Highlights

Garaged for the majority of its life before the current owner
One registered keeper for most of its life before passing through subsequent hands
Service history from the main dealer (2000–2009) and independent garages thereafter
Recent mechanical work including the first-ever gearbox service, timing chain tensioner and rocker cover gasket replacement
MOT valid until August 2027 with no advisories on suspension components

The Appeal

The E46-generation BMW 325i sits in a sweet spot within the 3 Series range. Its 2.5-litre inline six delivers a refined balance of performance and everyday usability, paired here with a five-speed automatic gearbox, all wrapped in a chassis widely regarded as one of the finest-handling saloons of its era. As well-kept, mechanically sound examples become ever scarcer, finding one that has been garaged and diligently maintained is increasingly difficult.

This Topaz Blue example spent the vast majority of its life with a single devoted keeper who garaged it and covered relatively few miles, particularly after 2009 when it was only driven to keep it in good health. It comes with a service history spanning main dealer records from new through to 2009, followed by independent garage servicing. Under the current owner's care since December 2025, the car has benefited from a range of mechanical work and a stage one paint correction carried out earlier this year. The vendor rates the exterior an honest 8 out of 10 and the interior a 9 out of 10. With its unmodified inline six, an MOT valid until August 2027, and a well-documented history, this E46 325i presents a strong opportunity for those seeking a carefully kept example of BMW's beloved straight-six saloon.

Key Information

Mileage: 66,000 miles (supported by service records)
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Roadworthiness inspection status: MOT valid until August 2027
Technical specs: 2.5-litre inline six-cylinder petrol, five-speed automatic
Paperwork: main dealer service history (2000–2009), independent garage service history thereafter, plus invoices for recent work under current ownership

Service history:

05/05/2026 - 59,188 miles - PMW Ltd (£130.80 / Invoice)

Carried out air conditioning system re-gas and pressure hold test

23/04/2026 - 58,852 miles - Torque Monkey Ltd (£396.00 / Invoice TM1102258)

Completed automatic gearbox oil and filter service using gearbox service kit

02/03/2026 - 57,226 miles - Torque Monkey Ltd (£207.38 / Invoice TM1103656)

Replaced rocker cover gasket and fitted new timing chain tensioner

07/01/2026 - 56,219 miles - PMW Ltd (£123.60 / Invoice 1088288)

Completed vehicle health check inspection, cooling system pressure test, and A/C leak check

20/02/2025 - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£48.00 / Invoice 33903)

Call out to flat battery and recharged battery

19/09/2024 - 54,673 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£425.15 / Invoice 32908)

Carried out minor service (engine oil, oil filter, pollen filter)
Completed air conditioning service (recovered refrigerant, vacuum leak tested, refilled R134a) and MOT test

12/02/2024 - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£218.80 / Invoice 31459)

Call out, supplied and fitted new battery

05/10/2023 - 54,020 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£250.92 / Invoice 30652)

Supplied and fitted 2x auxiliary drive belts and nearside front Pirelli Cinturato P7 tyre

20/09/2023 - 54,014 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£381.88 / Invoice 30513)

Carried out full service (engine oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter) and MOT test

10/10/2022 - 53,414 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£177.60 / Invoice 28166)

Supplied and fitted 2x rear Pirelli Cinturato P7 tyres and new rear number plate

26/09/2022 - 53,370 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£306.25 / Invoice 28048)

Carried out minor service (engine oil, oil filter, pollen filter) and MOT test

27/06/2022 - 53,118 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£96.00 / Invoice 27474)

Carried out air conditioning service with UV tracer dye

14/04/2022 - 52,781 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£164.83 / Invoice 27039)

Supplied and fitted new cam rocker cover gasket

22/09/2021 - 52,578 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£660.23 / Invoice 25617)

Carried out full service (engine oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter, spark plugs, fuel additive) and MOT test
Supplied and fitted new front brake discs, front pads, and brake wear sensor wires

30/04/2021 - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£176.00 / Invoice 24745)

Call out, supplied and fitted new battery

15/10/2020 - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£160.10 / Invoice 23524)

Supplied and fitted two new genuine front top grilles

02/09/2020 - 50,795 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£341.05 / Invoice 23182)

Carried out minor service (engine oil, oil filter, pollen filter), brake fluid replacement, and MOT test

16/03/2020 - 49,792 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£42.00 / Invoice 22353)

Checked for coolant/oil leaks and topped up engine oil

19/02/2020 - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£41.54 / Invoice 22183)

Supplied and fitted offside front indicator repeater lamp

18/09/2019 - 48,592 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£401.90 / Invoice 21255)

Carried out full service (engine oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, pollen filter, fuel additive) and MOT test

