Thursday 1st March 2012

BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 revealed

...but don't say the phrase 'run-out special'

---

'New-plate' day doesn't have the importance it once did, but the arrival of a '12' on UK registration plates is obviously still important, as BMW has chosen today to launch a special edition M3 for the UK, the Limited Edition 500.

As you'll probably gather from the name, just 500 examples the Limited Edition will be produced, a combination of coupes and convertibles, and available in either six-speed manual or seven-speed twin-clutch DCT guises.

Don't forget me...

Available in Imola Red, Mineral White or Santorini Blue (red, white and blue - we see what they've done there), the LE 500 also sports dark chrome tailpipes, high-gloss 'shadowline' exterior trim and 19-inch black gloss alloys.

Inside there is Novillo leather with contrasting stitching on the seats and door panels and the legend 'One of 500' - laser cut into the left-hand side of the inlay on the dashboard. All in all it is, says BMW, £4,000 of extras for a £1,000 increase in price, putting the coupe at £55,690, with the convertible available from £59,785.

There are no mechanical changes to the car, but then why mess with the naturally aspirated 420hp V8?

It all sounds rather tasty to us. There's only one fly in an otherwise sweet-smelling ointment: BMW isn't saying it in as many words, but this definitely has the feel of a run-out special. Which means that wonderful N/A V8 surely is not long for this world...

[Blown2CV]

I've been to Santorini and that colour is the colour of all the church domes! It's prob darker in reality but near enough. What's high gloss shadow line when it's at home?

[Cupradan]

They should have given it some more power or stripped some weight out of it.

[Riggers]

Cupradan said:

They should have given it some more power or stripped some weight out of it.

That's what the M3 GTS was!

[kambites]

BMW seem to have been studying at the Lotus School of Special Editions, but I suppose at least it's cheaper than the standard car, like for like.

[Bezerk]

".....six-speed twin-clutch DCT guises.."

It's 7 speed.

[kambites]

Bezerk said:

".....six-speed twin-clutch DCT guises.."

It's 7 speed.

Maybe they forgot to put one of the gears in when hey made a batch of 'boxes and that's why they're doing a special edition, to get rid of them.

[Skater12]

Right, so you get

[Skater12]

Right, so you get £4000 worth of spec, for £1000.
Basically what they are saying is you can have a £3000 discount if you order a car in specs they chose for you.
Not exactly the deal of the century, considering you can go to a BMW dealership, spec up your car and haggle a bit and get a better deal, and could probably get exactly the same car, minus the engraved dash.

[W1 NER]

Blown2CV said:

I've been to Santorini and that colour is the colour of all the church domes! It's prob darker in reality but near enough. What's high gloss shadow line when it's at home?

Basically it's the trim around the side windows. Normally chrome on SE models and high gloss shadow line (Black!) on m-sport models.

[E38Ross]

i'd rather stick to the standard car without a tacky "1 of 500" plaque thanks.

a shame the engine will soon be consigned to the history books. it's an absolute belter, 85% max torque available from under 2k rpm all the way to the redline of well over 8000rpm with a noise to die for.

a crying shame these great NA engines will be going.....

oh - and that silver engine cover looks awful IMO

[JagJag363]

LOVE that colour!

[KennyGT]

It's an M3 whats not to like.

Love that Blue.

[daz4m]

Are they really bring back Imola Red or is that a mistake?

[soad]

JagJag363 said:

LOVE that colour!

[David87]

I quite like it in a 'good if you're already going to buy one way'. Shane it's not available on the best looking model (Saloon), though. I take it that you still have to pay extra for the Competition Package on the Coupé? It's very similar to the Edition that came just before the facelift.

[johnpeat]

New Plate Day still has a lot of meaning here...

It's the day that the next-door neighbours overpampered Citroen becomes 'not a new plate anymore' and I'm looking forward to that if nothing else

p.s. I've just looked out and the fker has put a private plate on it!! Holy st dude, buy a DECENT car and then care about it...

[johnpeat]

Blown2CV said:

I've been to Santorini and that colour is the colour of all the church domes! It's prob darker in reality but near enough. What's high gloss shadow line when it's at home?

When BMWs were still cool it was called 'Dechromed'.

[The Jolly Todger]

I like the blue but I'd like one with wheels fitted.

[Mermaid]

E38Ross said:

i'd rather stick to the standard car without a tacky "1 of 500" plaque thanks.

a shame the engine will soon be consigned to the history books. it's an absolute belter, 85% max torque available from under 2k rpm all the way to the redline of well over 8000rpm with a noise to die for.

a crying shame these great NA engines will be going.....

oh - and that silver engine cover looks awful IMO

For once we agree


except perhaps on the torque

[Devil2575]

E38Ross said:

i'd rather stick to the standard car without a tacky "1 of 500" plaque thanks.

In years to come that plaque will have BMW enthusiasts getting all hot under the collar.