BMW Japan Celebrates 50 Years of 3 Series With Exclusive Limited Edition originally appeared on Autoblog.
BMW is celebrating 50 years of the iconic 3 Series in style — with a Japan-exclusive 50th Anniversary Special Limited Edition spanning everything from diesel wagons to M-badged sedans. It’s a nod to the past, dressed in modern tailoring — and limited to just 710 units.
One of BMW’s Most Important Models
First launched in 1975, the 3 Series quickly became BMW’s golden child — the car that defined the brand’s sports sedan ethos. Half a century later, over 20 million units have been sold globally. In Japan, the anniversary is being marked with a bespoke batch of 318i, 320d, and M340i variants across both sedan and Touring body styles.
Each one comes dressed with subtle exterior tweaks, interior refinements, and trim-specific upgrades. Think Shadowline headlight surrounds, black mirror caps, M Sport brake calipers, and exclusive wheels — especially for the M340i, which adds carbon trim, Alcantara accents, and is limited to just five sedans and five wagons. With options like these, it’s no surprise BMW is now building its most advanced EV motors yet to keep up with global demand.
A Market That Still Loves The 3
Japan continues to be a key market for limited BMW offerings, thanks to its long-standing appetite for premium European sedans with an emphasis on exclusivity. Customisation matters here — and BMW knows it. More than 90% of Japanese 3 Series buyers opt for MANUFAKTUR options, with most choosing three or more personal touches. That obsessive approach to detail reflects why BMW owners remain some of the most satisfied in the U.S., too — the brand blends familiarity and flair better than most.
The 50th Anniversary 318i starts at around ¥6,980,000 ($47,300 USD), while the M340i Touring tops out at ¥11,240,000 ($76,200 USD). Deliveries will begin this November.
BMW’s Broader Moment
This isn’t the only way BMW is trying to stay relevant in a shifting market. Globally, the company is walking the tightrope between electrification and madness. In one corner, it’s building cutting-edge Neue Klasse EV drivetrains in Austria — in the other, it’s letting tuners like G-Power loose on the XM to create 1,000-horsepower SUVs that look like Batman’s fever dream.
And while the 3 Series remains the heart of BMW’s legacy, the company knows it can’t coast. That’s why it’s preparing 18 new vehicle launches by 2027, including hybrids, EVs, and combustion variants — a three-pronged strategy to keep it ahead of rivals in every segment.
Final Word
The Japan-only 50th Anniversary Special Edition is a reminder of what BMW does best — evolve the familiar. It’s not radical. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s a love letter to the 3 Series that adds just enough rarity to make longtime fans stop and take notice.
BMW Japan Celebrates 50 Years of 3 Series With Exclusive Limited Edition first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 7, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
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