Highlights
- Only two registered keepers from new
- Freshly serviced and MoTed
- Astonishing condition – one of the best you will ever see
The Appeal
When it comes to high build quality, excellent engineering and quiet luxury, BMW might very well be the first manufacturer that springs to mind.
When the 3 Series line of compact executive cars was launched in 1975, people who wanted a well-made luxury car but didn’t necessarily require a large one received the answer to their prayers.
Large enough to transport a family in comfort but small enough to be economical and well-suited to urban driving, the formula was so successful that the 3 Series remains in production to this day, somewhat evolved but still a best-seller.
When the 3 Series line of compact executive cars was launched in 1975, people who wanted a well-made luxury car but didn’t necessarily require a large one received the answer to their prayers.
Large enough to transport a family in comfort but small enough to be economical and well-suited to urban driving, the formula was so successful that the 3 Series remains in production to this day, somewhat evolved but still a best-seller.
The E46 (fourth generation), marketed between 1998 and 2004, was no exception to the rule.
Understatedly good-looking, it was offered with all kinds of engines to suit all needs, including a 190bhp 2.8-litre straight-six as on the 328i, as well as a range of manual and automatic gearboxes.
There were all kinds of bodies, too, including the sporty and stylish Ci coupé. It’s no surprise that it was a success all around the world, with CKD versions assembled and sold in Egypt, Mexico, Russia, China and elsewhere in Asia.
Understatedly good-looking, it was offered with all kinds of engines to suit all needs, including a 190bhp 2.8-litre straight-six as on the 328i, as well as a range of manual and automatic gearboxes.
There were all kinds of bodies, too, including the sporty and stylish Ci coupé. It’s no surprise that it was a success all around the world, with CKD versions assembled and sold in Egypt, Mexico, Russia, China and elsewhere in Asia.
To many enthusiasts, the E46 was the best 3 Series ever made, and this must be one of the best survivors.
For one thing, it’s a 328Ci with the 2.8 six or, in other words, the best-looking body paired with the top-of-the-range engine from the first years of production, but the rest of its appeal lies in its condition.
The paint is almost flawless, the interior is virtually like-new and it’s been given a clean bill of health mechanically.
With only two keepers from new, it’ll be a long time before you find another one like it.
For one thing, it’s a 328Ci with the 2.8 six or, in other words, the best-looking body paired with the top-of-the-range engine from the first years of production, but the rest of its appeal lies in its condition.
The paint is almost flawless, the interior is virtually like-new and it’s been given a clean bill of health mechanically.
With only two keepers from new, it’ll be a long time before you find another one like it.
The History and Paperwork
- Supplied new through Stephen James BMW, this car has resided in the Croydon area for its whole life
- Originally used as an Avis fleet car
- Sold into private ownership in 2011 to a gentleman in Upper Norwood
- Used sparingly by him with only 10,000 miles covered in the past 10 years
- Paperwork includes the current V5, current MoT certificate, original BMW owner’s wallet containing the manual, service book and other booklets, and a service invoice and RAC checklist dating from March 2022
The Interior
- Excellent biscuit-coloured half-cloth, half-leather upholstery
- Beautiful walnut trim
- Complete with toolkit, spare wheel and jack
We’d expect a BMW E46 to come with a nice-quality leather interior, but probably only a plain one.
The interior of this car quite exceeds our expectations.
Not only is it a very nice biscuit colour which compliments well the dark blue paint, but the leather is paired with a very nice, strong fabric decorated with a criss-cross diamond weave, a most attractive pattern which one doesn’t encounter often, and which makes this car just a little bit nicer than most.
The interior of this car quite exceeds our expectations.
Not only is it a very nice biscuit colour which compliments well the dark blue paint, but the leather is paired with a very nice, strong fabric decorated with a criss-cross diamond weave, a most attractive pattern which one doesn’t encounter often, and which makes this car just a little bit nicer than most.
That’s all very well, but it has to be in good condition, doesn’t it? Well, this is a bit better than ‘good’. ‘Like new’ would be a more appropriate description. It really is exceptional.
There is just some extremely light superficial wear on the driver’s seat, but aside from that there’s nothing to give away the fact that this is a 23-year-old car.
There is just some extremely light superficial wear on the driver’s seat, but aside from that there’s nothing to give away the fact that this is a 23-year-old car.
Both the doors, the dash and the centre console are exemplary, and the carpets and headlining have been kept beautifully clean.
We feel that whoever specified this car when new was a person of impeccable taste because, as well as the patterned cloth of which we are so fond, there is a generous application of very rich burr wood, lighter in colour than one typically sees but exceptionally handsome and well-suited to the rest of the car.
Unfortunately, we did notice some crazing on the wood sections of the door pulls and a few very light scratches on some of the plastics, but we couldn’t find fault anywhere else.
