Answers to questions posed to BMW NA M Brand manager, Larry Koch

[skierman64]

VIDEO PRESENTATION BY LARRY KOCH --> http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133812


Answers posted below as of 9pm EDT, on 11 April.

Tonight was a great night, first I got to ride in awesomem3's E92 M3 to the dealership and back. It was about a 70 or 80 mile roundtrip and even though I was only a passenger, it was a great experience. Thanks for driving, awesomeM3.

One note of caution, following the GPS instructions to avoid traffic jams may take you though neighborhoods (in this case North Philly) that you might not want to drive through in a $70K car. There needs to be a "avoid bad neighborhoods" function on the GPS.

Our meeting was a Main Line BMW in Bala Cynwyd, PA. A big thanks to the dealership for hosting us, including some free eats and sodas. They had a Blue Coupe and a JB Sedan for sale at the dealership.

I video taped the entire M3 presentation by Mr. Koch. It lasts about and hour and 10 minutes. If I can figure out where to put the presentation that I don't have to chop it up into 10 minute segments, I will post it. Any ideas? You tube is limited to 10 minute videos. I haven't listened to the audio quality of the video tape, I was using a relatively inexpensive video camera and we were in a big room and the camera was about 15-20 feet away from the subject. No promises on the outcome.

After the presentation, AwesomeM3 and I talked to Larry for about 20 minutes. He was already aware of the list of questions from this forum and was prepared to answer most of the questions. He even called BMW AG to get answers to few of the questions, based on seeing those questions in this forum. I even audio recorded his answers (except the first two questions) so that I don't have to remember what his answer was to each question and I can give you his exact words without any of my own interpretation.

Larry also gave our group a preview of a new future section of the BMW NA website that will be entirely devoted to M cars. It will have some cool new features and be interactive. He showed us a 10 minute video of what this new section of the website will be like. I will try to describe it to you in words without giving away too much or getting him in any hot water at work.

It's late here in the East coast. I'm going to post all answers and descriptions tomorrow.

Standby for more info to be posted soon.

Here are the answers. Also posted in post #37 below.

Ok, I did a lot of paraphrasing because to type his exact words would have taken another hour or two. I was very careful not to change the meaning of what he said, IMHO. Also, I don't know how many of the questions he asked BMW AG, however on the questions he specifically mentioned he asked Germany, I noted below.

If Larry reads this and doesn't like my wording, please contact me in this thread or via private message and I'll rephrase as requested.

For everyone else, if you have any question on the answers fire away. I may be able to expand on what I've typed below. I still have the tape of Larry's verbal answers.

__________________________________________________ ___
Here are the long awaited answers, in italics

1. Why do M-DCT equipped M3s still have a GG $1,300 tax when the car was advertised to be more approx 10-15% more efficient than a 6MT? Was the car retested to EPA specs or did BMW simply use the 6MT EPA mileage numbers?
Larry, The fuel mileage did not differ enough to change the GGT.

His answer to the first question essentially answered the second question

2. Will the Vert M3 be introduced as a MY 2008 or 2009?
2008

3. Will the Individual program will come to the US for the M3?
He can't tell me, he's not working that program

4. Can we please get Comfort Access as a separate option for non ZTP cars? MY2009?
Probably not

5. Any chance MDM will be available as either a new standard feature, or a stand-alone option?
He can't put in the car without I-drive. If he makes I-drive standard then there's a big jump in price and then he's got a whole stack of people who complain they don't want I-drive in the car and they won't buy it. He has 25 or 30% of the people won't buy the car with I-drive so he won't make it standard.

6. How will the future 3 series tii fit into a 3 series lineup with a 335 and M3?
He can't discuss it, they are still sorting out the tii program within the company and he can't talk about future products.

7. Will 2009 E90 M3's receive the face lift treatments due for the rest of '09 E90 3-series?
There is a face lift to the E90 in theory coming, there usually is at this time in the product lifecycle, however he doesn't know if they'll do anything to the M3, he's asked and not gotten an answer yet.

8. What is the actual shift time of M-DCT in S6 mode (in milliseconds)?
They don't give them a time, however it's so instantaneous that they had to build some feel into it so it didn't feel like a CVT transmission. "It just goes, it's so fast"

9. Is US and EU launch control exactly the same or is there a difference like in the M5?
As far as he knows it's the same

10. Do US M3's have Brake Energy Regeneration?
No

11. Does the M3 have any limitations (redline, hp, etc.) before 1st (1200 mile) service?
This is one he called Germany on, the folks he talked to didn't know of any limitations, however they recommend you don't get anywhere near redline for the first 1200 miles. He didn't ask about DCT or Launch control

12. Why did the US M3s get different seat bottoms than in EU? Can the Euro seat bottoms be retrofitted on the US version seat.
Because the US gets different airbags than the rest of the world. The US airbags are multi-stage airbags that deploy at different speeds depending on the amount of weight sensed on the seat. The DOT rule for the airbags is OC3-MAT. The EU airbags don't require the same type of seat sensor. If you replaced the US seat bottom with a EU seat bottom you take a chance at messing up your airbag sensor and possibly your airbag deployment.


