M3 Competition Package - Official Announcement

For Discerning Driver Who Wants the Ultimate in M3 Handling Performance
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - November 16, 2004

Already renowned for its performance and handling, the new Competition Package takes M3 performance to the razor?s edge. Every aspect of the M3?s handling has been tweaked resulting in the best-handling M3 ever.

The wheels are 19-inch forged-alloy wheels with high-performance tires. They connect to a suspension that has been tuned specifically for the Competition Package. Turn-in is quicker with a more direct steering ratio which goes from 15.4:1 to 14.5:1.

M Track mode and brake system taken from the BMW M3 CSL
The Dynamic Stability Control system includes a less intrusive M track mode, as on the M3 CSL, ensuring the security of DSC and spirited driving too. For inclement conditions the regular DSC mode remains. The brakes, also adopted from the M3 CSL, include compound and cross-drilled rotors. The front rotors have also been enlarged from12.8 to13.6 inches.

As the serious enthusiast would expect, the Competition Package is available in combination with the standard six-speed manual or the optional Sequential Manual Gearbox.

The interior enhancements of the package are subtle but purposeful. The Alcantara steering wheel and handbrake grip feel good to the touch. The addition of the steering wheel-mounted button for the DSC M track mode requires the deletion of the multi-function controls and cruise control. The Competition Package is available with all M3 Coupe interior and exterior color combinations. Two trim items are exclusive to the Competition Package. Special Competition Package aluminum trim is included on the interior. A new exterior color, Interlagos Blue, is offered only with this package.

The Competition Package will be available for 2005 M3 Coupes beginning with December 2004 production and it will make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The price for the package will be $4,000.

Does anyone know if just the controls for radio/cruise are being delted, or the entire system. I'm probably going to order it either way. But I really don't want to lose either of these options (especially since it doesn't gain me anything).

Thanks,
Adam

... is there any part numbers available yet for the 19" wheels?

Any pics?

I think I just found my next car.

Dammit I was hoping for new/more news. Damn you BMW!!! Make with the INFO!

Originally Posted by webguy330i

Dammit I was hoping for new/more news. Damn you BMW!!! Make with the INFO!

how do you like your evo? any mods?... and yeah bmw, give us more info.

Anyone want pictures?

:-)





Courtesy of XiPHiAS on E46Fanatics


Thanks,
Adam

thanks adam

love the wheels, and the new paint color looks great. i want it.

Not a flattering color on that car. Deaccentuates the aggressive lines and makes it look too much like a non-M. And mesh wheels just do NOT look good on any E46.

Originally Posted by webguy330i

Dammit I was hoping for new/more news. Damn you BMW!!! Make with the INFO!

Yes, same information we had before... when will we get some details?

Those pics do not detail what interlagos really looks like. Take a gander...

But before i showcase that M5 anymore, I have to say:

OMG !!&^!@!^*@^!*@^*!^@*^&!@!$@^(*$!&)#!@&)#(!

OK now that that's over with...

the "real" interlagos blue: (I know you've all seen these)

i'll take one of each. thank you.

Originally Posted by wheel-man

how do you like your evo? any mods?... and yeah bmw, give us more info.

It's fantastic, but it misfires and Mitsu is the worst company ever. PM me if you want more info.

I need to see the color in person. The car that was supposedly the same color that was on Auto Motor und Sport was darker. More like the M3 pics. I still think it looks wrong on the 3.

Originally Posted by webguy330i

Those pics do not detail what interlagos really looks like. Take a gander...

But before i showcase that M5 anymore, I have to say:

OMG !!&^!@!^*@^!*@^*!^@*^&!@!$@^(*$!&)#!@&)#(!

How do you know what it really looks like? Have you seen it?

The reality is that for most of us, all we have is pictures and the 3 sets of pictures I have seen for the color all show it drastically differntly. These M3 ZCP pics look to be the the worst of the bunch, but at the same time, wouldn't BMW want to get the best pictures to show off the color?

Thanks,
Adam

Originally Posted by Smoltz

How do you know what it really looks like? Have you seen it?

The reality is that for most of us, all we have is pictures and the 3 sets of pictures I have seen for the color all show it drastically differntly. These M3 ZCP pics look to be the the worst of the bunch, but at the same time, wouldn't BMW want to get the best pictures to show off the color?

