Pretoria - With the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class being launched in SA recently, we’re not surprised that BMW has thrown a limited-edition 3 Series at the segment.
Just 500 units will be made of the 3 Series Sedan M Performance Edition, spread across 320i, 320d, 328i, 330d and 335i engine derivatives – and as the name suggests it’s a Rosslyn-factory, sedan-only special.
Spec levels are generous here, with buyers scoring the M Sport Package, 19” M Sport alloys, and M Sport brakes – along with M Performance tweaks in the form of the aerodynamic package, side sills, carbon rear spoiler, carbon wing mirror caps and different front grille.
Exclusive options for this edition include 20” M Performance wheels (R43 900), exhaust system (328i and 335i – R11 755), and special colours (Laguna Seca Blue and Valencia Orange).
But the option you should really look at is the Power Kit (R15 670), which increases power (by between 10kW and 15kW) and torque (by 30Nm) across the 320d, 330d and 335i model ranges.
The M Performance Edition costs fifty grand more than its regular siblings (R65 000 more if you want the special paint colours) – while retrofitting the extras in the M Performance edition to your regular 3 Series would cost R87 000.
Star Motoring