Price: SOLD
Mileage: 111,200 Miles
Engine: S54B32 Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Gearbox
Exterior color: Topaz Blue Metallic
Interior: Black Anthracite Impulse Cloth and Leather Interior
Additional features:
Bushed Aluminum Trim
Power / Memory Sport Seats
Adjustable Side Bolsters
M Multi-Function Steering Wheel
Harman Kardon Premium Sound
Xenon Headlights
White Direction Indicator Lights
Automatic Climate Control
On-Board Computer
Fog Lights
Fold-Down Rear Seats
Front Marker Light Blanks
Coco Blue Floor Mats
BMW Carpet M3 Floor Mats
19-Inch M Double-Spoke Style 67 Wheels
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Tires
100% Stock and Unmolested
3-Owner Colorado Car
Complete Maintenance Records to Original Delivery
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 Anthracite Impulse cloth and black leather, is a unicorn example. In all of the years and countless E46 M3s we’ve sold at Glen Shelly, we’ve never seen another one like it. Topaz Blue was an early color, replaced by the more common Mystic Blue. Only 2% of U.S. market M3s were finished in Topaz. Factor in the Anthracite Impulse cloth to that, and it gets even rarer. Other notable options and additions include adjustable side bolsters, brushed aluminum interior trim, fold-down rear seats, color-matched front marker light blanks, and 19-inch wheels spaced out with thin spacers to fill the wheel wells. It was originally delivered on March 22, 2002, by Gebhardt BMW and has remained in Colorado throughout its life under two fanatical owners. The maintenance records show proper “old-school” maintenance completed at the dealership and independent repair shops and date back to the original delivery, which the Carfax also substantiates. It came to us after a brief stint with a third owner who realized it was way too special for his daily-driver mission. Its condition is exceptional, presenting like a car with a fraction of its miles. As it sits, all maintenance is up to date; there are no outstanding mechanical or cosmetic issues. We are hesitant to let it go, but we can’t keep them all. This is a truly special example of one of the greatest BMWs ever built. We want the next owner of this M3 to treat it as well as the previous owners have, and honoring a commitment to the previous owners, will vet the next owner thoroughly.
Considering its age and mileage, this Topaz Blue M3 is as close to showroom quality as a car of this mileage can get. The paint is all original and gauges at 3 to 5 mils. The leading edge of the hood, front fenders, mirrors, and rear fenders are protected by clear film. The few imperfections consist of small-sized tar spots on the driver-side c-pillar and passenger side skirt, a half-inch scratch to the clear coat on the driver-side quarter panel, and a clear coat scratch an inch long on the trunk. There is no rust, and all VIN/warning stickers are legible and accounted for. There are no panel gap inconsistencies, and all glass is crystal clear. All trim pieces are also accounted for and in excellent condition. The headlights are functional and with minimal opaqueness. The taillights and indicators are also functional and unfaded. The wheels are all in excellent shape, with no curb rash. The wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires with 2020 DOT dates and 9/32” tread depth on each corner. Small spacers are mounted for looks only; the original wheel bolts are also included.
The interior of this E46 M3 is just as well kept as the exterior. There are no stains or foul odors. The headliner does not sag, and the A, B, and C pillars only have very slight wrinkling at the lower edges of the A and C pillars. The door cards are in great shape, with only a crack in the silver vinyl on the speaker trim on the passenger door, and several small dents to the leather on the driver armrest. The steering wheel and steering column are fully functional and show no signs of 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. 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 only very light wear on the lower storage compartment covers, much less than normal. The shifter and boot have been replaced with the correct one-piece shifter. There is light typical E46 wear on the plastic cup holder. The front seats have light outer bolster creasing, but it is much better than typical for age and mileage. The rear seats are in fantastic shape. The trunk is stain and damage free, and the toolbox is complete. A BMW oil bag, factory floor mats, original lug nuts, OEM side markers, and a front license plate bracket are included.
All preventative maintenance is up to date, and no common E46 issues are present. The service records are thorough, showing consistent care and maintenance, along with the work outlined in the summary paragraph. The rod bearings have been replaced under recall, the VANOS has been refreshed, and the subframe has been reinforced. The S54 valve adjustment, engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant have been done on schedule. The engine fires on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strongly to redline. It does not leak, drip, or spot. The clutch take-up is not high on the pedal, nor does not slip. The shifter is slightly notchy, typical of the 420G transmission; 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. This M3 has been properly owned and cared for and will make its new owner a proud member of the E46 M3 fold.
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