The 1997-2004 E46 is the fourth generation of BMW’s genre-defining 3-Series compact executive car.

All variants boasted a bigger, stiffer body shell which kept consequent weight gains to a minimum through increased use of aluminium compared to the E36 that preceded it, whilst a 50:50 weight distribution helped retain BMW’s “Ultimate Driving Machine” credibility.

The two-door coupé and convertible models, badged with a capital ‘C’, were introduced two years later in 1999 and accordingly received the updates from the 2001 saloon’s facelift in 2003.

Whilst many will think immediately of the mighty M3 when considering the two-door models, the merits of the simpler non-M machines mustn’t be dismissed out of hand.

When it comes to the 330Ci, such as this one, we are still talking about a 3.0 straight-six engine, rear-wheel-drive and an ideal chassis balance front-to-rear, in a handsome body shell that isn’t too wide and heavy compared to today’s cars – making a satisfying way for any discerning driver with no need or little regard for rear doors to carve the curves in proud comfort.

This 2004 automatic 330Ci M-Sport is currently on only its third owner and, as the square plates and metric instruments give away, was originally delivered to the Japanese market in June ‘04.

The seller imported it to Britain during the winter of 2021/22, with it finally arriving on 31st January. Since then the car has been MOT’d and as of March is registered for the road over here, but otherwise hasn’t been driven since leaving Japan.

The digital odometer shows 84,270km (around 52,400 miles). Also included are the OEM remote key and a complete factory tool kit in the boot.

 
The car also comes with its original Japanese handbooks and a service book featuring numerous maintenance reports across the car’s life. 

This 330Ci has been kept in excellent original condition and has clearly had no trouble passing Shaken – Japan’s notoriously strict equivalent of an MOT – given the certificates included amongst its paperwork. 

The purchase receipt from Keiyu Internet Automall and all the new registration papers to legitimise its presence on British roads are present and correct as well.

The service receipts report the car’s condition at 11,900km, 24,013 km, 25,000km, 28,228 km, 31,229 km, 48,000km, 62,692 km and 67,892 km.

 
Being a facelift model, this car features the smoother-shaped headlights and LED tail lights with clear indicators all-round for a more 21st century look than the early E46s. 

The Sapphire Black machine features the M-Sport package which includes ‘Style 68’ M-branded 17” alloy wheels, deeper front and rear bumpers and sharper side skirts to more closely follow the lines of the wider, more exotic M3.

There is a small dulled patch in the paintwork just ahead of the driver’s-side taillight, and the front-right wheel shows some scuffing around the rim, but this is otherwise a very tidy exterior indeed with not even the merest hint of rust either on top or underneath.

The fabric convertible roof with heated rear window is also in fine shape and working correctly.

 
The ///M branding from the M-Sport package appears on the door sills and package-specific steering wheel, whilst the front seats are also more substantially bolstered as a stylistic nod to the shape of racing buckets (albeit much more luxurious to actually sit in). 

Also part of the M-Sport upgrade is a tessellating cube pattern that loosely resembles carbon fibre for all the trim pieces. The only minor impracticality in here is that the info and safety stickers on this example are all in Japanese and the instruments are still reading in kilometres with no MPH conversion printed underneath.

Condition-wise, those big seat bolsters are a little wrinkled and worn from occupants’ ingress and egress, more so on the driver’s side, but with no rips or holes in the black leather.

The cosy rear seats, by contrast, appear to have hardly been used. The driver’s door armrest and the steering wheel spokes both show some minor plastic wear and tear, too – the steering wheel trim being rectifiable with a spot of black touch-up paint if it’s bothersome.

Otherwise, the interior presents exceedingly well for an original 18-year-old car whose folding roof can directly expose it to the elements.

 
The heart of the 330Ci is the naturally aspirated M54B30 straight-six rated at 228 bhp and 221 lb-ft, married to a 5-speed automatic gearbox with a sequential manual override function for drivers wanting to live out their Touring Car fantasies.

The M-Sport package means it has sportier suspension components and settings from the factory, so even with the convertible body it should be well worth seeking out a good driving road.

Japanese-market cars like this also have a unique specification of dampers, so it will feel different over a road compared to more locally sourced E46s.

The seller reports that the car runs and drives faultlessly.

In recent times, BMW’s once exemplary design style has become what we could charitably call ‘divisive’, and any fans put off by their new direction will surely be quite happy to find respite in a more restrained, elegant machine from the company’s back catalogue instead – for much less money.

This remarkably well kept JDM example is for sale just as the weather begins to brighten once more, allowing you to drop the top and take in the fresh spring air in a car which strikes a great balance between indulgence and understatement, inside and out.


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