2009-2013 M3 model differences

[flea333]

Updated with correct info for future reference (since this info wasn't all that easy to come by)!

2009 - updated navigation with internal hard drive (much) improved interface, new tail lights (sedan only)

2010 - standard HD radio and optional automatic headlights. [edmunds]

2011 -
"2011.5" (Sep 2010)

-Extended bluetooth:

- streaming audio over bluetooth,

- mobile office: email, text messages and notes displayed and/or read aloud

- external call list downloaded from phone

-iPod adapter updates (new Combox hardware not retrofitable to older models)

-No longer need Y-cable, use standard iphone usb cable, streams music digitally from device

-Album cover art displayed from metadata in track

-Voice command control external devices and select genre, artist, album, and song title by simply speaking the words.

-Mobile phone device driver update with BMW Assist (sounds stupid and wonder if this costs for their service)

- Competition package that adds a 10mm lowered suspension, 19-inch wheels w/ performance tires, reprogrammed electronic damping and stability controls.
- M button - programs your M settings - set the drivers preferences for Stability Control, Steering mode, Shift light, EDC, and if the car has the M DCT the Drive logic mode can also be set
- Automatic/Start Stop - car shuts off at complete stops, button controlled option (defaulted to Off on US model, On for euro models)
- Manual M Sport Seats - Remove electronic seat for weight savings. Lumber support and seatback side bolters remain electrically adjustable.
- New Mineral White Metallic paint is available
- New LED tail lights on coupe
- Leather option changes, Premium pkg 2 (adds power front seats), new Convenience Package replacing technology package

"2011.75" (March 2011) - BMW Apps integration (pandora, facebook, twitter etc)

2012 - None

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by flea333

Been looking for the improvements made on the 2009-2013 M3 models to see which I really care to buy. Let me know if I miss something.

2009 - new navigation with internal hard drive (much) improved interface, new tail lights (sedan only)

2010 - The 2010 BMW M3 receives two minor changes: standard HD radio and optional automatic headlights. [edmunds]

2011 - Competition package that adds a lowered suspension, 19-inch wheels (but you can't get double spoke rims with this, or order them in black), a wider track and reprogrammed electronic damping and stability controls. This isn't as hard-core as the previous M3's Competition package (I thought this was new so don't know what they're talking about). [edmunds]
- New LED tail lights on coupe (why they waited a year is beyond me! and they STILL haven't updated the headlamps, wtf?!)

2012 - BMW Apps integration (shows artist playing, pandora, facebook etc but only up to iPhone 4s) - also I think the whole iDrive interface got a usability refresh and is much more intuitive to use (based on playing with a new M5 though).

2013 - I read that for 2013 or 2012 they improved the drive train or chassis so it's lighter and has better handling.

I presume the Enhanced Premium sound is the same for 2008-2013 models?

There is so much incorrect info here.....I can't even...

[Stronie]

I say revise post with correct info. and remove the speculation.

[05Mdriver]

I say use the search function.. this has been covered many times.

[Ezio]

I would say 2011 is the year to have. better looks rims with comp package, lower ride and better looks tail lights.

I went 2013, but if i was buying used i would do 2011.

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by flea333

2011 - Competition package ... isn't as hard-core as the previous M3's Competition package (I thought this was new so don't know what they're talking about). [edmunds]
- New LED tail lights on coupe (why they waited a year is beyond me! and they STILL haven't updated the headlamps, wtf?!)

They're comparing the E9x Competition Package to the E46 Competition Package, which was a much more substantial upgrade -- though it was also more expensive even before adjusting for inflation. Tail lights on the coupe took longer than the sedan because the coupe was originally released after the sedan (just as the 4 Series is taking a while to come out after the F30 3 Series), so it was on a different schedule for receiving its LCI update. Headlamps weren't updated because apparently doing that would have required changing the front bumper and thus getting recertified on crash tests, which BMW must have decided wasn't financially justifiable given the low sales of the M3 compared to the regular 3 Series.

You're also missing the 2011.5 (9/2010 production onwards) addition of Combox. I just detailed this a while ago so I'm not going to write up what it does or how you get it yet again. As others have said, search. Also, Mineral White became available at that point. And speaking of colors, as of 2009, Le Mans Blue became available and Sparkling Graphite was dropped.

Originally Posted by flea333

2012 - BMW Apps integration (shows artist playing, pandora, facebook etc but only up to iPhone 4s) - also I think the whole iDrive interface got a usability refresh and is much more intuitive to use (based on playing with a new M5 though).

BMW Apps became an option for 2011.75 (not an official designation from BMW, but refers to cars produced from 3/2011 onward). It supports any iOS device running iOS 5 or later, I believe, which means you can use devices before and after the 4S. iDrive did not get an update here; the new iDrive you saw in the F10 M5 is currently only available on F10s, to my knowledge. In any case, it was never made available on E9x cars and it's not even available (yet) on the F30.

Originally Posted by flea333

2013 - I read that for 2013 or 2012 they improved the drive train or chassis so it's lighter and has better handling.

Nope, drivetrain and chassis setup has been unchanged since the car was introduced, except technically for the addition of DCT, the Competition Package, some engine internals that were improved to address premature wear issues (I think that started somewhere around MY2010), and I guess software updates.

Originally Posted by flea333

I presume the Enhanced Premium sound is the same for 2008-2013 models?

Yes

Now, all that said, yes please do some searching. No offense, but these "I'm looking to buy a used M3 and want to know what changes happened when" threads come up every week or so.

