Highlights
- Smart Oxford Green with suede and fabric charcoal interior
- Two keepers with current one since car was one year old
- Garaged throughout its life
- Complete service history in BMW booklet
- Last serviced less than 2,000 miles ago
- MOT valid until May 2026
The Appeal
The E46 M3 is coupe perfection, but if you want a more real-world blend of comfort and performance, then you want a M54-engined E46 330CI. What it trades in straight line speed, it makes up for in all-round usability, plus you get much the same engine and soundtrack as the M3.
Because these cars are so drivable, good, well-maintained 330s are in surprisingly short supply. But here, as if by magic, we have exactly that. First registered in 2002, this manual gearbox 330 is finished in smart Oxford Green metallic with a rare suede and fabric interior, it is a very tidy, usable and properly maintained example.
The current elderly keeper acquired the car when it was one year old and tells us that it has always been garaged. The service book shows regular attention up to 2,000 miles ago in 2024. The MOT runs to May 2026. There are a few advisories to note, plus some cosmetic points in the photos, but nothing that looks beyond a dedicated enthusiast.
There is scope to add value to this much-historied 330. But we suspect the first task might be to simply jump in and enjoy it.
The vendor says:
“For its 25 years of age the car is in excellent and remarkable condition and will be sorely missed by its current owner. This is a smooth-running and totally reliable vehicle which has served its owner incredibly well with absolutely no cause to regret its purchase. At my 80 years of age it's time to hand over the care and enjoyment of this brilliant diamond to its next careful owner.”
History & Paperwork
- First registered 28th March 2002
- Two registered keepers from new
- Current keeper since March 2003
- First keeper returned car in order to buy an M3
- V5C
- Always garaged we are told
- Extensive history file with regular servicing stamps in book
- Factory handbooks as shown
- Last serviced at 157,422 miles in May 2024
- Photos suggest next service due in 14,575 miles but this is not verified
- Showing 159,390 miles in photos
- Current MOT valid to 28th May 2026 with advisories to note
The Condition
- Finished in attractive Oxford Green metallic with paint in generally fair condition
- Some marks and stone chips to note to paint typical of age and mileage
- These include front nearside bumper shows scratching and a split
- Offside front mirror has a replacement backing that requires respraying to match
- Rear nearside wheel arch lining is damaged
- Bodywork is presentable with arches, sills and underside as shown
- No structural advisories on MOT
- 18in lattice-style factory alloy wheels in fair condition with kerbing to rims
- Advisories for tyres on MOT
- Smart and hard-wearing Suede and fabric interior in charcoal black
- Factory standard, high specification interior with carbon trim
- Features factory TV and electric front seats with memory operation
- Some light age to switchgear, door cards and carpets typical of a car of this mileage
- All switches and instruments are reported to function correctly
- Factory tool kit as shown in good condition
The Mechanics
- 231bhp 2,979cc M54 straight six engine
- Five-speed manual transmission
- Complete service history recorded in the BMW booklet
- Last serviced in 2024, 2,000 miles ago
- Advisories to note on current MOT
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