2023 BMW M3 Special Edition Brings Back Colors from Past M3s

BMW's M division has been around for 50 years, and there's now a version of the M3 meant to celebrate this milestone. It comes with the kinds of touches that are typical for an anniversary edition, including BMW's retro badges, special wheels, and and serialized plate inside. The name is also mouthful: 2023 BMW M3 Edition 50 Jahre BMW M. But BMW went above and beyond the call of duty by reviving the five available paint colors from each generation of the M3. Cinnabar Red comes from the E30, Techno Violet from the E36, Deep Interlagos Blue from the E46, Fire Orange III from the E92's Lime Rock Park Edition, and Limerock Gray from the F80 M3 CS. Only 500 examples will come to the U.S., and all will carry a starting price of $96,695—an $8550 premium over a comparably equipped non-anniversary car. BMW says that production will start in July 2022.

The Edition 50 Jahre BMW M cars are based on the M3 Competition xDrive, meaning they come with a 503-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive.

We wish BMW had released photos of all five colors, but so far we've only seen the Deep Interlagos Blue and Techno Violet options pictured here.

The wheels are the same 826M design that's available on the standard M3 Competition, but they're finished in a dark grey color exclusive to the special edition. Customers can spec red, blue, or black brake calipers—or opt for the $8150 carbon-ceramic brake package.

The door sills feature a logo with "Edition 50 Jahre BMW M" and, naturally, red and blue stripes.

Each M3 Edition 50 Jahre BMW M will have a plaque emblazoned with a plaque denoting the number it is in the series of 500 cars that are coming to the U.S.

M stripes are also found on the headrests for the front and rear seats. M Carbon Bucket seats seats are a $3800 option.

No package made specifically for M diehards would be complete without a bit of branded swag, so there's also a roller suitcase included with the purchase of the special M3 that has the same "50 Jahre" logo and red and blue stripes.