Thursday 1st March 2012

BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 revealed

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

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'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?

[Blown2CV]

Gizmo! said:

The_Gza said:

Mmmm Santorini Blue is a lovely colour - saw one in my local dealer recently.

What's the difference between that and Estoril (which I don't think they use any more)?

about 3000 miles drum tish