• Good condition throughout.

• Removable hardtop included in sale

• Just three owners since new

The E46 is the fourth-generation of BMW’s ever-popular 3 Series range, produced from 1997 to 2006. First introduced in November 1997, the E46 was available in sedan, coupé, estate and hatchback body styles, with the convertible as offered here following in April, 2001.

UK models were powered by BMW’s strong in-line six paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed ZF-sourced automatic transmission.

Production run-out of the E46 line-up began from late 2004, following the introduction of the E90 3 Series sedans. However, the E46 coupé and convertible body styles remained in production until August 2006.

YS52 XKJ has been enjoyed by just two former keepers since its first UK registration in December, 2002.

The current keeper – an Isle of Wight resident – acquired the car this year, but has reluctantly decided to re-home it due to the impracticality of the coupe’s lengthy doors vs narrow parking spaces.

Along with the V5C and a valid MoT to December 2021, the car comes with an extensive range of original BMW handbooks, including the Owner’s Manual and the all-important Service Record, which contains a full history of BMW main-dealer service stamps, the last of which was recorded in November, 2018 at 83,269 miles. 

Since then, the car has been driven just 3,303 miles.

The interior presents in good condition throughout, with an expected degree of use commensurate with its mid-range mileage and almost twenty years of age. However, a degree of detailing will bring the interior up to a higher standard. All interior and exterior lights and instruments are said to be in good working order.

The car will come with a removable hardtop which is said to be in pristine condition and rarely fitted to the car or subject to sunlight. The patent leather-clad seats, wood trim, carpets and door cards are in good order as is the folding roof and the tidy boot houses a 6 x CD-multichanger and the satnav CD-ROM.

The exterior paintwork is in good condition and again, is commensurate with its mileage and age and the soft-top hood is in very good condition.

The original set of fitted alloy wheels are in good order with the odd small scuff visible. A cursory glance alongside both flanks reveals no blemishes or evidence of damage and all body panels present in good order.

The car starts first time and holds a good idle. On the way to the photo location, the car drove exceptionally well and sounded as a GT cruiser should – lovely!

The underside of the car and side sills are in a condition again commensurate with its mileage and age, with no evidence of knocks or damage that may be caused by abusive or careless driving.

As mentioned above there is a Service Record booklet which contains the full history of BMW main-dealer service stamps, the last of which was recorded in November, 2018 at 83,269 miles.

Who doesn’t love a convertible? True roofless aficionados know there are many reasons for having one on your driveway but, bragging rights aside, most are sensory…exposed as you are to nature’s elements. There is the heightened sense of motion as scenery rushes by and the fragrance of fresh open air as dappled shade flickers across your Ray-Bans. Bliss!

The many remaining E46 3 Series Convertible examples appear to be almost exclusively lovingly cared-for and there is a wealth of information and technical support available at the UK BMW Owners Club website, the members of which are as knowledgeable and enthusiastic as they come.

There is little doubt that YS52 XKJ will be a worthy addition to any new home willing to keep it in the manner to which it has evidently become accustomed over the past two decades.