Yes it can - I have 2023 X3 M40i and BMW removed the Start/Stop off button on the LCI.
I program my Sport Individual setting as my base / standard setting. Once that is chosen, the idiotic Stop/Start is disabled. You will need to do it everytime you start the car. Thankfully its 1 button press right next to the gear shifter after i start the car.

 

So, the answer to the question asked is "No". You still need to go into your Sport Individual Mode on each startup or else press the auto-stop-start off button. Or, you could use a coding tool to make the auto-start-stop remain off by default.

In the X3 we just turn the stop-start off as needed. It's just one button, as mentioned. And, I use Sport Individual as a quasi-Sport mode where everything is in its Comfort setting except for transmission, since I find it a little easier to live with in the Sport setting. It feels like it wants to hypermile in Comfort. But anyway, that may not be the case in the M340i.

 

^
It can be turned off as I described in my post.

Not sure of any new BMWs that can shut off the system permanently besides manual cars.

 

Which ironically, are also the only cars where the stop/start is completely unobtrusive under all circumstances.

 

Geko, here's that dark blue M3 that I saw about a week ago. If this was in the Philly area I might be trading in my 500 this weekend. Something about the color combo, wheels etc just struck a chord with me. Good thing it's in NC lol.

I think this M3 gets the @RNM GS3 seal of approval too.

That nav screen is 3x times the size of mine.

 

Right, so the answer to "can it permanently be turned off?" is no.

... Unless, of course, you are willing to use a third-party tool to do so, like Bimmercode. Honestly, if I was to get an M340i, I probably would invest in that. For one - I can see myself wanting to turn off the fake engine sound being pumped into the car. You CAN do this with a stock car, but it will also close the exhaust valves. By making use of coding tools, we can separate the "Iconic Sounds" exhaust valve control from the digital sounds that are piped-in. So, I may be doing that along with the auto-stop-start disabling.

I believe I've seen LCI M340i models that did, in fact, have the button? Maybe I am wrong about that. Is it gone for 2025- M340i?

 

Do it......

 

The silver wheels look great on that car. Not sure I could do the white interior, but I like it otherwise. Also - side note - it's a base M3, not a Competition! I don't think I see those very often - it's always a Competition.

 

That's the allure! Base=6MT Competition=8AT Otherwise the cars are essentially identical.

Nitty gritty differences:
Slightly more boost on the Comp, leading to the +30 hp. Obviously addressable with a tune. Even Stage 0 would give either car the 543hp from the CS/CSL
Comp comes with 19/20" wheels standard, which are a $1300 option on the Base
Shadowline trim standard on comp, with a no cost delete; Not standard on Base, but no-cost add
Chrome badge on the Base, black on the Comp
Matte black trim around shifter and iDrive **** on Base, Piano Black on Comp
Driving Assistance Pro (ACC) not available on Base, because BMW doesn't sell it with manual transmissions

About 20% of G80 M3s are Base/6MT. It's slightly lower for the M4 (15% if memory serves), largely because the G83 convertible is Competition/8AT/xDrive only.

 

This is completely wrong. BMW allows you to turn off stop/start. On SOME MYs, the car won't remember the setting from the last drive, so some people get their cars coded so it's off by default. The U11 X1 cannot be coded, and does not remember the prior setting - but you can still turn A/S/S to "off" every drive without engaging sport mode--so I assume this is the direction BMW is heading.

 

It's not completely wrong... I think I explained it well, but I'll clarify again.
I didn't say it's impossible to turn it off. I said you have to do it on every drive by either pressing the button or going into Sport or Sport Individual. They asked if it can be permanently turned off. It can't!

I have owned a G01 X3 for almost two years now. I know how it works. It doesn't remember the setting from the last drive.

 

That’s a nice interior. I can’t believe they put that colour inside on an M3

 

Please READ my original post that you quoted and then said it was not true lol.

I clearly stated that YES start/stop COULD be turned off with a press of ONE button but you HAVE to do it each time you start the car.

You are writing pages of words going in circles for no reason……

 

I personally would custom order if you’re buying new and do Performance Delivery in South Carolina. It’s an amazing experience, I did it when I got my M3.

Otherwise cool spec on this one with manual and silver wheels!

 

OK, we'll agree to disagree on what the definition of "permanently" is.

Let's get back on topic to stop any potential disinformation.

The FACTS of how this work in the G01 X3 and G20 pre-LCI 3-series without mild hybrid is:

- There is an Auto Stop-Start Off button that can disable the function for as long as you like, until the next time the engine is shut off.
- The Auto Stop-Start functionality will not activate in any Sport mode, including Sport Individual Mode.

That's really about all you need to know.

In mild hybrid pre-LCI cars, I am pretty sure the Auto Stop-Start Off button was deleted.