2008 BMW M3 COUPE Owner's Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
31
1.Unclip the front of the cover of the interior
lamps using the screwdriver from the
onboard tool kit, refer to page127.
2.Insert the screwdriver into the openings on
each side to press the clips.
3.Remove the control unit.
4.Unplug the motor. Considerably less effort
will be required for manual operation.
5.Insert the Allen wrench
* supplied with the
onboard tool kit, refer to page127, into the opening provided. Move the glass roof in
the desired direction.
6.Reinstall the control unit and reattach the
lamp cover.
Convertible: retractable
hardtop
The retractable hardtop combines reliable
weather protection with simple and convenient
operation.
The following tips will enhance your driving
pleasure in your convertible:
>It is advisable that you close the retractable
hardtop when you park the vehicle. Not only
does the closed hardtop protect the vehicle
interior against unanticipated weather dam-
age, it also offers theft protection. However,
even when the hardtop is closed, valuables
should only be stored in the locked cargo
bay.
>Do not attach roof rack systems to the
retractable hardtop, and in particular do not
attach magnetic racks.
>Do not attach rack systems to the luggage
compartment lid, and in particular do not
attach magnetic racks.
>When the retractable hardtop is operated,
the luggage compartment lid swings back
and up. Before operating the retractable
hardtop, ensure that there is enough clear-
ance, e.g. when parked in front of a wall.
>If you open the hardtop while it is wet, e.g.
after driving in the rain, water may drip into
the cargo bay. If necessary, remove items

Opening and closing
32 from the cargo bay beforehand to avoid
water stains or soiling.
Do not place any objects on the retract-
able hardtop or on the luggage compart-
ment lid, otherwise they could fall during move-
ments of the retractable hardtop and cause
damage or injury.
Never move the retractable hardtop when the
rollover protection system is in the activated
position.
Driving when the hardtop is not fully opened or
closed may result in damage or injury.
Do not reach into the mechanism while the
hardtop is opening or closing. Keep children
away from the swiveling area of the retractable
hardtop.<
The retractable hardtop cannot be moved
at temperatures below + 147/–106. <
The retractable hardtop can only be
opened and closed when the vehicle is
stationary. To avoid causing damage, do not
drive off until the hardtop has stopped mov-
ing.<
Before opening and closing
>Comply with the safety precautions
described above.
>Ensure that the cargo bay partition is folded
down and engaged on both sides, refer to
page91, otherwise it will not be possible to
open the retractable hardtop.
>Do not place any objects next to or on the
cargo bay partition and close the storage
compartment on the left side of the cargo
bay.
>Do not exceed the maximum loading height
under the cargo bay partition; refer to the
label in the cargo bay showing a line indicat-
ing the maximum height.
>Ensure that the luggage compartment lid is
closed.
>The vehicle should be parked on fairly level
ground. Excessive angle is indicated by a
lamp.
Opening and closing
When the vehicle is stationary and at radio
readiness or beyond, refer to page46:
If possible, conserve the battery by only
operating the retractable hardtop when
the engine is running.
Before closing the retractable hardtop, remove
all foreign objects from the windshield frame as
these could prevent the hardtop from closing
properly.<
1Pull button: open the retractable hardtop.
Push button: close the retractable hardtop.
2LEDs
The side windows move down slightly
when the switch for hardtop operation is
pulled or pushed.<
If you push or pull the switch for a longer period
after the LED2 goes out, the windows move up
again.
LEDs
>While the hardtop is being operated, the left
LED lights up green. It goes out as soon as
the top is fully opened or closed.
>If the right-hand LED flashes red when you
release the switch, the opening or closing
action has not yet finished.
>If the right LED lights up red when the
switch is pressed, the cargo bay partition is
folded up, the luggage compartment lid is
not closed, the vehicle is standing on a
strong incline or there is a malfunction. The
retractable hardtop cannot be moved.

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Interruption
The automatic sequence of movements is
interrupted if the switch for hardtop operation is
released. The sequence can be continued in
the desired direction by pushing or pulling the
switch.
A hardtop that is not fully opened or
closed is a safety hazard.
Do not interrupt and resume the closing proce-
dure several times in close succession as this
could damage the mechanism.<
If the hardtop is not fully opened or
closed, the luggage compartment lid can-
not be opened and the windows cannot be
moved.<
Convenient operation with remote
control or via door lock
Refer to pages20 and22.
Wind deflector*
The wind deflector keeps air movements in the
passenger compartment to a minimum when
the hardtop is open and provides an even more
comfortable ride, particularly at high speeds.
Installation
The wind deflector is stored in a protective
cover in the cargo bay. Brief instructions for
operation can be found on the protective cover.
1.Remove the wind deflector from the protec-
tive cover and unfold it, arrows 1.2.Press together the top and bottom parts of
the wind deflector until the catch engages,
arrow 2.
3.Push the fastening pin, arrow 3, into the
opening provided on the right side of the
vehicle until it snaps into place. Remove the
protective caps beforehand, if necessary.
4.Push the fastening pin, arrow 4, into the
opening provided on the left side of the
vehicle until it snaps into place.
5.Turn the rotary handle in the direction of
arrow 5 as far as the first stop to insert the
right fastening pin into the holders.
6.Turn the rotary handle in the direction of
arrow 6 a s f a r a s t h e s y m b o l t o in s e r t t h e
left fastening pin into the holders.
7.Fold up the top section of the wind deflec-
tor.
With the wind deflector installed: do not
recline the front-seat backrests too far if
the seat is to be slid all the way back, as this
would damage the wind deflector.<
Only turn the rotary handle within the
range between the two symbols, other-
wise the cable system inside the wind deflector
could be damaged.<

