Despite recent protestations to the contrary, the end is inevitably close at hand for manual gearboxes in BMWs. The presence of a clutch pedal in the current M3 and M4 already seems like something of a misnomer (not least because you can’t buy one here) and while demand is said to be punchy enough for it to continue for the moment - and even expand to the Z4 M40i later this year - almost everything it does has a sense of finality about it.
Case in point, the M3 MT Final Edition just launched in Japan. Limited to just 150 units for the JDM exclusively, the press release is emphatic enough: this will be the last M3 equipped with a manual transmission sold in the country. Which, again, has precious little to do with demand - BMW makes it clear that if ‘orders exceeds the limited number, the winner will be determined by a strict lottery by the end of May this year.’ Given the JDM’s preference for novelty and long-running nameplates (incredibly the 2025MY Nissan GT-R has just been revealed there today, too) that prospect seems likely.
Especially as the Final Edition, which is based, we think, on a rear-drive Competition spec, looks the part with standard fit matte gold 827 M style wheels. Beyond the presence of three pedals, the limited edition model is also said to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the M3’s first victory as a German touring car. Three colours are available: Alpine White, Black Sapphire and Brooklyn Grey - each capped at 50 units. Prices start at 14,200,000 yen or around £75,000.
Interestingly, the release suggests that a manual M3 was not previously available in the Japanese lineup, which obviously makes it an even more enticing proposition for the nation’s M car fanatics. Of course, the fact that BMW actually builds a right-hand-drive M3 probably isn’t going to lead to a last-gasp introduction of anything like the Final Edition in the UK (despite the imminent arrival of the Z4, that ship appears to have sailed) but given the well-established conduit of imported JDM cars, don’t be surprised if one or two examples eventually turn up on these shores. Especially given the premium that could be judiciously applied straight off the boat. We’d take ours in Black Sapphire.
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