M3Owner's Manual for Vehicle
Congratulations, and thank you for choosing 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 vehicle. It contains important data
and instructions intended to assist you in gaining maximum use
and satisfaction from your BMW M3's unique range of technical
features. The manual also contains information on maintenance
designed to enhance operating safety and contribute to main-
taining the value of your BMW M3 throughout an extended ser-
vice life.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet for US models or a Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG
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Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find information on a partic-
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to
page238.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
6Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
21Letters and numbers
22Voice activation system
Controls
26Opening and closing
42Adjustments
53Transporting children safely
55Driving
68Everything under control
81Technology for driving comfort and
safety
92Lamps
96Climate
101Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
116Things to remember when driving
121BMW M3 engineering
Navigation
126Navigation system
127Destination entry
137Destination guidance
143What to do if …
Entertainment
146On/off and tone
149Radio
152Satellite radio
154CD player and CD changer
161Music collection
165AUX-IN port
166USB-audio interface/mobile phone audio
interface
Communications
172Telephone
183Contacts
185BMW Assist
Mobility
194Refueling
196Wheels and tires
202Under the hood
207Maintenance
209Care
213Replacing components
221Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
228Technical data
232Short commands for the voice activation
system
238Everything from A - Z
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Mobility
221Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Giving and receiving assistance
Emergency Request*
Conditions for an Emergency Request:
>Equipment version with Full preparation
package mobile phone. This equipment
makes it possible to send an Emergency
Request even if no mobile phone is paired
with the vehicle.
>BMW Assist is activated. Activating
BMW Assist, refer to page186.
>Radio readiness is on.
>The BMW Assist system is logged on to a
wireless network.
>The Emergency Request system is opera-
ble.
Once your service contract for BMW Assist
expires, the BMW Assist system can be deacti-
vated by a BMW center without you having to
visit a workshop. Once the BMW Assist system
has been deactivated, Emergency Requests
are not possible. The BMW Assist system can
be reactivated by a BMW center after a new
contract has been signed.
Sending an Emergency Request
1.Briefly press the cover flap to open.
2.Press the SOS button until the LED in the
button lights up.
As soon as the voice connection to the BMW
Assist Response Center has been established,
the LED flashes.
Once the BMW Assist Response Center has
received your Emergency Request, the BMW Assist Response Center contacts you
and takes further steps to help you. Even if you
are unable to respond, the BMW Assist
Response Center will be able to initiate further
steps to assist you under certain conditions.
If the circumstances allow this, remain in the
vehicle until the connection has been estab-
lished. You will then be able to provide a
detailed description of the situation.
Data for determining the necessary rescue
measures are transmitted to the BMW Assist
Response Center, e.g. the current position of
your vehicle, if it can be determined.
If the LED is flashing but the BMW Assist
Response Center cannot be heard over the
hands-free system, it is possible that the
hands-free system is malfunctioning. You may
still be heard by the BMW Assist Response
Center, however.
Under certain conditions, an Emergency
Request is sent automatically immediately after
a severe accident. This Automatic Collision
Notification is not affected by the button being
pressed.
For technical reasons, the Emergency
Request service cannot be guaranteed
for the most unfavorable conditions.<
Roadside Assistance
The BMW Roadside Assistance is there to
assist you around the clock in the event of a
breakdown, including on weekends and public
holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the
Contact brochure.
In vehicles equipped with BMW Assist, you can
establish contact with BMW Roadside Assis-
tance for breakdown assistance directly via
iDrive, refer to page185.
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Reference
This chapter contains technical data, short
commands for the voice activation system and
an index that will help you find information most
quickly.
Reference
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Technical data
228
Technical data
Engine data
M3
Displacement cu in/cmμ244/3,999
Number of cylinders 8
Maximum power output hp 414
at engine speed rpm 8,300
Maximum torque lb ft/Nm 295/400
at engine speed rpm 3,900
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Technical data
230
Convertible
All dimensions given in inches/mm.
Smallest turning circle dia.: 38 ft 5 in/11.7 m.
