Highlights
- Under 34,000 documented miles from new
- Rare BMW Individual Aegean Blue colour
- Full service history by main dealers and specialists
- Clutch replaced and diff rebuilt by Autohaus at 29,000 miles
- Current keeper since 2018 and always garaged
- Factory standard car in very good condition
- Sold with a fresh 12-month MOT
The Appeal
On the day that BMW’s engineering team put the finishing touches to the E46 M3, you could be forgiven for imagining that they looked back at their creation with a sigh and said ‘our work here is done’ before leaving the building for a final time. This car is so good that few cars since, even M3s, have improved upon it.
Key to the E46-generation M3’s brilliance is its balance between technology and driver engagement. It does that perfectly. All that explains why most of these cars have lived hard lives, being driven and enjoyed.
This one is the exception. It has covered less than 34,000 miles in 22 years and presents in factory-standard condition to a very high level. It is finished in rare Aegean Blue metallic, a special order ‘Individual’ colour, with preserved grey leather cabin. Alongside its blue folding roof, it has the desirable SMG II 6spd semi-automatic gearbox.
Despite the sparing use the car has been meticulously maintained by main dealers and well regarded specialist. At 29,000 miles Autohaus changed the clutch and reconditioned the differential. The service book shows regular visits up to August 2024 at 33,224 miles. It was MOT’d at the same time, with no advisories. The car will be sold with a fresh 12 months MOT test.
This is a really good and clearly enthusiast-maintained example of a true motoring great.
The vendor says:
“A fantastic and intoxicating drive not felt on 'modern' cars. An analogue feel to it and an intuitive connection to the road. Incredible raspy noise through the quad exhausts, complemented by a subtle yet audible induction noise. A lovely car to drive that will be missed, but with an infant daughter I just have no time to drive and enjoy.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered 28th May 2003
- Six registered keepers
- Current keeper since April 2018
- Vendor advises that car has full service history
- Service book shows 8 regular stamps to August 2024 at 33,224 miles as below
- Clutch replaced at approximately 29,000 miles by Autohause
- Differential reconditioned at same time due to minor vibrations
- Always garaged during current ownership
- No modifications, everything is standard we are told
- Being sold as the owner has an infant daughter and lacks time to drive the car
- Factory handbooks as shown
- 2 keys and dealer keyrings
- V5C in the current keeper’s name
Service history:
- PDI & running in service at 1200 miles stamped in book by BMW
- Oil change at 8,100 miles by BMW
- Inspection 1 service at 16,700 miles by BMW
- Inspection 2 service at 23,700 miles by BMW
- Oil change at 27,000 miles by BMW
- Oil change at 30,000 miles by BMW specialist
- Oil change at 31,700 miles by BMW specialist
- Inspection 1 service at 33,200 miles by BMW Specialist
The Condition
- Very well presented car in rare Aegean Blue, a special-order ‘Individual’ colour
- Paintwork remains in good condition for a 22 year old car with few indications of use
- Slight delamination to BMW badge as shown in photos, an easy fix
- There are some light stone chips to the bonnet and front bumper and scratch to passenger door
- Bodywork in good order with arches, sills and underside presenting well
- Blue folding roof with heated rear glass screen in very good condition
- Underside presents well with no structural advisories on August 2024 MOT test
- Factory multispoke alloys in very good order with polished rims and only light marks
- Matching Michelin tyres all round, showing good sidewall condition and decent tread
- Grey full leather interior in very good condition with only very light wear to not
- Slight wear to usual high traffic areas such as the driver’s bolster
- Factory standard car including BMW sat nav and TV
- Specification includes electric front seats with memory function
- Vendor states that everything operates as expected
- The exception to this is the satellite navigation (likely outdated database) and analogue TV
The Mechanics
- S54 3,246cc 343bhp straight-six engine
- 6-speed SMG II semi-automatic gearbox
- The vendor states the car drives well with no faults
- Well maintained with regular servicing by main dealers and specialists
- Servicing details shown in photos and detailed above
- Last serviced in August 2024, with only around 500 miles covered since
- No advisories on last MOT in August 2024
- Car will be sold with a fresh 12-month MOT
- Factory tool kit and first aid kit as shown
- Clutch replaced and differential rebuilt at 29,000 miles by Autohaus
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