BMW Celebrates 30 Years of the M3 with a Special Model

2017 BMW M3 “30 Jahre M3” Edition (Credit: © BMW)

It’s hard to believe that the BMW M3 is turning 30 years old this year. To celebrate its three decades of sheer awesomeness, BMW is releasing a special, limited-edition “30 Jahre M3” (30 Years of M3) edition for the 2017 model year.

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A quick glance at this special model and you may miss what it really is, but closer inspection will reveal its true color. Speaking of colors, this limited-edition 3er comes slathered in a special coat of paint, known as Macao Blue Metallic, that harks back to the first-gen M3. BMW also added in “30 Jahre M3” badges, specially designed M gills, doorsill plates with the “30 Jahre M3” logo, a high-gloss Shadow Line trim, a sport exhaust system with black-chrome tailpipes, adaptive full-LED headlights with auto high beams, and 20-inch 666 M wheels.

2017 BMW M3 “30 Jahre M3” Edition (Credit: © BMW)

Inside, this special M3 comes with a bevy of upgrades that include Full Merino Leather in a black-and-Fjord Blue bi-tone scheme, contrasting seams, carbon-fiber and black-chrome accents, M Sport seats with embroidered headrests.

Also included in the 150 units earmarked for the U.S. will be the Driver Assistance and Executive packages. These packages add in a slew of safety and comfort features, like active blind-spot detection, active driving assistance, side- and top-view cameras, speed limit information, a heads-up display, a heated steering wheel, and more.

While the visual changes are enough for many buyers, BMW saw it fit to also make the Competition Package standard on this limited model. With this comes a boost of 19 ponies to 444 horsepower, an Adaptive M Suspension with three modes, a modified Active M differential, and a revised Dynamic Stability Control system.

The modified 3,0-liter engine pairs with either a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox. The result is a 0-to-60 sprint time of just 3.8 seconds with the dual-clutch unit and four seconds with the manual gearbox—improvements of 0.1 seconds each.

The M3 “30 Jahre M3” Edition will hit showrooms in early August. It will run $83,250 with the manual transmission and $86,150 with the dual-clutch transmission.