You only turn 50 once, and BMW’s M division is making the most of it.
Its latest anniversary reveal is a special 50 Jahre edition of its BMW M3 and BMW M4.
The special M3 is being produced only for the US and Canada, with a run of just 500 units, but the M4 50 Jahre is being produced for China, Europe and “other selected sales regions”.
We’ve contacted BMW Australia to confirm if we’re one of those regions.
BMW hasn’t confirmed just how many special M4s will be produced.
The M4 50 Jahre be available on both standard, Competition and Competition xDrive models, the former with a 353kW/550Nm tune of the twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline-six mated to a six-speed manual transmission and the latter two with a 375kW/650Nm tune and an eight-speed automatic.
The Chinese-market M4 50 Jahre will also commemorate the Year of the Tiger with a choice of either Fire Orange paint with matte Orbit Grey forged wheels, or Stratus Grey paint with matte Gold Bronze wheels.
For Europe and the other selected regions, there’s a choice of Carbon Black, Macao Blue, Brands Hatch Grey, Imola Red and San Marino Blue exterior finishes.
They’re finished with 19-inch M forged wheels up front and 20-inch wheels at the rear, with a choice of Orbit Grey or Gold Bronze matte finishes.
All 50 Jahre models will come with branded door sill panels, a centre console-mounted metal plaque, and corresponding imprints on either the standard M sports seats or optional M carbon bucket seats.
The M3 50 Jahre has an arguably even more exciting colour palette.
It’ll be available exclusively in Competition xDrive guise for the US and Canada, and each of the 500 vehicles will be finished in a range of finishes inspired by past BMW M colours.
Solid Cinnabar Red comes from the E30 M3, Techno Violet from the E36 M3, Deep Interlagos Blue from the E46 M3, Fire Orange from the E92 M3 Lime Rock Park Edition, and Limerock Grey from the F80 M3 CS.
The blue and purple finishes will be exclusive to the 50 Jahre edition.
They’re finished off with forged wheels in an Orbit Grey matte finish, and are available with a range of BMW M Performance Parts like a carbon-fibre front splitter and carbon/titanium exhaust outlets.
Inside, headrests feature the M division stripes instead of 50 Years lettering.
BMW has gone all out for its 50th anniversary, revealing a hotter M4 CSL and planning to introduce a production version of its Concept XM by year’s end.
There could be more coming, too.
The M3 CS sedan and M3 Touring wagon are expected to be revealed this year, while the M4 CSL is rumoured to be getting a manual transmission-equipped counterpart called the M4 GT/H.
BMW Blog also reports the division is working on an ultra-exclusive M4 inspired by the 2015 CSL Hommage concept.
Click an image to view the full gallery.
MORE: Everything BMW M3
MORE: Everything BMW M4