05/09/2018 - 46,506 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£461.02 / Invoice 18992)

Carried out minor service (engine oil, oil filter, pollen filter), brake fluid renewal, and MOT test
Supplied and fitted new rear brake pad set and warning sensor wires

23/08/2018 - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£24.00 / Invoice 18936)

Repaired nearside front tyre puncture

30/05/2018 - 46,314 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£276.00 / Invoice 18470)

Supplied and fitted wiring loom repair kit and carried out air conditioning service with UV dye

26/10/2017 - 45,657 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£66.00 / Invoice 17304)

Repaired heater wiring and fitted nearside front headlamp bulb

07/09/2017 - 45,443 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£427.15 / Invoice 17053)

Carried out full service (engine oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter, spark plugs, fuel additive), fitted offside front headlight bulb, and MOT test

11/07/2017 - 45,344 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£77.40 / Invoice 16764)

Rectified air conditioning leak and fitted new O-ring seal

09/09/2015 - 42,149 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£278.85 / Invoice 13571)

Carried out minor service (engine oil, oil filter, pollen filter) and MOT test

08/05/2015 - 41,899 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£72.00 / Invoice 12957)

Carried out air conditioning service

28/11/2014 - 41,629 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£62.40 / Invoice 12243)

Cleaned and tightened heater fan electrical connections

16/09/2014 - 41,474 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£270.61 / Invoice 11899)

Carried out minor service (engine oil, oil filter, pollen filter) and MOT test

21/05/2014 - 41,183 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£72.00 / Invoice 11378)

Checked air conditioning system and completed re-gas

26/11/2013 - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£124.71 / Invoice 10651)

Supplied and fitted electronic heater control valve and topped up antifreeze

09/08/2013 - 40,455 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£72.00 / Invoice 10312)

Supplied and fitted heater control resistor/relay

06/06/2013 - 40,353 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£120.00 / Invoice 10141)

Re-gassed air conditioning system, checked operating levels, and inspected tyre pressures

03/09/2012 - 38,837 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£254.41 / Invoice 9280)

Carried out small service (engine oil, oil filter, pollen filter, cleaned air filter) and MOT test

10/05/2012 - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£121.05 / Invoice 6888)

Fitted replacement offside front tyre, valve, and balanced wheel

02/02/2012 - 37,915 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£116.40 / Invoice 8526)

Checked charging system, supplied and fitted new battery

14/09/2011 - 35,756 miles - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£156.00 / Invoice 8050)

Supplied and fitted nearside front electric window regulator

22/08/2011 - Chesterford Engineering Ltd (£34.20 / Invoice 7969)

Supplied and fitted replacement wiper blade kit

26/05/2010 - 34,952 miles - Elms Cambridge BMW

Carried out oil service, microfilter renewal, and brake fluid change

08/08/2007 - 29,495 miles - Elms Cambridge BMW

Carried out Inspection I service and microfilter renewal

16/05/2006 - 25,963 miles - Elms Cambridge BMW

Carried out oil service and microfilter renewal

07/12/2004 - 21,618 miles - Elms Cambridge BMW

Carried out brake fluid service

07/10/2002 - 11,433 miles - Scotthall Cambridge BMW

Carried out oil service, microfilter renewal, and brake fluid change

25/09/2000 - Sorensons Motors Ltd BMW

Carried out pre-delivery inspection

The Detail

Gearbox serviced for the first time in the car's life; the vendor says it now shifts seamlessly
Rocker cover gasket and timing chain tensioner replaced under current ownership with supporting paperwork
Brake fluid changed, oil change carried out, and one front anti-roll bar link replaced
Cooling system confirmed in very good condition by BMW specialists during inspection
The vendor reports no leaks and no mechanical problems
MOT obtained in August 2026 with no advisories on suspension components
Stage one paint correction carried out in January 2026; the vendor says the Topaz Blue paintwork looks well in the sun
Professionally valeted and cleaned inside and out under current ownership
Air conditioning re-gassed and reported fully functional; heating also working
Original wheels replaced with aftermarket 17-inch JR23 alloys; brand new Kumho PS72 tyres fitted at the beginning of 2026
Some minor surface rust bubbling on the offside rear arch and near the side skirt; a body shop confirmed this is surface only and easily addressed
The vendor notes a small amount of surface corrosion on the bottom of the boot, described as not noticeable
Minor scuffs and scratches on the bodywork; no dents or dings reported
The vendor describes the grey cloth interior as a 9 out of 10, with some marks behind the driver's side seat
Aftermarket head unit fitted with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; original radio retained and included with the car
Original BMW first aid kit and tool kit both present
Cup holders fitted
The vendor describes the underside as a very good example for its age

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