Price: SOLD
Mileage: 66,700 Miles
Engine: S54B32 Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Gearbox
Exterior color: Jet Black Metallic
Interior: Cinnamon Leather Interior
Additional features:
Brushed Aluminum Interior Trim
BMW M Performance Short Shifter
ZHP Shift Knob
Power/Memory Sport Seats
M Multi-Function Steering Wheel
Euro Center Console Tray w/ Slider
Xenon Headlights
Automatic Headlights
White Direction Indicator Lights
Automatic Climate Control
Rain Sensor
On Board Computer
Fog Lights
Fold Down Rear Seats
BMW Carpet Floor Mats
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ Tires
North Carolina/Virginia/Pennsylvania Car Clean Carfax
Post Rod Bearing Recall M3
Healthy Oil Analysis at 62K Miles
Rear Subframe Mounts Healthy
VANOS is Quiet
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. A mid-lifecycle updated starting with March of 2003 (2003.5) model years included several new features, the most notable being LED taillights. Clean, low mileage, 6-speed manual examples with rare color combinations carry the highest premiums.
This 2004 Jet Black over Cinnamon Leather M3 is not your typical 60K-mile E46 M3. Rather, this is one that was worth investing heavily in to bring to the next level, resulting in a collector-grade E46 M3 that will only continue to appreciate as the E46 M3 market continues to mature. Jet Black over Cinnamon is one of the best color combinations offered in the M3 color pallet, with the bulged fenders and hood looking downright sinister in liquid black which is offset by warm leather and brushed aluminum trim inside. Optioned with the proper 6-speed gearbox, power memory seats, xenon lights, and 18-inch wheels it is stock and unmolested other than a BMW short shift kit that we installed. Included with the sale are the original window sticker, original warranty information, owners’ manual, and every single maintenance record from day one. It was originally delivered to Charlotte, North Carolina and remained there under the first two owners, selling as a certified pre-owned M3. From there it moved to Virginia with the third owner and Pennsylvania under the fourth.
We found it, brought it to Colorado, and set about an extensive cosmetic restoration to bring it into top-of-the-market condition. The work included the majority of the center console trim pieces, all of the pillar trims, the pedals and covers, steering wheel trim, exterior marker lenses, M badges, rear window gaskets, and interior and exterior mirror glass. Mechanically, we replaced the shifter and knob with an M Performance shifter and ZHP knob with a fresh bushing cup, rubber boot, and circlips underneath. We also replaced the rear brake pads, rotors, and sensors with a brake fluid flush, and the flex disc. The last S54 valve adjustment was done, along with the spark plugs, cooling system flush, brake fluid flush, and other Inspection II items at 58,432 miles. The last oil service was done at 64,983 miles; the last oil analysis was done at 62,000 miles and showed healthy rod bearings. The subframe mounts are also healthy and the VANOS is quiet. In a market that has diverged, with the bottom-end examples only accelerating the widening gap between the top of the market, this M3 represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire one of the best examples of one of the best BMW M cars ever made. It is a premium example that will only continue to age gracefully and reward its next owner.
The Jet Black paint is in excellent condition and a defining feature of a this M3. Black usually shows imperfections, but this example presents like a much lower mileage example, having a glossy liquid effect. The paint gauges at 3-4 mils with the exception of the trunk, which goes up to 5 mils. Close inspection reveals faint imperfections, but they are few and far between. The worst are scuffs on the bottom of the front splitter, then some very light pitting on the lower leading edges and a few small scratches. All of the trim, rubber, and door seals are excellent. The plastic hood vent has some slight UV fade in the photos, but we got obsessive and subsequently replaced that. The factory VIN placard is in place. The windshield is crack-free with only faint pitting, it is BMW glass. The headlight lenses are crystal clear and the front markers have matched block-out plates. The rear taillights are crack-free with excellent clear lenses. The factory M Double Spoke wheels have small paint chips and some curb rash with the exception of the right rear wheel, which has moderate curb-rash. We can have these refinished in chrome shadow if desired for extra. They are wearing Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tires with good tread remaining and 2018 DOT dates.
The Cinnamon interior is likewise in excellent shape. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. The headliner does not sag and we replaced all of the pillars. The carpet is excellent, and the factory floor mats are present, although they do have slight wear and the Velcro circles are no longer attached. There is minimal bolster wear, especially considering the mileage. There rear seats are the desirable fold-down type. The M steering wheel is excellent. The Harmon Kardon sound system sounds excellent. There are no failed pixels in the instrument cluster, radio, or HVAC panel and no warning or check engine lights illuminated. 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 ZHP shift knob, boot, center console trim, and Euro storage tray are perfect, thanks to being recently replaced. The power door locks and windows work correctly. The door cards are tight, and the window regulators are quiet; there are some very light scratches on the driver’s door bushed aluminum trim. The trunk tool kit is complete (lug wrenches were not included with M3s because of the mobility kit).
All preventative maintenance is up to date and no common E46 are present. The records date to the original purchase date and are supported by the Carfax. The rod bearings are post-recall and a recent Blackstone Lab report shows them to be healthy, the subframe mounts have no cracks. The last valve adjustment was done at 58K miles. The S54 fires on command, idles smoothly and pulls strongly to redline. It does not leak, drip, or spot. The VANOS is quiet. The 420G shifts smoothly, with no second or third gear grinding, and the clutch does not slip. 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 pay for emissions in the State of Colorado. As it sits, this is a turn-key M3 ready to be driven across country.
VIN Decode
Original Vehicle Options
SHARE
THIS
LISTING