Highlights

Finished in what the vendor describes as an extremely rare colour: Phoenix Yellow Metallic
Factory standard with no modifications
Stage 5 underbody treatment with Waxoyl completed in April 2025 by Auto Rust Prevention
Colour-matched hardtop included
SMG gearbox currently not functioning; the car cannot be driven under its own power
Comes with original books, stamped service book and three sets of keys

The Appeal

The E46 M3 is widely regarded as one of BMW's finest driver's cars, pairing a free-revving 3.2-litre inline-six with a beautifully balanced chassis. In convertible form, it adds open-air appeal to the formula, and this 2004 example stands out further still thanks to its Phoenix Yellow Metallic paintwork, a colour the vendor describes as extremely rare, reporting they have only ever seen one other on the road.

Presented in entirely factory-standard condition with no modifications, this M3 has benefited from a Stage 5 underbody treatment with Waxoyl completed in April 2025 by Auto Rust Prevention. Inside, the beige leather interior with black accents is described by the vendor as clean and in very good condition.

Prospective buyers should be aware that the SMG gearbox is currently not functioning and the car cannot be driven under its own power. The SMG Pump has been replaced with a new one however the fault persists. The vendor’s mechanic suspects it could be a Gear Position sensor. The vendor has acquired a working Gear Position Sensor for the SMG which can be purchased which can be separately to the car if required. The vendor states the engine starts and runs correctly. This represents an opportunity for a buyer willing to complete the repair, or to undertake the increasingly popular manual gearbox conversion, which would make an already rare specification rarer still.

The car was regularly serviced until 2008, then placed into storage until 2019; it has a further service on record in 2019. The previous owner to the vendor had the car serviced in 2021 and 2023 however there’s no paperwork for this. The vendor also had the car serviced in 2025 June with an oil service, new air, pollen and fuel filters, new differential seal, new CV gasket and new spark plugs fitted however there is no paperwork for this but photos can be provided as evidence if requested. It comes with original books, a stamped service book, three sets of keys and a V5C.

Key Information

Mileage: 88,188 miles
Country of registration: United Kingdom
MOT status: no current MOT; expired in December 2025; last tested in December 2024 at 87,786 miles, which was a first-time pass with no advisories
Technical specs: 3.2-litre S54 inline-six engine with 338 hp paired with a six-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG II) featuring electrohydraulic automated shifting
Paperwork: original books, stamped service book, three sets of keys, safety kit and V5C included
Inspection I and Inspection II checks completed

Service history:

Previous owner serviced in 2021 and 2023 but no paperwork for this

01/19 - 83,760 miles - Autocar Centre

10/08 - 76,538 miles - LMW Motors BMW Specialists

12/06 - 64,946 miles - Hampshire Sport and Classic Cars

04/06 - 53,312 miles - Keystone BMW Specialists

09/05 - 38,382 miles - Keystone BMW Specialists

03/05 - 23,988 miles - Keystone BMW Specialists

06/04 - 9,970 miles - Wood of Bournemouth BMW

02/03 - 1,157 miles - Wood of Bournemouth BMW

01/03 - Pre-delivery - Wood of Bournemouth BMW

The Detail

SMG gearbox is currently not functioning and the car cannot move under its own power
SMG pump has been replaced but the fault persists; the vendor's mechanic suspects a gear positioning sensor
Gear positioning sensor is available from the vendor separately or included with the car
The vendor states the engine starts and runs correctly
Stage 5 underbody treatment with Waxoyl completed in April 2025 by Auto Rust Prevention
Technician confirmed no signs of subframe cracking during the rust proofing process, we are told
Brake callipers painted black at the time of rust proofing
Minor age-related scratches around the body, described as only visible on close inspection
19-inch 'Style 67' alloy wheels in generally good condition but could benefit from slight refurbishment
Colour-matched hardtop in good condition with only micro-scratches
Hardtop stand included
The vendor describes the interior as clean and in very good condition
New steering wheel fitted within last two years
Rear seats reported to be in very good shape with minimal use
Oil service, new air, pollen and fuel filters, new differential seal, new CV gasket and new spark plugs fitted by the current owner, we are told
Regularly serviced until 2008; stored from 2008 to 2019; reportedly has services on record in 2019, 2021 and 2023
Harman/Kardon audio and satellite navigation
Electrically adjustable and heated front seats with three-position driver memory
Cruise control, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and rollover protection system
Toolkit present
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