BMW is celebrating fifty years of the 3 Series with something more meaningful than a badge package or a new wheel finish. The 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition is a curated, heritage-driven spec that ties the modern G20 to five generations of the cars that built the sports-sedan blueprint. And unlike recent “limited editions” that felt more like option bundling, this one genuinely leans into BMW Individual, material upgrades, and performance touches you normally have to spec yourself.
It is also, in classic BMW fashion, very limited and very focused. One configuration. Five heritage-inspired looks. No additional options. And a price that puts it squarely into M3 territory 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 thoughtfully executed special editions BMW has done in years.
A Heritage Palette That Actually Matters
BMW went deep into its back catalog for the 50 Jahre Edition, reviving signature colors from the first five generations of the 3 Series and pairing them with interior hues that feel properly considered. Each version gets either red or blue M Sport brake calipers, depending on the combination.
The five design packages:
| Generation | Paint | Upholstery | Brake Calipers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (E21) | Ruby Red Metallic | Ivory | Red |
| 2nd (E30) | Boston Green Metallic | Tartufo | Blue |
| 3rd (E36) | Avus Blue Metallic | Tartufo | Blue |
| 4th (E46) | Carbon Black Metallic | Black | Red |
| 5th (E90) | Sparkling Graphite Metallic | Tartufo | Red |
For longtime BMW fans, these colors are far more than marketing names. Ruby Red on an E21. Boston Green and Avus Blue on the E30 and E36. Sparkling Graphite on the E90. These shades defined eras, and seeing them layered onto the G20 feels like a quiet reminder of how central color was to the identity of each generation.
Every version also receives the Shadowline Package with blacked-out trim, darkened adaptive LED headlights, and subtle exterior detailing that keeps the throwback paint as the hero.
Proper Performance Touches
BMW didn’t stop with paint. The 50 Jahre Edition gets the factory M Performance exhaust, Shadowline finishers, and a carbon fiber rear spoiler. The wheels are 19-inch 792M dual-spokes in a bicolor black finish on all-season runflats.
Is this a full M car? No. But these touches finally give the M340i the visual and acoustic presence its chassis has always deserved.
A First for the US: Extended Merino Leather in a 3 Series
This is arguably the biggest functional upgrade. For the first time on a US-market 3 Series, BMW is offering Extended Merino Leather. And it shows. Whether you choose Ivory, Black, or the always-excellent Tartufo, it instantly elevates the cabin beyond the typical M340i spec.
Carbon fiber trim is standard, as are the Harman Kardon system and BMW’s Curved Display with Head-Up Display thanks to the included Premium Package. Even the door sills and the cupholder plaque get “3 SERIES 50 JAHRE EDITION” markings that feel more coachbuilt than gimmicky.
Underneath, It’s the Benchmark We Already Know
At its core, this is still the M340i xDrive we have long considered the sweet spot of the lineup. BMW’s 3-liter inline-six with TwinPower Turbo and 48-volt mild hybrid tech produces effortless, immediate torque. Paired with the 8-speed Steptronic and xDrive, the car hits 60 mph in 4.1 seconds.
The chassis remains the M340i’s secret weapon: balanced, unflustered, and communicative in a way newer competitors still struggle to emulate. Even with all-season tires, the package delivers the same blend of accuracy, compliance, and playfulness that has kept the 3 Series at the center of the segment for so long.
Final Thoughts
The 50 Jahre Edition is the kind of anniversary model BMW used to excel at: focused, beautifully finished, and rooted in brand history without feeling nostalgic or forced. By tying iconic colors to modern materials and performance pieces, BMW has created something that feels worthy of the badge.
It may not be inexpensive, and it may tempt a few buyers away from base M3 territory, but as an homage to 50 years of the sports sedan benchmark, it is one of the most compelling G20 variants yet.
If you’ve been waiting for a 3 Series that honors its past without leaning on clichés, this might be the one.
Gallery
Specifications
| 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition | |||
| Body | |||
| No. of doors/seats | 4 / 5 | ||
| Length / Width / Height (in) | 185.9 / 71.9 / 56.7 | ||
| Wheelbase (in) | 112.2 | ||
| Track, front / rear (in) | 62.2 / 61.7 | ||
| Ground clearance (in) | 5.1 | ||
| Turning circle diameter (ft) | 39.4 | ||
| Fuel tank capacity (gal) | 15.6 | ||
| Curb weight (lbs) | 4,008 | ||
| Luggage capacity (cu ft) | 16.9 | ||
| Engine | |||
| Config. / no. cylinders / valves | Inline / 6 / 24 | ||
| Capacity (cc) | 2,998 | ||
| Bore / stroke (mm) | 82.0 x 94.6 | ||
| Compression ratio (:1) | 11.0 | ||
| Max output (hp @ rpm) | 386 @ 5,200-6,250 | ||
| Max torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 398 @ 1,900-4,800 | ||
| Chassis | |||
| Steering | Electric Power Steering (EPS) with Servotronic function | ||
| Steering ratio overall (:1) | 14.9 | ||
| Tires front / rear (std) | 225/40 R19 / 225/40 R19 | ||
| Rims, front / rear (in) (std) | 19 x 8.0 / 19 x 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 | ||
| Top Speed (mph) | 130 | ||