As BMW prepares to give the current-generation M4 its proper swan song, the German automaker is rolling out what is probably one of the last special edition models of the F82-generation M4. It’s called the BMW M4 Heritage Edition, and while it’s offered exclusively as a coupe — the M4 Convertible doesn’t get any love — the Heritage Edition exudes all the qualities you’d want from a proper M4, right down to all the M-spec goodies included in the exterior and interior of the special edition M4. Only 750 units of the BMW M4 Heritage will be made. It’s tabbed as a global model so the U.S. market is expected to receive a healthy share of the allocation. There’s no word on how many will make it stateside — or how much each unit is going to cost — but we should expect more details on that front to arrive before production starts at the end of the year. If the M4 Heritage Edition ends up being the last special edition model that’s based on the F82-generation M4 Coupe, then consider it a proper send-off.

What makes the BMW M4 Heritage Edition Special?

Before we get into the BMW M4 Heritage Edition, how about we pour one out for the F82-generation BMW M4? It’s been in our lives for the last five years, but with BMW already hard at work preparing for the next-generation 4 Series, it’s only a matter of time before the current-generation M4 also rides off into the sunset. It’s been a great run for F82-generation M4. It burst into the scene in 2014 and immediately established itself as one of the fines and purest riding performance machines of its class.

The F82 M4 also spawned countless special edition models in the course of its life. The M4 Lime Rock Special Edition was one of the first SEs created from the F82 M4. It’s still blindingly orange four years later. We’ve also seen BMW launch SEs like the M4 Pyrite Brown Edition, M4 Individual Black Shadow Edition, and the curiously named M4 ZHP Edition. Don’t forget, too, about the handful of one-off M4s that have been launched, specifically the Wittman Edition that Bimmer created to honor Marco Wittman’s German DTM title in 2016. I’m not even going to mention all the aftermarket tuners that have made a lot of money on the back of tuning programs for the performance coupe. To say that the BMW F82 M4 has lived a full life is an understatement. And while it still has a few years to cap off its time in the sun, the M4 Heritage Edition looks and feels like a proper special edition send-off for the first-generation M4.

So, what’s so special about the BMW M4 Heritage Edition? It’s a proper question to ask given the back story behind its arrival. The M4 Heritage Edition is supposed to be a swan song SE. There’s significance to that status, and for its part, BMW developed it to look like a proper send-off special edition. There are no extensive aerodynamic upgrades but there are several exclusive additions of the aesthetic variety. The most noteworthy of these additions is the choice of three color schemes. If you’re buying an M4 Heritage Edition, you can either buy one that’s dressed in Imola Red II, Velvet Blue, or my personal favorite, Laguna Seca Blue.

When you see this car on the road, you immediately assume that it’s some kind of exclusive M4 version, or maybe that’s just me. Either way, I’m digging this particular color. I like that it blends nicely with the carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof that all versions of the M4 Heritage Edition come with, regardless of the body’s color. Look closely and you’ll even see an offset decorative stripe in the colors of the M Division. According to Bimmer, applying this decorative stripe isn’t as easy as it looks, too, since it can only be accomplished through what the automaker describes as a “special manufacturing process.” Seems like it doesn’t want to reveal all of its trade secrets.

All 750 units of the special edition M4 will also come with a set of 20-inch alloy wheels finished in Orbit Gray. This particular set, complete with the color finish, is available only in the M4 Heritage Edition. How’s that for another exclusive touch? The wheels themselves are also wrapped in performance tires, specifically 265/30 R20 tires at the front and 285/40 R20 tires at the back.

Move to the interior and you’ll be treated to something just as exciting, if not mesmerizing. According to BMW, U.S.-spec versions of the M4 Heritage Edition will have a color-coordinated interior that matches a specific exterior color. If you, for example, opt for the Velvet Blue M4 Heritage Edition, you’re receiving an interior dressed in Silverstone and Black leather with blue contrast stitching. Buy the M4 Heritage Edition sporting the Imola Red II color and your special edition M4’s interior will be dressed to the nines in Red and Black leather with red contrast stitching.

As for my exterior color-of-choice — Laguna Seca Blue — the interior of this specific M4 will feature the same Silverstone and Black leather treatment as the Velvet Blue M4 Heritage Edition. The only difference is the turquoise stitching in the interior of the Laguna Seca Blue M4 Heritage Edition. Sign me up for that treatment. I’m digging it.

Door sills carrying a specific model’s designation number “x/750” will be prominently visible when the coupe’s doors are open, as will the “Edition M Heritage” logos.

You’re not going to find any difficulty showing off the M4 Heritage Edition to anyone who wants to see it up close. Just open the door and point to the door sills. They’ll know what kind of model it is simply by looking down.

Since this special edition M4 is equipped with the Competition Package, the six-cylinder engine's output comes up to 444 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Pretty stout, right? It gets better, too. The engine is mated to a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission, which helps the coupe sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. Top speed maxes out at 155 mph, though, courtesy of an electronic speed limiter. I’ll venture a guess that if that limiter is removed, the M4 Heritage Edition can blow by 155 mph without breaking a sweat. The limiter, unfortunately, is in place for a reason.

BMW M4 Heritage Edition specifications

In any case, BMW also worked on improving the M4 Heritage Edition’s driving dynamics through the fine-tuning of the Adaptive M suspension system. New shocks, springs, and anti-roll bars have been added as part of this setup. Likewise, tweaks to the Active M Differential and dynamic stability control system are also part of the full M4 Heritage Edition experience.

For better or worse, BMW only plans to release 750 units of the special edition M4. It will also be available globally so there’s more competition to buy one than most special edition M4s of the past. Pricing hasn’t been announced. We do know that the M4 with Competition package starts at around $75,000. That should make the M4 Heritage Edition a bit more expensive than that figure, perhaps around $80,000 to $85,000? Pricing will be announced closer to its market launch, which should happen sometime next year as production of the special edition M4 begins in earnest sometime at the end of the year.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 BMW M4.