2005 BMW M3

First registered on the 1st of March 2005 and showing only one former keeper, this stunning BMW M3 convertible has covered just 16,000 genuine miles from new.

In the care of the vendor for the past 15 years, he bought it as an ex-demonstrator at six-months-old. A high-days-and-dry-days car, it is finished in Metallic Grey over red leather; freshly serviced and beautifully presented, it’s one for the collector or enthusiast looking to reacquaint themselves with one of the noughties most accomplished sportscars.

The E46 came from a period when BMW could still lay claim to building The Ultimate Driving Machine and the bodywork on this ultra-low example reflects that.

Laser-etched shutlines, beautiful panel alignment, a wonderful finish to the paintwork, and a full suite of ‘M’ trim conspire to produce one of the nicest examples we’ve ever seen.

The folding black hood is every bit as good as the rest of the coachwork. Free of serious damage, it rises and falls at the touch of a button, sealing tightly and giving every bit as much weather resistance as the tin-top.

The OE diamond-cut alloy wheels are, in the words of the boss, “in excellent condition” but then he went on to say that “overall, the car is in a fantastic condition”, so it’s fair to say he’s impressed. And trust me when I say that doesn’t happen often.

The rear Michelin tyres were new three years and a couple of hundred miles ago. However, while the front tyres match, they’re cracked with age and past their best so will need changing soon, something the MOT tester remarked on last time. That said, tyres are the only thing they have ever remarked on, so that’s a win.

As we will never tire of explaining, our experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you an insight into their attitude towards maintenance.

Faults? Well, aside from the usual stonechips and minor marks that any car, no matter how carefully curated, picks up there is a light scratch on the boot lid. Please see the photo for details.

The bright red leather interior is as impressively well preserved as it is cheery. Only very, very lightly creased, the driver’s seat is the only area that shows any wear at all – and the only blemish we could see is a tiny one on the outside of the offside bolster.

The carpets are immaculate, and the doors operate seamlessly. The door cards are excellent, as is the dashboard, the plastic trim, and the inner headlining. It’s all in an incredibly good condition and a fitting testament to the care with which its owner has used it.

You think we exaggerate? Well, take a look at the stitching on the steering wheel, which is still vibrant and clean. That’s usually the first place to betray a less-than-careful owner and this one is every bit as nice now as it’s ever been.

It all works, too. But then you’d guessed that, hadn’t you?

There is also a fold-down wind deflector there to preserve your bouffant, and a high-power Harman Kardon stereo system to rattle your fillings. BMW overmats too, plus electrically operated and heated front seats. This is an M3 that satisfies your inner hedonist as well as the racing driver.

The boot is very neatly organised. Home to the CD multichanger, DVD deck for the sat-nav, tool kit and warning triangle, the tyre inflation system doesn’t look to have been removed from its plastic wrapper.

Work to do? Nothing that we can see other than the usual recurrent need to recharge the air-con every few years. It’s been investigated recently, and the system recharged and filled with dye so any future leaks should be easy to trace.

The servicing regimen comprises:

• 19.06.2007 and 8,669 miles – oil service by Sytner Solihull

• 06.06.2017 and 15,903 miles – new front and rear brake pads plus two new Micheline Super Sport rear tyres

• 06.08.2020 and 16,086 miles – major service, fresh brake fluid, air-conditioning recharged and a new hood motor relay by JS Prestige Auto Services

It drives every bit as well as its reputation suggests. Taut and free of rattles, it starts, steers, stops and goes as well as any M3 E46 we’ve ever driven.

The engine bay is very clean and tidy, as is the underside.

The BMW’s MOT certificate, which is valid until August 2021, was gained first time, something it’s been doing, well, forever.

It has a number of expired MOT certificates plus a sheaf of invoices and bills to confirm the work that has been done to it over the years.

It also still has its original owner’s handbook, fully stamped service history, book pack, and storage wallet plus two sets of keys.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a very good standard.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

And please be reassured, we’ve undertaken a full COVID-assessment and put into place strict control measure to enable us to safely facilitate a no-contact, socially distanced viewing that includes disinfection of the vehicle before and after your viewing.

The E46 has been in the doldrums for years, a victim of its somewhat ungainly looks and ubiquity. Which is a tragedy because it drives brilliantly – and even if you are daft enough to refute our claim that it’s the best M3 of them all to drive, few would dispute that it is dynamically better than many of the more traditionally revered models.

But, a new age is dawning and it’s an age in which the E46 is beginning to be recognized as the utter legend that it is. Those neat, understated looks are aging beautifully, maturing in a way that we in the office admire, albeit with more than a twinge of envy…

This new-found popularity is starting to be reflected in the asking price, too. We’re seeing modest year-on-year gains for 2019-20, and asking prices for the very best examples topped £40,000 a while ago.

Which makes the £20,000 to £30,000 we think this example will fetch very good value indeed. Offered with a reserve that is even lower, this is your opportunity to get behind the wheel of one of the best E46 M3s in the country for less than you thought possible.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.