It’s hard to believe that a quarter of a century has passed since BMW’s ‘E46’ generation of 3-Series first appeared, such is the model’s timelessness in its styling.
But as the good examples become fewer and further between, the collector market for nice E46s is picking up. Great to look at, terrific to drive and impressively built, they’re one of the last truly wonderful BMW compact saloons and are actively sought after in good condition.
Indeed, the vendor of this example went out of his way to find this one – a 2002 318Ci, which may be the entry-level version of the Coupé body style but is also the most efficient and affordable petrol-engined model to run. It’s a really low mileage example, sub 59k, and had just one previous owner until 2016. The vendor bought it three years ago with just 47,000 miles on the clock.
The 318Ci was then his daily transport until he was suddenly taken ill last year and had to give up driving. As a result, the BMW is being sold with no MOT as it has expired and he has – for obvious reasons – been unable to get it retested, but it shouldn’t need much, if anything, to pass another test.
Although it’s the entry-level specification Coupé, the original owner of the 318Ci didn’t shy away from the options list so it comes with full leather trim, cruise control, wooden door inserts, a wooden gear knob and part-wood steering wheel, as well as climate control and electric rear quarterlights.
Everything appears to work but the air conditioning would benefit from attention – it was a very hot day when we photographed it and the compressor was working, but not blowing cold air. Also, the inner door rubbers are coming loose from the roof trim and need either replacing or gluing back in place. 7bsMuhJZKosCESwt71j9EkaSgQOXYjMePfvrLosc.jpeg1 MB
THE EXTERIOR
Solid and generally tidy
Minor damage to rear
Desirable seven-spoke alloys
Good wings, sills and floors
Overall, the BMW is in smart order and it was in daily use until laid up. It has, at some point, acquired some very light damage to the rear – a small crease below the offside rear taillamp that will need a repair, and a slightly misaligned rear bumper side that can most likely be clipped back into place.
Otherwise, the body is really good. There are a couple of small scuffs to the front bumpers and some minor stone chips, but there’s none of the rust often seen on E46 wings, sills or rear arches and the bodywork is generally in very good order.
Although the onboard service indicator suggests the 318Ci isn’t due a service, a check-over would be recommended as the car has been standing for several months as a result of the owner’s personal circumstances.
On the day of our photo shoot, it started with a jump start but the battery was very low (it may well come back with a run) and seemed to run well, engaging all gears as it should and idling smoothly, while there’s no reason to assume any issues as it was in daily use until late last year. All of the fluids are at the correct levels, there’s plenty of brake pressure, the power steering works and there are no blows from the exhaust.
What we have here, then, is an E46 Coupé with enormous potential – seemingly very solid with no structural issues, it runs well and just needs some minor cosmetic fettling to bring it back up to excellent condition, while the low mileage, colour and generous equipment levels will make it a desirable – and very saleable – car once recommissioned.
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