[CrucialScott]

Its all wrong, just so wrong....

[flea333]

Damn, and I spent at least an hour trying to find this stuff on google. FML.

Sorry guys.

[Peahi]

Originally Posted by flea333

Damn, and I spent at least an hour trying to find this stuff on google. FML.

Sorry guys.

Flea, 2012 had rear cup holders for coupe and modern angel eyes update.


Jk

[Crimson92]

They all have v8s who cares about everything else.

[MRSSIIM3]

any m3 thats not 2013 is a civic m3

[24601]

Originally Posted by MRSSIIM3

any m3 thats not 2013 is a civic m3

+1

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by MRSSIIM3

any m3 thats not 2013 is a civic m3

Originally Posted by MY13E92M3

+1

Seems like some guys don't know what a civic M3 is

[325rider]

Originally Posted by MRSSIIM3

any m3 thats not 2013 is a civic m3

never heard civic m3 till on here. now its rampant. I have the ultimate civic m3. And i love her to death

:edit: Guess its time to change my signature on the left
<------

drives: civic m3.

I won't be the first :4ngie:

[surlynkid]

Originally Posted by MRSSIIM3

any m3 thats not 2013 is a civic m3

+1

[MRSSIIM3]

Originally Posted by flea333

Aaand why?

Originally Posted by flea333

Damn dude, you "retired" your 2011.5 already?! What do you lease every two years? Or just pay out the @ss in taxes every 2 years? Can you sell me your 2013 in six months? ha.

alright 1. take your 70 trolling posts and hit up the mercedes or gtr forums instead

2. when youre getting cars at invoice, that pretty much negates any taxes you might pay. had you done your research you could have dug up my thread about why i traded my car in. financially, it made sense. im in a 2013 right now for the same cost over 3 years as i had left in my 2011 for the 20 months that were remaining.

3. to figure out what a civic m3 is.

[Denk]

So a 2013 non-zcp isn't a civic anymore? Darn it, I thought I was getting another civic. Well, I'm just glad the 2013's have the GTS engine.

[Crimson92]

Originally Posted by flea333

I'm very picky about style. I want a daily driver that is fun to take up on Skyline Blvd and US Route 1, not just a track car. Plus I want it to be sexy inside and out and have all the technology features I require - ie 2008 navigation system and iphone integration is a f'in annoying joke, minimal at best - all while pushing me back in the seat on demand like a roller coaster.

I'm sure many forum members couldn't relate, but I'm pissed the M3 doesn't have trim on the center console! Totally takes away the elegance my 328 has. Reminds me of how plain and boring corvette is, its like a go cart.

It does have trim around the console. It's called leather.

Stick with the 328. You're better off.

[flea333]

Originally Posted by jphughan

BMW Apps became an option for 2011.75 (not an official designation from BMW, but refers to cars produced from 3/2011 onward). It supports any iOS device running iOS 5 or later, I believe, which means you can use devices before and after the 4S. iDrive did not get an update here; the new iDrive you saw in the F10 M5 is currently only available on F10s, to my knowledge. In any case, it was never made available on E9x cars and it's not even available (yet) on the F30.

I only found the press release for the 2011.75 (sep 2010) M3 and mentioned an improved smart phone interface, but said nothing about BMW Apps. The BMW website specifically has a BMW Apps option to order separately. So then you have BMW apps in your model?

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by flea333

I only found the press release for the 2011.75 (sep 2010) M3 and mentioned an improved smart phone interface, but said nothing about BMW Apps.

Originally Posted by jphughan

BMW Apps became an option for 2011.75 (not an official designation from BMW, but refers to cars produced from 3/2011 onward).

I have it. The reason you don't see it in the September 2010 press release is because as I said, it was introduced March 2011 -- for which there was a separate press release. The improvement mentioned in the September release is the ability to use a standard white iPhone to USB cable rather than a Y-cable, which was enabled by Combox.

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by Peahi

Flea, 2012 had rear cup holders for coupe and modern angel eyes update.


Jk

Originally Posted by flea333

So is that standard? I didn't see that as an option on the website

That was a joke, hence the "jk"..... A lot of people just wish those features existed.

And stop worrying about console trim. Just be happy that the M3 still has a door covering the ashtray/storage compartment, whereas newer regular 3ers had the cover door replaced with a gaping hole. Besides, if you're fixating on your center console, you're doing it wrong. That V8 should more than make up for any trim quibbles you have -- and if it doesn't, as someone else said, you'd probably be better served with a 328.

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by flea333

I think ya'll have talked me down to a 335xi. I guess I have to be a race car driver to own an M3. But I see a lot of people with M3's for no damn reason. Even driving like shit.

It's true that lots of people have M3s despite never driving in any setting that would allow the car to be used as intended, never mind being skilled enough as drivers to really know how to drive the car. I believe that M3 owners who never take their cars to the track will never truly understand their car or why it's designed the way it was -- and people who only ever take their cars on city streets and freeways (no curvy back roads), well, they're just committing a crime.

A 335 will definitely give you fun, techy, sexy inside and out, and (especially if you get a tune) rollercoaster acceleration on tap. However, I'd recommend against the XI model since it rides higher, weighs more (and is therefore slower), and costs more, and if you're in California there's no need for AWD anyway. There are threads about this, but RWD is the way to go if you want the most sportiness and speed. The XI line pretty much only exists so BMW can sell cars in regions that get snow where RWD becomes trickier than FWD and AWD (though still not impossible).