On the sevice display it reads "check control"

[old bob]

When I switch on the ignition this display comes up. What does it mean and how do I remove it?

[shogun]

I have the same. Check control, owners manual, cat.
According to BMW this is normal and just a function test, as long as it disappears after maybe 2 seconds.
Maybe the cat indication is shown only in Japan spec cars, as jap. spec cars have an addditional temp. feeler at the end of the cat, which indicates too high cat temperatures.

[gale]

Mine used to do that before I replaced the battery, but it wouldn't display right away. It would chime and show the display after I shut it off. A new battery took care of it. It could also be the "CCM" (check control module) which is in the main fuse box under the hood. It is one of the long modules and will be marked "CCM". If your battery is good, you could pull the CCM out and frap it around & plug it back in -- worth a shot. CCM's show up all the time on Ebay.