- BMW is building 30 limited-edition Frozen Gray M3 coupes for the U.S. market.
- The car gets a special paint scheme and the M3 Competition package as well as other goodies.
- The first cars will be delivered in June, priced at $78,900.
- The purchase price also includes track time at the BMW Performance Driving School.
WOODCLIFF LAKE, New Jersey — BMW is building a limited run of 30 2011 Frozen Gray M3 coupes for the U.S. market, priced at $78,900. The sticker includes shipping and a $1,300 gas-guzzler tax.
The limited-edition model marks the 25th anniversary of the M3, which was born in Germany in 1986 and first reached U.S. shores in 1988. The current, fourth-generation series was launched in model-year 2008.
The 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupe features unique matte gray paint with deep metallic luster, as well as a unique Fox Red-and-black two-tone leather interior.
BMW said it will begin taking customer orders by phone (800-245-4269) at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time on Monday, June 21. The first cars will be delivered in late June, and the production run will end in late July.
In addition to the special paint scheme and custom interior upholstery, the Frozen Gray M3 Coupe is fitted with the M3 Competition package, which includes wider-offset 19-inch alloy wheels, a lowered suspension and sport mapping for the electronic damping control and electronic stability control. The car also gets the Premium and Technology packages as standard.
The powertrain mates BMW's 414-horsepower 4.0-liter M V8 with the M double-clutch transmission (M DCT), which lowers 0-60-mph acceleration by 0.2 second, to 4.5 seconds, from the standard six-speed manual gearbox.
The purchase price includes one day of track time at the BMW Performance Driving School in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
The list price of a standard 2011 M3 Coupe, including shipping and guzzler tax, is $60,575.
Inside Line says: Sounds like a bizarre new flavor of Mr. Misty. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
geebee says:
04:14 PM, 06/30/2010
Yawn. The 30 "Lucky" owners will find that their M3 depreciates $29K as soon as they drive it off the lot after deivery.
quatlen says $65K is alright for the latest M3. Only if you like loosing money. Drive out at $65K delivered and need to trade for any reason the first year and you'll get offered $47K.
Buy pre-owned...
billymay says:
03:50 PM, 06/19/2010
So, for $79K you get an ugly M3 that look like the other 12 BMW 3 series sitting around you at every stoplight.
This could be the best investment since the purple Indy Pace Car C5 Corvette...
bimmerjay says:
09:18 PM, 06/17/2010
It's not a $20K markup guys... a comparably equipped regular M3 coupe is about $75-76K, so the price premium is maybe $2-3K. This car comes very heavily optioned.
quatlen says:
08:40 PM, 06/17/2010
I would pay 65 grand for a BMW M3 never would I pay 78 grand but I'm sure all 30 will find a home with a Bimmer lover.
charlesb says:
08:20 PM, 06/17/2010
The Bimmerphiles are lining up for these right now, I'm guessing.
gmhl10 says:
07:30 PM, 06/17/2010
Seems like this competition package is a downgrade from the competition package offered for the E46 M3. Where are the upgraded brakes? Not even a tighter steering ratio?
dhamilton says:
07:04 PM, 06/17/2010
Lipstick on a pig is still...well..... lipstick on a pig
r5080 says:
05:59 PM, 06/17/2010
Disappointing. However, I have no doubt that BMW will have no issue whatsoever selling all 30 of them.
thedream21479 says:
05:33 PM, 06/17/2010
Besides the fact that this is over priced by a ton, E46 M3 > E9X anyway.
Yes I own an E46 M3, and yes I can afford an E9X....just don't love the new one like I do my E46.
jeremy_c says:
02:47 PM, 06/17/2010
Some people are so gullible. $18K or 30% higher price for a "limited edition" label. BMW's cost of throwing in the a set of stiff springs, sat nav etc is probably $5K or less. Not a bad return for them. Their marketing people must be sleeping with their accountants.