13. Will dual canister style aftermarket exhaust systems interfere with the differential cooling or aerodynamic effect of the diffuser.
He has no idea because there are so many variables with different style of aftermarket exhaust. He's not an engineer. However anything you do to change the car may effect other systems.

14. Do US and Euro versions of the M3 weigh the same assuming the same options?
When they give you a weight it's for a standard car with no options and no fuel. He doesn't know how the cars in Europe are weighed compared to how we weigh them here. Plus he's never compared the EU car weighed in Kilos to the US car weighed in pounds. The stated weight for this car is 3704 lbs. However, he doesn't know how the 3704 is calculated. Also the E46 M3 weighed 3415, however you can't compare them directly because there are items standard on the E92 that weren't standard on the E46, like power seats. The E92 seat has at least 6-8 motors in it, making it quite a heavy seat. The front seats alone may add 100lbs to the E92.

15. Was a HUD ever considered for the M3 or was weight a concern?
No, because it would have had to be considered for the entire 3 series line. Otherwise the option is too costly just for the M car, a cost that would have to be passed onto the customer. On the M5 and M6, the HUD is also available on the 550 and 650.

16. Will there be an M version of the 1 series?
He's always looking at it, but he doesn't know what engine to put into it. They are considering it but he can't tell us at this point.

17. What auto brand/model is the M's closest competitor?
Porsche 911 Carrera (M3 is faster), M-B C63 AMG, Audi RS4 (no longer in production) and not competitive with the M3 because it's nose heavy, Lexus IS-F (he reference the Road and Track M3 vs IS-F article which said the Lexus and M-B were nice cars but felt like upgraded versions of other cars, where the M3 feels like a racecar built for the street), Corvette (sort of)

18. Why is there no discounted Euro delivery or included M experience offered with new M3?
Euro delivery; The value of the dollar vs Euro is not making this an option. As far as the M experience, the cost was built into the M5 and M6 and they wanted to keep the price down on the M3. Also because they sell so many M3s, if the M experience were included it would overload the Performance Center's capacity because the M3 sells at approx 4 times the rate of the M5 and M6. It's a good program and M3 owners are encouraged to sign up and experience it.

19. Why was a gasoline direct injection system (like on 335i) not employed on this new M3 and do they think they will add it in the future?
They probably won't add it in the future because it wasn't incorporated into the initial development of the engine. He doesn't now why it wasn't initially built into the engine.

20. Will there be a ZCP option offered later? If so, will Brembo multi piston brakes be a part of the ZCP?
More brake pistons don't make for a better braking system automatically. He doesn't know if there will be a ZCP at this point.

21. Why didn't BMW do anything to the calipers to make them look more dressed up
He didn't know, essentially they're made to perform, not just look good

22. Why wasn't front PDC offered in the US.
He doesn't know for sure, however when you develop a new front fascia to fit the front PDC sensors, the car must be crash tested with the new sensors in the fascia. The crash test rules aren't the same in the EU and don't require another crash test.

23. Will the CF-roof ever be offered on the sedan?
He doesn't know if it will be developed for the sedan. It hasn't been developed yet.

24. Why did BMW not incorporate the front reflectors into the front headlamp assembly like the 335 instead of adding the BUTT ugly orange reflectors?
Because they wanted the front headlight assemble to be white without yellow reflectors up there. Also there may not be enough side view of the front headlight assembly to get a built in reflector to pass the US standard. (Skierman64 input: my speculation is because of the active turn lights built into the side of the headlight assembly, reflectors can not be built into the headlight assembly)

25. Will High-beam assistant become a 2009 option since it currently offered on the M3 in Europe?
He doesn't know. (Skierman64 input: Is it really that hard to flick the high beams on and off, come on folks?)

26. Do you know about the issue with the sale of a M3 on Ebay from the dealer in Lincoln, NE? Any comments?
He knows all about it. BMW USA was very involved. Bottom Line, he said customer was having problem getting financing and was trying to get the dealer to drop the price below what was agreed to on Ebay. He knows that what was posted on the forums isn't the whole story. He noted the dealer offered to sell the car to the next highest bidder or anyone else at the Ebay negotiated price. Skierman64 input: Please don't turn this thread into a discussion of this issue. It's been beat to death already. Take it elsewhere if you want to discuss this particular issue.

27. Why was the press told that the DCT would be introduced on the vert when it is in fact being first introduced on the coupe for the first 3 months of production.
It was a miscommunication, the DCT was always going to originate on the coupe first

28. Does BMW NA monitor the BMW fan forums. If so, does it ever influence decision making at BMW AG or BMW NA?
Yes

Color Questions

1. For the M3 E93 intro, any new exterior colors being added to the list (like Atlantic Blue, as was done with the 335i E93 intro)?
The E93 colors are the same as what's currently being offered.

2. Will Laguna Seca Blue ever be offered on the E9x M3? Is the company that produced the color "out of business"
(a) will be available as of next year
(b) can be ordered through Individual
(c) can be ordered as a special order color
Another question he asked the folks in Germany: You can place a "priority one" order, it will take about 3 months to get the car and it won't be a "friendly" price. It cost's BMW a lot to reconfigure a paint booth for an individual color, plus all the external "smaller" parts (like door handles) would need to be painted by hand, a very labor intensive process.

