Enthusiasts will debate for decades to come which M3 was the best. Any of you that know me will be aware that my roots date back to the revered E30 M3. I grew up with them and love homologation specials with competition pedigree. That said, one would argue that the E46 M3 will go down in the history books as the most all round, multi-tasking M3 of all time. Utter day to day usability blended with track day ability when required.

Another debate that continues is which E46 M3 to own. Well, they are all great and all do slightly different things. The big discussion is still M3 CS versus M3 CSL and that really depends on personal circumstances. We all aspire to own what is believed to be the ultimate incarnation. The M3 CSL. That would be great if we all had the ability to own multiple cars for multiple tasks but not all of us do.

The E46 M3 that really gave the most all-round package, the car for all occasions was the M3 CS. The CS insignia was borrowed from previous models and stands for Coupe Sports and applied to the cars built with Competition Package. A slightly more useable alternative to the M3 CSL. The Competition Package was only applied to 275 right hand drive cars with Interlagos Blue offered as the preferred option with brushed alloy interior trim and Alcantara steering wheel. Mechanically the CS benefitted from the CSL larger brakes, the CSL quicker steering rack, 19” staggered Motorsport wheels and M Track Mode. The CS was the M3 that wore a Savile Row suit during the week with the ability to pound the race circuits of Europe at the weekends.

At the heart of the M3 is the now legendary, award winning S54 engine. An in-line 6-cylinder, 24 valve, 3, 246 CC, twin cam with double Vanos and managed by Siemens sophisticated engine management, which made it possible to achieve 343 bhp, 365 Nm of torque whilst returning over 30 mpg if cruising. This clever power plant is the key to these cars split personality and multi-tasking abilities.

As many of you will be well aware, finding quality cared for examples of any M3 variant is now hard work. A car that was a victim of its own success with most examples now well into 6-figure mileage and suffering from corrosion due to age and having been driven through endless salted road winters as daily drivers. We are always thrilled to be able to offer for sale examples such as this. Low mileage, full-service history and one of the few examples that remained garaged and never fell in to the hands of the hooligan. An M3 CS with the right integrity is a truly hard thing to find.

Originally acquired in 2015, this E46 was cherished by the owner until being persuaded by his local Porsche dealer to sell up and experience a 911. He bit the bullet and ended up selling the CS in 2017, which he Immediately regretted. Missing the pure day to day usability and grunt that the M3 offered, he was back searching the internet for a CS with the same integrity as his. Fast forward to 2019, scrolling on Piston Heads and what lights up his screen? The very car that started his love for E46’s and the rest is history.
Having purchased multiple Porsche’s over the years he has now been presented with an opportunity to secure a slot for a 992 GT3. Constrained by garage space, the M3 is now looking for a new home.

Following our usual detailed inspection, a programme of both age-related preventive maintenance and bodyshell future proofing will be carried out by our workshop team prior to handover.

Carry out PDI
Carry out new MOT
Remove and repair screen pixels on monitor
Rectify very stiff sunroof blind as making sunroof one-touch close not working.
Replace battery cover and fit battery clamp
Replace leaking engine block valve
Carry out wheel refurbish and replace wheel badges
Replace all tyres
Replace poly belts
Replace front and rear brake hoses
Bleed brakes
Replace broken o/ s/ r spring
Replace leaking differential pinion oil seal
Replace wheel bolts
Prepare prime and paint bonnet blending to front wings
Carry out the usual Hero Motor Company future-proofing programme
Road test car

Specifications:

E46 M3 CS
SMG
June 2005
4 Owners
68, 177 Miles
Full-service history
Interlagos Blue
Black leather
Competition Package
Automatic air conditioning
Dynamic Stability Control
Memory seats
M Alcantara steering wheel
Auto dip interior mirror
On-board computer
Anthracite headlining
Heated front seats
Front armrest
Headlight cleaning
Park distance control
Rain sensor
Xenon lights
TV
CD Changer
Navigation system
Harmon Kardon Hi Fi
Electric Sunroof
Front fog lights

The car will be delivered with all the original manuals, handbooks, fully stamped service book and spare keys.