The BMW G20 3 Series — spanning the 2019–2026 330i, 330e, and M340i — sits on BMW’s CLAR platform and ships with more factory-coded modules than any previous 3 Series generation. That means BimmerCode unlocks a wider range of customizations than you could achieve on earlier cars. If you are new to the app, see our complete F30 guide for a thorough walkthrough of how BimmerCode works, what the interface looks like, and how to back up your car before making any changes. This guide picks up from there and focuses entirely on G20-specific options that are unique to the 2019+ generation.
What You Need to Code Your G20
BimmerCode works over Bluetooth using the Vgate vLinker BM+, a BMW-specific OBD2 adapter that supports the full BMW protocol stack. Plug it into your OBD2 port (under the dash, driver’s side), download BimmerCode from the App Store or Google Play, and pair the adapter. iOS users must use a BLE 4.0-capable adapter — the vLinker BM+ satisfies this requirement. Make sure your BimmerCode app is updated to the latest version: the G20 uses BMW’s newest coding module architecture, and older app versions may not expose all available options. Code with the ignition on and the engine off for best results.
Comfort & Convenience Codings
Auto Start-Stop Disable (Permanent) — Every G20 with the B46 or B58 engine ships with auto start-stop enabled by default. You can press the A-off button each drive, or you can code the system so the car remembers your preference after every restart. In BimmerCode, open the EfficientDynamics module and set Automatic start-stop always active on vehicle start to not active. From that point forward, the engine will not shut off at red lights unless you manually re-enable it.
Drive Mode Memory — Stay in Sport After Restart — The G20 resets to Comfort mode on every key cycle. To change this, open the FEM (Front Electronic Module) or the DSC module and enable drive mode memory. Once coded, the car will resume whichever drive mode was active when you last switched off the ignition. M340i owners with M Sport+ options can also retain the more aggressive M Mode settings between drives.
Folding Mirrors on Lock — Navigate to the FEM module and enable the comfort folding mirrors option so the door mirrors fold automatically whenever you lock the car and unfold when you unlock. This protects the mirrors in tight parking garages and gives the car a cleaner parked appearance without requiring a retrofit of the factory fold-on-close option.
Comfort Closing and Opening — If your G20 has a panoramic sunroof or comfort access, BimmerCode lets you assign the windows and sunroof to close automatically when you hold the lock button or open when you hold unlock. Navigate to the FEM module and enable comfort close and comfort open for windows and/or sunroof independently. This is one of the most popular G20 codings because the hardware is already present on most trim levels — the software just needs to be unlocked.
Welcome Light Sequence — On approach to the car, the exterior lighting can perform a welcome animation. In the FEM or KAFAS module, you can enable the welcome sequence and adjust its duration. Combine this with the interior ambient lighting settings below for a full arrival experience.
Active Lane-Keeping Sensitivity — The G20’s lane-departure warning system can feel intrusive at low speeds or on roads with faded lane markings. BimmerCode lets you adjust the sensitivity threshold in the KAFAS camera module. Lowering the sensitivity reduces false positives without disabling the system entirely. You can also set lane-keeping to off by default so you activate it manually when needed.
Lighting Codings
Ambient Lighting Intensity and Colour — G20 vehicles equipped with Live Cockpit Professional or the Ambient Light package have up to 12 interior light zones. BimmerCode accesses the AMBL (Ambient Light) module and lets you increase the maximum brightness above the factory limit, which is intentionally capped. You can also set a default colour zone so the car always starts in your preferred colour without navigating through the iDrive menu each time.
DRL and Daytime Running Light Behaviour — In the FRM (Footwell Module) or the FEM, you can adjust how the daytime running lights behave when the turn signal activates. The factory setting dims the DRL on the signalling side. Many owners prefer the DRL to go fully off during signalling for a cleaner look. Both options are available in BimmerCode without any hardware changes.
Cornering Lights — If your G20 has adaptive LED headlights, BimmerCode can enable cornering lights — supplementary lights that illuminate when you turn the steering wheel at low speed. Navigate to the AL (Adaptive Lighting) or FRM module and enable the cornering function. On cars where the cornering lights were not ordered from the factory, this coding activates the feature using existing hardware.
Rear Fog Light as Brake Light Enhancement — Some owners code the rear fog light to activate during heavy braking as an additional brake signal. This is handled in the FRM module. Check your local regulations before enabling this feature, as legality varies by province in Canada.
iDrive and Digital Codings
Digital Cluster Layout Customization — G20 models with Live Cockpit Professional have a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. BimmerCode accesses the KOMBI module to enable additional display layouts that are not selectable through the standard iDrive menu, including a full-width map view and a sporty bar-graph RPM display. You can also enable the lap timer and G-force meter in the gauge cluster, which are hidden by default on non-M cars.
HUD Brightness and Display Mode — On G20 cars equipped with the Head-Up Display, the HUDF module allows you to expand what information is shown and increase the maximum HUD brightness beyond the factory slider’s upper limit. Useful in bright Canadian summer sunlight where the stock maximum can be hard to read. You can also enable speed camera warnings and navigation arrows as permanent HUD elements.
Video in Motion — The iDrive system will display video content (rear-view camera feed, connected device video) only when stationary by default. This can be changed in the CID or NBT module for front-passenger use. Always comply with local distracted driving regulations.
G20-Specific Notes
The G20 is the first 3 Series built on BMW’s CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform, shared with the G30 5 Series and G05 X5. This means the G20 has more coding modules than the F30 — typically 20 to 30 more accessible ECUs in BimmerCode. The downside is that coding the G20 requires the most current version of BimmerCode; older app versions will show fewer modules or flag incompatibility errors. Always update before starting a coding session.
The 330e plug-in hybrid has additional modules related to the high-voltage battery and electric motor that should not be modified. BimmerCode flags these appropriately, but exercise caution. The M340i has additional DSC and engine management modules that are accessible — most M340i owners focus on drive mode memory, start-stop disable, and exhaust flap behaviour (enabling the sport exhaust sound mode permanently or on startup).
LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) G20 models from 2022 onward received revised headlight units with new ADAS camera positioning. If your LCI G20 has over-the-air update capability, be aware that BMW software updates can occasionally revert coded values — always re-check your codings after accepting a firmware update. The non-LCI and LCI G20 share most module names but a few FEM sub-parameters differ between the two build dates.
Get Started Today
To begin coding your G20, you need the Vgate vLinker BM+ OBD2 adapter — the only Bluetooth adapter we recommend for BimmerCode on BMW. It supports both Android and iOS (BLE 4.0), covers all G-series modules, and is plug-and-play. For a deeper look at the BimmerCode app itself — how to navigate modules, read coding values, and back up your car — see our complete F30 guide, which covers the fundamentals that apply to every BMW platform. Pick up the adapter, spend 30 minutes with the app, and unlock everything your G20 has been hiding since the factory.
