BMW Celebrates 50th Anniversary of the 3 Series with Five Special Colors
BMW is marking a significant milestone with the 50th anniversary of its iconic 3 Series. Brett T. Evans, an automotive expert with over a decade of experience, highlights this achievement. The 3 Series, which made its debut in July 1975 at the Munich Olympics, is now getting a special edition to commemorate this occasion.
The 2026 M340i 50 Jahre Edition is a stylish tribute to the car's heritage. It features five unique color schemes inspired by the first five generations of the 3 Series. Each color pays homage to a specific generation: Ruby Red Metallic and Ivory leather for the E21, Boston Green Metallic and Tartufo leather for the E30, Avus Blue Metallic and Tartufo for the E36, Carbon Black Metallic and black leather for the E46, and Sparkling Graphite Metallic over Tartufo for the E90.
In addition to the heritage-inspired colors, the 50 Jahre Edition comes with extended Shadowline trim, including a gloss black kidney grille, dark-finished headlight internals, and gloss black tailpipe finishers for the M Performance exhaust system. An M Performance carbon fiber trunk spoiler is also standard.
The M340i interior showcases carbon fiber trim on the center console and dashboard, coordinated with the rear wing. It also features standard extended Merino leather upholstery, a first-time offering for the 3 Series in the U.S., which is typically reserved for the 7 Series and X7 models. The Merino leather is naturally dyed and free of artificial coatings, requiring more care but offering a finer, softer surface.
Under the hood, the M340i xDrive 50 Jahre boasts 382 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque from a mild-hybrid, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. This powerful engine propels the car to 60 miles per hour in a swift 4.1 seconds, quicker than any previous generation M3. However, this performance comes at a premium price, with each vehicle priced at $76,375, including a $1,175 destination fee.
The 50 Jahre Edition includes the Premium Package (head-up display, Harman Kardon audio) and Parking Assistance package (surround-view monitor, 360-degree parking sensors, and 3D camera imaging), as well as the Shadowline package, M Performance accessories, and the exclusive Merino leather upholstery. While the heritage-inspired colors and 50 Jahre Edition markings add to the car's appeal, the high price tag raises questions about the value proposition.
Despite the premium price, BMW's decision to draw inspiration from its past is refreshing. In a market dominated by grays and blacks, the 2026 BMW M340i 50 Jahre Edition offers a unique blend of style and performance. The car is now available for purchase, marking a significant anniversary in the history of the 3 Series.
