10 Special and Limited Edition BMW Models

BMW Art Car 19 by John Baldessari overhead ・ Photo by BMW

The long list of special and limited edition BMW models stretches back nearly a century, to when the Bayerische Motoren Werke AG built its first car back in 1928. Coincidentally, that was a rebadged version of an English car called the Austin 7; Austin would go on to sell the famed MINI during its run as an automaker, and the automotive circle of life eventually saw BMW take over the MINI brand in the 1990s. In fact, today’s MINI family continues to be owned by BMW. The Bavarians have now produced so many exclusive editions of their own over the years that we’ve focused only on the most recent — and the most interesting.

2017 BMW “30 Jahre M3” Limited Edition

BMW revolutionized the sportscar segment in 1986 with is potent M3 coupe, which was specifically designed to help its racecars qualify as “production vehicles” for international motorsports series. Thirty years later, that debut was honored with a run of special and limited edition BMW models called the 2017 BMW “30 Jahre M3.” The “30 Jahre” car came out in 2016, to be clear, and its name translates simply as “30 Years.” There’s nothing dull about the vehicle, though, as all 150 units feature a Macao Blue Metallic exterior finish, a two-tone, full Merino-leather cabin, and an extra 19 hp. As a result, owners enjoy 444 ponies, 406 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 time of 3.8 seconds.

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2017 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive

Special and limited edition BMW models made in collaboration with another German performance partner — Alpina — also have a rabid following with enthusiasts. It’s easy to understand why, too, once you’ve seen cars like the 2017 BMW ALPINA B7 xDrive. The B7 builds on the impressive foundation of BMW’s 7-Series flagship sedan, leveraging Alpina’s engineering acumen for significant suspension, transmission, and performance upgrades. Alpina even recalibrated the BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system for the car. The B7 also wears standard Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires to further enhance its handling, while that hi-po rubber is wrapped around 20-inch Alpina wheels. Complementing the car’s look: exclusive Alpina exterior colors, a digital, full-color instrument panel, elliptical twin tailpipes, and a 600-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine.

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2017 BMW Individual M760i xDrive Model V12 Excellence THE NEXT 100 YEARS

Occasionally, special and limited edition BMW models also are produced to honor the company’s non-automotive endeavors. Take the 2017 BMW Individual M760i xDrive Model V12 Excellence THE NEXT 100 YEARS, for instance. It may be awkwardly named, yet it displayed plenty of grace when it premiered last year to recognize BMW’s first airplane engines—which were developed in 1916. A mere 100 were sold worldwide, with all units offering a 610-horsepower V12 engine, an exclusive exterior finish, fine-grain full Merino leather trim, and a wide range of ultra-lux amenities—from massaging seats to heated armrests to an LED-enabled panoramic roof that can create a starry-night effect for occupants. Also standard: a sophisticated “Montblanc for BMW” fountain pen for every owner.

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2015 BMW Individual 6 Series Gran Coupe Bang & Olufsen Edition

Many special and limited edition BMW models can deliver serious bang for your luxury buck, but few do so as literally as this choice. The 2015 BMW Individual 6 Series Gran Coupe Bang & Olufsen Edition has, as you might guess, a standard sound system from the just-mentioned well-known audio experts. The setup can serve up 1,200 watts of power through 16 active speakers, for an incredible listening experience, and included are style touches such as black-aluminum speaker grilles with a brushed finish. Of course, there’s no shortage of BMW technology here, either, since these special-edition 6 Series cars also carry the brand’s Driver Assistance Plus, Competition, Executive, and LED Lighting packages. Quantity-wise, 100 were built, with rear- and all-wheel-drive models released.

