BMW is marking the 50th anniversary of the legendary 3 Series with a special tribute model—the M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition—celebrating each generation that shaped its history. The limited-run sedan brings back five classic paint colors from past models, ranging from the original E21 all the way to the E90, giving buyers a rare chance to experience authentic retro BMW finishes on a modern performance sedan. Several of these colors have never been offered on the current-generation 3 Series until now.
Customers can pair each exterior color with one of three leather interiors—Black, Ivory, or Tartufo—along with carbon-fiber trim and commemorative “3 Series 50 Jahre Edition” badging throughout the cabin. The Jahre Edition is also the first 3 Series to come standard with BMW’s premium Extended Merino Leather upholstery. Brake-caliper colors are matched to the selected paint option, either red or blue, giving each configuration a distinct personality. A Shadowline Package comes standard as well, adding adaptive LED headlights and darker trim accents on the grille and front fascia for a more aggressive look.
Additional upgrades include an M Performance carbon-fiber trunk spoiler, 19-inch M dual-spoke wheels, carbon-fiber exhaust tips, and extra anniversary badging on the rear. Inside and out, the car blends nostalgia with BMW’s latest performance design cues. Below are the official color combinations and the generation each shade comes from:
• E21 – Ruby Red / Ivory / Red calipers
• E30 – Boston Green / Tartufo / Blue calipers
• E36 – Avus Blue / Tartufo / Blue calipers
• E46 – Carbon Black / Black / Red calipers
• E90 – Sparkling Graphite / Tartufo / Red calipers
Mechanically, the M340i 50 Jahre Edition remains unchanged—and that’s hardly a drawback. It retains its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six mild-hybrid engine producing 386 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque, launching the sedan from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 4.1 seconds. Power continues to flow through an eight-speed automatic transmission to BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
BMW has priced the special edition at $76,375, including destination fees. While the brand hasn’t specified how many examples it will produce, it confirms production will be limited. Deliveries are expected to begin early next year, making this one of the most collectible modern 3 Series variants yet.
