1987 was a special year for BMW fans here in the US. That was the year the M3 first came to our shores. Since then, Bimmer’s resident performance sedan has carved up a legacy that’s without peer, so much so that we’re all getting a treat from BMW with the presentation of the super exclusive M3 30 Years America Edition at the 2017 SEMA Auto Show. It really doesn’t get as exclusive as this one because, quite literally, there will only be one of its kind in the world.

The M3 30 Years America Edition actually starts its life as a standard manual-transmission M3 that’s dressed up in BMW’s Competition Package. But, that’s where any semblance to a standard M3 ends. Everything else about it is exclusive to the theme of the car, which is to say that it received plenty of red, white, and blue treatment in both the exterior and interior. This is as all-American as a BMW M3 can get, at least to the point that bald eagle badges wouldn’t have been out of place in it. It’s unclear at this point how much BMW plans to sell the M3 30 Years America Edition for, though it did say that it will be available once the SEMA Auto Show ends. My money’s on it being auctioned off with the proceeds going to a charity here in the U.S., but don’t be surprised if Bimmer feels generous enough to simply raffle the sedan off. The latter would be an ideal scenario for folks like me because if it’s auctioned off, expect the bids to come hot and heavy, maybe even reach six figures under the best of conditions.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW M3 30 years America Edition

2018 BMW M3 30 Years American Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 BMW M3 30 Years American Edition
  • Engine/Motor: inline-6
  • Horsepower: 444
  • Torque: 406
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

What makes the BMW M3 30 Years America Edition special

There are a lot of things to like about the BMW M3 30 Years America Edition, including the theme and how BMW went about it implementing it. The exterior is striking with the Frozen Red II Metallic shade. The inclusion of “II” in its nomenclature is intended to convey the paint’s exclusivity, which came to life at the hands of the talented people over at BMW Group Designworks. In addition, the M3 30 Years America Edition also gets a carbon fiber reinforced polymer roof, which also features the same Frozen Red Metallic II paint. More cosmetic goodies come in the form of a 30th Anniversary graphic located on the rear sunshade of the sedan. This particular addition is important to enhance the sedan’s one-off exclusivity and separate itself from every other M3 in the world today. Speaking of exclusivity, the one-off M3’s wheels are also of the super limited variety. The alloy wheels measure 19 inches in the front and 20 inches in the rear and are finished in an exclusive touch of gold. It’s the only set of wheels that will get this kind of treatment, so it’s in good company with the equally rare red paint finish on the body.

On the aerodynamic side of the upgrades, we get a good number of M Performance parts, none more prominent than the carbon fiber rear wing at the back. M Performance side skirts are also included, as are functional bits like the new exhaust system, titanium rear silencer, and on the suspension side of things, a completely new adjustable sports suspension until that feature red coil springs.

The exterior carries with it an extensive list of upgrades, but as good as that section got it from BMW, the M3’s interior is the real star of this show. If you’re digging the all-American theme of the M3, you’re going to dig the interior. Quite literally, there’s enough red, white, and blue surfaces in it to make Uncle Sam weep with pride.

Take the seats, for example. The feature a base Opal White surface, but instead of keeping it just that way, BMW added Mugello Red Merino stripes and Fjord Blue Merino sections to really bring out the patriotic theme of the interior. A 30th Anniversary graphic on the headrests is another nice touch and completing the whole setup are a few black leather appointments scattered throughout the cabin.

There are no significant engine upgrades on the M3 30 Years America Edition but with the car sporting the Competition Package, that means that the M3’s 3.0-liter inline-six engine gets an extra 14 horsepower from the standard unit, resulting in an output of 444 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds.

We’ll know soon enough exactly how much this one-off BMW M3 30 Years America Edition is going to cost, but for those who are looking to get a baseline amount, the standard M3 fitted with a Competition Package sells for $71,200. Considering its status as a one-off and the theme behind it, it’s almost a certainty that we’re looking at a price here that will exceed $100,000. Whatever it is, those who are interested will need to have their checkbooks in hand.

References

BMW M3

Read our full review on the 2017 BMW M3.

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