We feel that whoever specified this car when new was a person of impeccable taste because, as well as the patterned cloth of which we are so fond, there is a generous application of very rich burr wood, lighter in colour than one typically sees but exceptionally handsome and well-suited to the rest of the car.
Unfortunately, we did notice some crazing on the wood sections of the door pulls and a few very light scratches on some of the plastics, but we couldn’t find fault anywhere else.
As you’d expect, the interior does not scrimp on luxuries, and you can enjoy the comfort of power windows, power seats, air-conditioning and the BMW Business radio-cassette player.
We were pleased to note that it retains its Avis carpets, which are an interesting nod to its history and, if preserved well, should add to the BMW’s value in the future.
The boot is also presented in the very best condition, with the spare wheel, jack and toolkit all present.
Unfortunately, the toolkit isn’t wholly complete, but most of the items are there.
Unfortunately, the toolkit isn’t wholly complete, but most of the items are there.
The Exterior
- Exceptional paintwork almost entirely unblemished
- Alloy wheels some of the best we have seen
- All glass and trim in superb condition
Finished in that most alluring Orient Blue, the colour of Arabian nights lit up with metallic stars, it’s difficult to look at this BMW without feeling the urge to walk towards it, touch it, and then drive it home and gaze at it admiringly on your driveway.
But, you may be thinking, is it really as good as it looks? Don’t be silly – of course it is.
But, you may be thinking, is it really as good as it looks? Don’t be silly – of course it is.
We’re struggling to find a suitable superlative with which to describe the paint – that’s how good it is. It has been so well cared-for over the course of its life that it is almost impossible to fault.
Okay, there are some of the smallest marks at the ends of the door mirrors and on a corner of the front bumper, but the marks on the bumper are almost invisible. If we hadn’t mentioned them, we’re sure you’d never have noticed. In fact, you may not even be able to find them.
Okay, there are some of the smallest marks at the ends of the door mirrors and on a corner of the front bumper, but the marks on the bumper are almost invisible. If we hadn’t mentioned them, we’re sure you’d never have noticed. In fact, you may not even be able to find them.
Equally, you’ll have a hard time trying to find fault with the alloy wheels. If there are any marks on them, they are so minute that, again, they’ll most likely go unnoticed by everyone. If you were especially particular you could have them detailed, but there really is no need.
There’s not an awful lot in the way of trim to comment on but what there is doesn’t really require any description other than to say it’s fantastic.
The grille, badges, chrome, lights and so on are all first-class.
The grille, badges, chrome, lights and so on are all first-class.
The Mechanics
- 2.8-litre straight-six – the top-of-the-line E46 engine in the first years of production
- Always serviced regularly
- MoTed in March 2022 with no advisories
As you might expect, the E46’s top-of-the-line straight-six model was no sluggard, with a top speed of around 145mph – not bad at all for a compact four/five-seater.
A 328i in good health promises to be a blast to run around in, and this one most certainly is in good health. The engine starts on the button and sounds suitably quiet, but is very eager to get going.
The brakes are firm and effective and the power-steering is ever so light. Better still, it’s got the five-speed manual which, in a car of the E46’s size, is much more fun than automatic.
A 328i in good health promises to be a blast to run around in, and this one most certainly is in good health. The engine starts on the button and sounds suitably quiet, but is very eager to get going.
The brakes are firm and effective and the power-steering is ever so light. Better still, it’s got the five-speed manual which, in a car of the E46’s size, is much more fun than automatic.
You don’t need to just take our word for it. It passed its MoT in March 2022 with no advisories, so you can feel confident it’s safe and roadworthy.
At the same time, it was the subject of an RAC preparation checklist and everything on the car satisfied the RAC’s high standards.
At the same time, it was the subject of an RAC preparation checklist and everything on the car satisfied the RAC’s high standards.
Summary
Some people say the E46 was the best 3 Series and, naturally, the best E46 was the one with the biggest engine and most attractive body which, in the first two years of production, was the 328Ci.
Of those which survive, this could be the best again. Certainly, it is the best one currently on the market and we doubt you’ll see better for a long time to come.
Of those which survive, this could be the best again. Certainly, it is the best one currently on the market and we doubt you’ll see better for a long time to come.
The combination of Orient Blue paint and the patterned biscuit cloth interior with rich burr wood highlights makes it one of the most attractive and tastefully finished cars we have encountered.
The paintwork is as close to factory-fresh as you are likely to find with a 23-year-old car and it’s been given a clean bill of health mechanically.
These cars are appreciating now, so place your bids on this one while you can.
The paintwork is as close to factory-fresh as you are likely to find with a 23-year-old car and it’s been given a clean bill of health mechanically.
These cars are appreciating now, so place your bids on this one while you can.
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