Limited BMW E92 M3 Carbon Edition Debuts in China

[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Limited BMW E92 M3 Carbon Edition Debuts in China

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BMW held its BMW M Legendary Experience event in China last week, where they introduced another special M3 model for the Chinese market -- the limited production BMW M3 Carbon Edition coupe. The M3 Carbon Edition is limited to just 111 units, at a cost of 1.23 million yuan (approximately $189,000 USD), and goes on sale in July. It joins the M3 Matte Edition and M3 Tiger Edition as Chinese-market only M3 editions.

The M3 Carbon Edition features, you guessed it, a focus on carbon fiber. All 111 units features carbon fiber roofs, BMW Performance front lip splitters, trunk spoiler, and hood inlet surrounds. The paint is white pearl metallic (presumably "mineral white") and features black side striping which runs the length of the car, as well a Carbon Edition logo on the doors and door sills. Gloss black 19" Style 220 M3 wheels finish off the exterior's look.

The interior features genuine carbon fiber dashboard trim, each embossed with a "Carbon Edition One of 111" logo. Lots of color contrast is provided in the interior by use of white leather for the arm rests on the doors and center console, as well as a white stripe and white stitching for the seats. The headrests also feature a carbon fiber patterned material.

This is a cosmetic-only special edition M3 however, as there are no performance upgrades (unless you count the carbon fiber) to go along the cosmetic enhancements. Powering the M3 Carbon Edition is the standard 4.0L V8, matched to the DCT transmission.

Photos via Autohome.com.cn and Autogespot

[bunnn]

At least these "limited editions" aren't much more expensive than your regular E92 M3 there. I do enjoy these interiors for the most part, minus the weird headrest.

[greycrx87]

I'm sick of hearing that special editions are available everywhere else but not US.

[DiavelM3]

IMO, this doesn't seem worth it. If this car used carbon fiber extensively through the car (even the wheels) saving 600-700 lbs (or more), then, I can see the justification.

[tha_good_life]

Wow, baller status.

[Seattle S65B40]

Quick profit margin increase for BMW right there... I don't think that's worth it. I don't know how much "regular" M3s are over there, but that seems like a lot more for just a few CF additions. Kudos to BMW for exploring special edition M3 models though. Keep em comin!

[CJ421]

Meh, the badging looks pretty tacky if you ask me (esp. the font).

Is it just me, or is there not a whole lot "special" about this car other than a few bits of cosmetic CF? Looks great, but making a whole edition out of it seems extraneous.

[jrlee53]

I dunno, this ones very tacky. Especially those outside stickers, what's all that about? Looks like someone took the Knight Rider font, hit backspace a few times and wrote Carbon Edition. Judging from the "M gladiator" commercial they did, this is probably the white ranger's car.

When I went to Shanghai, I've learned that people view BMW's there as a pretty cheaply built car. Not a whole lot of people respect it cause people who buy them are mostly farmers who came into money all of a sudden. Partly is because most of the BMW's they get (apart from the M's) are built there and they do look pretty cheap compared to our German imported ones. Even the paint looks really cheap, like 80's ford cheap. No surprise this came out the way it did.

[isugoo]

Looks like not much special about this M3.
I think BMW went too far to make money from China.

[bunnn]

Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40

Quick profit margin increase for BMW right there... I don't think that's worth it. I don't know how much "regular" M3s are over there, but that seems like a lot more for just a few CF additions. Kudos to BMW for exploring special edition M3 models though. Keep em comin!

2 of my friends just picked up an M3 in HK/China, respectively. They were 1.2million and change. This is not that much more expensive compared to their regular pricing. Not to mention, in Asia, colour and options are very limited.

[KGB7]

You get 5lb of carbon fiber for $100,000... awesome.

[BGM]

i'm not sure i like all these special editions, they kinda devalue the whole M3 brand :/

Originally Posted by bunnn

2 of my friends just picked up an M3 in HK/China, respectively. They were 1.2million and change. This is not that much more expensive compared to their regular pricing. Not to mention, in Asia, colour and options are very limited.

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?! :O

[Tallest]

new 3 series is revealed in October, so obviously the massive amounts of EDITIONS is being thrown at the market now.

[njw]

I love the seats (white accents and stitching). IMO, this is how all M3's should have come to justify the premium price and be a little more exclusive over other 3-series. Otherwise, this edition is not so "special".

[jeff@autocouture]

blah

[7speedM3]

Originally Posted by bunnn

At least these "limited editions" aren't much more expensive than your regular E92 M3 there. I do enjoy these interiors for the most part, minus the weird headrest.

Agreed, interior looks great besides the headrest.

[tlp]

Seems like a step backwards not to offer GTS wheels with this edition.

[James T. Kirk]

The Chinese market are suckers for this kind of thing.

This feeds right into their desire for outward status without any real regard to how hollow this "special edition" really is.

BMW could have just put the stickers on the car and sold it for the same premium.

Bravo to BMW for financing everyone's bonuses at the M-Division with this little idea.

[mkoesel]

I wonder if some of this will find its way to the US in the form of the special edition M3 long rumored for release here later this year?

I could see the interior being worthy of US consumption and maybe the CF exterior BMW Performance parts too. The paintwork, however, is right out.

[Nelrock]

Originally Posted by greycrx87

I'm sick of hearing that special editions are available everywhere else but not US.

Amen!

Why no love from BMW for the U.S.? We darn sure buy plenty of their cars.
Yet our "limited edition"...wasn't even limited. At least color wise.

[James T. Kirk]

Those white arm rests would have me paranoid about staining.

Perhaps BMW could create some "Performance Elbow Pads"
with ///M badges embroidered on it. LOL!

[KGB7]

Originally Posted by Nelrock

Amen!

Why no love from BMW for the U.S.? We darn sure buy plenty of their cars.
Yet our "limited edition"...wasn't even limited. At least color wise.

Would anyone in US buy this M3 for $190k when we already have so many M3's at a lowest price of any country? So why do we need this POS to tarnish our roads filled with much nicer M3's?