2004 BMW M3 Convertible (E46) Manual

Highlights

• Lovely example of E46 M3 Convertible
• Great colour combination
• Sought-after manual transmission
• Comprehensive history
• Recent Inspection 2 service and differential overhaul

Overview

The best things come to those who wait – or at least that’s what fans of the BMW E46 M3 will tell you, for it took until the regular E46’s mid-life facelift for the most hotly anticipated model of the lot to come along, the drop top version of the M3.

The 343bhp M3 Convertible model arrived in late 2001, with one of the best BMW engines ever developed under the bonnet – a normally aspirated 3.2-litre straight-six with astonishing torque, an incredible soundtrack and a beautifully set up chassis. It was lauded by critics as the most engaging, driver-focused M3 ever made, which led to an 18-month waiting list when it finally went on sale.

This one is quite a late example, from late 2004 (the E46 was replaced in mid-2005) and is a completely standard convertible variant, with the thesought-after six-speed manual M3 – a more traditional alternative to the commonly seen SMG.

It’s a lovely car, which the vendor tells us has a comprehensive service history and is beautifully presented throughout.

History and documentation

• First registered in the UK on 27 September 2004 at Wood BMW of Bournemouth, Dorset
• Manufactured August 2004
• UK V5C in the current owner’s name
• MOT until 25 September, 2026
• Genuine low mileage of just over 67,000
• Two sets of keys
• Original handbook and service book in BMW wallet
• The vendor tells us that the service is book stamped as follows: Oct 2023 – 56,420 miles – D A Colledge Motor Engineers Sep 2022 – 54,268 miles – Proctor Cars BMW Jul 2021 – 54,105 miles – Proctor Cars BMW May 2017 – 44,242 miles – Iridium BMW Aug 2015 – 32,796 miles – Partridge of Hampshire BMW Dec 2012 – 22,614 miles – Bartletts Weymouth Nov 2009 – 17,800 miles – Bartletts Weymouth Jan 2008 – 11,883 miles – Bartletts Weymouth Nov 2006 – 8,133 miles – Bartletts Weymouth Jan 2005 – 1,243 miles – Wood of Bournemouth BMW (running-in check) Sep 2004 – PDI - Wood of Bournemouth BMW
• Original tool kit
• Original first aid kit
• Vehicle does still have an outstanding recall for the Takata airbag, which can be addressed free-of-charge by a BMW main agent
• The private registration plate will be retained by the owner and the car will revert to an age-appropriate plate

Interior

• Black leather M Sports seats in lovely overall condition – very slight bolster wear on driver’s seat
• Electrically adjustable memory seats
• Slight cracks on central armrest leather
• M-Sport multi-function steering wheel
• Light wear to steering wheel and gear knob
• Dark grey trim inserts
• M-Sport kick plates
• Original high-line BMW head unit, which the vendor reports has some LCD bleed on the sat nav display
• Leather-trimmed door cards in excellent condition
• Tidy luggage area with some light staining to the inner fabric
• Genuine BMW floor mats
• Harman/Kardon speakers

Exterior

• Original Titan Silver metallic
• Very smart overall condition with no visible corrosion – some light marks and stone chips to the bodywork, but nothing significant
• Original alloy wheels in good condition, but according to vendor a perfectionist may want to have them repolished
• Underside appears to be in very good order and has been wax-sprayed to offer future protection
• Power-operated hood in good working order, and in very smart condition

Mechanical

• 3.2-litre M54 straight-six M-tuned engine
• Six-speed manual transmission
• 343bhp
• 0-62 mph in 5.2 seconds; 155mph top speed
• The vendor reports that the car is superb to drive and that there are no known mechanical faults

Summary

It might not be convertible season right now, but if you want to treat yourself or the car enthusiast in your life to a Christmas gift that that’ll give them something to look forward to when the days start getting longer, in just a few short weeks, then here’s a great opportunity to get your hands on what was one of the very best convertibles of the early 2000s – or of all time.

Roof down, the M3 Convertible sounds amazing. Yet roof up, it’s a snug and civilised companion. And in either form, it’s a driver’s car par excellence, especially in manual gearbox form. This one’s special – a lovely, well-maintained, low mileage example of one of M Division’s finest moments.

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 Coalville, Leicestershire.