Description
For Sale: BMW E46 320Ci – A Rare Slice of Bavarian Brilliance
In a world where modern cars are increasingly sterile and disconnected, the E46 generation BMW 3 Series stands tall as one of the last true driver’s cars — and this particular example is something genuinely special.
Finished in the rare Stahl-Blau (Steel Blue) metallic, this BMW 320Ci Coupe is not just a car — it’s an experience, a perfectly balanced machine that whispers of a time when feel, finesse, and understated performance were the hallmarks of German engineering.
Beneath the bonnet lies BMW’s legendary 2. 2L inline-six (2171cc) — a sonorous unit that delivers a silky, mechanical wail as you climb through the revs. Mated to a proper 5-speed manual gearbox, this car offers a purist’s driving experience that’s becoming heartbreakingly rare.
But what really sets this example apart isn’t just the drivetrain or the mileage — a mere 47, 500 miles — This isn’t just a car that’s been maintained — it’s been preserved and improved. The car exterior and interior both present well for a 20 year old car with nothing offensive to note.
Recent Works Include:
• Full service history, with the most recent completed April this year
• Front brake calipers and discs replaced
• All brake calipers professionally painted in Steel Blue to match the bodywork (£220)
• Front and rear brake pipes replaced (£550)
• Heater fan motor and resistor replaced (£380)
• New boot struts
• Rear light gaskets replaced as well as the side coverings.
The car currently holds a clean MOT through to October 2025, with no advisories — a testament to its mechanical condition. Happy to get a fresh MOT if requested, subject to concrete interest or a deposit.
Factory Options & Features:
• Extremely rare factory-installed M Aerodynamics Package: front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper, and spoiler — all subtly aggressive and factory perfect
• Rare detachable hardtop – a sought-after collector’s piece in itself
• Sports exhaust for that rich six-cylinder growl
• Factory Sports Suspension – composed yet playful
• Rear parking sensors, Harman Kardon speakers, electronic seats, and much more
The car presents beautifully inside and out, with the original Alpina dealer sticker still proudly displayed — a nod to its heritage and rarity. Thousands have been invested in preventative maintenance, and the service history is so extensive it won’t fit in a single photo.
Points to Note:
• There is a small internal rip in the driver’s side of the soft top — doesn’t affect function or movement.
• One rear alloy has been curbed; the others are in excellent condition.
• The heating/ air-con is currently not functioning — likely due to the resistor connector popping off after heavy winter use. This is currently being investigated.
• The detachable hardtop has some headliner sagging, a common issue on these cars.
This car will also come with:
an Apple car play screen (worth £120) which you can put in and take out, has no effect on the factory unit as it’s powered by the cigarette lighter.
The factory wind deflector which is pictured in the boot and is a £750 direct from bmw.
A stand for the hard top worth £120, you will be able to take off the hardtop and wheel it around to make it easier to move.
If you’re looking for an E46 that’s been loved, driven, and maintained with passion, a true, appreciating modern classic that’s only getting more desirable with age, then look no future.
