• Clean and smart 325Ti in stunning Grey Green Metallic

• Facelift model with huge spec

• Sold with full 12-month MOT

The first BMW Compact came along on the back of the E36 and was an attempt to bring new, younger customers to the brand who might not be able to afford a larger car, the idea being that a BMW the size and price of a VW Golf would be hard to ignore. 

The original compact was a truncated E36, identical as far back as the B-pillars. So with E36 being replaced by E46 in 1998, it made sense that the compact would follow suit. 

It took until 2001 for the E46 Compact to appear, and this time it was distinguished from the saloon models by its revised front end, with narrow round headlamps and different bumpers. 

On paper, the new E46 Compact was off to a good start. Unlike the regular 3 Series, the compact had sharper steering and many came fitted with sports suspension. This, combined with the reduction in weight thanks to its smaller size, meant that the compact was the nicest 3 Series to drive. 

You could still fit two adults in the back because the roofline wasn't significantly reduced, and the hatchback body style meant practicality was better too. There was even a handy cubby in the parcel shelf to stop your shopping flying about.

In the subtle range-topping 325Ti, it despatched 0-60 mph in just seven seconds thanks to 190bhp and rear-wheel-drive. It was inefficient and a bit of an oddball, but it was a terrific car to drive. 

Today, it’s a very rare one. The vast majority have already been either scrapped, drifted or exported to Eastern Europe, leaving only a handful of good ones left in the UK. This one is a genuine 30,000-mile car with a full service history, in sensational condition and – importantly – with that big 2.5-litre six under the lid.

LJ52 HBL was first registered in September 2002 and has had one former owner in total and had it maintained by a main BMW dealership in Surrey.

The mileage of 30,158 is backed up by that service history along with its MOT record, which is near-flawless. The current test expires on January 12, 2023, and was passed with no advisories at all. 

At some point in its history, the Ti was subject to an insurance claim and was categorised as Class S, signifying minor damage that was considered uneconomical to repair. The damage was – according to the seller - a small amount of gatepost damage to the rear bumper that has since been repaired and is impossible to see.

The Compact is sold with its original dealer paperwork folder containing the owner’s manual and some general BMW dealer network and warranty paperwork. 

The most important bit is the service history, though, which was carried out religiously by Cooper BMW Croydon and is stamped at 7397, 12,759, 15,325, 21,551, 22,824, 24,575 and 30,155, the last one on the 12th of January this year. The car has also had three brake fluid changes at Cooper BMW Croydon.

Finished in Grey Green Metallic, the Compact is in spotless visual condition with no dents, creases or notable scrapes or scratches. 

Look closely and you’ll notice a few a small stone chips on the bonnet that have been treated with touch-up paint and a minor scratch on the rear light unit, but that really is it. 

The glass, door shuts and body mouldings are all excellent, as are the alloy wheels which are free from kerb marks. 

It’s a subtle-looking thing, though, with no exterior options at all – the first owner was obviously not one for excess. Small wheels, no body kit, no spoiler. It all adds to its Q-Car appeal.

This is a low mileage car and it shows – the only minor detraction to the cloth-trimmed cabin being a bit of very minor wear to the driver’s side seat squab.

Otherwise, it looks, feels and smells pretty much as new with minimal wear to the steering wheel, gear lever and carpets. The luggage bay, door cards and roof lining are pretty much flawless and it feels really fresh and tidy inside. 

You’re unlikely to find another Compact in this kind of order, especially not a 325Ti.

Under the bonnet, the 325Ti features the same 2,494 cc straight six as the bigger saloons, developing 190bhp – enough to give astonishing performance, not least thanks to its torquey mid-range power delivery and the Compact’s lightweight and truncated chassis. 

It’s a car that will steal a mark on most hot hatchbacks, yet will do so in a way that barely raises an eyebrow until you open it up. Nobody expects its performance as it looks quite plain, but it will perform and handle far better than most performance cars of its era. 

The vendor reports that it drives brilliantly, with excellent brakes, steering and suspension.

Subtle, yes. And incredibly cool as a result.

Everyone loves a Q Car, and the 325Ti is most certainly that. It’s a terrific car, hugely rewarding to drive and undeniably rapid, yet at the same time totally under the radar. 

It’s also fast approaching its 20th birthday and in such terms that must mean that the E46 Compact is rapidly becoming a modern classic. 

With the tiny mileage and full history that this one has, it’s a rare (if not unique)  opportunity to own one of BMW’s best-kept classic secrets.