Highlights
- Rare survivor of these nimble, agile hatchbacks
- Highly original and unmodified car
- Well presented and very usable modern classic
- MOT to April 2026
- UPDATED MILEAGE: Only 70,000 from new.
The Appeal
The 3-Series Compact was BMW’s bid for the ‘hot hatchback’ market. It was a late arrival, but in typical style, a great one. Taking the E36 and then E46 as its basis delivered a car that was arguably more nimble and agile than its highly rated saloon and coupe siblings.
This second-generation E46-based Compact is a 316Ti but has the later 1.8l N42 116 bhp engine fitted to these cars. The vendor tells us it had one elderly gentleman keeper from new who gave it to the previous seller as he could no longer drive.
Smartly finished in light green, it will please purists because it is entirely factory standard. The originality extends to the original Williams BMW dealer plates and stickers. With only 69,000 miles from new, it is in very good condition for its year and likely one of the best of the handful of UK survivors.
With MOT to April 2026, this is a practical, engaging and very usable way to get your classic fix.
The vendor says:
“This BMW 316ti E46 Se Compact is a fantastic drive, completely unmodified, totally pure and original. 1 of only 13 2002 BMW 316ti E46 Compacts still registered on the UK roads as of Q4 2024, total number of BMW 316ti Compacts only total 29 as of Q4 2024. It's in a rare colour that is not commonly found anymore - there are probably only a handful of these green 316ti still on the roads, including this one.
“It's honestly amazing to drive, the gear shifts are better than most modern cars, it's a car you could endlessly cruise in or just enjoy spending the day cleaning - it's truly original in every way, a purest's dream!”
History and Paperwork
- First registered on January 31, 2002 at Williams BMW in Liverpool
- 3 former registered keepers according to DVLA
- Vendor states car was bought new by the previous keeper, an elderly gentleman
- Discrepancy may be due to DVLA record keeping and V5C changes
- Service history available up to 2013 from Williams BMW dealer
- All original documents included
- Comes with 2 original keys with original key identifier sticker
- Second key needs battery replacing
- MOT to 16th April 2026 with minor advisories
Original features advised by seller as detailed below:
- Factory manuals
- Williams BMW stamp
- Original breakdown warning triangle in boot
- Various tool kits
- Electric wheel inflator machine
- Original key identifier stickers in the 'Service Kontakt' booklet
- Original registration certificate
- Cash Sale Invoice for original purchase
- Handover checklist
- Two keys
- New keeper's slip
Factory SE specification:
- Park Distance Control (parking sensors working)
- Automatic air conditioning
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Sports leather steering wheel
- Alloy wheels
- Sports suspension settings
- Rare electric rear vent windows
BMW Datacard:
- Prod. Date 2002-01-07
- Type 316TI
- Series E46 (3 Series)
- Body Type Compact
- Engine N42
- Drive rwd
- Colour türkis-grau metallic
- Upholstery Cloth "International"/anthracite
- S785 White direction indicator lights
- S428 Warning triangle and first aid kit
- S431 Interior mirror with automatic-dip
- S441 Smoker package
- S473 Armrest front
- S493 Storage compartment package
- S495 3-point belt & head restr'nt,rear middle
- S661 Radio BMW Business (C43)
- S692 Preparation, BMW 6-CD changer I-bus
- S508 Park Distance Control (PDC)
- S520 Fog lights
- S534 Automatic air conditioning
- S550 On-board computer
- S226 Sports suspension settings
- S249 Multifunction f steering wheel
- S255 Sports leather steering wheel
- S262 ITS - Head airbag
- S279 BMW light-alloy wheel star spokes 45
- S302 Alarm system
- S315 Rear window wiper
- S362 Vent window, electric, rear
- S812 Great Britain/Ireland version
- S832 Battery in luggage compartment
- S850 Dummy-SALAPA
- S853 Language version, English
- S863 Dealer List Europe
- S877 Omission of non-combined operation
- S880 On-board literature, English
The Condition
- Very original car that presents in very good condition considering age
- Light green metallic paintwork in good order with light marks to note in photos
- Scuffs to paint including rear nearside sill as shown
- Light marks to wing mirror trims and some stone chips to front of car
- Bodywork presents well with arches, sills and underside in good order
- No structural advisories on current MOT
- Lights present well with front offside indicator showing misting in photos
- Factory 16in seven-spoke alloy wheels have some scuffs and marks as shown
- Tyres have advisories to note on current MOT
- Original and generally well-kept interior with SE specification as detailed above
- Black fabric ‘anthracite’ coloured seats in good condition with light wear to driver’s bolster
- Cabin trim including console fittings show some wear in photos
- There is also wear to both door card grab handles
- All electrics working according to seller including rare rear electric windows
- Features parking sensors, automatic air conditioning, multifunction steering wheel
The Mechanics
- 1,796cc N42 4cyl 116bhp engine
- 5-speed manual transmission
- Mechanically sound and starts reliably according to the seller
- We are told the brakes are in good working order
- Vendor reports that gears shifts smoothly and precisely
- Maintained by supplying dealer Williams BMW to 2013
- We understand that the car was last serviced by main dealer in 2013 but serviced this year independently
- Photographs indicate that the airbag warning light is illuminated
- Described by seller as running and driving with no issues
- Advisories to note on current MOT
- Drivers door only unlocks with key manually
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