Price: SOLD
Mileage: 9,600 Miles
Engine: M54B30 3.0-Liter Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic Transmission
Exterior color: Titanium Silver Metallic (354)
Interior: Standard Grey Leather Interior (N6TT)
Additional features:
Myrtle Wood Interior Trim
Sport Package:
Leather Sport Steering Wheel
Power Memory Sport Seats
M Aerodynamics Package
Premium Package:
Power Glass Sunroof
Power Lumbar Support
Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers
Automatic Climate Control
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
Bi-Xenon Headlights
Cold Weather Package:
Heated Front Seats
Headlight Washers
Split Fold-Down Rear Seats
Ski Bag
Rear Armrest
Staggered M Double Spoke Style 68 17” Wheels
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ Tires
BMW Carpeted Floor Mats
Time Capsule Condition
100% Stock and Unmolested
2-Owner Car
Clean Carfax
The BMW E46 generation 3 Series is what many BMW-philes consider to be the last of the true driver’s 3 Series. The E46 occurred near the end of the sweet spot of BMW’s technological evolution, where power, weight, size, and simplicity all wonderfully intersected. It was the last 3 Series before BMW shifted from a driver-focused brand to a technology-focused brand. It came from an era where a base-model 3 Series could satisfy the discerning tastes of the driving enthusiast and was the first 3 Series since the E30 offered with all-wheel drive. Yet, the E46 offers plenty of amenities (subtle lighting illuminating the center console from above is my favorite). The sport package’s 3-spoke steering wheel, bolstered seats, suspension, and Style 68 M Double Spoke wheels add purpose. The E46 was so good that most have had the wheels driven off of them, making low mileage examples hard to find. Many examples have depreciated into the price point of entry-level buyers and neglect. Clean, low mileage, well cared for examples are rare—very rare.
That is exactly what this 330i is, a clean and incredibly low-mileage example—one of the lowest mileage 330i’s for sale in the country, if not the lowest. Its condition shows it too, it is virtually perfect. Titanium Silver Metallic is one of the most popular E46 colors because it always looks fantastic. The paint finish and clear coat on this example are rich and vibrant. The leather is still soft and supple to the touch and it still has the same fantastic BMW leather smell it had when it left the showroom. Even common wear areas like the steering wheel and seat bolsters are pristine. It was ordered with the Cold Weather Package, Premium Package, Bi-Xenon headlights, and most importantly the Sport Package. It was originally sold by BMW of Rochester (New York) on August 13, 2002 with only three miles on the odometer. Over the next fourteen years it was driven an average of eighty-nine miles per year, but most importantly, treated to regular oil changes (by time not mileage intervals) and dealer services. It also regularly passed New York State inspections. The Carfax also shows that all entries occurred between the months of May and October—there isn’t one winter entry, meaning it was likely spared exposure to the Northeast’s harsh winters. This is also verified by the undercarriage and telltale corrosion indicators like the hood latch receivers and alternator casing—all show no evidence of exposure to salt (lift pictures are on our website if you are reading this elsewhere). In 2016 it came to Colorado with the second owner at only 1,286 miles. That owner drove it regularly until it came to us at 9,535 miles. In preparation for sale we gave it a complete inspection and replaced the passenger front window regulator, along with a fresh oil change. I replaced the fog lights due to slight clouding and the ashtray cover due a few slight scratches (the car is pictured with the original fog lights and ashtray cover). It is the most pristine E46 we’ve had at Glen Shelly. It looks, drives, feels, and even smells very much like it did the day it left the show room. The Carfax is clean and all panels are original. It is 100% stock and unmolested; ready to be enjoyed by its new owner. For the price of a base model Toyota Corolla you can have one of the best BMWs ever built!
I am highly critical of our cars and I couldn’t find much to nitpick on this one. It presents exactly like you would expect it to with 9K miles on the odometer. The Titanium Silver Metallic paint (often called TiAg, referencing the periodic table) is in excellent condition. The paint has no significant chips, nicks, peeling clear coat or other glaring defects. The front bumper cover and hood leading edge have none of the rock chips that most Colorado cars have. The VIN tag is in place, the Carfax is clean, and it has never been in accident. All trim is present and in good condition. The headlights, marker lights, and taillight lenses are all crystal clear and all lights operate correctly. The fog light lenses were slightly cloudy in the inside of the lenses (the originals are the ones in the photographs), but I replaced them with perfect units from BMW. The windshield has no cracks and only one tiny chip; the Carfax shows it being replaced by BMW in 2017. The side and rear windows are perfectly clear. The Style 68 wheels are in very good shape; but they do have some brake dust discoloration. Frustratingly, the wheel weights are mounted on the outside of the wheels. The tire technician that did this deserves to have the fleas of a thousand camels invade their armpits! These can be relocated on the inside. The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tires have 2016 DOT dates with over 70% tread remaining.
The Standard Grey Leather and Myrtle Wood interior is also in excellent condition. It is as soft and supple as the day it left the dealership, having none of the normal hardening or fade that all BMW leather gets from use and UV exposure. The Myrtle Wood trim has none of the hairline cracks that are typical of E46s, but there is one small etching in the driver’s door trim. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. The carpets are clean, with no stains except for one small quarter-sized spot on the driver’s side of the transmission tunnel. BMW carpeted floor mats are included and have protected the carpet, but the foam underside of the mats is starting to degrade (only visible if you remove the floor mats). The seat leather has no tears, failed stitching, or bolster wear. All power seat motors, memory switches, and seat heaters work. The instrument cluster, stereo, and HVAC displays have no failed pixels. There are no warning lights on and no system check messages. The BMW Business stereo and Harmon Kardon Premium Sound system sounds fantastic. The HVAC panel functions correctly, the heat blows warm and the air conditioning blows cold. The heater blower is quiet and the final stage resistor functions correctly at all fan speeds. The storage compartment forward of the shifter had a few light scratches, so I replaced it with a perfect one from BMW (the photographs show the original ashtray cover). All power door locks function and the sunroof and windows work exactly as they should. The sunroof shade is correctly on its tracks. The trunk carpet has no wear or stains. The tool kit, factory jack, and spare tire are present and in good condition, along with a fleece car cover. All owners’ manuals are present, as well as a BMW E46 VHS cassette and all original keys: two keyless entry keys, two valet keys, and two plastic keys.
As it sits, this is a turn-key 330i, there really isn’t much to point out. It drives and feels exactly like an example with four digits on the odometer. No common issues are present. The M54B30 engine fires on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strongly to redline. It doesn’t spot or leak. The cooling system isn’t weeping, and neither are the power steering lines. The rear main seal, transmission pan, and transmission output shaft seals are dry. The transmission shifts smoothly and does not slip. There are no service engine soon, transmission, ABS or DSC lights. The suspension is compliant and there are no clunks, rattles, or other abnormal drive-train noises. The bushing rubber has no cracks and is healthy. The brakes are firm with plenty of life left. It passes Colorado emissions with no problems, which we pay for if it remains in the State of Colorado. It will certainly need continued care and maintenance, and it deserves it, but that should not be for some time. I am happy to include a copy of Mike Miller’s Lifetime Maintenance Schedule with the sale.
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