2008 BMW M3 dimensions

Wheels and tires
210 work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
h a z a r d s . M a k e s u re t h a t t h e n e w w h ee l s a r e b a l-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW recommends that you do not use
retreaded tires, since driving safety may
be impaired. The causes for this include poten-
tially different tire casing structures and often
wide variations in tire age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
Correct wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions, which could
lead to body contact and thus to severe acci-
dents. When selecting tires, also take their load
capacity into account. If non-approved wheels
and tires are used, BMW cannot evaluate their
suitability, and therefore cannot guarantee their
driving safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS or DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only
use wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor may not be able to detect
a puncture, refer to page86. Your BMW center
will be glad to advise you.
Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall
of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible. Always
protect tires against all contact with oil, grease
and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum tire
inflation pressure indicated on the sidewall of
the tire.
Swapping wheels between axles
BMW advises against swapping wheels
between the front and rear axles, even if all tires
have the same size, as this could impair driving
characteristics. With standard-equipment tires

Care
214
Care
Care products
Regular cleaning and care contributes signifi-
cantly to the value retention of your BMW.
BMW recommends cleaning and caring for your
vehicle with products that are approved by
BMW for this purpose.
Your BMW center will be happy to advise you on
the products and services available for cleaning
and caring for your BMW.
Original BMW CareProducts have been
material tested, laboratory checked and
proven in the field, and offer optimal care and
protection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol
or solvents as these may result in dam-
age.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances
that are dangerous or hazardous to your
health. Therefore, follow the warning and safety
instructions on the packaging. When cleaning
inside the vehicle, always open the doors or
windows of the vehicle. In enclosed areas, pro-
vide for sufficient ventilation. Only use products
designed for cleaning vehicles.<
Exterior care
Washing the vehicle
Especially during the winter months,
ensure that the vehicle is washed more
frequently. Heavy soiling and road salt can lead
to vehicle damage.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them, otherwise
water can reduce braking efficiency over the
short term and the brake discs can corrode.<
Automatic car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.
Before driving into a car wash, ensure that it is
suitable for your BMW. Check the following:>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to
page239.
>If necessary: fold in the exterior mirrors,
refer to page45.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Preparations before driving into an automatic
car wash:
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to avoid unin-
tentional activation of the wipers.
>Remove additional attachments, e.g.
spoiler or telephone antennas, if there is a
possibility that they could be damaged.
M dual clutch transmission
Before driving into an automatic car wash, per-
form the following steps to ensure that the vehi-
cle can roll:
1.Insert the remote control, even with conve-
nient access, into the ignition lock.
2.Engage transmission position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Steam jets / high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, ensure that you maintain a suffi-
cient clearance to the vehicle and do not exceed
a temperature of 1407/606.
Insufficient clearance or excessive pressure or
temperature can lead to component damage or
water penetration. Follow the operating instruc-
tions of the high-pressure washer.<
When using high-pressure washers, do
not spray against the sensors and cam-
eras, e.g. Park Distance Control, for an
extended period and maintain a distance of at
least 12 in/30 cm.<

Reference 239
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Dimensions
All dimensions given in inches/mm.
Smallest turning circle dia.: 38 ft 5 in/11.7 m.

Everything from A - Z
250 Data, technical238
– dimensions239
– engine238
– weights240
"Date"76
Date
– setting76
– setting format76
"Date format"76
"Daytime running lamps"93
Daytime running lamps93
"Deactivated"44
Deactivating front passenger
airbags90
Deadlocking, refer to
Locking30
Defect
– door lock32
– fuel filler door204
– glass roof39
"Delete address book" in
navigation136
"Delete all numbers" on the
mobile phone187
"Delete data" in
navigation136
"Delete" for mobile
phone187
Destination address
– deleting136
– entering126,130
Destination for navigation
– destination list133
– entry126
– home address136
– manual entry126,130
– selecting from address
book135
– selecting using
information132
– selecting via language130
– selecting via map131
– storing134Destination guidance139
– canceling voice
instructions47
– changing specified
route137
– displaying route140
– distance and arrival139
– starting139
– terminating/continuing139
– voice instructions142
– volume of voice
instructions143
Destination list for navigation
system133
Destinations recently driven
to133
"Details" for audio mode173
"Dial" for mobile phone185
"Dial number"185
Digital clock67
Digital compass104
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio159
Digital Versatile Disc, refer to
– Drive for navigation DVD152
Dimensions239
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals63
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions142
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book134
Displacement, refer to Engine
data238
Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting94
"Display off"21
Displays
– on the Control Display16
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant222
– remote control battery37
– vehicle battery228Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements72
"Distance to dest."70
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
PDC81
Door key, refer to Remote
control28
Door lock31
"Door locks"30,31,32,73
Doors, emergency
operation32
DOT Quality Grades208
Draft-free ventilation99
Drinks holders, refer to Cup
holders107
Drive for navigation DVD152
Drivelogic60
Drive mode58
Drive-off assistance, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
Drive-off assistant84
Drive position, engaging, refer
to Selector lever
positions57
Drive programs, refer to
Drivelogic60
Driving around a traffic
congestion146
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams92
Driving notes114
Driving off on hills, refer to
Drive-off assistant84
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route140
Driving stability control
systems82
Driving through water115
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes114
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function99
"DSC"48,83
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control82

Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Heating and ventilation, refer
to Climate96
Heating while at a standstill,
refer to Using residual
heat99
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo117
Height, refer to
Dimensions239
Height adjustment
– seats41
– steering wheel46
High beams94
– headlamp flasher94
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio159
High-pressure
washer214,215
High water, refer to Driving
through water115
Highways, refer to Route
criteria137
Hills115
Holders for cups107
Home address136
"Home address" in
navigation137
Homepage BMW4
Hood218
Hooks for shopping bags109
Horn10,11
Hotel function33
Hot exhaust system114
"Hour memo"76
"House number" in
destination entry129
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Brake assist82
Hydroplaning115
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio159
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature warning67
ID3 tag, refer to Information
about the track167Identification marks, tire
coding208
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness80
– assistance window20
– automatic climate control97
– changing language79
– changing units of measure
and display format71
– confirming selection or
entry19
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– selecting a menu item19
– setting the date and time74
– start menu17
– status information20
– switching menu pages19
– symbols18
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition54
– switched off55
– switched on54
Ignition key, refer to Remote
control28
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness54
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on54
Ignition lock54
i menu18
Imprint2
Indicator and warning
lamps13
– MDrive49
– M Dynamic Mode83
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM88
Individual air distribution97
Individually programmable
buttons on steering
wheel47
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure206Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM86
Information
– on another location132
– on country132
– on current position132
– on destination location132
Information menu, refer to
i menu18
"Information on
destination"134
"Info sources"73
Initializing
– after power failure228
– compass, refer to Digital
compass, calibrating104
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM85
– glass roof39
"Input map"131
Installation location
– CD changer169
– navigation DVD drive124
– telephone106
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions142
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting94
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote
control102
Interesting destination for
navigation132
"Interim time"79
Interior lamps95
– remote control30
Interior motion sensor35
Interior rearview mirror46
– automatic dimming
feature46
– compass104
Intermittent mode of the
wipers64

Everything from A - Z
254
J
Jacking points228
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting231
Jump starting231
K
Key, refer to Remote
control28
Keyless go, refer to
Convenient access35
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Convenient
access35
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile28
Knock control204
L
Lamps
– automatic headlamp
control92
– parking lamps/low beams92
Lamps and bulbs, replacing
bulbs223
"Language / Units"71
"Language / Units" in
navigation125,142
"Language" on the Control
Display79
"Languages" in
navigation125,142
Lap-and-shoulder belt, refer
to Safety belts44
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo117
Last destinations, refer to
Destination list133
"Last seat pos."44
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system52
Launch Control62
Leather care216
LED hand lamp106
LED light-emitting diodes223Length, refer to
Dimensions239
License plate lamp, replacing
bulb226
Light-alloy wheels215
Light-emitting diodes
LED223
Lighter107
– connecting electrical
appliances108
"Lighting"63
Lighting
– instruments94
– lamps and bulbs223
– vehicle, refer to Lamps92
Light switch92
"Limit"79
Limit, refer to Speed limit78
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo117
Lock buttons, doors, refer to
Locking32
Locking
– adjusting confirmation
signal31
– from inside32
– from outside30
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access35
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals31
– from inside32
– from outside29
Low-beam headlamps
92
– automatic92
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support41
Luggage compartment lid33
– convenient access36
– emergency operation, refer
to Opening manually33
– emergency release34
– locking or unlocking
separately33
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside33
– opening manually33
– remote control30Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack117
Lumbar support41
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires210
Maintenance, refer to Service
Booklet
Maintenance system212
Malfunction
– luggage compartment lid33
– tires86
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control77
Manual
– BMW Teleservice Call195
Manual car wash215
"Manual" on the radio157
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door204
– glass roof39
– luggage compartment lid33
– transmission lock59
Manual transmission56
– tow-starting234
Map
– changing scale141
– destination entry131
"Map direction of travel"141
"Map facing north"141
Master key, refer to Remote
control28
Maximum cooling98
Maximum speed
– with winter tires210
"M DKG Drivelogic"48
MDM, refer to M Dynamic
Mode82
MDrive48

Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
M dual clutch transmission
with Drivelogic57
– kick-down58
– Launch Control62
– neutral58
– reverse gear58
– sequential mode58
– Shift Lights61
– shiftlock58
– tow-starting234
– unlocking transmission lock
manually59
"M Dynamic Mode"83
M Dynamic Mode MDM82
– indicator lamp83
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions239
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory43
M Engine Dynamics
Control63
MENU button16
Menus
– Control Display17
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Message list, traffic
information144
Microfilter
– BMW Maintenance
System212
– for automatic climate
control100
Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter
– BMW Maintenance
System212
Microphone
– telephone14
– voice input14
Mirror dimming feature46
Mirrors45
– automatic curb monitor46
– exterior mirrors45
– heating46
– interior rearview mirror46
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory43
"Missed calls"186
Missed calls186M Mobility Set226
Mobile phone
– accepted calls186
– adjusting volume183
– calling185
– ending call185
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest106
– missed calls186
– operation via iDrive183
– redialing186
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
– Top 8186
– touch tone dialing188
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest106
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
Monitor, refer to iDrive
controls16
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor84
"Monitor on / off"47
Most recent mobile phone
numbers186
MP3, refer to Compressed
audio files165
"M settings"48,49
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher63
– refer to Wiper system64
Multimedia screen, refer to
iDrive16
Music tracks, refer to
Tracks166
"Mute on / off"47
N
"Navigation"126,132Navigation announcements,
refer to Switching voice
instructions on/off142
Navigation drive, location124
Navigation DVD124
– drive152
Navigation system124
– address book134
– changing a route143
– destination entry126
– destination guidance in
assistance window124
– destination list133
– displaying current
position147
– entering a destination
manually126,130
– last destinations133
– navigation DVD124
– opening126
– route display140
– route list142
– searching for a special
destination132
– selecting destination using
information132
– selecting destination via
map131
– selecting route criteria137
– starting destination
guidance139
– switching off, refer to
Terminating/continuing
destination guidance139
– terminating/continuing
destination guidance139
– voice instructions142
– volume adjustment143
"Navigation voice
instructions"125
"Navigation voice
instructions" via buttons on
the steering wheel47
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints42
Nets, refer to Storage
compartments106
Neutral58

Everything from A - Z
260 Switching on the hour
signal75
Switching the cooling function
on and off99
Switch-on times of parked car
ventilation, preselecting100
Symbols4
– navigation system146
– status information20
– traffic info for navigation
system143
T
Tachometer67
Tail lamps225
– replacing bulb225
Tank contents, refer to
Capacities241
Technical data238
– capacities241
– dimensions239
Technical modifications, refer
to For your own safety5
Telematics, refer to BMW
TeleServices, BMW
Assist193
Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest106
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Telephone, refer to Mobile
phone178
"Telephone list"47
Temperature
– automatic climate control97
– changing unit of measure71
– coolant, refer to Coolant
temperature68
Temperature display
– outside temperature67
– outside temperature
warning67
– setting the units71
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control65
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo117"Text language"80
"Theater" for Tone
control154
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp226
Through-loading system108
Tilt alarm sensor35
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror46
"Time"75
"Time / Date"75,76
"Time format"76
Timer, refer to Preselecting
switch-on times100
"Timer 2" for parked car
ventilation101
"Timer 1" for parked car
ventilation101
Tire inflation pressure206
– loss86
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor84
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
– resetting the system87
– system limitations86
– warning lamp88
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor86
Tire Quality Grading208Tires
– age208
– air loss88
– breaking in114
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels228
– condition209
– damage209
– inflation pressure206
– labels208
– minimum tread depth209
– new wheels and tires209
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor84
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
– puncture86
– replacing209
– size208
– storage210
– tread depth209
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth209
– wheel/tire combination, refer
to Correct wheels and
tires210
– winter tires210
TMC station, refer to Traffic
information143
"Tone"153
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting153
– middle setting155
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit223
"Top 8" for mobile phone186
Torque, refer to Engine
data238
Touch tone dialing188
Tow bar233
Tow fitting232
– screw thread232
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away232