2003 BMW M3 (E46) Manual

Highlights

• Highly sought after E46 M3 manual
• 3.2-litre straight-six engine and six-speed gearbox
• Lovely exterior condition
• Excellent interior
• Long MOT and ULEZ compliant

Overview

While there are fans of its other incarnations, many will make an argument for the E46 being peak M3. With an eminently revvable and fabulous-sounding straight-six engine, sweet handling, and a manual ‘box, the spec we see here is highly regarded and much sought-after. It produces commendable performance figures too, with 333 bhp being sent to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential.

Finished in an attractive shade of metallic grey, this example has a smart leather interior, which looks far newer than its age might suggest. This is in part due to the car spending five years off the road, before receiving a fresh MOT in October 2024.

The accompanying file of paperwork shows a full bevvy of service stamps from BMW main dealers up until 2010, when it was acquired by the current owner. It’s seen very light use since and reportedly had an oil and filter change just before being laid up.

Now with a fresh MOT, if you’re looking for a very presentable M3 coupe which hasn’t even broken the 90,000 mile mark, then this example has a lot going for it. It’s a noughties performance icon and, with values starting to climb, this looks like a fabulous way to experience ownership before good ones become unattainable.

History and documentation

• Registered 27 Sep 2003
• Stamped service book with BMW main dealer service stamps as follows: Dec 2003 @ 1,285 miles, Feb 2004 @ 4,262 miles, Feb 2005 @ 16,557 miles, Mar 2006 @ 28,582 miles, Nov 2006 @ 42,066 miles, Aug 2007 @ 55,792 miles, Dec 2008 @ 69,238 miles, Jan 2010 @ 81,441 miles
• Current mileage 89,111 miles
• Full document pack
• Collection of invoices and old MOT certificates showing that all the mechanical attention that the car has received has been from BMW main dealers
• 2 fully functional BMW 3 button keys and valet key
• Current MOT with no advisories expires 9 Oct 2025
• V5 present in owner’s name
• Currently registered SORN
• Only three former keepers
• Current owner since Aug 2010
• Private plate OSK 263 included in sale
• London ULEZ compliant
• Tracker fitted
• Car was treated to a full valet on 22 Nov 2024

Interior

• Inviting black leather interior
• There are a few small creases and scuffs to the leather, but no major damage
• The seller tells us that everything works as it should do
• Heated, electrically adjustable seats with memory on the driver’s side
• The matching carpets are very clean and tidy
• Fitted footwell mats
• Door cards well presented
• Matching leather-trimmed centre console
• Multi-function steering wheel with cruise control and audio buttons
• A little fading to the leather at the top of the steering wheel
• Automatic climate control
• The glovebox retains its original torch
• The dashboard is well stocked with instruments and switches
• Analogue gauges provide clear information to the driver
• Onboard computer with LCD screen
• Original stereo
• Rear seats fold down for additional luggage storage
• Original, unused first aid kit located under the passenger seat
• Headlining clean and tidy
• Spacious boot to the rear
• Complete, original toolkit stowed in the bootlid
• Tyre inflator under the boot floor

Exterior

• Fantastic, understated two-door coupe styling
• Timeless metallic grey paintwork
• The paint retains a good colour throughout
• Some small stone chips and scratches can be seen
• Body panels in good condition, with no obvious dents or damage
• Some stonechips to the front bumper, and scratches on the underside
• A few chips to the leading edge of the bonnet
• The 19-inch alloy wheels are very presentable
• Tyres said to be in good condition
• A few small scuffs and scratches on the alloy wheels
• Chrome badges present and correct
• Headlight lenses bright and clear, all the better for the bi-xenon lights to function
• Black front grille surround
• The underside of the car looks clean, with a little surface corrosion
• Four exhaust tips

Mechanical

• 3,246 cc six-cylinder engine
• Rated at 333 bhp, and 269 lb ft
• Top speed 155 mph, 0-62 in 5.2 seconds
• Six-speed manual transmission
• Rear-wheel drive
• The engine bay is very clean
• Underneath, there is some surface corrosion on the suspension and exhaust components
• New premium Bosch battery fitted 23 Nov 2024
• Said to start easily, drive well and stop as it should do
• The seller informs us that the car received an oil and filter service before being registered SORN
• The car has been driven very little in recent years, with a five-year gap in its MOT history between 2019 and 2024
• No mechanical issues or warning lights reported
• Excellent exhaust note, at least partly thanks to a Milltek centre section

Summary

Blending refinement and performance and in lovely condition inside and out, this is the kind of car you can enjoy any journey in. It has the long legs required for covering distance, but its straight-six engine and six-speed manual gearbox will provide plenty of entertainment once the going gets twisty.

The E46 M3 is ageing beautifully and we’d be surprised if clean examples like this one will be as affordable as they are now for much longer. If you’ve always fancied one, best get in quick.

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 Ludlow, Shropshire..