M3/M4 to Get Steel Driveshafts Beginning Nov. 2017. Sales top 68,000 to date.

[swagon]

Auto Motor und Sport's article says the diameter of the steel driveshaft is 56-75 mm, while the 2.5kg-lighter CF one is 84 mm.

[Regulator07]

Originally Posted by Driver_X

This article also quotes there will be no changes to the driveshaft for us models,
because the emission laws don't require a gasoline particulate filter (Otto Partikel Filter) in the exhaust. So still the CF driveshaft for us models.

Is this confirmed? I am in the process of placing and order in the US and would be interested to know one way or another (not that it will change my purchase of an F80)

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by Regulator07

Is this confirmed? I am in the process of placing and order in the US and would be interested to know one way or another (not that it will change my purchase of an F80)

Yes - it states in the article "due to the loud moaning and squealing like a stuck pig emanating from many of the US centric internet forums, BMW has decided not to change the driveshaft for the US market".

[Drew10]

Originally Posted by Regulator07

Is this confirmed? I am in the process of placing and order in the US and would be interested to know one way or another (not that it will change my purchase of an F80)

From Google Translate
"In Germany and a large part of the EU, BMW will use the steel propeller shaft, which is quite close to the M2 version, in the M3 Sedan, the M4 Coupé and the M4 Convertible. In the US, however, not. Because it does not need the regulations there. Will an Otto particle filter be installed in future M models? BMW is covered, says only so much: "Of course, we will meet all legal requirements." For this, an OPF currently seems to be necessary to meet the Euro 6c standard with RDE (Real Driving Emissions) level1. Apart from BMW, the M5 has a very special look."

[ArieArie]

Originally Posted by Drew10

From Google Translate
"In Germany and a large part of the EU, BMW will use the steel propeller shaft, which is quite close to the M2 version, in the M3 Sedan, the M4 Coupé and the M4 Convertible. In the US, however, not. Because it does not need the regulations there. Will an Otto particle filter be installed in future M models? BMW is covered, says only so much: "Of course, we will meet all legal requirements." For this, an OPF currently seems to be necessary to meet the Euro 6c standard with RDE (Real Driving Emissions) level1. Apart from BMW, the M5 has a very special look."

Took 358 posts to get a definitive answer.. Thanks!

[Powerslide]

Originally Posted by dinonz

Yes - it states in the article "due to the loud moaning and squealing like a stuck pig emanating from many of the US centric internet forums, BMW has decided not to change the driveshaft for the US market".

Lol!!!

[al_bundy]

Originally Posted by ArieArie

Took 358 posts to get a definitive answer.. Thanks!

This article claims BMW US came out to say US cars are affected as well. Honestly I don't know what to think anymore.

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/08/11/...r-driveshafts/

[Graves]

Originally Posted by al_bundy

This article claims BMW US came out to say US cars are affected as well. Honestly I don't know what to think anymore.

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/08/11/...r-driveshafts/

Well that sucks a fat baby's ****....

[rakusak]

Originally Posted by al_bundy

This article claims BMW US came out to say US cars are affected as well. Honestly I don't know what to think anymore.

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/08/11/...r-driveshafts/

I think we should all just get our M's before the 'change'.

Honestly though, I wonder if people when they part out mods on their 'pre-change' edition, will part out the CF driveshaft, lol.

"Low-mile shaft for sale, gently used, come and get it!"

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by rakusak

I think we should all just get our M's before the 'change'.

Honestly though, I wonder if people when they part out mods on their 'pre-change' edition, will part out the CF driveshaft, lol.

"Low-mile shaft for sale, gently used, come and get it!"

I'm looking at leasing one of the very last M3s - and will have my current lease overlapping for a bit. I wonder if they would notice the swap if I returned the first one with a steel drive shaft...

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by dinonz

I'm looking at leasing one of the very last M3s - and will have my current lease overlapping for a bit. I wonder if they would notice the swap if I returned the first one with a steel drive shaft...

