Launched: BMW M340i xDrive Edition 50 Jahre – Just 50 Units, RM396,800

The genre-defining BMW 3 Series saloon compact executive saloon nameplate, which has spanned seven generations, marks its half-century milestone this year.

In case you weren’t aware, the genre-defining compact executive saloon that is the BMW 3 Series celebrates its landmark half-century this this year. Yes, the venerable 3er has been with us for 50 years now, spanning seven generations altogether.

To commemorate this milestone, BMW Group Malaysia officially introduced a limited-run special variant of the localised (CKD) BMW M340i xDrive variant earlier today. Aptly christened as the ‘Edition 50 Jahre’, just 50 units will be up grabs for avid Malaysian fans with the means.

the locally assembled (CKD) BMW M340i xDrive Edition 50 Jahre was officially launched earlier today by BMW Group Malaysia to celebrate the model nameplate's milestone.

As expected, the ‘Edition 50 Jahre’ is based on the LCI (Life Cycle Impusle) – BMW lingo for ‘facelift’ – version of the Kulim-built G20-gen 3 Series range the firm launched back in 2023. Setting this edition apart from the regular M340i xDrive Pro model are a slew of special and commemorative touches.

The latter is visible through the exterior’s adoption of M Performance Side Skirts, subtle ‘Edition 50 Jahre’ decal in the B-pillar window panel that also denotes the car’s number out of the 50 units planned. Next comes red-painted brake calipers, exclusive 19-inch M alloy wheels, and a boot-lid spoiler.

Moving into the cabin and commemorative touches added here include the ‘Edition 50 Jahre’ inscription on centre console’s cupholder plaque, followed by exclusive carbon fibre paddle-shifters and M tri-colour-wrapped centre armrest.

'Edition 50 Jahre' B-pillar decals and inscription badge placed on the cupholder cover in the centre console denotes this model's status as a limited, 50-unit-only special.

Beyond that, little else has changed in the cabin of this commemorative special from the regular M340i xDrive model it underpins. This also means it retains the updated curved dual-display module introduced as part of the face-lifted G20-gen 3 Series' list of upgrades.

As a refresher, said curved display setup consists of a 12-3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen. Both run off the latest BMW Operating System 8.5, and it’s also paired with a top-shelf Harman Kardon 16-speaker surround audio suite rated at 464 watts.

That aside, other notable kit present include the Driving Assistant suite that brings Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go Function and Parking Assistant Plus, amongst many other advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) features.

Apart from the M Performance Side Skirts, little else had been added to this limited-run special's interior and exterior from the regular M340i xDrive Pro variant it underpins.

Mechanically, there are no changes here too, but this is good news considering the M340i xDrive’s status amongst enthusiasts as the ‘M3 lite’. In other words, this special still harnesses BMW’s signature B58 3.0-litre in-line 6-cyl twin-turbo petrol mill plus xDrive all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup.

Altogether, the package still puts out 387 HP and 500 NM, which in turn sees 0-100 KM/H sprints despatched in just 4.4 secs whilst enroute towards an electronically-capped V-max of 250 KM/H. This alone ought to explain the ‘M3 lite’ status mentioned earlier.

As for exterior and interior colourway, the BMW M340i xDrive ‘Editon 50 Jahre’ is available in Alpine White, , Arctic Race Blue, M Brooklyn Grey and Black Sapphire exterior colourway choices, and all are matched with a sole Sensatec Perforated in Black and Tacora Red cabin colour scheme.

As for price, each unit of the Kulim-built BMW M340i xDrive Edition 50 Jahre commands RM396,800.

As for price, each BMW M340i xDrive ‘Edition 50 Jahre’ is tagged at RM396,800 – a slight RM13,000 premium over the base BMW M340i xDrive Pro variant. Said price raises to RM423,300 with the BMW Service & Repair Inclusive (BS & RI) package added in.

Check out more images of this limited-run special saloon in the gallery prepared below.