BMW E46

Background

The E46 3 Series was bigger, faster and more sophisticated than the E36 it replaced. Introduced as a four-door in 1998, the coupé followed in March 1999, with other varients including estate, convertible and Compact being released over the next couple of years.

With help from Munich's chief designer, Chris Bangle, in-house exterior design team leader Ian Cameron and Erik Goplen of DesignworksUSA, a BMW-owned consultancy, the design for the E46 was finalized in 1996. The new 3-Series was 23mm taller and 60mm wider in front track. The E46’s body was all new and claimed a 70% improvement in torsional stiffness over the E36 whose layout it inherited. Suspension components, including the control arms for its 'C'-arm rear end, were made of aluminium to keep weight increase to a minimum.
BMW introduced Double VANOS to all six-cylinder models in 1998, with the 189bhp 325i engine offered from 2000.

The Car

This UK-supplied car was registered in July 2003 with a list price, inclusive of factory fit options, including black leather interior, sports seats and carbon effect trim, M sport steering wheel, memory electric seats, anthracite Alcantara headliner, rear parking sensors, toolkit and rear window tint delete, would have been in excess of £30,000. This car benefits from the facelift which introduced LED rear lights, restyled lights and bumpers and higher specification plus other changes. With three previous custodians, the car has lead a sheltered life and comes with a good BMW main dealer and specialist service history.

The vendor bough the car in 2022 and is only replacing it as a more practical hatchback is now required. Bright Titanium Silver paintwork is complemented by a very well presented black leather interior reflecting the substantially lower than average mileage of 49,000 miles. All four tyres were recently replaced and the car is currently on a cherished number plate A21 GJW but will be restored to its original registration number of LL03 UUM before the auction.

Location: Wiltshire

Seller: Private

Photographs: Vendor own