As you can see, this sticker, which is essentially stuck in the driver's face, dictates that our new long-term 2009 BMW M3 sedan gets a mild break in; no full throttle and a 106 mph max speed for the first 1,200 miles and only short periods at top speed and constant cruising at 137 mph until the odometer clicks past 3,100 miles.
Well, the day has come.
On my way into work this morning the M3 clicked past the magic number. The reins are officially off.
On a related note, I think I'll sign out the M3 for the weekend.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief @ 3,143 miles.
DCuerpoJr says:
01:30 PM, 05/27/09
Sweet! Are you taking it to the test track soon?
caheew says:
01:40 PM, 05/27/09
I've never really seen that before, let alone having it in front of your face. Now, you guys can really open the taps and have some fun with this. I am expecting a lot of posts on this. KEEP US INFORMED!!
dougtheeng says:
01:52 PM, 05/27/09
nice to see an official break in period out in the open like that. far too many people aren't aware of break in, though i suppose anyone buying an M3 would be...or at least lets hope they would be.
jason25 says:
02:32 PM, 05/27/09
God what I would give to have your guys' job...
egriffin says:
02:57 PM, 05/27/09
Don't forget to get the M break-in period service done! They change out all the fluids and stuff.
subytrojan says:
03:23 PM, 05/27/09
Hi egriffin,
The 1,200 M service has already been done.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2009/04/2009-bmw-m3-sedan-1200-mile-service.html
Have a nice day/night! :o)
cheslin says:
05:07 PM, 05/27/09
Every one of my AMG's has that sticker in the same location...
haub says:
05:09 PM, 05/27/09
Do a wheelie!!!1
kurtamaxxxguy says:
07:02 PM, 05/27/09
How many days will the rear tires last now that the dreaded break-in period is over?
Perhaps some day Edmunds will get all their RWD favorites together and simultaneously SMOKE 'EM ! ;-)
stovt001 says:
09:32 PM, 05/27/09
Good that they put that sticker in view of the driver, but that really is in your line of sight. Maybe a bit higher and to the left slightly...
I enjoyed translating the German and seeing how close I got. The speeds indicated kinda gave the answers away.
sgude says:
05:04 AM, 05/28/09
Good. Now you can get on with melting down the tires by 11K miles, per my prediction.
Are you going to leave the sticker there or remove it?
indy_mistert says:
06:37 AM, 05/28/09
What a job! Please do let me know when you need a correspondent based in Indianapolis :~)
I will be looking forward to further reports!
joefrompa says:
06:59 AM, 05/28/09
I really like that they post it. So many people don't know that modern cars still need to be broken in.
This car excites me for a number of reasons, and for some reason it excites me more than the 335i (which used to excite me alot), even though the 335 would probably be more my style.
indy_mistert says:
07:27 AM, 05/28/09
I know I'd be real torn between a 335i with the new zmp/m-sport pkg and a no-frills M3... but right now I'm siding with the M3.
roadburner says:
07:40 AM, 05/28/09
"I know I'd be real torn between a 335i with the new zmp/m-sport pkg and a no-frills M3... but right now I'm siding with the M3."
I think that I'd go with the M Sport 335 and use the leftover cash to buy an E30 M3 for track days.
hondacura4 says:
12:19 PM, 05/28/09
"I know I'd be real torn between a 335i with the new zmp/m-sport pkg and a no-frills M3."
I must be really out of the loop as I didn't know there was a M-Sport package available for the new 335i. Is it executed in the same way as the E46 330i ZHP?
indy_mistert says:
01:01 PM, 05/28/09
It is not quite exactly the same as the ZHP, which - as I recall - had slightly boosted power. But IMO the ZMP/m-sport is still a very attractive option.
The M-sport has been around in other markets, but the US is finally able to order it. There is one color that can only be had with the package (lemans blue). You are limited in the other colors you can get (white, bright silver, space grey and sapphire black).
Different front and rear bumpers. Black headliner. Different steering wheel and shift knob (for 6MT equipped). Slightly different aluminum trim.
I clearly have too much free time :~)
indy_mistert says:
01:03 PM, 05/28/09
oh - and basically everything from the ZSP/sport pkg... suspension... for 09 ZSP and ZMP both get shadowline trim around the greenhouse
bimmerjay says:
01:15 PM, 05/28/09
indy_mistert - the M Sport option also has unique wheels and adds PDC.
"I must be really out of the loop as I didn't know there was a M-Sport package available for the new 335i. Is it executed in the same way as the E46 330i ZHP?"
Like indy_mistert said, it's all appearance-items. No suspension or engine differences like ZHP had. :-(