Estoril Blue E46 M3... I've finally got one!
Discussion
Morning all.
The E46 M3 had been a dream car for me as a child, I never thought I'd be able to own one but yesterday my dreams came true. I remember Tiff Needell reviewing one on old Top Gear back in the early 2000s, it's been the goal ever since.
The E46 M3 soon became the attainable dream car when values dropped 5 or so years ago. That's pretty much when I started, but with commitments at home and with other projects, it's taken me quite a while to actually buy one.
This was the first M3 I've looked at this year (I've been to look at many over the years), and it was definitely worth the wait. My requirements for an M3 were pretty specific.
In buying an M3, I set myself 3 major requirements. I could live with the car meeting 2 of these. Exterior colour, Interior Colour, Gearbox. Ideally blue or red on the outside, black on the inside, and 3 pedals.
Colour wise, I had a few on the scope. 1st preference will always be Estoril Blue, as it's just one of those colours that whenever I see it, I want it. (excluding the modern BMWs..). I used to own a 2003 320d Sport Saloon 5 years ago, that was Estoril Blue, and I've always loved the colour. I felt that I would regret not getting Estoril if I ever saw another M3 in the colour, but I was willing to go for Imola Red, Mystic Blue, Carbon Black, or Titan Silver. Silver being one of those colours not a lot of people want, but at least I wouldn't have to wash it often
When I saw this car advertised on Friday, I went straight to view it after work, and ended up leaving a deposit. It was perfect. Affordable, local, and had the hat-trick of combinations for me. Black interior, Estoril Blue exterior, and a manual gearbox.
It has a few other options as well that I would have liked, but were not necessary. Heated leather, electric rear pop outs, H+K, and facelift rear lights. The wheels are 19s... not my preference, but wheels are easy to change. The wheels have recently been refurbished however and do look pretty good, just not to my taste so I'll probably be swapping those for 18s in the future.
It's got full BMW service history, and other than the rear light clusters (and possibly front corner lights), it's completely stock and original. Boot floor was checked at BMW last year with no issues found. It's only had 3 owners as well, each of which appear to have looked after the car excellently.
I only got it yesterday, but here are a few pics I took on the way home.
M3... by DanielJames., on Flickr
M3... by DanielJames., on Flickr
M3... by DanielJames., on Flickr
M3... by DanielJames., on Flickr
M3... by DanielJames., on Flickr
M3... by DanielJames., on Flickr
First jobs will be getting it on the ramp and having a good look underneath. It definitely needs an alignment and fresh rubber in the future. The car has had such little use over the past few years, the front tyres are dated from 2009...
I'll also be changing the registration plates to dealer items. I'm not a fan of the council border or black GB logo... Also I'm going to get some clear lenses for the front, not a fan of the depos.
I've been in and around M3s for the past few years, being a regular at the Nurburgring it's definitely on the cards to transform this car into a 'ring tool in the future. For now however, I'm going to pace myself, and just enjoy the car for what it is.
I finally own an M3!
Cheers,
Dan
The E46 M3 had been a dream car for me as a child, I never thought I'd be able to own one but yesterday my dreams came true. I remember Tiff Needell reviewing one on old Top Gear back in the early 2000s, it's been the goal ever since.
The E46 M3 soon became the attainable dream car when values dropped 5 or so years ago. That's pretty much when I started, but with commitments at home and with other projects, it's taken me quite a while to actually buy one.
This was the first M3 I've looked at this year (I've been to look at many over the years), and it was definitely worth the wait. My requirements for an M3 were pretty specific.
In buying an M3, I set myself 3 major requirements. I could live with the car meeting 2 of these. Exterior colour, Interior Colour, Gearbox. Ideally blue or red on the outside, black on the inside, and 3 pedals.
Colour wise, I had a few on the scope. 1st preference will always be Estoril Blue, as it's just one of those colours that whenever I see it, I want it. (excluding the modern BMWs..). I used to own a 2003 320d Sport Saloon 5 years ago, that was Estoril Blue, and I've always loved the colour. I felt that I would regret not getting Estoril if I ever saw another M3 in the colour, but I was willing to go for Imola Red, Mystic Blue, Carbon Black, or Titan Silver. Silver being one of those colours not a lot of people want, but at least I wouldn't have to wash it often
When I saw this car advertised on Friday, I went straight to view it after work, and ended up leaving a deposit. It was perfect. Affordable, local, and had the hat-trick of combinations for me. Black interior, Estoril Blue exterior, and a manual gearbox.
It has a few other options as well that I would have liked, but were not necessary. Heated leather, electric rear pop outs, H+K, and facelift rear lights. The wheels are 19s... not my preference, but wheels are easy to change. The wheels have recently been refurbished however and do look pretty good, just not to my taste so I'll probably be swapping those for 18s in the future.
It's got full BMW service history, and other than the rear light clusters (and possibly front corner lights), it's completely stock and original. Boot floor was checked at BMW last year with no issues found. It's only had 3 owners as well, each of which appear to have looked after the car excellently.
I only got it yesterday, but here are a few pics I took on the way home.
M3... by DanielJames., on FlickrM3... by DanielJames., on FlickrM3... by DanielJames., on FlickrM3... by DanielJames., on FlickrM3... by DanielJames., on FlickrM3... by DanielJames., on FlickrFirst jobs will be getting it on the ramp and having a good look underneath. It definitely needs an alignment and fresh rubber in the future. The car has had such little use over the past few years, the front tyres are dated from 2009...
I'll also be changing the registration plates to dealer items. I'm not a fan of the council border or black GB logo... Also I'm going to get some clear lenses for the front, not a fan of the depos.
I've been in and around M3s for the past few years, being a regular at the Nurburgring it's definitely on the cards to transform this car into a 'ring tool in the future. For now however, I'm going to pace myself, and just enjoy the car for what it is.
I finally own an M3!
Cheers,
Dan
Very nice.
I don't like to be a harbinger of doom, but just because the boot floor is OK now doesn't mean it will stay that way. If I had an M3 I think I would be saving to get reinforcement plates fitted. my 330 touring has a small crack there which I need to get seen to this summer. I understand that no e46 (apart from the compact) is immune
I don't like to be a harbinger of doom, but just because the boot floor is OK now doesn't mean it will stay that way. If I had an M3 I think I would be saving to get reinforcement plates fitted. my 330 touring has a small crack there which I need to get seen to this summer. I understand that no e46 (apart from the compact) is immune
NiceCupOfTea said:
Very nice.
I don't like to be a harbinger of doom, but just because the boot floor is OK now doesn't mean it will stay that way. If I had an M3 I think I would be saving to get reinforcement plates fitted. my 330 touring has a small crack there which I need to get seen to this summer. I understand that no e46 (apart from the compact) is immune
Yeah I'm not naive about the boot floors. It'll definitely be getting beefed up before it sees the track anyway. I don't like to be a harbinger of doom, but just because the boot floor is OK now doesn't mean it will stay that way. If I had an M3 I think I would be saving to get reinforcement plates fitted. my 330 touring has a small crack there which I need to get seen to this summer. I understand that no e46 (apart from the compact) is immune
When can I have a go..? 
I have also wanted an E46 M3 since they came out and this week is the week I finally get one! I've gone two pedals though, so my wife can drive it. I'd rather have had the manual, but I am excited to try SMG out. I've also settled on Carbon Black, but really would have liked LSB, Estoril blue or Imola red.
A lovely car you have there!
A lovely car you have there!
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