German Car Zone

It's not unusual for car makers to introduce limited production runs in a bid to drum up interest in a model that's been around for a few years, but BMW's approach is a little different in that the M3 Edition will be produced for six months, regardless of how many are sold. Is its exclusivity worth the significant premium though?

In the Metal

Unlike many special editions, this M3 stands out. The most obvious signifiers are the black-gloss finished alloy wheels (actually not standard...), which, together with the black kidney grilles, side vents, bonnet vents, door mirrors and exhaust pipes, lend the M3 Coupé even more menace. The 10mm drop in ride height adds to this too no doubt.

Changes are minimal inside though, with a more tactile centre armrest material and unique leather sports seats complemented by body-coloured stitching elsewhere. Not that we found much wrong with the regular car's cockpit.

What you get for your Money

That £2,500 premium doesn't buy you a lot in truth. The styling additions mark the Edition out as a more exclusive version of the M3, but the only technical change is the minor reduction in ride height already mentioned. Buyers have few options either, as the Edition is available only as a Coupé and can be painted in Alpine White, Dakar Yellow or Monte Carlo Blue. Pity the highly distinctive black alloys are not standard, as they look fantastic. Other than that, buyers can choose between manual and M-DCT dual-clutch transmissions. In summary, you're paying for exclusivity.


Full Story: The Car Enthusiast - | First Drive | Bedfordshire, England | BMW M3 Edition |


M

Exclusivity? Painting those bits black is what every raceboy does to ruin his BMW.
I suppose BMW saw the market to do this themselves at the factory.

Looks rather good with the black bits!

Quite interesting, nevertheless the normal M3 is enough in my opinion. But the interior looks good though:

oooooh, that interior looks sexy! Wish it was standard.

Any pics of the Dakkar yellow? Also will this special edition be limited to the coupe only or will the sedan version also get it?

Well, if that translates to about $3K in the US (usually cheaper here), then it really wouldn't be that bad considering just to get a good set of rims and lowering the ride height will cost that much anyways.

Why no trim around the shifter? that area looks really plain!

True, I don't understand either. A normal 3er has it, why not the M3?

They've just ruined the mirrors, they finally decide to colour code the baseplates then they put a bit of black on it, looks so odd.

What trim?