Thanks,
Adam

Hey it's obvious guys, the M3 pics above are on a cloudy, overcast day... the M5 pics are on a very sunny day. The camera, JPG compression, photoshop alterations, lighting, angle, etc. all play a factor in which color gets captured.

Alex B, can you get a looksy sometime in person?

Here's more info, actually again, posted by XiPHiAS.....

New Competition Package for the BMW M3 Coupé (15.11.2004)

At the turn of the year, BMW M will be offering a so-called Competition Package intended for the particularly sports-orientated BMW M3 driver. Thanks to this new optional equipment package, available only when purchasing a new car, the M3 Coupé, already one of the world's best sports cars, becomes just that little more responsive and agile. The package, which is available from December 2004, will be sold in Belgium at a price of 5,550 Euro incl. (price M3 Competition 63,500 Euro).
The Competition Package comprises 19-inch wheels possessing the same styling of those sported by the M3 CSL and fitted with high-performance tyres size 225/40 R 19 on 8Jx19 rims at the front and size 255/35 R 19 on 9.5x19 rims at the rear. Overall optimisation of the suspension and slightly enhanced steering response (a ratio of 14.5:1 instead of 15.4:1) result in noticeably improved vehicle dynamics.

M Track mode and brake system taken from the BMW M3 CSL.

Moreover, drivers will be able to enjoy the M Track mode also featured on the M3 CSL, allowing them to venture even further to the boundaries of the vehicle's potential without having to forgo the benefits of Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).

The steering wheel, the handbrake lever and, in the case of the optionally available sequential M transmission, the gearshift lever knob have an Alcantara covering. Owing to the M Track mode button located on the right hand steering wheel spoke, there are no multifunction buttons.

The brake system of the M3 with the Competition Package was also taken from the M3 CSL. Consequently, the overall diameter of the perforated compound brake discs at the front has increased by 20 mm to 345 mm.

Finally, the Competition Package also exclusively includes the new Alu Tec interior trim and the option of a new M3 body colour - Interlagos blue metallic.

That is a press release for Belgium I presume, note the wheel width. I was hoping with fingers crossed we'd get at least 8.5/9.5 but no dice. Also, the suspension, even if it has been retuned doesn't look very agressive (at least from a ride height point of view). Overall I'm disappointed, I was expecing more agressive ride height, and I'm not thrilled with the color (of course that's entirely personal). I also don't really like the the new trim. I'd just assume have the plain Alu trim.


Thanks,
Adam

Originally Posted by webguy330i

Hey it's obvious guys, the M3 pics above are on a cloudy, overcast day... the M5 pics are on a very sunny day. The camera, JPG compression, photoshop alterations, lighting, angle, etc. all play a factor in which color gets captured.

Alex B, can you get a looksy sometime in person?

Exactly my point! But the reality is that until we see it in person, we really won't have agood idea of what we're in for.

Thanks,
Adam

Originally Posted by Smoltz

Exactly my point! But the reality is that until we see it in person, we really won't have agood idea of what we're in for.

Thanks,
Adam

I think we do. Every video and every pic I have seen of the M5 in Interlagos thus far has met my expectations.

I was in love with it until I saw these new M3 pics and now I'm glad I didn't order it yet. I guess I'll have to wait until one coems in at the local dealer and then go from there.

Thanks,
Adam

Bah, I don't see what the big fuss is here, so the color might not appeal to most people and the ride height doesn't meet our expectations of what a "competition" M3 should look like. As of now, I care more about how that car drives and so far, it seems promising.

Originally Posted by webguy330i

It's fantastic, but it misfires and Mitsu is the worst company ever. PM me if you want more info.

Heh, I just cleared a 0300 on a Evo the other day.

Not trying to trump soulmate , but here are the "official" press release photos, click to view a super high-res version:










I'd say it's fairly obvious these are photoshopped to add some saturation to the blue, but I think it's a much closer representation than the faded purple look above.

Originally Posted by Kaz

Heh, I just cleared a 0300 on a Evo the other day.

Niiiiiiiiiice, that is precisely the problem. Gotta love shoddy workmanship on transmissions and MMNA's refusal to fix things that are broken.