped with the factory Comfort Access option have additional coding possibilities in the CAS (Car Access System) module. You can adjust the unlock sensitivity, enable or disable the touch-to-unlock function on door handles, and modify the auto-lock behaviour when driving away. These options are only visible in BimmerCode if your car actually has the Comfort Access hardware — the module will not appear on non-equipped cars.
Auto-Lock When Driving — In the FRM or CAS module, you can enable automatic door locking when the car reaches a set speed (typically 15 km/h). This feature is present in the hardware of all E90 cars but is disabled by default in certain markets. It adds a layer of security and is a factory-level feature on many other BMW models.
Window One-Touch Up and Down — The E90 supports full one-touch window operation (press once, window travels fully) on all four windows, but the factory setting often enables it only on the driver’s window. In the FRM module, you can enable one-touch full travel for all four windows. Particularly useful for the rear windows, which on many E90s only have one-touch travel if the coding is enabled.
Comfort Open/Close for Windows — Enable windows to open or close by holding the key fob’s lock or unlock button. This is enabled in the FRM module and works on all windows simultaneously. Excellent for airing out a hot car before getting in on a summer day.
Lighting Codings
Angel Eye Brightness (H8 and LED-Equipped Cars) — E90 models with H8 halogen or LED angel eyes (halo rings) can have their brightness increased beyond the factory setting. Navigate to the FRM module and locate the corona ring intensity parameter. Increasing this value makes the rings more visible during daylight and gives the front end a more distinctive look at night. This coding is especially popular on cars upgraded to aftermarket LED angel eyes, where the factory brightness setting underutilizes the new bulbs.
DRL Behaviour Adjustment — On pre-LCI E90 cars (2006–2008), the daytime running light behaviour is managed through the FRM. You can set the DRLs to stay on at full brightness during signalling rather than dimming, or you can disable the DRL-dim-on-signal behaviour entirely. LCI models (2009–2013) have additional options due to the updated FRM module.
US-to-Euro Tail Light Mode — North American E90 models have the rear indicator combined with the tail lamp in the same bulb. BimmerCode can remap the FRM to run the indicators independently of the running lights, matching European market specification. This requires the correct bulb type and is a popular modification on cars with aftermarket LCI-style tails.
Footwell Lighting Intensity — The FRM controls footwell LED intensity. BimmerCode lets you increase brightness or change the fade timing on entry and exit. A small but noticeable quality-of-life improvement on cars that are used frequently at night.
iDrive and Digital Codings
iDrive CCC and CIC Unlock — E90 cars came with one of three iDrive generations: BM54/MK4, CCC, or CIC (LCI models). BimmerCode supports all three. On CIC-equipped cars, you can enable video in motion, which allows video playback from connected devices while the car is moving. On CCC systems, options are more limited but speed limit display and navigation voice volume tweaks are possible.
PDC Parking Distance Chime Volume — The parking distance control chime volume is adjustable in the PDC module. Many E90 owners find the default volume excessive in an enclosed parking garage. BimmerCode lets you reduce it without disabling the visual display on the iDrive screen.
Cluster Display Units — Switch the instrument cluster between kilometres per hour and miles per hour, adjust fuel consumption display units, and toggle the digital speed readout on or off — all from the KOMBI module.
E90-Specific Notes
The E90 platform uses the PT-CAN bus, which is compatible with BimmerCode but structured differently from F-series vehicles. You will notice that some modules appear under different names compared to what you might see in an F30 guide — this is normal. Always read the module description carefully before changing a value.
The LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) update arrived in late 2008 for the 2009 model year. LCI cars have an updated FRM with more options, revised instrument cluster software, and CIC iDrive on most trim levels. If you have an LCI car, you will see more available codings in BimmerCode than a pre-LCI equivalent. The easiest way to identify an LCI is the headlight shape — LCI cars have white turn signal rings in addition to the angel eye rings.
The E90 does not have automatic engine start-stop — that system did not arrive until the F30. There is no start-stop module to code on any E90 variant. The N54 twin-turbocharged 335i has a separate high-pressure fuel pump module that should not be modified through BimmerCode — its values are safety-critical and are flagged as read-only in the app. No auto start-stop coding is possible or necessary on this platform.
Get Started Today
Ready to unlock your E90, E91, E92, or E93? The only tool you need is the Vgate vLinker BM+ OBD2 adapter, which works on all E-series cars and is fully compatible with BimmerCode on both iOS and Android. For a complete introduction to the app — how to back up your coding, navigate modules, and interpret values — see our complete F30 guide. The F30 guide covers foundational concepts that translate directly to the E90. Grab the adapter, spend an afternoon with the app, and give your E90 the features it should have had from the factory.
