Are there any differences between the 2002, 2003, and the 2004? Do the 2003's have LED tailights and the 2002's do not? Any differences for the 2004? When do they come out? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Chang Lee

2002: SMG became available.

2003: Navigation changed to DVD, with an indash CD. Also, LED tailights became available. The trunk handle in now much wider than in previous models.

2004: Possibly a facelift, nothing set in stone yet.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ///MDriver
[B]2002: SMG became available.

2003: Navigation changed to DVD, with an indash CD. Also, LED tailights became available. The trunk handle in now much wider than in previous models.

Also in 2002: lighter weight bumpers, auto headlights standard.

2003: 3-series March updates not until September on M3.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ///MDriver
[B]2002: SMG became available.

2003: Navigation changed to DVD, with an indash CD. Also, LED tailights became available. The trunk handle in now much wider than in previous models.

Also in 2002: lighter weight bumpers, auto headlights standard.

2003: 3-series March updates not until September on M3.

Originally posted by Greg W / Oregon
[QUOTE]Originally posted by ///MDriver
2002: SMG became available.

2002 - OEM 19s became available too...

thanks for the replies.

chang

04 is suposed to have a V8, big difference there

Originally posted by BAVARIAN323i
04 is suposed to have a V8, big difference there

Read May Automobile Magazine, p. 26. V8 is due about 2007 (4.5 L w/ about 400 bhp). This agrees with other sources I've read. I don't think you'll see one before then.

I doubt that the E46 will ever see a V8.

Originally posted by ///MDriver
I doubt that the E46 will ever see a V8.
i would say that BMW will reserve the V8 for the M5.

Originally posted by cloudnine
i would say that BMW will reserve the V8 for the M5.

But, the M5 is getting a V10, so it seems a natrual for the M3 to get the eight. The V8, having an aluminum block, weighs less than the I6, so balance should not be a problem.

Question:
If I ordered an M3 this month could I get the LED Taillights?

Thanks in advance!

Originally posted by Greg W / Oregon
[QUOTE]Originally posted by ///MDriver
[B]2002: SMG became available.

2003: Navigation changed to DVD, with an indash CD. Also, LED tailights became available. The trunk handle in now much wider than in previous models.

Also in 2002: lighter weight bumpers, auto headlights standard.

2003: 3-series March updates not until September on M3.

2002 did not have auto headlights as standard - I have an 02 without them (02/02 build). It was available in 01 and 02 in the premium package - so you will never find a cloth interior 01 or 02 with auto lighting.

2002 also switched to titanium interior trim, from gloss black

2003's do not have LED tail lights. They will be a 04 item with adaptave headlights. There is no change to the trunk handle on 03's either. This will also be an 04 item, and only on the coupe.

2003's also have a diferent head unit that allows for the addition of Sirius Satelite radio, and aux sound system input. The newer head unit is only available with non-nav CD capable (not with nav or cassette).

Originally posted by Kevlar
2002 - OEM 19s became available too...

Unfortunately, not until late 02/02 (after the 15th of the month) - ask me how I know....

I have 18", and an early 02/02 build.......

Did 2002 and laters get the strut brace?

Originally posted by Greg W / Oregon
But, the M5 is getting a V10, so it seems a natrual for the M3 to get the eight. The V8, having an aluminum block, weighs less than the I6, so balance should not be a problem.

Right, I said that the E46 will never see an eight. The eight will be on the next M3 which will come out near/after the M5.

Originally posted by jblack
2002 did not have auto headlights as standard - I have an 02 without them (02/02 build). It was available in 01 and 02 in the premium package - so you will never find a cloth interior 01 or 02 with auto lighting.

2002 also switched to titanium interior trim, from gloss black

2003's do not have LED tail lights. They will be a 04 item with adaptave headlights. There is no change to the trunk handle on 03's either. This will also be an 04 item, and only on the coupe.

2003's also have a diferent head unit that allows for the addition of Sirius Satelite radio, and aux sound system input. The newer head unit is only available with non-nav CD capable (not with nav or cassette).

JBlack, is that true about the LEDs? I saw a 330cic at the CAS and it had LED tailights. :az:

There is mixed info. I know of no credible sightings of an M3 with adaptive LED taillights. One guy on another board, who is not a regular, said he called the Performace Center, and they confirmed that his car had the LEDs...but he had not seen them. The Coupes switched to 2004 in March production, the M3 did not.

I personally saw an M3 with LED's at the Autoshow in Detroit (NAIS), but that could have been a pre-production deal. The Coupe also had the longer bar above the license plate.

I guess we will know the answer soon, as the March production cars arrive.

I just confirmed with the dealer that the 2003 M3s will not get the LED taillights. In addition, the '04s will have the faschia updates. I'm going to wait a few more months to submit my order.

Does anyone have a picture of the LED lights? I cannot rememver what they looked like.

I e-mailed and called BMWNA, both sources said that March 2003 production cars will have the Adaptive Brake lights, see the e-mail below. But, the e-mail does not say anything about the tail lights being LEDs. I guess they are the same thing, right?


E-Mail from BMW/NA:
I am with BMW of North America, LLC and your email has been forwarded to me for response. BMW is able to confirm that with March production the rear lights are Adaptive Brake Lights that function when hard braking occurs additional lamps illuminate or more light is provide through secondary brake lamps.

Thank you for contacting BMW,

Lauren McLuckie
BMW Group Customer Relations

If you are gonna buy one, make sure it is an 11/02 build date or newer because that is when they started reinforcing the engine for the rod bearing issue.

New M3s being produced now come with LED Taillights:

http://members.roadfly.com/bloodclotx5/DSCN0026.jpg

That's a Mystic Blue US '03 M3.

Nice! It appears that the turn signals are LED as well! I don't like that wider handle on the trunklid though.