The E46 3 Series Compact was launched in 2001 as effectively a small hatchback version of BMW’s all conquering 3 Series, with the 325ti using the straight 6 engine for the first time in the compact body shell, a lot of engine for such a small car!

As with all BMWs the car was well built and a nice car to drive with an agile chassis, quick steering and plenty of power available, especially from the 2.5 litre version.

Purchased as an ex-demonstrator from the local BMW dealer a few months after first being registered, the car has been garaged and well looked after by its current and only owner for the past 20 years.

Regularly serviced and used fairly sparingly over the years, the car has averaged only 1,000 miles a year for the last 12 years.

The V5c is present and the car comes with 12 months MOT.

The locking wheel nut key, original manuals and spare wheel and tools are all still with the car and it comes with 2 master keys and a valet key.

The well stamped up service book, with mostly BMW Dealer stamps, is also included.

Being the SE (Special Equipment) version the car has lots of extras including a 6 cd auto-changer, climate control, cruise control and leather seats.

There are some signs of use inside the cockpit, a few scuffs on some of the plastic trim and some slight wear on the seats but nothing that couldn’t be addressed by a thorough valet and some leather treatment.

Carpets are all in good condition and other than a few marks to the headlining, that probably just needs a clean, the whole interior is very nice for a 20-year-old car.

The boot is clean, dry and has all the tools, jack and original equipment supplied with the car.

The original Pistachio Green Pearl Metallic paintwork is still in really nice condition, with only a couple of stone chips at the front of the car worthy of mention.

The wheels, which are 17" wearing Bridgestone ZR rubber, are a bit scuffed and scratched from kerbing but nothing that a refurbishment won’t easily sort out and the tyres all have plenty of life left in them.

The vehicle also benefits from Park Distance Control, seen on the rear bumper, making this E46 compact even easier to manoeuvre into the tightest of spaces.

The car was fully serviced and inspected only a few hundred miles ago and the owner reports that everything on the car works as it should and that it drives really well.

Under the bonnet all looks good and represents a well cared for and regularly serviced car with no obvious issues or leaks.

It’s always good to find a one-owner car with a full-service history in such good overall original condition and low mileage.

The car has remained completely standard and had no issues for the past 20 years and the Compact is a relatively rare version of the BMW 3 Series.