Price: SOLD | Visit the Bring a Trailer Auction
Mileage: 45,300 Miles
Engine: S54B32 Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Transmission
Exterior color: Silver Grey Metallic Exterior (A08)
Interior: Black Leather Interior (N5SW)
Additional features:
Brushed Aluminum Shadow Interior Trim
Power / Memory / Heated Sport Seats
Auto Dimming Rearview Mirror
Automatic Headlights
Xenon Headlights
Harmon Kardon HiFi Sound System
DICE Media Bridge
Escort Radar Detector Hardwire Kit
Automatic Climate Control
Rain Sensor
On Board Computer
Individual Anthracite Headliner
White Direction Indicator Lights
Fog Lights
Fold Down Rear Seats
Style 67 19-Inch Staggered M3 Wheels
Michelin Pilot Super Sport High Performance Tires
Colorado Car
Clean Carfax
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 that gave it formidable performance. Even today, a well-driven E46 M3 can hold its own against much more powerful and modern performance cars. Early M3s had a rod bearing recall that was remedied by mid-2003. A mid-life cycle facelift also occurred in mid-2003, with later models having more standard options and LED tail lights. The E46 M3 market has diverged with clean, well cared for, late-model examples commanding the highest premiums.
This low-mileage 2004 Silver Grey M3 is one of those post-facelift examples. Silver Grey is one of the best E46 M3 colors; rich and darker than Titanium Silver, yet still light enough to present well, even when dirty. It is matched by a black leather interior with brushed aluminum trim. Desirable E46 M3 options are Xenon headlights, fold down seats, and nineteen-inch Style 67 wheels. The Carfax shows it was originally purchased as a corporate vehicle in August of 2004, splitting time between Colorado, Ohio and Pennsylvania. In August of 2005 it came to Colorado permanently. In the process it was changed from a corporate to a personal vehicle in Ohio, then titled in CO. The Carfax shows a mileage inconsistency when this happened. On July 20, 2005 it passed Colorado emissions at 12,361 miles, followed by an oil change at Gebhardt BMW six days later at 12,922 miles. Then it shows a Colorado registration and title being issued on August 31, 2005 with 10,355 miles. I suspect that this mileage came from paperwork that was filled out several months earlier, creating the mileage inconsistency. The Carfax shows the mileage before and after being consistent, and there is no evidence to indicate anything to the contrary. It remained with that owner in Colorado until August 30, 2012, always being serviced at Gebhardt BMW. The next owner was a fellow enthusiast who took excellent care of it until trading it in for another M car. The records show regular oil changes, services, inspections, and routine maintenance. The previous owner had the front bumper cover repainted due to some scraping on the lower lip. In preparation for sale we replaced the driver’s door seal. The records are included in a three-ring binder, along with all owners’ manuals, two keys, and a clean Carfax.
The Silver Grey Metallic paint is in excellent condition. It has clearly always lived indoors and been spared harsh weather and UV exposure. There are no glaring imperfections, and the entire hood, partial fenders, and front bumper cover are protected by clear bra—a costly installation. Close examination does show minor scuffing on the bottom of the lower lip. All panels are original, paint gauging between 3 and 4 mils. The factory VIN placard is in place. There is no rust. All trim work is in place. The windshield is BMW glass that is crack-free, but does have some pitting. The headlight lenses are crystal clear, but also have minor pitting. The front marker lights have clear-lens examples. The LED rear tail light lenses are crack-free and look great! The Style 67 19-inch M3 wheels are straight and true with no curb rash; the records show them being refinished in June of 2013 at 25K miles. They are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires with 60% front tread remaining and 40% rear.
The black leather and brushed aluminum trim is in excellent condition. The carpet has no stains or tears and is protected by BMW M3 front floor mats. The seats are in great shape, with no excessive wear. The rear seats are the desirable fold-down type. The M steering wheel leather is also in excellent shape and there is no failed M tri-colored stitching. There are no failed pixels in the instrument cluster, radio, or HVAC panel, and there are no warning or check engine lights. The auto-dimming rear view mirror has no leaking fluid. The headliner does not sag. The BMW Harmon Kardon HiFi sound system sounds great. The heat blows warm and the air conditioning blows cold. The blower motor does not chirp, and the final stage resistor functions correctly (common issues). The center console storage compartment and ashtray covers are not scratched (another common issue). The shift knob and boot are the desirable one-piece with excellent leather, however the M badge does have slight delamination. The power windows, door locks, and the sunroof operate correctly. The door cards are tight and the window regulators are quiet. The trunk tool kit is complete (lug wrenches were not included with M3s because of the mobility kit). We replaced the driver’s door seal. All owners manuals and two keys are included with the sale.
All preventative maintenance is up to date and all common issues have either been addressed or are not present. The last oil change was done at 44,005 miles. The last S54 valve adjustment was done at 31,064 miles, along with a major service. Both airbag recalls have been complied with and the transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant have been flushed in accordance with the Lifetime Maintenance Schedule. The engine fires on command, idles smoothly and pulls strongly to redline. It does not leak, drip, or spot. The valve cover gasket was replaced when the valve adjustment was performed. The VANOS is quiet. The shifter is tight, the clutch does not slip, and the clutch delay valve was replaced. The Carfax reports this as the clutch being replaced, but it was just the clutch delay valve. The brakes have lots of pad life and rotor run-out remaining. There is no driveline or wheel bearing vibration or whine. There are few better cars for the money than an E46 M3; this one is an excellent investment grade car that is a blank canvas for the new owner.
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