bmw m brings back classic colors for 2026 m3 Fans of E36- and E46-generation M3s will instantly recognize the paint colors BMW just released for the 2026 M3 lineup. Key Points The 2026 BMW M3 revives classic paint options from the E36 and E46 generations, including Dakar Yellow II, Technoviolet Metallic, Laguna Seca Blue, and Imola Red II. These historic hues are part of the BMW Individual program, costing $4,500 each and adding a 10–14 week delay to production. Not every color is available across all trims-Laguna Seca Blue, for example, is excluded from the M3 Competition-making color choice a key consideration for buyers. bmw m brings back classic colors for 2026 m3 The paints will be available through the BMW Individual program-but buyers should be prepared for a heavier price tag and a longer wait time. BMW just launched a new configurator that allows you to check out all the different permutations. Some of the greatest colors in BMW M history are available-standouts include Dakar Yellow II and Techno Violet Metallic, both highly sought after shades from the E36 generation M3. Along with Laguna Seca Blue and Imola Red II, which were both originally offered on the E46 M3. New Lamborghini Temerario GT3 is Ready to Race bmw m brings back classic colors for 2026 m3 The 2026 BMW M3 with a manual transmission offers access to the best selection of colors, including Techno Violet Metallic, Dakar Yellow, Oxford Green Metallic, Laguna Seca Blue, and Imola Red. In proper BMW fashion, not every color is available across the entire M3 lineup. For instance, Laguna Seca Blue and Techno Violet can't be ordered on the range-topping M3 Competition, but Avus Blue and Daytona Violet Metallic are close substitutes. Other changes see Cinnabar replacing Imola Red, and Goodwood Green Pearl Effect Metallic in place of Oxford Green. Dakar Yellow II is the only paint available across the board. bmw m brings back classic colors for 2026 m3 Because the classic colors aren't part of BMW's standard palette, each one falls under the automaker's Individual program and adds $4,500 to the bottom line. There's also a production delay-choosing one of these shades will extend build time by 10 to 14 weeks. For enthusiasts willing to wait for special paint, the payoff could be one of the rarer M3s ever built-maybe even rarer than the classic E36 and E46 cars they're emulating. This isn't the first time BMW has tapped into its back catalog for special paint options. In 2022, the automaker reintroduced several historic colors, including Dakar Yellow and Daytona Violet, as part of its M division's 50th-anniversary celebration. These 10 SUVs Are Surprisingly Good at Towing