BMW Confirms: US M3 coupe production December 2007. Both coupe + sedan debut spring.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by alpineweissM3

If you don't get i/m-drive, what settings will the steering, engine, suspension have? hopefully more toward the more extreme as opposed to middle of the road.

First off, even if you don't have MDrive, you can still adjust some things. The steering is not adjustable, but the "Power" is, with the caveat that "Sport Plus" is not available. Furthermore the suspension will be adjustable if and only if you order EDC, regardless if you have MDrive or not.

At any rate, from what we know, both the non-MDrive steering and non-EDC suspension are similar to their respective counterparts' "Sport" setting.

[SD330i]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Yes.
"The MDrive option
The MDrive menu known from the M5/M6 is now also available as an option (SA 2MD) in the M3.

Starting from the iDrive main menu, the MDrive menu can be called up by pressing on the iDrive controller and selecting M settings. The iDrive controller can be used to configure the different MDrive settings ready to be called up. The overall setting is called up/activated by pressing on the M button on the steering wheel. Pressing the M button again or restarting the vehicle deactivates the settings. The settings can, of course, be retrieved again using the M button.

The following is a list of menu items with selection options that are currently available in the MDrive menu:
• M Engine Dynamics Control (Power)
– "Unchanged"
– "Normal"
– "Sport"
– "Sport Plus"
• DSC
– "Unchanged"
– "OFF"
– "ON"
– "M Dynamic mode"
• Servotronic
– "Normal"
– "Sport"
• EDC-K (only if fitted)
– "Unchanged"
– "Comfort"
– "Normal"
– "Sport".
By selecting "Unchanged", when theMbutton is pressed (i.e. the settings in the MDrive menu are called up), the current settings of this system are retained.

Example:
The driver has deactivated the Dynamic Stability Control function using the DSC button. MDrive setting: M Engine dynamics control "Sport Plus"; DSC "Unchanged"; Servotronic "Sport". The driver presses the M button on the steering wheel to call up the M settings. Only the "Sport Plus" and Servotronic "Sport" settings for M engine dynamics control are activated.
DSC remains deactivated." --BMW Aftersales Training Manual

THANK YOU FOR THIS POST! It is very informative.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by the_stranger

I was thinking it would be about 62K with Mdrive and iDrive standard like the M5, but now I am left clueless. I really hope that it would be 55-56k like you said. It makes sense too, coz they are not even offering leather as standard equipment.

Leather was never standard in an ///M car. It's not even standard on the 335i.

Originally Posted by ronnie dobbs

People may pretend like they'll order the base car, but I saw very few e46's that didn't have full leather (and I had one of them).

My Comp Pkg. ///M3 was leather-less!

[REP1KRR]

Just trying to add some clarity. I know MY head is spinning.

So basically, the M-drive option is really a question of loosing Steering Control modes, Power "Sport Plus" mode, and DSC "M-Dynamic mode". This is what Tiff Needell referred to as the "just-right" "Goldilocks Setting" launch control in his First Drive on Fifth Gear <found here>. I don't think I want to go without THAT! Lastly, what do you get from the "Sport Plus" Power mode?

Is the following info correct?

[the_stranger]

hey REP1KRR. Thats clear and simple to understand. nice.

[Queenskid24]

nice, i cant wait to see em on the road. Hopefully after my e92, this shall be my next car, or a vette

[Stahlgrau]

Originally Posted by ruff

Ya mate, I'll take it right to the bank sittin on speed cloth. You can take your weight bearing, overpriced, fluff package with it's hocus pocus I drive to the stealership for debugging. Keep on hitting that option box with your wallet so BMW has the capital to keep building technologically impaired whales.

Well, aren't you ever the elitist? A true enthusiast. Obviously so much better than those of us that want added options.

[Davo2003]

Sounds like things are shaping up nicely. Kills me though that I will have to go with the black interior. No matter how many times I look at "Fox Red" I can't get used to it. I would happily fork over an extra grand for the old cinnamon interior...but looks like that will not happen anytime soon if ever

[lucid]

Originally Posted by REP1KRR

Lastly, what do you get from the "Sport Plus" Power mode?

My understanding is that the throttle response time is even faster.

