Thank you for deciding on a BMW M3 convertible.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and
security when you drive it. Therefore, we have one request:
Read the information contained in this Owner's Manual before driving your new
BMW M3 convertible for the first time. It contains important information on vehicle
operation that will enable you to make full use of the advanced technical equipment
of your BMW M3 convertible. In addition, you will receive information on vehicle
maintenance, that help ensure operating and traffic safety, as well providing for the
best possible value retention of your BMW.
For more detailed information refer to the Supplemental Manuals.
BMW M also makes decisive contribution toward greater safety in traffic through its
BMW driver training.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It
should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important
operating, safety and maintenance information.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet
(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
Your BMW M3 convertible is covered by the following warranties:
Ð New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Ð Limited Rust Perforation Warranty
Ð Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
Ð Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
Ð California Emission Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW M
20n
Indicator and warning lamps
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics
l
There is a fault in the electronic
engine-management system.
You can continue to drive with reduced
engine output or engine speed. Please
have the system inspected at your
BMW center.
Add coolant
Coolant level too low, top up as
soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to
page 118
Rollover protection system
l
The rollover protection system is
deactivated due to a malfunc-
tion. Please have the system inspected
immediately at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 58
Check Filler Cap
*
l
If the indicator lamp comes on
although the fuel filler cap is
secured correctly: this indicates a
malfunction in the fuel system. Have the
system inspected at your BMW center
at the earliest opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 23
Green: for your information
Turn signal indicators
Flashes when turn signals are
on. Rapid flashing: indicates a
system malfunction.
For additional information: refer to
page 70
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise
control is activated. Available for
operation via the multifunction steering
wheel.
For additional information: refer to
page 73
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever the fog
lamps are on.
For additional information: refer to
page 86
Blue: for your information
High beam
Comes on when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information: refer to
pages 70, 86
30n
Opening and closing Ð via the remote control The conceptThe remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for
unlocking and locking your vehicle.
Furthermore, it provides two additional
functions which you can only execute
via the remote control:
>Switch on the interior lamp, refer to
page 31.
With this function, you can also
"search for" your vehicle Ð when
parked in an underground garage, for
instance
>Open the luggage compartment lid,
refer to page 31.
The luggage compartment lid will
open slightly, regardless of whether it
was locked or unlocked.
The anti-theft system is also deacti-
vated/activated simultaneously with the
unlocking or locking of the vehicle, and
the alarm system
* is disarmed/armed,
and the interior lamps are switched on/
off.
You can have a signal set as an
acknowledgment message that
the vehicle is closed correctly.<
1 Unlock and alarm system
2 Lock and secure, interior lamp activa-
tion, deactivating tilt alarm sensor
and interior motion sensor
3 Open the luggage compartment,
panic mode (trigger alarm)
Master key with remote control
Since passengers or animals
remaining in the vehicle might be
able to lock the doors from the inside,
take the vehicle's keys with you so that
the vehicle can be opened again from
the outside at any time.<
Master keys with remote control
that are used repeatedly are
always ready for operation, since the
battery in the key is charged automati-
cally in the ignition lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the
vehicle via the remote control, the
battery is discharged. Use this key
while driving for an extended period in
order to recharge the battery. Refer
also to page 28.
Guard the remote control against unau-
thorized use by only surrendering the
spare key or the door key (refer to
page 28).
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<
31n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlTo releasePress button to unlock the driver's door
only.
Press the button twice in order to
unlock the entire vehicle.
If you want, you can have this
special feature set as key-depen-
dent.
again.To deactivate the tilt alarm
sensor
* and interior motion
sensor*
Press button a second time immedi-
ately after locking.
For additional information: refer to
page 38.
To open the luggage
compartment lidPress button.
The lid will open slightly, no matter
whether it was locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure
that the luggage compartment lid
has not been opened unintentionally.< Panic mode (trigger alarm)By pressing button for more than
2 seconds, the alarm can be sounded
in the event of danger, if it is armed.
To switch off the alarm:
Press button.
34n
Luggage compartment lidThe lock Only the master keys (refer to page 28)
fit in the lock of the luggage compart-
ment lid.Secure separatelyLock the glove compartment using the
master key.
This also locks the luggage compart-
ment lid and disconnects it from the
central locking system. If you surrender
only the door key (refer to page 28), this
will prevent unauthorized access via the
luggage compartment lid, which is an
advantage for valet parking, for
instance.
To open from outsidePress the button in the handle recess
(arrow): the luggage compartment lid
opens slightly.
The luggage compartment is lighted
when the luggage compartment lid is
opened. Manual operation(in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the master key to the right as far
as it will go, the luggage compartment
lid will open slightly.
The luggage compartment lid is locked
again as soon as you close the lid.
Opening from the insideIf the luggage compartment lid has not
been locked separately, you can open it
with this button in the footwell on the
driver's side when the vehicle is
stationary.
36n
Luggage compartment To secure your luggage, use the
luggage nets
* or flexible straps that you
can attach to the fittings at the inner
corners of the luggage compartment.
Refer also to "Cargo loading" on
page 101.
Raise floor plate and hook in1. Grab it by the handle and pull up
2. Press the button (arrow) to release
the hanger from the handle
3. Hook in the hanger on the rubber
seal of the water gutter (arrow).
Carefully replace the hanger in its
holder when lowering the floor
panel back into place.<
37n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Luggage compartment Alarm system
*
Enlarging luggage compartmentWith the convertible top closed, you
can enlarge the luggage compartment.
To do this, flip the handle outward and
press it down and toward the front of
the vehicle (arrow). The convertible top
compartment panel is now raised and
secured.Fold down convertible top
compartment panelTo open the convertible top, the convert-
ible top compartment panel must be
lowered. To do this, fold out the handle
and pull opposite the direction of travel.
When opening the convertible top,
refer to page 40, make sure that the
luggage compartment is set up for this,
otherwise you may damage something.<
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the
luggage compartment lid are opened
>To movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor)
>Altering the vehicle tilt, e. g. as would
occur while attempting to steal the
wheels or tow the vehicle (Tilt alarm
sensor system)
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds
>Activating the hazard warning
flashers for approx. five minutes
>Flashing the high beams on and off in
rhythm with the hazard warning
flashers.
To arm and disarm the
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
by using a key or with the remote
control, the alarm system is also simul-
taneously armed or disarmed.
You can have a signal set as
acknowledgment for both arming
and disarming the alarm.<
You can also open the luggage
compartment lid when the system is
armed by pressing the button of the
remote control (refer to page 31). When
it is closed, the lid is once again
secured.
54n
Airbags
Transporting children safely
This is the right way a larger child
should sit wearing the safety belt when
rear side airbags (arrow) are provided.
Operational status
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster shows the airbag
system status starting in ignition
key position 1.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly,
when the ignition key is turned into
position 1 or 2
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to come on,
when the ignition key is turned
>The indicator lamp fails to go out
after the engine has been started, or
it comes on during normal driving.
Please respond to any malfunctions in
the system by immediately having it
inspected at your BMW center; other-
wise the airbag could fail to respond to
an accident in which both the angle and
the severity of the impact would
normally trigger airbag deployment.
Commercially available child seats
complying with the legal standard are
designed to be secured with a lap belt
or with the lap belt portion of a combi-
nation lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or
inadequately installed restraint systems
can increase the risk of injury to chil-
dren. Always read and follow the
instructions that come with the system.