BMW 3 Series 50th Anniversary – US Gets an M340i Special!
It’s finally our turn. After watching other markets get their own special editions, the BMW 3 Series 50th Anniversary celebration has officially landed in the United States, and BMW isn’t messing around. The US, one of the 3 Series’ most loyal strongholds, is getting a single, fully-loaded, and exclusive model: the 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition. This isn’t just a badge; it’s a 386-hp love letter to five generations of “The Ultimate Driving Machine.”
What’s New: The M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition
For months, US enthusiasts watched from the sidelines as Canada and Japan launched their own “50 Jahre” (50 Years) packages. Now, BMW has concentrated all its efforts for the US into one commemorative specification that blends modern M performance with deep nostalgic roots.
The 2026 M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition is a single, non-negotiable configuration. It’s fully loaded with heritage paint, exclusive leather, and all the M bits you’d want, creating five distinct “eras” in one model.
A Time Capsule of Heritage Paint and Leather
This is the real centerpiece. The 50 Jahre Edition is available in five paint-and-leather combinations, each one paying tribute to one of the first five generations of the 3 Series (E21, E30, E36, E46, E90).
- Ruby Red Metallic (E21): Paired with an Ivory White Extended Merino Leather interior and red brake calipers.
- Boston Green Metallic (E30): Paired with a Tartufo Extended Merino Leather interior and blue brake calipers.
- Avus Blue Metallic (E36): Also paired with Tartufo leather and blue brake calipers.
- Carbon Black Metallic (E46): Paired with a Black Extended Merino Leather interior and red brake calipers.
- Sparkling Graphite Metallic (E90): Paired with a Tartufo interior and red brake calipers.
This is the first time Extended Merino Leather—a significant step up from the standard Vernasca leather—has ever been offered on a US-market 3 Series, making this a true special edition.
M-Infused Cabin and Exterior
This is a “fully loaded” M340i, and they mean it. The exterior package is completed with:
- 19-inch Style 792M wheels
- A genuine carbon fiber rear spoiler
- Full M Shadowline trim
- M Shadowline Adaptive Full LED lights
Inside, the cabin is decked out with carbon fiber trim, the latest BMW Curved Display with Head-Up Display, and a Harman Kardon audio system. And, of course, special “50 Jahre” badging is placed on the dash and headrests.
Unchanged (and Unbeatable) M340i Performance
Under the hood, BMW didn’t reinvent the wheel, because it didn’t need to. The 50 Jahre Edition retains the M340i’s phenomenal 3.0-liter inline-six engine. This 48-volt mild-hybrid setup produces a potent 386 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque.
Paired with the standard xDrive all-wheel-drive, it launches the sedan from 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 4.1 seconds. As a final touch, the M Performance exhaust comes standard, ensuring this anniversary model has the assertive soundtrack to back up its heritage looks.
Expert Analysis: A Pricey but Perfect Tribute?
Let’s get to the price: The 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition starts at $75,200 (plus a $1,175 destination charge). That is a significant premium over a standard M340i xDrive, which starts around $62,000.
So, is it worth it? As a journalist, I say yes.
A base M340i optioned up with all these performance and tech features (adaptive lights, carbon trim, premium audio, M exhaust) would already be close to $70,0or. For the extra few thousand, you are getting two things you simply cannot get anywhere else: the exclusive, iconic heritage paint and the vastly superior Extended Merino Leather.
This isn’t a cynical “badge-job.” This is a true, low-production collector’s item for the 3 Series faithful. BMW didn’t just give us a “paint-and-stickers” package; they gave us a fully-loaded M-lite car with an interior that, until now, was reserved for the M3.
Conclusion
The BMW 3 Series 50th Anniversary edition has finally arrived in the US, and it was worth the wait. The M340i 50 Jahre is a stunning, high-performance tribute that perfectly honors the five generations that built the legend. It’s an expensive, exclusive, and fitting birthday party for the car that started it all.
Production is already underway, with deliveries expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
Which heritage color would you pick? Share your thoughts below!
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