In My Opinion: 2011 BMW Frozen Gray M3 Coupe

Facts:

• Only 30 limited-edition Frozen Gray M3 coupes will be made for the U.S. market.
• They will get a special paint scheme, M3 Competition package as well as other distinct features.
• Delivery of the first batch will begin in June, and priced around $79,000.
• The purchase price will also have track time at the BMW Performance Driving School.

BMW is building a limited run of 30 2011 Frozen Gray M3 coupes for the U.S. market, priced at $78,900. The sticker includes shipping and a $1,300 gas-guzzler tax.

BMW’s limited-edition model marks the 25th anniversary of the M3. The M3 began production in Germany in 1986 and didn’t reach our shores until 1988. The latest model was launched in 2008.

The BMW engineered matte paint on the Frozen Gray M3 gives it a special metallic luster. This is supposed to give the M3 a sculpted character the Frozen Gray effect is supposed to highlight the contours and give it a more athletic appearance compared to normal exterior colors with gloss finish. To me the color looks dead and makes the car look boring. To make this luster, a special BMW Color System (silk matte clear coat) is applied over the Space Gray Metallic base coat. I will repaint mine primer black to get that really good athletic look.

BMW said it will begin taking customer orders by phone (800-245-4269) at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time on Monday, June 21. The first cars will be delivered in late June, and the production run will end in late July.

In addition to the special paint scheme and custom interior upholstery, the Frozen Gray M3 Coupe is fitted with the M3 Competition package, which includes wider-offset 19-inch alloy wheels, a lowered suspension and sport mapping for the electronic damping control and electronic stability control. The car also gets the Premium and Technology packages as standard.

The BMW’s 414-horsepower 4.0-liter M V8 is matched with the M double-clutch transmission (M DCT), which is supposed to give you 0-60-mph acceleration at 4.5 seconds that is 0.2 seconds lower from the standard six-speed manual gearbox.

The full price includes one day at the BMW Performance Driving School in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I will ask if I can deduct that or use it for a car that is worth track time.

As you may tell from some of my comments I am not too happy with this so called limited addition M3. I know people with nothing better to do with 19 Gs but I do. There is nothing too special about this so called special addition M3 and I really expected more from BMW. You can probably get the same thing by paying the extra $2,500 for the competition package and get the same affect but if you want a trinket to put in your garage and see if it increases in value be my guest.

Press Release

Nearing the 25th anniversary of the original BMW M3, BMW of North America today announced a production run of thirty identically-equipped 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupes for the United States. The 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupe features a special matte-gray paint with a deep metallic luster to further accentuate the athletic lines of the legendary M3.

Unique Fox Red / Black bi-color Novillo leather interior is also specified. This is the first and only opportunity to obtain Frozen Gray Metallic exterior paint on the M3 for the 2011 model year in the United States.

BMW M enthusiasts will be able to reserve a 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupe by dialing 1-800-245-4269 no earlier than 11:30AM Eastern Time (8:30AM Pacific) on Monday, June 21, 2010. The first 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupes will become available for delivery in late June 2010 through Authorized BMW Centers, and the production run will be completed by the end of July 2010.

A complete equipment list is provided at the end of this press release. MSRP will be $77,600 Including $875 Destination & Handling and excluding $1,300 federal gas guzzler tax.

Each 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupe will be powered by the now famous 4.0-liter, 414-horsepower M V8 and equipped with BMW’s M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT). Also specified is the new M3 Competition Package, which adds an exclusive set of 19-inch wheels and other upgrades. Additionally, each purchase of the 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupe will include a one-day enrollment at the BMW Performance Driving School in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupe continues the tradition of innovation and passion for driving by incorporating key changes to the M3’s dynamic qualities. The equipped Competition Package reduces vehicle ride height by 10mm and includes unique 19″ wheels with wider offset for enhanced stability, standard Electronic Damping Control with enhanced programming, and higher-threshold programming for the M Dynamic Mode. The 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupe is also equipped with the M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) which lowers the 0-60mph acceleration time of the M3 to 4.5 seconds from 4.7 (6-speed manual).

Introducing Frozen Gray Metallic Paint.
The special BMW Individual matte paintwork on the Frozen Gray M3 adds a rare metallic luster to the vehicle. Compared to conventional exterior colors with gloss finish, the sculpture-like character of Frozen Gray paint highlights the athletic contours of the M3. To achieve this luster, a special BMW ColorSystem silk matte clear coat is applied over the Space Gray Metallic base coat.

25 Years and Four Generations of BMW M3.
Racing provided the reason for the original M3’s 1986 creation. BMW produced the M3 as a road-going homologation version of its 3 Series to gain eligibility to compete in the German Touring Car Championship. Popularity and strong consumer demand substantiated the case to continue developing the M3, making it both a better performer and more inviting road car as it evolved along with the underlying 3 Series, the company’s most popular vehicle. In 1988, North Americans met the BMW M3 for the first time, and its high-revving 2.3-liter inline-4 with 192-hp became a legend on this side of the Atlantic.
The next generation M3 arrived in the 1995 model year with a 3.0-liter (and later, 3.2-liter) 240-hp inline-6 powerplant. That car began the next chapter of M3 Racing history which lasted a decade on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1997 the first M3 Sedan joined the family and the M3 Convertible followed shortly thereafter.

The third-generation M3, available from 2001-2006 as a coupe and convertible, again was offered with six-cylinder power, this time providing a remarkable 333 hp from 3.2 liters. From the 2002 model year, this M3 marked BMW’s first offering of the Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) for the United States.
The fourth and current generation M3 was introduced for the 2008 model year as a Coupe, Sedan, and Convertible, featuring an all-new 4.0-liter, 414-horsepower V8 engine with eight individual throttle bodies and an 8,400-rpm redline. Showcasing its remarkable performance envelope, the newest M3 Coupe serves as the basis for the M3 GT2 race car, which successfully competes in endurance races against the most exotic cars from around the world in the American Le Mans Series.

Equipment List: 2011 BMW Frozen Gray M3 Coupe
BMW Individual Frozen Gray Metallic exterior paint.
BMW Individual bi-color (Fox Red with Black) Novillo Leather interior.
M DCT Transmission
Competition Package
Electronic Damping Control, 19″ light-alloy wheels, lowered suspension, sport mapping for EDC and DSC.
Premium Package – Power folding mirrors, universal garage door opener, digital compass mirror, BMW Assist with Bluetooth, Novillo Leather, Carbon Leather trim.
Technology Package – M Drive system, Comfort Access system, Navigation system, Voice Command system, Real Time Traffic Information system.
Heated Front Seats
Rear Park Distance Control
Enhanced Premium Sound System
Satellite Radio with 1-year subscription
iPod and USB Adaptor