[SD330i]

Thanks REP1KRR that is some good stuff. I really like they way discussion are heading right now, very exciting. real world test and discussions of drive impressions.

I will say I was thinking like a few others I don't need no stinking techno crap, but after I read more about the Mdrive, wow! I could do without the EDC, but man who wants to be able to give up all that changeability, extra features and at the touch of a button.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by REP1KRR

Is the following info correct?

That looks right to me.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by REP1KRR

Just trying to add some clarity. I know MY head is spinning.

So basically, the M-drive option is really a question of loosing Steering Control modes, Power "Sport Plus" mode, and DSC "M-Dynamic mode". This is what Tiff Needell referred to as the "just-right" "Goldilocks Setting" launch control in his First Drive on Fifth Gear <found here>. I don't think I want to go without THAT! Lastly, what do you get from the "Sport Plus" Power mode?

Is the following info correct?

Nice job--the only minor clarification, which we all know, is that EDC is a separate stand-alone option.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by swamp2

The single actual measured weight data point I have is from the Italian magazine review and they found the car with all options (not all options you can order, just all of the options on that particular car) AND a full tank of fuel to be at 3538 lb (1605 kg). Why do you think you need a stripped car and less than a full tank to "get down to" 3600 lb?

The Autoweek article from last week also puts the coupe at just over 3,500 lb. (3,506 if you take it literally), with the sedan 25 lbs. more.

[JEllis]

Looks like Mdrive is going to be a must. I dont think I will be able to live without Sport Steering or M dynamic mode...

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by JEllis

Looks like Mdrive is going to be a must. I dont think I will be able to live without Sport Steering or M dynamic mode...

I think the non-MDrive steering is similar to sport. Not sure.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by ruff

Ya mate, I'll take it right to the bank sittin on speed cloth.

I wonder how much weight the cloth saves? Seriously, one issue with the cloth is you only have one color option (black).

[SD330i]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I think the non-MDrive steering is similar to sport. Not sure.

I would have to imagine that it would either be sport or somewhere between.
I have driven BMW's active steering before on the 5 series. I would have to say that it was pretty cool. I guess my biggest gripe against it, is that I would want it to be more "sport" all the time rather then at different speeds. The Mdrive gives you that! Hey if I want to be comfortable I will be and if I want to be sporty I will at 20mph that I will be at 120mph.

P.S. The car will be set for the wife and Mdrive will be like my fortress of salitude.

[RandyB]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I think the non-MDrive steering is similar to sport. Not sure.

It would be criminal if it wasn't. You would be required to purchase M-drive(which can't be had without I-drive, right?) just to be able to get the top performance available from the car? You never know with BMW though.

[m_bazeepaymon]

I think the M Drive setting is a must for all Modern M Cars nowadays, Configuring a car to your own personal settings is a must...

We just need to know the Pricing of ZTP package to find out if its worth it, its their way of bundling it up... They are smart knowing that we all need it to make our cars more enjoyable...

it'll be a 4k option? or more?
(bundled with idrive, prem sound etc.?)

[Keto]

Originally Posted by RandyB

It would be criminal if it wasn't. You would be required to purchase M-drive(which can't be had without I-drive, right?) just to be able to get the top performance available from the car? You never know with BMW though.

Yes, as all other manufacturers provide top performance from their base models...

/sarcasm

[mesier1111]

I am kinda glad Idrive is optional because though I love it on my dad's 7-series, I'm not crazy about it in the 3. However, basically they force you to get it and I will because why I want this incredible machine without M-Drive? If it winds up blowing the price north of 65k, I think I will get the 70k Nissan GT-R. Why pay 65k for 4.5-4.8 o-60 times and high 12s in the 1/4 when you can spend 70k for 3.5-4.0 0-60 with high 11s in the 1/4.

[RandyB]

Originally Posted by Keto

Yes, as all other manufacturers provide top performance from their base models...

/sarcasm

335 = base model

M3 = 'flagship'

Should the 3 series flagship M3 be in some way handicapped without the addition of some technology option package? That's fine if people want to be able to opt for a package that offers some extra settings but the car shouldn't have the weakest of those settings for buyers who opt out of that package, and I don't think it will.