We are pleased you have decided on a BMW M3.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and
security when you drive it. We therefore have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yourself with the
information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your new BMW M3.
The manual contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in
obtaining maximum satisfaction from your BMW M3 unique array of advanced tech-
nical features. 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 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
Foreword
20n
Indicator and warning lamps
Service Engine Soon
l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 116
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models
Engine electronics
l
There is a fault in the electronic
engine-management system.
The electronics allow for continued
driving with reduced engine output or
engine speed. Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
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 indicator
Flashes when the turn signal
indicators are operated. Rapid
flashing: indicates a system malfunc-
tion.
For additional information, refer to
page 65
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise
control is activated. Available for
operation via the multifunction steering
wheel.
For additional information, refer to
page 68
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever the fog
lamps are on.
For additional information, refer to
page 82
Blue: for your information
High beams
Comes on when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information, refer to
pages 65, 81.
29n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the door lockWith the keyTurning the key once in the driver's
door will unlock only the driver's door.
Turning the key a second time will
unlock the passenger's door, the
luggage compartment lid and the fuel
filler door.
You can have a signal set to
confirm that the vehicle's locks
have engaged securely.<
Convenience operating modeYou can also operate the windows and
the sliding/tilt sunroof via the door lock.
To open: with the door closed, hold the
key in the "Unlock" position.
To close: with the door closed, turn the
key to the "Lock" position and hold it.
Watch during the closing process
to be sure that no one is inadvert-
ently injured. Releasing the key stops
the operation.
left or right to unlock/lock the driver's
door.
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 lamps, 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, the
alarm system is disarmed/armed, and
the interior lamps are switched on/off.
You can have a signal set to
confirm that the vehicle's locks
have engaged securely.<
1 Unlock, convenience mode opening
and alarm system
2 Lock and secure, switch on interior
lamps, deactivating tilt alarm sensor
and interior motion sensor
3 Open the luggage compartment lid,
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 that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion, since the battery in the key is
charged automatically 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) e.g. for valet parking.
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.
After unlocking the driver's door, press
button twice to unlock the entire
vehicle.Convenience opening modePress and hold button. The windows
and the sliding/tilt sunroof are then
opened.To lock and securePress button.
To switch on the interior lampsAfter locking the vehicle, press button
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.
in the event of danger, if it is armed.
To switch off the alarm:
Press button.
33n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð from the inside With this button you operate the central
locking system whenever the doors are
closed. The doors and luggage
compartment lid are unlocked or locked
only. The anti-theft system is not acti-
vated.
If only the driver's door was
unlocked from the outside and
you press the button, then, with the
driver's door still open, the passenger's
door, the luggage compartment lid and
the fuel filler door will unlock, too.
If the driver's door is closed, it will be
locked.<
If you desire, the central locking
system will secure the locks as
soon as you start to drive. This can be
adjusted to be key-specific.<
To unlock and open the doors>Either unlock the doors together with
the button for the central locking
system and then pull each of the
release handles above the armrests
or
>pull the release handle for each door
twice: the first pull unlocks the door,
and the second one opens it.
To engage the locks>Either use the central locking button
to lock all doors at once
or
>press down the individual door lock
buttons. To prevent the driver from
being inadvertently locked out of the
vehicle, the driver's door lock button
will not engage as long as the door is
open.
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.<
34n
Luggage compartment lidThe lock Only the master keys (refer to page 28)
fit in the lock for the luggage compart-
ment lid.
To secure separatelyTurn the master key to the right past the
resistance point and then pull it out in
the horizontal position.
This locks the luggage compartment lid
and disconnects it from the central
locking system. This feature can be
used to prevent unauthorized access to
the luggage compartment when you
hand over the door and ignition key
(refer to page 28). This is useful for valet
parking, for instance.
To open from the 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.
36n
Luggage compartment lid Luggage compartment Emergency releaseThis lever releases the luggage
compartment lid from the luggage
compartment's interior.
Lift the floor panel up and hook itTo raise and secure the floor panel, lift
it by the ring and hook it into the rubber
seal of the run-off gutter with the
hanger (arrow).
Floor matYou can turn the floor mat over if
required (for transporting soiled objects
for instance). The rubberized side may
be washed. It reduces movement of
objects placed on it.
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 96.