BMW M3 30 Years Edition:: pricing and details for small-batch birthday special

BMW Australia notes that this is the same number of vehicles allocated to the UK market, out of a total worldwide number of 500 units. With a population deficit of around 40 million and nearly identical pricing, Australian buyers are getting a relatively sharp deal.

Revealed in May, the new birthday special is properly known as the 30 Jahre M3, which, of course, means '30 years' in the original Deutsch. (No, it's not pronounced "jarra". Try "yah-reh".) 

Based on the $144,900 M3 Competition pack that touched down in Australia this week, the M3 30 Years demands a $9715 premium for a before-on-roads price of $154,615 - the same money you'd pay for the M4 Competition pack if two-door designs are your thing.

Power is provided by the same uprated 331kW/550Nm (a 14kW boost) 3.0-litre turbocharged six that drives the Competition, and the 30 Years Edition also shares much of its handling and styling tweaks.

Unique to the M3 30 Years is the Macao Blue finish that was available with the original E30 M3, along with leather Merino Bi-Colour trim in the cabin and Black/Silverstone '30 Jahre M3' embroidery on the front headrests.

As with all M3 versions, the car is available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed M-DCT transmission for the same price.

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