Introduced as the successor to the wildly popular E36 family of cars, the E46-generation BMW 3 Series was unveiled in 1997, and spanned the range from the day-to-day commuters of 1.6-2.0-litre inline-fours up to the hallowed 3.2-litre inline-six S54 of the M3.
Specifically, the 318 was powered by a 2.0-litre inline four, in this case (as a post-2003 car) the N46B20 engine, which produced 150bhp and 148 lb/ft of torque, which was perfectly suited to a laid-back cruiser or urban runabout, without breaking the bank, thanks to its excellent fuel economy for an engine of this size. Pea27jwAi6mOLbCmiGaUMpizHFIb5FH3qCLhGz1A.jpeg61.06 KB
The History
Registered in 2006 during the last year of E46 production, this 318i M-Sport Convertible has evidently lived a cherished and pampered life, having been used sparingly by its five recorded keepers, and judging from both the low recorded mileage and the overall condition of the vehicle.
From the factory, this M-Sport Cabriolet was well-specified, with the following options fitted to the vehicle:
Sparkling Graphite Metallic paintwork
Electric folding mirrors
Electric front seats - sports Alcantara
Heated front seats
Memory function for the driver’s seat
Satin black ‘carbon cube’ inserts
M-Sport kit, including Shadow Line mouldings and deep dish alloy wheels
Not only does the vehicle benefit from a strong factory specification, but also a well-documented service history.
Supplied new by Park Lane BMW of London (and with a PDI completed by them) the car was then serviced at the following intervals:
16,266 miles
27,088 miles
32,161 miles
35,457 miles
38,620 miles (brake fluid change, not service)
43,376 miles
Having seemingly been kept dry-stored (judging from its condition) and evidently cherished, this low-mileage, well-kept example of the E46 Convertible is now looking for a new owner, who will continue to cherish it for many more years to come. VXvyPxqh2p04iKdiF7WCGPEyYk3ajspQEM7AhqHX.jpeg36.02 KB
The Paperwork
Included with the vehicle is the V5 registered keepers document showing four previous owners, numerous MoT certificates, stamped service history, and several invoices for various works over the years.
On the inside, the notion that this E46 was cherished is only strengthened by the condition of the cabin, which looks to be excellent throughout.
As far as we can see, the rear seats show virtually no signs of wear, whilst up front there is only the lightest signs of wear to the front seats, with some minor bolster creasing noted on the outermost side of the front seats.
The door cards, high-traffic areas and centre console all look fantastic, whilst the only real issues noted are the missing floor mats and some minor scuffs to the inner door covers.
Up above, the inner lining of the folding roof is in great shape, and the roof mechanism works perfectly with no hesitation, errors or problems.
As with the interior, the bodywork and paint of this E46 3-Series has stood the test of time well, and it must be said that the design still looks remarkably fresh to this day, over 15 years since the last E46 rolled off the production line.
The bodywork of this example is straight and true throughout, with the panel gaps all looking wonderfully even, as stated by our vendor.
The optional metallic paintwork is also in great shape, with only the typical smattering of stone chips noted to the lower front bumper and exposed areas, though these are tricky to see in day-to-day use.
As far as we can tell, there is no damage to any of the glass or light lenses, and no sign of any impact damage or scuffs to the bodywork.
Up above, the folding soft-top looks to be in fantastic condition with no rips or tears noted, and no discolouration or damage to the rear window.
All four wheels are in good order, though there are a few marks noted and some corrosion around the bolt holes - a common sight on BMWs of this vintage, even the most fastidious cared-for examples.nLmmHAUzORo0oFv6BiwITu2VZKx6b94KsUsIiAtS.jpeg59.51 KB
The Mechanicals
Underneath the bonnet, the N46B20 four-cylinder engine presents well, though it is largely hidden by the various ‘dress-up’ covers fitted to the engine by BMW. That said, there are no signs of any oil or fluid leaks that we can see, nor any reported by the vendor.
Having recently been serviced, this example is reported to be in rude mechanical health, with a smooth transmission and no sign of any hesitation or untoward behaviours noted from the engine.
With its timeless styling, wide range of engines and trim choices and excellent dealer and aftermarket support, it’s no wonder the E46 has firmly rooted itself in the ‘modern classic’ sphere, yet remains wonderfully accessible for all levels of enthusiasts and collectors.
This late-model, 2006-registered M-Sport 318i Cabriolet has been clearly cherished and enjoyed throughout its lifetime, and seemingly wants for nothing more than continued enjoyment and pampering. An excellent candidate for a daily driver or summer cruiser with plenty of style and sophistication!
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