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2016 BMW M5 Pure Metal Silver Limited Edition

Although a lot of the special and limited edition BMW models have global production runs, there are country-specific cars in the mix as well. Consider the 2016 BMW M5 Pure Metal Silver Limited Edition. This midsize sport sedan was limited indeed, with 50 examples manufactured solely for the U.S. market. Needless to say, the most noticeable aspect of the car is its Pure Metal Silver finish, which relies on “hundreds of thousands of ultra-thin aluminum flakes” for its striking appearance. BMW also dials up more output for the M5. Starting out more athletic than a typical 5-Series, these M versions are further boosted to 600 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque for their Pure Metal Silver configurations.

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2013 BMW M3 Coupe Frozen Limited Edition

Some of the coolest special and limited edition BMW models are those that showcase the automaker’s “Frozen” exterior finishes. These create a very distinctive matte appearance by relying on silicates within each car’s clear-coat layer. The first Frozen BMWs bowed in 2009, but U.S. customers received a particularly patriotic batch of them in 2013. That’s when the automaker released a total of 150 M3 Frozen Coupes with finishes available in Red, White or Blue. Setting off that stunning look were matte-black 19-inch alloy wheels, black leather in the cockpit, high-gloss black exterior accents, and a carbon-fiber roof panel. Meanwhile, heating things up beneath the Frozen hoods: a 4.0-liter V8 engine capable of unleashing 414 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

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2013 BMW Individual X6 Performance Edition

After all those coupes and sedans, you may be wondering: Are there any special and limited edition BMW models for the brand’s SUVs? Well, products like the 2013 BMW Individual X6 Performance Edition provide the answer. Based on the segment-busting X6 Sports Activity Coupe, this vehicle comes standard with BMW’s M Performance Package and a choice of two xDrive all-wheel-drive powertrains: one with a turbocharged, six-cylinder engine and the other with a twin-turbo V8. Fifty of each were manufactured, with the entire production run also featuring BMW’s Individual Pearl Silver Metallic paint, the M Performance package, 20-inch alloy wheels with a Y-spoke design, and a Black Alcantara and leather cabin detailed by Sakhir Orange contrast stitching.

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BMW Art Car #19 by John Baldessari

Generally speaking, special and limited edition BMW models are based on the brand’s production vehicles. But not the company’s “Art Cars.” First launched in the 1970s, these are full-on racecars that are engineered to compete on the world’s most grueling tracks—they just happen to wear paint schemes designed by internationally renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, David Hockney, and Jeff Koons. The latest, a BMW M6 GTLM, was created by John Baldessari, a giant of the conceptual art scene. And not only does it incorporate Baldessari hallmarks such as found photography, it also found itself with a top-10 class finish at the 2017 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race. Oh, and like any masterpiece, each BMW Art Car is a one-of-a-kind work.

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2016 BMW i3 Shadow Sport

As customer demand for alternative-fuel vehicles has increased, so has the number of special- and limited-edition BMW models from the company’s high-efficiency “i” division. Thus, the 2016 BMW i3 Shadow Sport blends the green benefits of the car’s all-electric drivetrain with special-edition cues including a sport-tuned suspension, a Fluid Black exterior finish, 19-inch alloy wheels, a moonroof, and a cockpit tricked out in dark grey cloth with blue highlights. A total of 50 Shadow Sports were manufactured, each with an 81-mile all-electric driving range and what was at the time the highest EPA efficiency rating in the class: 124 MPGe in combined travel. That said, the i3’s 184 lb-ft of instant torque enables brisk 0-60 times of 7.2 seconds.

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2016 BMW 435i ZHP Coupe Edition

Yes, special and limited edition BMW models often emphasize the brand’s expertise with dramatic exterior finishes. The 2016 BMW 435i ZHP Coupe Edition, however, is an unabashed performance package that recalls a setup with the same initials for the 2003-2006 3-Series. But the new car gets much more power — 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, to be exact —c ourtesy of an M Performance Engine Kit with an exclusive air-intake system and engine tuning. Along with that comes a new-for-2016 Track Handling Package, an M Performance limited-slip differential, and M Performance exhaust and aero upgrades, including a front splitter and rear spoiler made from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The production run here? Only 100 units.

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