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
page228.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
6Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
21Letters and numbers
22Voice activation system
Controls
26Opening and closing
37Adjustments
46Transporting children safely
49Driving
62Everything under control
75Technology for driving comfort and
safety
85Lamps
89Climate
94Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
106Things to remember when driving
111BMW M3 engineering
Navigation
116Navigation system
117Destination entry
127Destination guidance
133What to do if …
Entertainment
136On/off and tone
139Radio
142Satellite radio
144CD player and CD changer
151Music collection
155AUX-IN port
156USB-audio interface/mobile phone audio
interface
Communications
162Telephone
173Contacts
175BMW Assist
Mobility
184Refueling
186Wheels and tires
192Under the hood
197Maintenance
199Care
203Replacing components
210Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
218Technical data
221Short commands for the voice activation
system
228Everything from A - Z
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Giving and receiving assistance
210
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 page176.
>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 page175.
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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
218
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
220
Weights
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
Capacities
M3
Approved gross weight lbs/kg 4,740/2,150
Load lbs/kg 1,014/460
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 2,249/1,020
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,624/1,190
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg 165/75
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/liters 15.9/450
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters approx. 16.6/63 Fuel grade: page185
including reserve of US gal/liters approx. 3.3/12.5
Window washer system For more details: page60
including headlamp washers US qt/liters approx. 4.8/4.5
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Reference 231
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Control Display
– brightness73
– changing the language73
– switching off/on19
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Control unit, refer to iDrive16
Convenient access32
– replacing the battery34
Convenient operation
– glass roof28
– glass roof with convenient
access33
– windows28
– windows with convenient
access33
Coolant196
– checking level196
Coolant temperature63
Cooling, maximum90
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant196
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant196
Copyright2
Corner-illuminating lamps,
refer to Adaptive Head
Light86
Cornering lamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light86
Correct tires190
Country codes DVD146
Courtesy lamps, refer to
Interior lamps87
Criteria for route127
Cross-hairs in navigation122
Cruise control60
Cruising range64
Cup holders99
Curb weight, refer to
Weights220
Current playback of music
collection152
Current position
– displaying133
Customer Relations179D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting87
Data, technical218
– dimensions219
– engine218
– weights220
Data transfer180
Date
– date format70
– setting69
Daytime running lamps86
Deactivating front passenger
airbags83
Deadlocking, refer to
Locking28
Defect
– door lock29
– fuel filler door184
– glass roof36
Destination, entering by town/
city name117
Destination address
– entering117,123
Destination for navigation
– entering by voice123
– entering via map122
– entry117
– home address120
– manual entry117
Destination guidance127
– bypassing a route
section128
– changing specified
route127
– continuing127
– starting127
– voice instructions128
– volume of voice
instructions129
Digital clock62
Digital compass96
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio140Dimensions219
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals58
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions128
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book119
Displacement, refer to Engine
data218
Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting87
Displays
– on the Control Display16
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant196
– remote control battery34
– vehicle battery208
Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements66
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
PDC75
Door key, refer to Remote
control26
Door lock29
Doors, emergency
operation29
DOT Quality Grades188
Draft-free ventilation92
Drinks holders, refer to Cup
holders99
Drivelogic55
Drive mode53
Drive-off assistance, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC76
Drive-off assistant78
Drive position, engaging, refer
to Selector lever
positions52
Drive programs, refer to
Drivelogic55
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Reference 239
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Starting difficulties
– jump starting211
Starting the engine
– start/stop button49
Start menu17
State/province, for
navigation117
Station, selecting
– radio139
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steam jet199,200
Steering wheel43
– adjustment43
– buttons on steering
wheel11
– lock49
– locking with convenient
access33
– MDrive button44
– shift paddles54
Steering wheel buttons, refer
to Shift paddles54
Storage202
Storage compartments98
Storage nets101
"Store Channel"
on the radio143
Storing music151
Storing seat positions, refer to
Seat and mirror memory40
Storing tires190
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments98
Street, entering,
navigation118
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires186
Sun blinds97
Surface ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning62
SVCD146
SW, waveband139
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine50Switching on
– audio136
– CD changer136
– CD player136
– radio136
Switching the cooling function
on and off91
Switch-on times of parked car
ventilation, preselecting93
Symbols4
– status information19
– traffic bulletins for navigation
system130
T
Tachometer62
Tail lamp
– replacing bulb206
Tail lamps205
– replacing bulb205
Tank contents, refer to
Capacities220
Technical data218
– capacities220
– dimensions219
Technical modifications, refer
to For your own safety5
Telephone162
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest98
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
TeleService Diagnosis176
TeleService Help176
Temperature
– automatic climate control90
– changing unit of measure65
– coolant, refer to Coolant
temperature63
Temperature display
– outside temperature62
– outside temperature
warning62
– setting the units65
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control60
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo109The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp206
Through-loading system100
Tilt alarm sensor32
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror43
Timer, refer to Preselecting
switch-on times93
Tire inflation pressure186
– loss79,80
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor78
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM79
– resetting the system80
– system limitations79
– warning lamp80
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor79
Tire Quality Grading188
Tires
– age188
– air loss80
– breaking in106
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels208
– condition189
– damage189
– inflation pressure186
– labels188
– minimum tread depth189
– new wheels and tires189
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor78
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM79
– puncture79
– replacing189
– size188
– storage190
– tread depth189
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth189
– wheel/tire combination, refer
to Correct wheels and
tires190
– winter tires190
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