The 3 Series Birthday Party
BMW is celebrating 50 years of the 3 Series this year, a milestone that has already produced special editions in several markets. Canada had the first crack with its own 50 Jahre package, and Japan followed with a pair of ultra-rare models tailored specifically for that market. The US, despite being one of the 3er’s most loyal strongholds, had been watching from the sidelines.
That changes now with the arrival of the 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition. BMW is rolling out a limited-run model that pays tribute to each of the first five generations, packaged as a single, fully loaded configuration. Instead of scattering minor updates across the lineup, BMW concentrated everything into one commemorative specification that moves between nostalgia and modern performance in a pretty direct way.
BMW
Heritage Paint, Exclusive Leather, and an M-Infused Cabin
The centerpiece of the 50 Jahre Edition is the set of five paint-and-leather combinations inspired by the E21 through E90 eras. Ruby Red Metallic from the first 3er gets Ivory leather and red brake calipers. Boston Green Metallic and Avus Blue Metallic nod to the E30 and E36, paired with Tartufo interiors and blue calipers. Carbon Black Metallic from the E46 era brings Black leather and red calipers, while Sparkling Graphite Metallic from the E90 also joins the Tartufo-and-red setup.
Extended Merino Leather is new territory for a US-market 3 Series, and BMW matched each interior shade to its corresponding exterior color. Shadowline trim, M Shadowline Adaptive Full LED lights, 19-inch 792M wheels, and a carbon fiber rear spoiler complete the exterior package. Inside, carbon fiber trim, the BMW Curved Display with Head-Up Display, Harman Kardon audio, and special 50 Jahre badging round out the cabin.
BMW
Arriving First Quarter of 2026
Under the hood, nothing is reinvented, but the M340i’s 3.0-liter inline-six remains a strong anchor. With 386 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque supported by 48-volt mild-hybrid tech, the sedan moves from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. An M Performance exhaust comes standard, giving the anniversary model a more assertive soundtrack without altering its core character.
The 50 Jahre Edition carries an MSRP of $75,200 plus a $1,175 destination charge. BMW didn’t mention if production is limited, so we have the advantage of the other special editions that commemorate the 50th birthday. Production is underway, and US deliveries are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
BMW
