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BMW will bring a special edition M340i to Australia in late 2025 to celebrate 50 years since the 3 Series made its international debut.
BMW is gearing up to celebrate 50 years of the 3 Series with a special edition of the M340i sedan.
Due in Australia towards the end of 2025, the 3 Series 50 Jahre Edition will arrive in a specification unique to Australia and New Zealand.
The 3 Series stands as BMW’s most popular model line in Australia, with over 191,000 deliveries recorded since VFACTS sales reporting commenced in 1992.
The 50th anniversary treatment includes BMW Individual Anthracite metallic paint, described by BMW as “a classic hue in the history of the BMW 3 Series, and features a special edition build plate affixed to the centre console.
Other inclusions on the commemorative model include jet black 19-inch M light alloy wheels (replacing machined-face alloy wheels), carbon-fibre interior trim, and BMW’s M Sport Package Pro, which adds red-painted brake calipers, M seatbelts, a black rear lip spoiler and black trim for the grille surround, exhaust tips, and headlight internals.
The M340i 50 Jahre Edition will be priced from $127,600 plus on-road costs, or $10,000 more than a regular M340i.
The 50th anniversary model will be limited to a run of 50 units locally.
Mechanically, the 50 Jahre Edition remains unchanged, powered by a 285kW/500Nm 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, backed by an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.
Compare that with the first-generation E21 3 Series, launched locally in 1976, with an 80kW157Nm four-cylinder in the 320 or 92kW/172Nm in the 320i, later joined by the six-cylinder 323i in 1979 with 105kW and 190Nm.
Both were offered with rear-wheel drive and either a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic.
Carry-over features from the regular M340i xDrive include 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio, adaptive LED headlights, adaptive M suspension, M Sport styling, 14.9-inch infotainment and 12.3-inch digital instrument screens, leather seat upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, keyless entry and start with Digital Key smartphone access, and more.
Orders for the BMW 3 Series 50 Jahre Edition are open now, with customer deliveries expected to commence in the fourth quarter (October to December) of 2025.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
