Description
Ownership & History
Owners: 2 family owners from new (purchased brand new by my father from the main dealer, Sytner BMW, in September 2001, and passed to me).
MOT: Valid until August 2027.
Mileage: 178, 214 miles (fully documented).
Documentation: Accompanied by a comprehensive paper history binder containing the original 2001 dealer purchase order, V5C, historic MOTs, and receipts from 2001 to 2026.
Recent Maintenance & Invoices Included
August 2026: Fresh MOT pass, new front brake hoses, and front anti-roll bar drop link.
November 2025: Main dealer passenger Takata airbag recall completed by Sytner BMW.
June 2025: Replacement convertible roof locking mechanism fitted; air conditioning regassed.
Late 2024: New clutch kit and dual-mass flywheel replaced; rocker cover gasket replaced; camshaft and crankshaft sensors replaced; underbody support braces inspected, re-welded, and wax-oiled.
Condition & Known Points
Mechanical: Starts instantly, runs smoothly, and is mechanically sorted. Recently completed a faultless 2, 000-mile road trip through Western France.
Convertible Roof: Dark Blue canvas soft top is in good physical condition with no tears. Operates correctly through its electrical cycle, though rarely requires a light manual push at the windshield header rail to latch shut.
Bodywork & Glass: Presents well overall in original Topaz Blue. Honest condition with a few cosmetic paintwork bits, minor body scuffs, and small windscreen stone chips consistent with its age and mileage.
Interior: Restored front Light Beige leather sport seats.
Note: The driver’s electric seat headrest adjustment and multi-window switch are currently non-operational. Should be an easy fix.
What makes this 330Ci special is its unbroken 25-year family provenance and original specification. Ordered brand new by my father from main dealer Sytner BMW in 2001, it has been cared for within our family ever since. We have recently welcomed a new baby and sadly don't have the parking space for it at our new house—otherwise, I would be keeping it without hesitation.
It is an amazing drive, genuinely great fun, and a really lovely car to own. The pairing of the 3. 0L M54 straight-six engine with the 5-speed manual transmission and factory M Sport suspension represents the sweet spot of modern classic BMWs. It proved its GT credentials on a 2, 000-mile tour through Western France and Bordeaux without missing a beat.
Unlike many E46s that have been modified over time, this car remains strictly original, retaining its rare factory-fitted Harman Kardon 11-speaker audio system, original Motorola car phone, and 6-CD changer. With all major E46 wear-and-tear items (clutch, dual-mass flywheel, roof locks, brake lines) recently addressed and an unbroken history file from day one, the next owner will be very lucky and exceptionally happy with it.
