2005 BMW M3

BMW e46 M3 Convertible 2005 SMG, with 71k miles and 10months MOT. 19" diamond cut alloys, carbon black paint and with black leather interior.

Asking price: £19,500 (hardtop + £1200)

I bought this car in April 2021, having spent a long time looking for the right car which had low mileage, good maintenance and solid underpinnings.

The bills/paperwork that came with the car indicated that the previous owner but one had had an SMG gearbox CSL tune, (blips the throttle on downshifts). This works spot on, and minimises hesitation and bunny hopping, which can occur with SMGs. It also had an Evolve engine tune combined with 200 cell Sports cats. The engine seems to be able to rev more freely compared to my last e46 M3.

The retired lady I bought it from in Southampton, only had it 6months, but didn't drive it because she was scared of it. The chap before her, had it for a good few years and was clearly an enthusiast having done the above work and made a few other cosmetic/audio enhancements.

The service history was fairly good when I bought the car, but I decided to go through everything on the car and do a Service 2 myself. Everything was checked, and renewed as needed. This included checking the cam to shim gap check, which were all within tolerance.

The idea of someone doing their own work might put you off, but perhaps I can give you confidence in my competence to work on cars. I've worked for a Kit car company, and JLR. In my spare time, I've built 2 Westfield kit cars, restored 2 TVR and tinkered with BMWs for over 20 years. If you need further confidence, please see the restoration of a Cat D TVR Tuscan which I documented on the TVR forum on Pistonheads: Search for "Dissassembly of Tuscan is complete... what now????"

(Please don't ask why I sold it. It still hurts!)

So first thing I did as part of the Service 2 was to change all the fluids. This included:

Engine Oil,

Gearbox Oil,

Diff Oil,

Coolant

Brake/power-steering fluid

Air conditioning re-gas + lubricants.

Compression test. - All level and in spec.

Refurbishment undertaken in my ownership:

Diff reconditioned with new input/output seals

Engine Block pressure relief valve seal changed.

Driver's seat and bolster stitching reconditioned.

New set of Continental 7s all round.

Dimming Rear view mirror changed.

SMG pump's accumulator and salmon relay replaced. (+Clutch adaption) Now its spot on!

Hydro dipped carbon effect interior trim.

Powder coated cross braces and exhaust mount with new gearbox rubber mounts. I've also cleaned up the subframe (waxoiled once surface rust removed)

Full geo with 4 wheel laser alignment.

Bought am OEM Wind deflector (included for asking price).

Paint less dent removal to flanks and bonnet.

Replaced headlight and windscreen washer pumps. Replaced headlight washer spray nozzles.

Other major work:

FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION REFRESH inc, shocks, springs, bump stops, top mounts and bushes + Geo I've fitted OEM spec shocks and springs, which have just about bed in. (a lot more compliance over the **** roads we have to endure today!).

To improve the sound from the 8" Alpine Apple Car play touchscreen head unit.... I've installed an 8” sub in ski hatch + dedicated Sub Amp. I refitted the Alpine speakers (not fitted correctly by the last owner), so I refitted them properly, with sound deadening treatment applied and used new door trim clips to hold them tight.

I bought a Hard top and had it repainted it in carbon black. I removed headliner and retrimmed and added sound deadening to get rid of the tinny sound. (yours for an additional +£1200 on asking price)

Rear silencer changed to one with Euro tips and centre section with standard resonator. The resonator deleted pipe is available with the car if you love that extra Raspy sound. (with the 200cell cats and the centre resonator, its still quite raspy)

Other info:

The boot floor has not had reinforcement plates. I have a QuickJack and have regularly checked for cracks, and there is no sign of any hairline cracks or spot welds separation. (I can have it up for you to look for yourself if you want to see for yourself).

The big end bearings haven't been changed and neither has the Vanos or head gasket. In my ownership, I have always warm up the engine and waited till the oil was at least 75degrees before having fun.

The Brake Discs still have life in them and the car pulls up nice and straight. The brake pads have plenty of life left in them.

It will be sad to see it go, but I fancy going back to a 2 seater…. Probably an F Type or go back to a TVR Tuscan.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Cheers,

Martin.