2002 BMW M3 (E46)

Highlights

• Well cared for with upgraded limited-slip diff
• The important bits taken care of: rebuilt VANOS pump and reinforced rear subframe
• Fully undersealed
• Excellent leather interior
• Long MOT

Overview

A straight-six engine, 333 bhp, limited-slip differential, and a redline of 8,000 rpm. What more could you want from an M3? In recent years the E46 has been increasingly appreciated as a capable and desirable driver’s car, having emerged triumphantly from the bottom of its depreciation curve. Always popular with journalists, a critical mass of public opinion appears to have shifted in the E46’s favour.

And this is a particularly favourable example, having been owned for ten years by someone with a clear enthusiasm for the model, who has lavished it with care and attention to keep it in excellent driving condition. The diff has been rebuilt and improved, the VANOS variable valve timing pump was inspected and refurbished ahead of schedule, and the rear subframe has been treated to some reinforcing plates.

An older respray and refurbished wheels finish the car off nicely, so you’ll be proud to drive it to even the smartest of destinations. And the interior is well preserved, too. It has that businesslike germanic feel, with smart leather and brushed aluminium touches. The sound system is original, thankfully not having suffered an ignominious head unit replacement, so you can dust off your collection of old cassette tapes and revel in some early 2000s nostalgia. While hurtling round a corner on opposite lock, of course.

History and documentation

• Registered 29 May 2002
• Stamped service book with services as follows: Jul 2002 @ 1,901 miles, Jun 2003 @ 10,683 miles, Sep 2004 @ 21,637 miles, Apr 2007 @ 36,093 miles, May 2012 @ 50,071 miles
• Original leather document wallet
• Collection of invoices for parts and servicing
• Owned by the current keeper since Mar 2014
• Current MOT expires 13 May 2025
• Five former keepers
• V5 present in owner’s name
• Please note that he private plate will be removed prior to completion of the auction
• HPI clear
• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• The smart black interior of this M3 is a very pleasant place to be on a long journey
• Leather upholstery covers the seats, door cards, and steering wheel
• The interior brushed aluminium trims have been colour coded to Titan silver
• In general, the leather is in excellent condition, with some slight creasing to the driver’s seat bolster
• Electronically adjustable front seats
• Seating for three in the rear
• The door cards and sill plates look to be free from scuffs and scratches
• ‘BMW Business’ spec Harman/Kardon sound system still retains its original cassette player
• Headlining clean and tidy
• Sunroof fitted — a relatively rare option
• Automatic climate control
• The dashboard top is well preserved, with no signs of UV damage we could see
• Bold, clear analogue gauges
• The only issues noted are that there is a little peeling on the SMG gear knob and in the coin tray
• To the rear, the spacious boot is fully carpeted, clean and tidy
• The bootlid features an almost complete toolkit

Exterior

• Reportedly the subject of a full respray in 2017, this M3 remains in excellent condition
• In Dec 2018, the car was treated to a full vehicle underseal, plus treatment of internal lower seams of doors at a cost of £600
• There are one or two small scratches to the paintwork, such as next to the fuel filler cap, and a scuff on the offside of the front bumper
• The front bumper has reportedly recently been repaired on the nearside, after a disagreement with a garage door
• 19-inch alloy wheels, which the vendor tells us were refurbished and powder coated ten years ago
• They have now picked up some kerb damage in places
• Michelin Pilot Supersport tyres fitted, with a little stretch
• The seller notes that the tyres all retain at least 5 mm of tread
• All the lamp lenses look clear and bright
• There is a warning light on the dashboard for one of the front sidelights, which is fitted with an LED bulb
• Underneath, everything looks tidy, and the vendor notes that it was all very clean before being undersealed

Mechanical

• 3,246 cc straight-six engine
• Produces 333 hp and 269 lb ft
• Six-speed SMG II ‘flappy paddle’ transmission
• In Dec 2014 the limited-slip differential was rebuilt, at a cost of £837.50, with E36 Evo internal parts and additional limited-slip plates
• There is an invoice on file for an ‘EvolvR’ tuning cable, and a Supersprint lightweight racing rear exhaust, totalling £1,869
• The remap was said to be able to unlock a few extra horsepower
• The vendor notes that reinforced plates from Hack Engineering have been fitted to the rear subframe
• They also rebuilt the VANOS (variable valve timing) pump at 62,000 miles, it was inspected, found to be in good condition, then rebuilt anyway due to the car’s mileage, with photos included
• There is an invoice on file for machining the VANOS oil pump in Jan 2019
• The most recent oil service was reportedly carried out in Aug 2023

Summary

This E46 certainly looks to have been well looked after during its current ten-year ownership. It has been treated to a couple of choice mechanical upgrades, which make it an even better driving machine than when it was new. And it looks the part too, with excellent paintwork and a very well preserved interior.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Edinburgh, Scotland.