E92 M3 LCI 2010 "M Key" settings

[PKM3]

This is for Australian E90/E92 LCI spec (M Drive option and Comfort Access option); the rest of world models may have similar. The later LCI M3 (2011 spec for USA) has an additional menu (iDrive extra right push) after the "M Drive" menu screen called "M Key" setting. It allows you to setup the start default settings for when you unlock the car using Comfort Access (keyless entry). There's a limited number of settings you can play with; i.e. Power (Normal or Sport), EDC (Comfort, Normal, Sport), and Shift Lights (On or Off). It allows me to have a default whenever I unlock the car despite whether I changed a few settings during my last drive. I like this feature a lot and default my EDC to Normal, Power to Sport, and Shift Lights On. When I come across a twisty bit of road, I can then hit my M Drive button to toggle easily between my M Key default and my M Drive settings. I thought I'd post this to assist other owners with the feature; I appear to be discovering more of its capability each week. The trick to get this to program properly for those with the feature is you need to have the key inserted into the dash key socket to pre-program; there after, you can leave the key in your pocket and use Comfort Access as normal and have your "M Key" settings stored for next unlock and restart. It does not program on initial set up with key in your pocket. It's not in the user manuals, and the dealer had to look it up. Hope this helps others.

[Kyoshi71]

Originally Posted by PKM3

This is for Australian E90/E92 LCI spec (M Drive option and Comfort Access option); the rest of world models may have similar. The later LCI M3 (2011 spec for USA) has an additional menu (iDrive extra right push) after the "M Drive" menu screen called "M Key" setting. It allows you to setup the start default settings for when you unlock the car using Comfort Access (keyless entry). There's a limited number of settings you can play with; i.e. Power (Normal or Sport), EDC (Comfort, Normal, Sport), and Shift Lights (On or Off). It allows me to have a default whenever I unlock the car despite whether I changed a few settings during my last drive. I like this feature a lot and default my EDC to Normal, Power to Sport, and Shift Lights On. When I come across a twisty bit of road, I can then hit my M Drive button to toggle easily between my M Key default and my M Drive settings. I thought I'd post this to assist other owners with the feature; I appear to be discovering more of its capability each week. The trick to get this to program properly for those with the feature is you need to have the key inserted into the dash key socket to pre-program; there after, you can leave the key in your pocket and use Comfort Access as normal and have your "M Key" settings stored for next unlock and restart. It does not program on initial set up with key in your pocket. It's not in the user manuals, and the dealer had to look it up. Hope this helps others.

Interesting, but I dont see why you would use the key when the "M" button is right on the wheel?

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by Kyoshi71

Interesting, but I dont see why you would use the key when the "M" button is right on the wheel?

Because it gives the choice of using your M key settings for normal driving or the M button settings for aggressive driving.
Also if your wife drives your car you can set all her preferences on her key....which will add to her nonprogrammable but saved key settings such as seat position etc...(I'm not sure which per user settings are held in the key besides seat position but its probably things like radio stations, heating etc)

[andret]

I like this feature, it ensures your default setting is used evey time you start the car. I also like power set to sport and edc on comfort. Pity there isnt an option for the auto start/stop, will have to go to the dealer to get that default permanently changed.

[llis]

Interesting. I'm going to try this today.

[TxFeatFan]

Can I set the car to "remain locked" when my wife approaches with her key?

[Kyoshi71]

Originally Posted by TxFeatFan

Can I set the car to "remain locked" when my wife approaches with her key?

HAHAHAHAHAH

[Looper]

Originally Posted by TxFeatFan

Can I set the car to "remain locked" when my wife approaches with her key?

Better yet can it be programmed to have the car start,drive away and hide around the corner by itself when the wife approaches or possibly get it to act like the battery is dead and wont start in the same scenario.

[llis]

I misread the original post. Already found the M Key settings. They are documented in the manual … or perhaps the supplementary manual. That's how I had found them in the first place.

[outie]

I did not need to insert my key fob to program the "M Key setting". I have configured it many times without inserting the key fob and it remembers my default startup mode.

[KIS]

Originally Posted by TxFeatFan

Can I set the car to "remain locked" when my wife approaches with her key?

You gave your bitch a key? My bitches knows better than to ask Big Daddy for the key to his whip.

[TxFeatFan]

Originally Posted by KIS

You gave your bitch a key? My bitches knows better than to ask Big Daddy for the key to his whip.

I checked my cajones at the door twenty years ago, right before I proposed.

Haven't needed 'em since.

[KIS]

Originally Posted by TxFeatFan

I checked my cajones at the door twenty years ago, right before I proposed.

Haven't needed 'em since.

Well said. I talk big, but I too am scared of the "little woman".

[persian54]

funny my girls are too scared to even turn the car on.. let alone drive it lol

[TxFeatFan]

Originally Posted by persian54

funny my girls are too scared to even turn the car on.. let alone drive it lol

The wife and daughters all drive stick.

They also handle a Glock .40 like a pro.

[Erhan]

OP, thanks, I should try these. I like the way car starts by default (steering: normal, power: normal, edc: comfort, dct: s3). But then I'm still getting used to to the car. It'll be at least useful to set the shift lights to be 'on' even not in m-drive mode.

Originally Posted by TxFeatFan

Can I set the car to "remain locked" when my wife approaches with her key?

[Bubbles]

Hmm... I don't have the option on mine and had the software updated a few weeks ago. I have a '11 not '11.5.