2004 BMW M3 (E46)

Highlights 

• Award-winning 343bhp, straight-six engine

• Impressive service history and maintenance records

• Reinforced boot floor and CSL gearbox map

• Exterior has been resprayed and is in excellent condition

• Recent service

Overview

As far as ultimate driving machines go the BMW E46 M3 ticks a lot of boxes. Timeless, subtly muscular looks – check. Bona fide motorsport credentials – check. Dynamic handling – check. Engaging, analogue driving characteristics – check. An absolute peach of an engine – check.  

And it's perhaps the engine that truly defines the E46 M3. Winner of multiple prestigious accolades the utterly sublime S54 3.2-litre straight-six won the best engine award in the 3.0 to 4.0-litre category in every year that the E46 M3 was in production, which should tell you all you need to know about just how good of a powerplant it really was, and indeed still is. 

Combine that excellent high revving motor with a brilliant chassis, sporty suspension and fantastic brakes and it's easy to see why the E46 M3 is lauded as a modern classic performance hero

This particular 2004 example is presented in an attractive and desirable colour scheme – Topaz Blue over black leather interior with Titanium Shadow trim – and comes with a comprehensive service history as well as an impressive maintenance record. With low mileage for its age and a recent service under its belt, as well as a full respray, it looks to be in great shape, both aesthetically and mechanically. 

Subtle enhancements include a reinforced boot floor by ETA Motorsport, a CSL map for the six-speed SMG-II gearbox, a Kenwood stereo with Bluetooth connectivity and a slight tint on the tail lights and fog lights. We think it’s an absolutely cracking spec.

History and documentation

• 2004 model year

• Two keys

• Original book pack

• V5C present and correct

• Comprehensive service history with original service book showing inspections at the following intervals: pre-delivery check (2004), running in check at 1,058 miles (2004 – main dealer), oil service at 10,369 miles (2006), inspection II+micro-filter at 15,937 miles (2007), oil service+inspection II at 24,996 miles (2009 – main dealer), oil service+inspection II+micro-filter at 32,258 miles, inspection II+micro-filter at 33,918 miles (2014 – main dealer), oil service+micro-filter at 43,130 miles (2016 – specialist), oil service+inspection II+micro-filter at 56,831  miles (2018), oil service+inspection II at 70,797 miles (2019), oil service+inspection II+micro-filter at 83,580 miles (2023)

• Numerous receipts and invoices for servicing and maintenance

• Last serviced in July 2025 at 91,440 miles

• Advisory-free MOT until 02 Feb 2026

• HPI clear

Interior

• The black leather with Titanium Shadow trim interior is in good shape overall with light wear and tear in places commensurate with the car's age and mileage

• No apparent pixel problems with the dash display

• Door cards present well

• Carpets look to be clean and dry

• Kenwood after market stereo head unit with Bluetooth connectivity

• Harman Kardon sound system

• Rear parking sensors

• Top-tinted windscreen

• Cruise control

• Automatic air conditioning

• Switchable sport mode

• Dynamic Stability Control

• Electrically adjustable heated front seats with three-position driver memory

• The black leather seats are beginning to show some signs of wear in the usual places

• Some degradation to the steering wheel and scratches to areas of the centre console

• The boot area is well-presented but the factory toolkit is incomplete

• The boot floor has been reinforced 

• The engine bay is a little dirty but presents honestly

Exterior

• The paint and bodywork remains in excellent condition with no apparent damage

• Panel gaps look uniform

• The vendor informs us that the car has been fully resprayed and as such the paintwork is in fine shape, with a scuff on the rear bumper the only mark of note

• All glasswork is in good order

• There is a slight tint film on the tail lights and fog lights

• Xenon headlights

• The 19” Style 67M alloy wheels are all in great condition with only a few light marks to note

• All tyres are Nexen Nfera models

• No obvious signs of corrosion

• The BMW badge on the bonnet has faded slightly

• In all, it’s a very well presented example in a hugely desirable colour

Mechanical

• 343bhp, 3.2-litre straight-six engine

• Six-speed SMG-II gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• 0-60mph in 5.2seconds

• 155mph top speed (limited)

• Recent service

• SMG gearbox motor replaced along with a CSL gearbox map 

• Gear position sensor, gear selector springs and new washer pump fitted 

• No mechanical issues to report

Summary

Benefiting from a full respray the paintwork on this BMW E46 M3 presents beautifully. The reinforced boot floor is a welcome touch as well as this is a common issue with these cars, especially those equipped with the SMG gearbox, so peace of mind in this department is assured. Mechanically the car appears to be in great shape too, backed up by that all-important service history and thorough maintenance record so if you're after a well-sorted M3 that looks great then get your bid in now. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.