EDIT: Lucid asked Mr Koch more questions at a meeting on April 15. Here's the link to that thread http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134860

[nusevad]

Awesome Skierman! I cant wait to hear those answers!!

[consolidated]

thanks.

[Davinhci]

good stuff cant wait

[oneginee]

long preambule are you trying to built up the anticipation for the answers posting ? If you leave the cake in the oven too long it is not going to be edible. I am guessing tomorrow you will annnounce it is a pay per view feature right ?

[hakaida442]

google videos allow longer videos.

[sayemthree]

There needs to be a "avoid bad neighborhoods" function on the GPS.

no, just check the box on the 9mm glovebox option.

[AwesomeM3]

Just to add to Skierman64's comments, the presentation given by BMW M Manager Larry Koch was excellent. It appears to be the same presentation given to the media at Laguna Seca in Feb/Mar. As Skierman64 mentioned, Mr. Koch spent 20 minutes with us at the end of the presentation and discussed all of the questions with us. Skierman64 will post the answers later, since it will take some time to do.

Exciting news that Mr. Koch mentioned is that there will be an M specific section on the BMW website. We were fortunate enough to be the first group to preview the animated "movie" of the M3 racing around the Nürburgring. It was pretty cool, so look for it in the next few weeks on the internet.

I found it interesting the Mr. Koch already knew about the questions we were going to ask him. Apparently, BMW NA regularly checks the forums, and they are totally aware of what we talk about. He even knew about the Dooma/eBay situation...pretty interesting stuff!

Also, the people at BMW of the Main Line were very accommodating to us and did a nice job with the food and refreshments. Thanks to them and the Delaware Valley Chapter of the BMW CCA for organizing the meeting.

[wahoo]

Verrrryyyy interesting. Proof that BMW listens to their passionate clientele, as well as monitors them.

Looking forward to the interview questions.

[rai]

I have a question, why does the web list the weight of the M3 at 37xx lbs? If they say it's the most heavy with all options or if it's with a driver (or such) why don't they say (note: this is with a driver)? and why would they do that? It is very hard to get a true weight for this car, every magazine is different but none have got up to 3700 lbs that I have seen.

[mkoesel]

Awesome skierman! Thanks for taking the time to do this for your fellow enthusiasts. I am anxiously awaiting those answers.

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by oneginee

long preambule are you trying to built up the anticipation for the answers posting ? If you leave the cake in the oven too long it is not going to be edible. I am guessing tomorrow you will annnounce it is a pay per view feature right ?

Don't be so harsh...it was a long night, and most of us have jobs. I'm sure when Skierman64 has the time, he will post all the answers to the questions. He recorded the conversation with Mr. Koch so as not to misquote his answers. Therefore, it will take some time to type all of the questions and responses. No one needs to be flamed here!

[ersin]

So Mr Koch actually reads the forums? Very cool. And even checking with BMW AG. :bow :

Can't wait for your report. Hope you can find some place to host the video.

[AwesomeM3]

Oh yeah, most importantly, I forgot to mention...Mr. Koch said his favorite color for the E92 is Interlagos Blue!

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by ersin

So Mr Koch actually reads the forums? Very cool. And even checking with BMW AG. :bow :

Can't wait for your report. Hope you can find some place to host the video.

Either Mr. Koch reads them, or people working for him, probably the latter.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by AwesomeM3

Oh yeah, most importantly, I forgot to mention...Mr. Koch said his favorite color for the E92 is Interlagos Blue!

Maybe I should bill E for the color advise.


Best regards, south

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by southlight

Maybe I should bill E for the color advise.


Best regards, south

[GewoW]

I love you!

(until I see that there will never be LSB! HEHE)

[oneginee]

AwesomeM3, ok I was a bit harsh.
I was hoping this would be a lean Q&A thread. Look like its getting fat already. Like the ebay thread all I wanted to know was " nebraska dealer tried a Buy It Now on an M3 ebay auction sale thinking he could get out of the binding deal offline but winner presses him with internet + attorney and gets the car for 10K below" without having to skim through a 150+ pages thread to find that out.

[Yonkers]

Originally Posted by oneginee

AwesomeM3, ok I was a bit harsh.
I was hoping this would be a lean Q&A thread. Look like its getting fat already. Like the ebay thread all I wanted to know was " nebraska dealer tried a Buy It Now on an M3 ebay auction sale thinking he could get out of the binding deal offline but winner presses him with internet + attorney and gets the car for 10K below" without having to skim through a 150+ pages thread to find that out.

Life's hard sometimes

[swamp2]

Can't wait skierman, great work.

Member Scott26 from the board works for BMW Marketing in Germany. He reads and posts. I have pm'd with another member who works for marketing in NA. He reads and pms but does not post.

I am a bit surprised that Larry knew about this very thread and contacted BMW in Germany to get some answers. That is fantastic. Thanks Larry that is truly through and professional.

[T Bone]

Subscribed.

Thanks Skierman64! You rock.