• Immaculate interior • Performance M model • Rarer 19” wheels,
The Background
The BMW E46 was the 4th Generation of 3 series produced by BMW with the M3 being the M division upgrade which was first introduced in October 2000. It was available with the 3.2-litre S54 M-tuned engine and buyers could have it in either coupé or convertible body styles.
The M3's S54 engine has a redline of 8,000 rpm. As with most M engines, the S54 has 6 individual throttle bodies, in this case electronically operated (drive-by-wire throttle). The transmission options for the M3 were a 6-speed manual or the 6-speed "SMG-II" automated manual transmission.
The BMW M cars are world renowned for being some of the best handling performance road vehicles money can buy and the M3 is highly regarded by many as best in its class.
The current owner bought this car with it needing some TLC. Mechanically the car has been gone through and a lot of good work has been undertaken to get her ship shape as per the invoices/receipts and descriptions below.
He has enjoyed her for some while and being a BMW enthusiast he would like to sell the car to put some funds towards restoration of another of his Classic BMWs.
There is a decent folders worth of paperwork with this vehicle including the service history (pictured) and any receipts pertaining to works undertaken.
The log book is present and the car is MOT’d until 2022.
It has a good wealth of history with even receipts for tyres etc being kept. The car comes with 4 original keys including the original master key.
The car is in tidy condition on the outside. It has seen paint at various times and due to this the bonnet is pretty much free from stonechips.
The rear arches are starting to show signs of corrosion, this is common with this model. There is also a patch near the drivers side jacking point (which has been welded and is solid) that the paint is starting to bubble on. Aside from these main areas there are a few scratches and stonechips as to be expected for a 20 year old performance car that was built to be driven.
The wheels are the rarer 19 inch version that would normally be diamond cut however the previous owner has had them painted in a dark anthracite with metal flake in it.
Mechanically the car has been well attended too and most recently has had a number of items renewed or replaced.
- April/May 2020 the big end bearings CPV O ring and sump gasket were replaced @125k miles
- May 2020 the drivers side window regulator failed and was replaced
- June 2020 new gear shift bushes and 540 shift lever were fitted
- July 2020 t inlet manifold removed and throttle bodies cleaned
- August 2020 an oil leak found on the cam chain tensioner bolt and fixed @126k miles
- August 2020 Oil, Oil filter, and sump level sensor replaced/changed.
- September 2020 September 2020 front mounting bolt on diff replaced to fix clunk from the diff
- December 2020 Offside sill jacking point welded for MOT, whilst seats were out for welding they were cleaned and sills rust proofed with Dynax-s50
- January 21 Rear offside light stripped and cleaned including connections to correct indicator malfunction
- January 21 fitted new headlight level sensor and ARB droplinks
- January 21 boot release wiring loom fixed , now fully working
- January 21 fitted new door mirrors supplied by Mirror John
- March 21 (@128k miles) diff oil replaced and 4% friction modifier added
- March 21 Gearbox oil replaced @128k miles
- April 21 @128k Miles New Vanos seals, upgraded exhaust side cam chain tensioner, uprated cam sprocket sleeve bolts, oil pump disc machined by Hack engineering with updated hole size, new drive belts and pulleys fitted, new cam cover gasket and valve clearances checked.
There is a folder of other receipts for works, mots etc prior to this most recent refresh with things like a BMW recall for the passenger side airbag having been carried out and documented.
If you are a petrol head of any sort, to be fair even if your not, there's a good chance you would have heard of the BMW M3.
The E46 M3 is the third generation of M3 and with each generation BMW have tweaked it making it ever so slightly better which has resulted in the M3 has being regarded as one of the best that’s ever done it and is loved the world over. Its famed for its poise, its handling and its power delivery making it one of the ultimate driving machines.
This particular example has been maintained to a decent level and just needs some small attention to the bodywork in common areas to make what is already a tidy example, a very very tidy example.
It has a decent history with a stack of paperwork and is currently owned by an enthusiast that knows it inside out which lets face it is the kind of person you want to buy a performance icon like this from.
The prices of E46 M3s are climbing and as the saying goes “they aren’t making any more” so if you’ve always longed for one now’s the time to jump aboard the M train before it's too late.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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2001 BMW E46 M3
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