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Reference 241
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Condition Based Service
CBS207
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile26
Confirmation signals for
locking/unlocking the
vehicle29
Congestion
– refer to Route, bypassing
sections138
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting
electrical appliances107
Consumption, refer to
Average consumption70
Consumption indicator, refer
to Average consumption70
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display
– brightness79
– changing the language79
– switching off/on19
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Control unit, refer to iDrive16
Convenient access34
– replacing the battery35
Convenient loading in
convertible28
Convenient operation
– glass roof28
– glass roof with convenient
access34
– retractable hardtop28
– windows28
– windows with convenient
access34Convertible
– bag holder109
– convenient loading28
– enlarging cargo bay108
– folding down rear
backrest109
– retractable hardtop38
– rollover protection
system90
– securing cargo119
Coolant206
– checking level206
Coolant temperature69
Cooling, maximum97
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant206
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant206
Copyright2
Corner-illuminating lamps,
refer to Adaptive Head
Light93
Cornering lamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light93
Correct tires200
Country codes DVD156
Courtesy lamps, refer to
Interior lamps94
Criteria for route137
Cross-hairs in navigation132
Cruise control66
Cruising range70
Cup holders106
Curb weight, refer to
Weights231
Current playback of music
collection162
Current position
– displaying143
Customer Relations189
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting94Data, technical228
– dimensions229
– engine228
– weights231
Data transfer190
Date
– date format76
– setting75
Daytime running lamps93
Deactivating front passenger
airbags89
Deadlocking, refer to
Locking28
Defect
– door lock30
– fuel filler door194
– glass roof37
Destination, entering by town/
city name127
Destination address
– entering127,133
Destination for navigation
– entering by voice133
– entering via map132
– entry127
– home address130
– manual entry127
Destination guidance137
– bypassing a route
section138
– changing specified
route137
– continuing137
– starting137
– voice instructions138
– volume of voice
instructions139
Digital clock68
Digital compass103
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio150
Dimensions229
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals64
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions138
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book129
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Everything from A - Z
246 Mirror dimming feature49
Mirrors48
– automatic curb monitor49
– exterior mirrors48
– heating49
– interior rearview mirror49
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory46
Mirrors, folding in before
entering a car wash49
M Mobility System217
Mobile phone
– adjusting volume175
– connecting, refer to Mobile
phone, pairing172
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest105
– operation via iDrive175
– pairing172
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest105
Mobile phone, refer to
Telephone172
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
MP3 player, connecting, refer
to AUX-IN port165
MP3 player, connecting, refer
to USB-audio interface166
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher64
– refer to Wiper system65
Multimedia screen, refer to
iDrive16
Music, playing162Music collection161
– backup164
– importing164
Music player, connecting,
refer to AUX-IN port165
Music player, connecting,
refer to USB-audio
interface166
Music search162
N
Navigation announcements,
refer to Switching voice
instructions on/off138
Navigation data126
Navigation drive, location126
Navigation DVD126
Navigation system126
– address book129
– bypassing a route
section138
– continuing destination
guidance137
– destination entry127
– displaying current
position143
– entering a destination by
voice133
– entering a destination
manually127
– route list138
– selecting destination via
map132
– selecting route criteria137
– special destinations130
– starting destination
guidance137
– terminating destination
guidance137
– voice instructions138
– volume adjustment139
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints44
Nets, refer to Storage
compartments105
Neutral59
New tires199
North-facing map139Nozzles96
Number of cylinders, refer to
Engine data228
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope225
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for On-Board Diagnosis208
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications195
Odometer68
Oil, refer to Engine oil203
Oil consumption203
Oil level203
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal219
Onboard tool kit213
Opening and closing
– convenient access34
– from inside30
– from outside27
– using the door lock30
– via the remote control27
Options, selecting for
navigation137
Orientation menu, refer to
Start menu17
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation99
Output, refer to Engine
data228
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control98
Outside temperature
display68
– changing units of
measure71
– in computer71
Outside temperature
warning68
Overheated engine, refer to
Coolant temperature69
Overview
– radio control146
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