Highlights
- Low mileage of 41,341 miles
- Owned by same elderly keeper for most of its life
- Desirable factory standard 330i with manual box
- Reportedly serviced throughout its life at supplying BMW dealership
- Recent brake overhaul by BMW main dealer in 2026
- Four new all season tyres just fitted
- Current MOT to October 2026 with no advisories
The Appeal
Brilliant as the E46 M3 is, if daily driving is your thing then enthusiasts and reviewers rate the 330i as the best real-world choice from the E46 range. Torquey 230bhp M54 straight six, a manual box and that delicate blend of analogue engagement and technical refinement make these cars amongst the best compact saloons of the last 30 years.
All of that means that most of the remaining survivors have been driven hard. This 2003 Steel Grey saloon is the exception - it is a really low mileage manual gearbox car that remains entirely factory standard. We’re told that it has been owned for most of its life by the same elderly keeper, who always garaged it and entrusted it to the same supplying BMW dealer for maintenance.
The vendor acquired the car in 2025, intending to keep it but circumstances have changed. To that end, he sent it to a BMW dealer in 2026 for a front and rear brake overhaul and fluids top up. The car has also been recently fitted with four new all season tyres. A current MOT to October 2026 with no advisories offers further buyer reassurance.
The car is in good overall condition, with some cosmetic points to note in photos. These could be lived with or improved to builds on this low-mileage 330’s appealing provenance.
The vendor says:
“Apart from the alloys, the car is factory standard. It starts first time and drives magnificently. A very sought after modern (and rare) classic. This is a very analogue car, a true retro feel inside and takes you back to a golden era of BMW production. It has all paperwork, including original purchase receipt from the local BMW dealership and both keys. I'm only selling this as I let my heart rule my head when I bought it. It's just not very practical for my everyday needs.”
Key Information
- Mileage: 41,341 miles indicated
- Country of registration: United Kingdom
- MOT status: valid until 15th October 2026 with no advisories
- Technical specs: 230bhp M534 2,979cc inline-six petrol, five-speed manual
- Paperwork: Original purchase receipt, new-car documentation, service records and both keys included, handbooks, wallet, recent invoices as shown, V5C, 2 keys advised (one shown)
- Please note: Rear tyres on the car are Maxxis Premitra All Season. Front tyres on the car are Michellin Crossclimate 3. Coolant was topped up by local BMW dealership in January 2026.
Recent maintenance advised by seller:
- 01/26 - fluids topped up and health check by BMW main dealer
- 01/26 - brake fluid changed
- 10/25 - 38,728 miles - service
- 02/20 - 36,041 miles - service
- 03/18 - coolant change
- 03/13 - micro filter change
- 03/11 - 22,017 miles - service and brake fluid
- 03/09 - micro filter change
- 03/08 - brake fluid change
- 03/06 - 10,240 miles - service
- 03/05 - brake fluid change
The Detail
- Steel Grey metallic paintwork in fair condition with a few points to note in photos
- These include scuffs to bumper corners and other light marks
- Bodywork in good overall condition for an E46 of this age as shown in photos
- Various dents to note to arches and panels as shown in photos
- Some localised areas of corrosion to note including offside sill at rear edge
- Small rust bubble on the rear driver-side wing
- Underside as shown with no structural advisories on MOT
- New all-season tyres fitted front and rear in 2026
- M-Sport seven spoke split spoke alloys fitted by the previous keeper
- Alloys in fair condition for age with kerbing and some tarnish in photos
- Grey fabric interior with dark wood veneer trim in good condition for age
- Some light wear to note to usual high traffic areas such as wheel and driver’s seat
- Carpets through cabin and boot areas appear largely clean and well kept
- Supplied with tool kit as shown
- Oil service and micro-filter last carried out in October 2025 at 38,728 miles
- BMW vehicle health check January 2026 with no advisory items recorded we are told
- Front brake pads, discs and calipers replaced at a BMW dealership in 2026
- Rear brake pads and discs replaced at a BMW dealership in 2026
- Vendor notes rear calipers acceptable during checks but may need replacing in time
- Brake fluid last changed in January 2026
- Coolant last changed in March 2018
- Serpentine belt replaced by the previous keeper
- Vendor states the interior is in very good, factory-standard condition
- No advisories on MOT
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