Yes, according to engineering specifications on the structural components of the body structure of the 3 series, addition of the moonroof reduces the torsional resistance module (TRM) of the cab area by approximately 17%. Most drivers do not see this, but in a rollover or severe crush injury, the risk of injury to occupants is definitely increased by a factor of 1.89 times over a non-moonroof equiped car. For this reason moonroof equiped cars will not pass safety tests for various race classes (see #3 below).

2 - Does it save any weight (not having it) ?

Yes, there is no question that the moonroof does add weight. The amount is 174 pounds, approximately the same as an additional passenger. The main problem is degradation of handling characteristics due to the higher center of gravity. Adding a passenger with equivalent weight will affect handling less, for example.

3 - Will this be a problem (no sunroof) when I resell the car?

BMW internal marketing statistics show that 94.3% of 3 series cars ARE equiped with moonroof. The absence of the moonroof, especially on the M3 will be expected to RAISE resale significantly as the moonroof equiped cars will not pass SCCA rules for modification in any class of race car. BMW expects heavy demand for moonroof-absent M3 as the aftermarket racing sector begins to target the cars for modification and entry into various GT classes. This is much the same as the Porche 911 "RS" model cars. Since they were the closest to factory race prepared cars, they are especially sought after for modification into racing vehicles. They are extremely hard to find.

SECOND, BMW NORTH AMERICA ENCOURAGES YOU TO PLACE YOUR ORDER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SINCE WE HAVE SEVERAL DELAYS PENDING IN ENGINE PRODUCTION.

Thanks