2005 BMW E46 M3 Cabriolet

Highlights

• Strong history

• BMW Individual options

• Front brake system overhaul in April 2024

• In previous ownership for 12 years

• Presents very well throughout 

Overview

M is one of the most powerful letters in the history of performance cars - never has one single letter earned so much respect or carried such weight among fans of going quickly. BMW’s M division has long been the maker of top-shelf performance cars that balance fantastic performance with everyday usability, and the E46-era M3 is a particular highlight. 

Not only was this era of M3 a brilliantly usable performance car, but it also played host to what any enthusiast would argue is one of the finest six-cylinder engines of all time - the S54. Featuring individual throttle bodies on all six of its cylinders, 338 bhp and a soundtrack that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up as you push towards the redline. It really is a driving experience that you have to experience at some point in your life. 

This particular M3 is of the drop-top cabriolet variety, which brings the benefit of hearing that intoxicating, rasping S54 howl even more than you would ensconced in a hard-top cabin.

The previous owner had this M3 in their care for 12 years, during which time it was serviced regularly - annually early on in its ownership tenure, then bi-annually in latter years due to low mileage accrued. It was evidently kept in great condition, as it still presents very well indeed.

With summer around the corner, it’s only natural that thoughts turn to those balmy evenings, the roof down and the sound of an inline-six purring away as you drive along the seafront. And usefully, this M3 Cabriolet has its removable hard-top as well as the folding fabric roof, meaning it really is a car for all weathers; perfect for our changeable climate.

History and documentation

• Registered 08 Sep 2005

• Stamped service book with services as follows: PDI Sep 2005, Oct 2005 @ 1,443 miles, Jul 2006 @ 10,776 miles, Aug 2007 @ 21,576 miles, Oct 2008 @ 33,308 miles, Jun 2010 @ 46,473 miles, Jul 2012 [no mileage noted] Aug 2013 @ 70,346 miles, Mar 2014 @ 72,172 miles, Mar 2016 @ 77,218 miles, Mar 2017 @ 80,261 miles, Mar 2019 @ 83,310 miles, Mar 2020 @ 86,869 miles, Apr 2023 @ 90,216 miles, Apr 2024 @ 91,507 miles

• Owners manual, service book and document wallet

• Two keys and emergency blade

• Current MOT with no advisories expires 04 Apr 2026

• V5 present in previous owner’s name - currently with a trade seller

• Airbag recall carried out by BMW main dealer in Oct 2017

• Hard top and cover plates present

• HPI insurance check clear

• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• The interior of this E46 M3 Cabriolet presents very well throughout, and has evidently been well-cared-for over the years

• Both front seats are lightly worn with slight ‘bagginess’ to the leather centres and some scuffs on the outer bolsters

• In the rear, both seats are in excellent condition with minimal signs of wear, save for some light scuffs on the leading edge of the offside seat

• Heated seats

• Drivers’ seat memory function

• Harman / Kardon sound system

• Up above, the headliner of the hard top is sagging slightly, whilst the inner liner of the folding soft top is in good order

• Both door cards are in very good condition with only light usage patination

• The high-traffic areas such as the shifter, steering wheel and door jambs display a light level of usage wear

• Looking closer, there are some areas of the soft-touch covering on the centre console that are worn, some scuffs around the base of the shifter boot on the centre console, and some scratches to the infotainment screen

• In the rear, the luggage compartment is tidy and presents well, with the DVD and CD changer present

• The fold-down tool kit is almost complete

• Under the carpet, the tyre inflator and emergency foam are present-and-correct 

• Being particular, we’d point out that the boot strut housings are lightly corroded

• The seller tells us the infotainment system has a few dead pixels, and that the rear parking sensors can be temperamental 

Exterior

• Finished in the classic shade of Estoril Blau, the paint and bodywork of this M3 looks to be in excellent condition overall, save for a small patch of bubbling on the offside rear wheelarch

• All four wheels were refurbished in May 2024 and remain in outstanding condition, and the seller tells us that all four tyres are new

• The front end and mirror caps exhibit the usual smattering of stone chips and light blemishes, along with a few more visible paint chips

• There are a number of scuffs along the rear lower edge of the hard top

• The triangle mirror trims are scuffed, particularly on the drivers’ side

• We note that the glass on the drivers’ mirror is slightly deteriorated

• Looking closer, the paintwork on the rear bumper valence looks flat, there are a few scuffs to the door bump trims, a few small stone chips to the rear bumper, and the rubber seal around the windscreen is starting to perish though there are no reported water ingress issues

• The folding soft-top has some minor storage indentations and stains

• Overall, a very smart example of the E46 M3 that leaves some scope for further refinement should the next owner wish to do so

Mechanical

• 338b hp, inline-six naturally aspirated S54 engine 

• Rear-wheel drive

• Six-speed manual gearbox 

• Limited-slip differential

• Under the bonnet, the engine and ancillaries present well with a typical patination to the exposed areas

• Front brake system (pads, discs, offside caliper, brake fluid flush) refurbishment in Apr 2024

• No noted or visible weeping from the cam covers

• There is a little corrosion visible around the bonnet latch and springs, commensurate for a vehicle of this age

• No modifications reported

• The seller states that the car is a “joy to drive” and there are no reported mechanical issues

• At the latest MOT test, there were no advisories to address

Summary

Summer sunshine, an S54 and an open road with the wind in your hair and intake noise in your ears. We reckon it doesn’t get much better than that, and that’s the exact situation you could find yourself in if you are the lucky bidder for this E46 M3 Cabriolet. 

Offered for sale having been in the care of its previous owner for 12 years, this is a fine example of the drop-top performance car with a strong history and a great specification, making it a great addition for any millenium-era or BMW M enthusiasts’ collection.

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 Christchurch, Dorset.