Photo credit: J.A. Ackley
BMW celebrates half a century of its M division with the M3 Edition 50 Jahre BMW M. Only 500 will be sold in the U.S. and Canada.
The car’s based on the 2023 BMW M3 Competition xDrive Sedan and comes in five “modern formulations of iconic paint colors … one from each of the five generations.”
Cinnabar Red represents the E30 version. Techno Violet is for the E36. Interlagos Blue comes from the E46 era. Fire Orange came on the limited Lime Rock Park Edition of the E92. Lime Rock Grey was on the F80. Techno Violet and Interlagos Blue were brought back just for this edition.
Photo courtesy BMW
Forged Style 826M wheels in matte Orbit Grey finish are exclusive to the 50 Jahre Edition.
Classic BMW Motorsport logos adorn the hood, trunk and wheel center caps. Other 50 Jahre Edition badging is placed throughout the car.
In addition, a 50 Jahre BMW M Boardcase (aka suitcase) comes included.
Photo courtesy BMW
The 50 Jahre Edition comes well equipped with only a few options for customers to choose from. Those are exterior color, brake caliper color and style of seat. The only add-on options are the M carbon ceramic brakes and M carbon bucket seats.
Other than that, it’s the same as the 2023 M3 Competition xDrive Sedan. That includes the 3.0-liter, M TwinTurbo inline-6 that makes 503 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. It weights 3890 pounds.
Photo credit: J.A. Ackley
This past week we drove the 2023 BMW M3 Competition xDrive Sedan along the streets of Palm Springs, California. It feels like an M car should–powerful and nimble. It’s comfortable enough to drive to and from work, and plenty ready to tackle the track.
Photo credit: J.A. Ackley
Photo credit: J.A. Ackley
The 2023 BMW M3 Competition xDrive Sedan starts at $80,800. With the 50 Jahre special edition badging and a few other packages, the one we tested came to $101,195. The anniversary model starts at $95,700.
I'm going to jump on here before all the belly-achers do:
The front end is really pretty cool looking. Is it freakin' aggressive? Yes. Is it subtle? No. But it actually looks pretty cool, and it's not quite as over the top in person.
Appreciate the old ones for looking like the old ones, and let the new ones look new.
Since it's all subjective anyway, I say that it's "very attention getting" but for the wrong reasons.
Techno Violet for me, please and thank you.
Bonus points if the "Boardcase" is color-matched.
kb58 said:Since it's all subjective anyway, I say that it's "very attention getting" but for the wrong reasons.
"Striking" != "Attractive"
Colin Wood said:Techno Violet for me, please and thank you.
Bonus points if the "Boardcase" is color-matched.
Techno Violet looks great under just the right light, with the metallic flake accentuating the color. I'm a fan of Fire Orange. That's why I test-drove that car. It's as good a reason as any.
That orange is nice looking.
I have a 2017 M3 with a clutch and 6 speed. It may be the last street car I buy. I love my BMWs but I absolutely hate that new front grill. Until they replace it I won't buy a new one. Unless someone figures a way to create an adapter to make it look like the traditional front grill.
For a forum devoted almost completely to modifying cars we sure do spend a lot of time bellyaching when OEMs make amazing platforms that just need a few modifications.
Apparently an aftermarket front bumper is in development (because of course it is).
I'm sure it will be eye bleedingly expensive but if you are in the new M3 market I suspect it won't be unreasonable.
It's as big and weighs as much as an E39 M5. Cars are definitely sizing up.
Duke said:kb58 said:Since it's all subjective anyway, I say that it's "very attention getting" but for the wrong reasons.
"Striking" != "Attractive"
Pave The Planet - One World, One People, One Slab Of Asphalt
Correct, C-Boy!
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