Price: $24,800
Mileage: 96,500 Miles
Engine: S54B32 Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Gearbox
Exterior color: Topaz Blue Metallic
Interior: Black Leather Interior
Additional features:
Titanline Aluminum Trim
H&R Sport Springs
Koni Sport Shocks
Cold Weather Package
Premium Package
Power/Memory Sport Seats
Heated Seats
Adjustable Side Bolsters
M Multi-Function Steering Wheel
Harman Kardon Premium Sound
Xenon Headlights
Headlight Washers
White Direction Indicator Lights
Automatic Climate Control
Rain Sensor
On-Board Computer
Fog Lights
Fold-Down Rear Seats
BMW Carpet M3 Floor Mats
BMW M Trunk Mat
Black Kidney Grilles and Side Gills
Original Chrome Grills and Gills Included
Wheel Spacers w/ Extended Lug Bolts
18-Inch M Double-Spoke Style 67 Wheels
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3+ Tires
Big Three:
Rod Bearings Replaced Under Recall
Quiet VANOS
Crack-Free Subframe Mounts
The E46 generation M3 was the last of a legacy of normally aspirated, inline 6-cylinder M cars that defined the marque for a generation. At the heart of the E46 M3 was the 333-horsepower S54B32 engine, an evolution of an architecture that reaches back to the original M535i and M1. The S54 won multiple engineering awards upon its release, and, at the time, it produced the highest horsepower per liter for a normally aspirated production engine. A pull to its screaming 8000-RPM redline is a smile-evoking experience that is only made better by the communicative and composed E46 chassis. The M3 also got exclusive suspension, brakes, and wheels, giving it formidable performance. Even today, a well-driven E46 M3 can hold its own against much more powerful and modern performance cars. Clean, low mileage, 6-speed manual examples in rare colors and options carry the highest premiums.
This 2002 M3, finished in Topaz Blue over black leather, is an excellent driver-quality example with only 96,500 miles. Topaz Blue was an early color, replaced by the more common Mystic Blue. In fact, only 2% of U.S. market M3s were finished in Topaz, one of the best M3 colors ever! Other notable options and additions include H&R sport springs, Koni sport shocks, adjustable side bolsters, fold-down rear seats, blacked-out grills, and 18-inch wheels spaced out with 5mm spacers to fill the wheel wells.
It was originally delivered by Gebhardt BMW on July 12, 2002, and was serviced there under the first owner for the following two years. It stayed with the subsequent two owners for the next 15 years, following them in their Air Force careers to Oklahoma, Idaho, Hawaii, and back to Colorado. The current owner, who we are selling on consignment for, has owned it since 2019 and the last 6,000 miles. The Carfax shows it being dealer-serviced throughout its life, and we have a dealer summary of recalls. The rod bearings were replaced under recall in October of 2004 at 14,822 miles. The front bumper cover was repainted in 2017 by Winslow BMW due to rock chipping, which shows up as damage on the Carfax. All body panels paint gauge as original, at 3-5 mils. There are typical imperfections consistent with age and mileage, the worst being rock chips on the hood, shallow door dings on the passenger rear quarter panel, some scratches and scuffs, and dry-rotted rubber in the rear quarter windows. Our inspection revealed a few minor mechanical squawks but nothing that needs immediate attention. For the “big three,” the rod bearings were replaced under recall, the VANOS is quiet, and the subframe is healthy. In preparation for sale, we did a fresh oil service and replaced the air conditioning belt and wiper inserts.
As it sits, this is a blank canvas of a well-cared-for E46 M3 in a desirable color combo at a reasonable price—one of those wonderful middle-of-the-market examples we love so much at Glen Shelly! We want to find a new owner who will appreciate it for what it is and tell the next chapter of its story.
Topaz Blue is the defining feature of this M3, and the paint on this example presents nicely. Overall, this is a car that wears its originality proudly and transparently. Flaws are consistent with age and mileage and consist of moderate rock chipping on the leading edge of the hood, a series of shallow door dings on the passenger rear quarter panel, scuffing on the bottom of the front bumper cover, and light to moderate scratches and swirls elsewhere. None are glaring, and they could be improved with a round of paint correction and paintless dent repair. The plus side of this patina is that other than the front bumper cover, all paint is original, gauging at 3 to 5 mils. There is no rust, and all VIN/warning stickers are legible and accounted for. The windshield is crack-free with light pitting. All trim pieces are also accounted for, showing light UV fade in places. The blacked-out kidney grilles and side gills are in good shape, and the original chrome grilles are included in the sale. The headlights are functional, with some pitting in the lenses. The taillights and indicators are also functional and unfaded. The outside mirror glass has typical fading along the outer edges. The wheels have only minor curb rash and blemishes. They are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tires that should be replaced soon. 5mm spacers are mounted for looks and space the wheels out nicely.
The interior of this E46 M3 is also in good shape. There are no stains or foul odors. BMW M3 carpet mats are included, as is a matching trunk mat. The headliner does not sag; the self-dimming mirror is due for solid-state internals. The Titainline trim has some light typical scratching in areas. The door cards are presentable with moderate wear around the pull handle. The steering wheel and steering column are fully functional with minimal wear. The dashboard is crack-free, and the instrument cluster is clear and functional. There are no blown-out pixels in any of the displays. All interior power switches for lighting, locks, and windows are fully functional and legible, except for the right rear quarter window switch. The heat is warm, and the air conditioning blows cold. The stereo system sounds great, and all controls work as they should. The center console has typical wear on the storage compartment covers, which could be easily repaired. The shifter and boot are soft to the touch with typical bezel wear. The front seats are presentable, with some outer bolster creasing. The rear seats are in great shape. The trunk is stain and damage-free, and the toolbox is largely complete. The original lug nuts, OEM grilles, and gills are included. There are several keys; the keyless entry always locks, but it is intermittent when unlocking.
It is clear this M3 has been well-cared for, and the Carfax shows consistent dealer servicing throughout its life. The rod bearings have been replaced under recall, the VANOS is quiet, and the subframe is healthy. The engine fires on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strongly to redline. It has several small oil seeps that do not drip or spot. We recommend starting with the valve cover, and doing a valve adjustment while you were in there. We can perform this service at the buyer’s discretion. The clutch take-up is not high on the pedal, nor does it slip. The shifter is not overly notchy (typical of the 420G transmissions), and it does not pop out of any gear. The brakes have lots of pad life and rotor run-out remaining. There is no driveline or wheel-bearing vibration or whine. We ensure it passes and pays for emissions in the State of Colorado.
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