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BMW is marking 50 years of the 3 Series with a special edition that dives straight into the model’s back catalogue. The M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition pays tribute to every generation of BMW’s benchmark saloon, using colour, trim and detailing to link the current car to some of its most memorable predecessors. It is a celebration piece with a clear brief: remind drivers why the 3 Series has been the driver’s choice for half a century.
The paint palette is the star of the show. BMW has chosen five retro finishes drawn from classic 3 Series generations: Ruby Red from the original E21, Boston Green and Avus Blue recalling the E30 and E36 era, Carbon Black referencing the E46, and Sparkling Graphite nodding to the E90. Each colour is paired with a carefully matched interior and brake set-up, with red or blue callipers sitting behind 19-inch M dual-spoke alloy wheels. A standard Shadowline package adds adaptive LED headlights and darkened exterior details, while an M Performance carbon-fibre boot spoiler and bespoke 50 Jahre badging underline its special status.
Inside, the 50 Jahre Edition continues the theme with a cabin that blends heritage cues and modern performance touches. Buyers can choose from Black, Ivory or Tartufo leather, all combined with carbon-fibre trim and “3 Series 50 Jahre Edition” logos placed around the interior. It is also the first time Extended Merino Leather has been offered on a 3 Series, giving this model a more upmarket feel than the regular M340i. The overall effect is of a compact sports saloon that feels both familiar and distinctive, with enough bespoke detailing to stand apart in any car park.
Underneath the commemorative finish, the mechanical package remains reassuringly familiar. The turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six mild-hybrid engine stays in place, delivering 386 hp and 398 lb ft through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and xDrive all-wheel drive. The result is a car that can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, with the same broad spread of torque and effortless mid-range surge that has made the M340i such a compelling all-rounder. This is a 3 Series that still feels ready for a twisting back road as much as a motorway haul.
BMW has confirmed that the M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition will be produced in limited numbers and will join the range early next year. With its blend of heritage paintwork, upgraded cabin materials and proven performance hardware, it offers enthusiasts a chance to own a 3 Series that tips its hat to five decades of history while remaining very much a modern driver’s car.
