BMW is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 3 Series with something more meaningful than a badge package or a new wheel paint job. The 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Years Edition is a curated, heritage specification that connects the modern G20 with five generations of the cars that built the sports sedan design. And unlike recent ‘Limited Editions’ which felt more like a bundling of options, this one really leans into BMW Individual, material upgrades and performance upgrades that you’d normally have to specify yourself.
Plus, in classic BMW style, it’s very limited and very focused. A configuration. Five heritage-inspired looks. No additional options. And a price that puts it squarely in the M3 range at $75,200 plus $1,175 destination.
Still, this is an intriguing nod to half a century of the 3 Series and one of the most thoughtful special editions BMW has made in years.
A heritage palette that really counts
For the 50th Anniversary Edition, BMW delved deep into its back catalog, reviving the signature colors of the first five generations of the 3 Series and pairing them with interior tones that feel appropriate. Each version gets either red or blue M Sport brake calipers depending on the combination.
The five design packages:
| generation | Paint | pad | Calipers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (E21) | Ruby red metallic | ivory | Red |
| 2nd (E30) | Boston green metallic | Tartufo | Blue |
| 3approx (E36) | Avus blue metallic | Tartufo | Blue |
| 4Th (E46) | Carbon black metallic | Black | Red |
| 5Th (E90) | Sparkling graphite metallic | Tartufo | Red |
For long-time BMW fans, these colors are much more than just marketing names. Ruby red on an E21. Boston Green and Avus Blue on the E30 and E36. Sparkling graphite on the E90. These hues defined eras, and seeing them superimposed at the G20 summit feels like a silent reminder of how central the color was to each generation’s identity.
Each version also gets the Shadowline package with darkened trim, darkened adaptive LED headlights and subtle exterior details that make the retro paint the hero.
Proper performance touches
BMW didn’t just leave it at the paint. The 50 Years Edition features the factory M Performance exhaust, shadowline finishers and a carbon fiber rear spoiler. The wheels are 19-inch 792M double-spoke wheels with a two-tone black finish and all-season run-flat wheels.
Is this a full M car? No. But these details finally give the M340i the visual and acoustic presence that its chassis always deserved.
A first for the USA: Advanced Merino leather in a 3 Series
This is arguably the biggest feature improvement. For the first time, BMW is offering Extended Merino Leather for a 3 Series in the US market. And you notice that. Whether you choose Ivory, Black or the always excellent Tartufo, it immediately elevates the interior beyond typical M340i specification.
Carbon fiber trim is standard, as is BMW’s Harman Kardon system and curved head-up display thanks to the included Premium Package. Even the door sills and cup holder plaque are marked “3 SERIES 50 YEARS EDITION,” which is more reminiscent of bodywork than gimmick.
Below that lies the standard that we already know
At its core, it’s still the M340i xDrive, which we’ve long considered the sweet spot of the lineup. BMW’s 3-liter inline-six with TwinPower Turbo and 48-volt mild hybrid technology produces effortless, instant torque. Combined with the 8-speed Steptronic and xDrive, the car accelerates to 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds.
The chassis remains the M340i’s secret weapon: balanced, unfussy and communicative in a way that newer rivals still struggle to replicate. Even with all-season tires, the package delivers the same mix of precision, compliance and playfulness that has kept the 3 Series at the center of the segment for so long.
Final thoughts
The 50 Years Edition is the kind of anniversary model that BMW once stood out with: focused, beautifully crafted and rooted in the brand’s history without seeming nostalgic or forced. By combining iconic colors with modern materials and high-performance parts, BMW has created something worthy of this badge.
It may not be cheap and may tempt a few buyers away from base M3 territory, but as a tribute to 50 years of sports sedan benchmarking, it’s one of the most compelling G20 variants yet.
If you’ve been waiting for a 3 Series that honors its past without relying on clichés, this could be for you.
gallery
Specifications
| 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Years Edition | |||
| Body | |||
| Number of doors/seats | 4/5 | ||
| Length / Width / Height (inches) | 185.9 / 71.9 / 56.7 | ||
| Wheelbase (in) | 112.2 | ||
| Track, front/rear (in) | 62.2 / 61.7 | ||
| Ground clearance (inches) | 5.1 | ||
| Turning circle diameter (ft) | 39.4 | ||
| Fuel tank capacity (gallons) | 15.6 | ||
| Curb weight (lbs) | 4,008 | ||
| Luggage capacity (cubic feet) | 16.9 | ||
| Motor | |||
| Config. / NO. Cylinders/valves | Inline / 6 / 24 | ||
| Capacity (cc) | 2,998 | ||
| Bore / Stroke (mm) | 82.0×94.6 | ||
| Compression ratio (:1) | 11.0 | ||
| Maximum Power (HP at RPM) | 386 at 5,200-6,250 | ||
| Maximum Torque (lb-ft at rpm) | 398 @ 1,900-4,800 | ||
| chassis | |||
| steering | Electric power steering (EPS) with Servotronic function | ||
| Total steering ratio (:1) | 14.9 | ||
| Tires front/rear (STD) | 225/40 R19 / 225/40 R19 | ||
| Rims, front / rear (inches) (standard) | 19×8.0 / 19×8.0 | ||
| transmission | |||
| type | 8-speed STEPTRONIC transmission | ||
| Gear ratios | I | :1 | 5.25 |
| II | :1 | 3.36 | |
| III | :1 | 2.17 | |
| IV | :1 | 1.72 | |
| v | :1 | 1.32 | |
| VI | :1 | 1.00 | |
| VII | :1 | 0.82 | |
| VIII | :1 | 0.64 | |
| R | :1 | 3.71 | |
| final drive | :1 | 2.81 | |
| Performance | |||
| 0-60 mph (sec) | 4.1 | ||
| Maximum speed (mph) | 130 | ||
