BMW has been busy all year long with special editions to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 3 Series. However, Americans have had to wait until now for a limited-edition sports sedan that marks half a century after the E21’s debut. While the US remains one of the few markets with a rear-wheel drive M340i, the “50 Years Edition” is available exclusively in xDrive.
The heritage-inspired 3 Series is available in five colors inspired by previous generations. Ruby Red pays homage to the original E21, while Boston Green is reminiscent of the E30. Avus Blue pays tribute to the E36, Carbon Black references the E46 and Sparkling Graphite is reminiscent of the E90. Curiously, there is no sixth color to represent the F30.
Regardless of the color choice, all vehicles are equipped with the Shadowline package and a carbon fiber rear spoiler from the M Performance Parts catalog. The 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Years Edition also features 19-inch 792M wheels with a two-tone double-spoke design and all-season tires. An M Performance exhaust with blacked-out tailpipes rounds off the exterior improvements. Oh, and there’s an anniversary badge on the back too.
Inside, this M340i offers something that no other 3 Series on the US market has had before: “Extended Merino Leather” upholstery. Seat color depends on the exterior paint: ivory for ruby red vehicles and black for carbon black vehicles. Tartufo leather appears in cars with Boston Green, Avus Blue or Sparkling Graphite colors.
BMW USA sweetens the deal with a standard Premium package that bundles a Harman Kardon sound system with a head-up display. Also included from the start is the Parking Assistance package with Parking Assistant Plus, Surround View with 3D view and Active Park Distance Control.
To ensure no one confuses it with a regular M340i xDrive, there is a metal plaque on the cupholder cover that reads “30 Series 50 Years Edition.” The same message also adorns the front door sills.
Essentially, this special edition is a fully equipped M340i xDrive with retro colors, nicer leather and exclusive badging. As you’d expect, it’s not cheap. BMW USA charges $76,735 including shipping and handling fees, putting it less than $2,840 for a base M3.
In addition to the five available colors, BMW also sells the M340i xDrive 50 Years Edition in a fixed configuration. There are no additional options as everything is standard. Production is already underway and the first deliveries are planned for the first quarter of 2026.
It could be the last hurrah for the current 3-series generation. Production of the G20 will reportedly end in October 2026. The G50 could roll off the assembly line a month later. The M340i will make way for a more powerful M350 that offers significantly more than the current model’s 386 hp.