Distract them by returning it without a motor:

"oh, wait ... so that's not mine to keep??? ok, ok my bad"

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by al_bundy

This article claims BMW US came out to say US cars are affected as well. Honestly I don't know what to think anymore.

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/08/11/...r-driveshafts/

Goddamn it!

[zzirgrizz]

Originally Posted by Graves

Emailed my salesman who is in Germany and is going to get some new updated information for us concerning orders from this point forward up to November. Meaning, when is the NLT date to order and still receive the CF DS versus the steel one. Hopefully I will have some new information for you all here shortly.

Originally Posted by Graves

Emailed my salesman who is in Germany and is going to get some new updated information for us concerning orders from this point forward up to November. Meaning, when is the NLT date to order and still receive the CF DS versus the steel one. Hopefully I will have some new information for you all here shortly.

Looking forward to this information; as I was not in a rush to order my individual M3 but after hearing this news, I'm looking to order sooner than later.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by dinonz

I'm looking at leasing one of the very last M3s - and will have my current lease overlapping for a bit. I wonder if they would notice the swap if I returned the first one with a steel drive shaft...

Don't forget to take the spare tire. It's invaluable.

[bmrwrld]

Originally Posted by Graves

Emailed my salesman who is in Germany and is going to get some new updated information for us concerning orders from this point forward up to November. Meaning, when is the NLT date to order and still receive the CF DS versus the steel one. Hopefully I will have some new information for you all here shortly.

Any time before November 1st.

[Powerslide]

Originally Posted by pheerlx

Don't forget to take the spare tire. It's invaluable.

The most impressive thing about the spare tire is that it weighs zero pounds (take that CF driveshaft)!!!

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by pheerlx

Don't forget to take the spare tire. It's invaluable.

Already have. And the jack - it's an air jack. Awesome!

[Absurdium]

I got an order for October production and my sales manager who's handling my order confirmed that he got an email from BMW Canada saying the exact same update that's been stated in this post. Now I'm sure there are some variances between Canada and US in terms of regulations but if we're switching to a steel shaft up north, I don't see the states getting the CF shaft specifically for them. US spec and Canadian spec are very similar; people used to import from the states back when the Canadian Dollar was relatively strong.

[Graves]

Below is the email I received back from my salesman concerning the CF DS versus the steel one and what are the real deadlines. I spoke with him on the phone as well. Unless an M3 is ordered by Friday chances are you will get one with a November+ build date and therefore receive the Steel drive shaft. There is a small chance you could get October, but chances are unlikely. He spoke to BMW representatives in Munich on this issue. Hope this helps some of y'all. Looks like I'm getting a steel DS.

[Gibson6594]

Originally Posted by Graves

Below is the email I received back from my salesman concerning the CF DS versus the steel one and what are the real deadlines. I spoke with him on the phone as well. Unless an M3 is ordered by Friday chances are you will get one with a November+ build date and therefore receive the Steel drive shaft. There is a small chance you could get October, but chances are unlikely. He spoke to BMW representatives in Munich on this issue. Hope this helps some of y'all. Looks like I'm getting a steel DS.

I wouldn't believe a word of that. Spoken to any other dealers?

[Graves]

Originally Posted by Gibson6594

I wouldn't believe a word of that. Spoken to any other dealers?

Any other dealers where? I ordered my car from a German dealer that is in Germany through a military only sales program. So honestly, yes I believe what he says. But if you don't, no worries. Call around and see what you can get. Either way, mine can't be built until January because I don't arrive into Germany until March of 2018.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by swagon

Auto Motor und Sport's article says the diameter of the steel driveshaft is 56-75 mm, while the 2.5kg-lighter CF one is 84 mm.

Thanks for sharing.

The article also mention that the CFRP driveshaft is maintained in the CS due to the higher torque rating of the engine implying that the steel one is not quite as strong. Interesting.