Opening and closing
34
Removing the wind deflector
Proceed in the reverse order as used for instal-
lation.
Protective caps are provided in the vehicle for
the holders of the wind deflector.
Folding
Slide the red release lever towards the middle of
the wind deflector and push the two halves
apart.
Loading function
Cargo can still be loaded on the rear seat of the
vehicle even if the wind deflector has been
installed.
1.Lower all windows.
2.Fold down the top section of the wind
deflector, arrow1.3.Turn the rotary handle to position ,
arrow2.
Fold both sections of the wind deflector forward
and rest them against the front seats, arrow3.
To protect the seat cushions or to use the bag
holders, you can fold the rear backrest down,
refer to page92.

Reference
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Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
35
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head
restraints and the airbags, the seated position
has a major influence on your safety in the event
of an accident. To ensure that the safety sys-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we
strongly urge you to observe the instructions
contained in the following section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page44.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions,
to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or
arms in the event of the airbag being triggered
off.
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the
front passenger side as a storage area. Make
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly,
e.g. not resting feet or legs on the dashboard,
otherwise leg injuries can occur if the front air-
bag is triggered.
Make sure that passengers do not lean their
heads against the side or head airbags, other-
wise serious injuries could result if the airbags
suddenly deployed.<
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be
fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page72.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the
event of an accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page37.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the
safety belt as an additional safety device, but
they do not represent a substitute.
Your vehicle has four seats, each of which is
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's
lap. Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits
low across the hips and does not press against
the abdomen.
The safety belt must not rest against the throat,
run across sharp edges, pass over hard or frag-
ile objects or be pinched. Fasten the safety belt
so that it sits as snugly as possible against the
lap and shoulder without being twisted. Other-
wise the belt could slide over your hips and
injure your abdomen in the event of a frontal
collision.
Avoid wearing bulky clothing and regularly pull
the belt in the upper-body area taut, otherwise
its restraining effect could be impaired.<
Safety belts, refer to page40.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while
the vehicle is moving. The seat could
respond with unexpected movement, and the
ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an

Adjustments
36 accident.
On the front passenger seat as well, do not
incline the backrest too far to the rear while the
vehicle is being driven, otherwise there is a dan-
ger in the event of an accident of sliding under
the safety belt, eliminating the protection nor-
mally provided by the belt.<
Comply with the instructions on head restraint
height on page37, and on damaged safety
belts on page40.
Manual adjustment
Observe the adjustment instructions
above to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
Thigh support
Pull the lever and move the thigh support for-
ward or back.
Electrical adjustment
Observe the adjustment instructions on
page35 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
1Longitudinal direction
2Height
3Angle4Backrest
The head restraints are adjusted manually, refer
to Head restraints below.
Lumbar support*
You can also adjust the contour of the backrest
to obtain additional support in the lumbar
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a
relaxed, upright sitting position.
>Increase or decrease curvature: press the
switch at the front or rear, respectively.
>Shift curvature up or down: press the switch
at the top or bottom, respectively.

Reference
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37
Backrest width*
You can change the width of the backrest to suit
your individual preferences by adjusting the lat-
eral-support pads.
Press the front or rear end of the switch.
Backrest width decreases or increases accord-
ingly.
Longitudinal adjustment from outside/
behind
To move the front seats forward or backward
from outside or from one of the rear seats: with
the door open, press the front end 1 or rear end
2 of the switch.
Head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the
event of an accident. Only remove a head
restraint if no one will be sitting on the seat in
question. Reinstall the head restraint before
transporting anyone on that seat. Otherwise,
the passenger will be without protection from
the head restraint.<
Front seats
Coupe: height adjustment
>To raise: pull up.
>To lower: press the button, arrow1, and
slide the head restraint down.
Coupe: removing
1.Pull up as far as it will go.
2.Press the button, arrow1, and pull the head
restraint all the way out.
Convertible: height adjustment
>To raise: press the button upward.
>To lower: press the button downward.

Adjustments
38
Coupe: rear seats
Height adjustment
>To raise: pull up.
>To lower: press the button, arrow1, and
slide the head restraint down.
Removing
1.Pull up as far as it will go.
2.Press the button, arrow 1, tilt the rear seat
backrest slightly forward and pull the head
restraint all the way out.
O nly remove the head restraints if no pas-
sengers will be sitting in the rear. Reinstall
head restraints before transporting passengers
in the rear.<
Entering the rear seats
Coupe
Convertible
Seat backrest warning lamp:
Comes on when a seat backrest is not
engaged.
Convenient entry
The convenient entry feature includes a mem-
ory function for the longitudinal adjustment and
backrest angle.
1.Pull lever 1 and swing the backrest forward.
2.Press the front end 2 of the switch until the
seat has moved into the desired position.
Previous position
Press the rear end 3 of the switch until the seat
automatically stops in its previous position, and
fold the backrest back. If you release the switch
before the previous seat position is reached,
the seat will stop at its current position.
When sliding the seat backward, make
sure no one is injured and no objects are
damaged.
Before driving off, engage both seats and back-
rests so that they are locked in place. Otherwise
there is a risk of accident due to an unexpected
movement.<
Heated seats*
Press once for each temperature level.
Three LEDs indicate the highest temperature.