Price: SOLD
Mileage: 110,800 Miles
Engine: S54B32 Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Transmission
Exterior color: Phoenix Yellow Metallic (445)
Interior: Black Leather Interior (N5SW)
Additional features:
Brushed Aluminum Shadow Interior Trim
Blackstone Labs Oil Analysis
Manual / Heated Sport Seats
Steering Wheel Wrapped in Alcantara
Alcantara Shift and E-Brake Boots
ZHP Shift Knob
Auto Dimming Rearview Mirror
Halogen Headlights
Automatic Headlights
Harmon Kardon HiFi Sound System
Aux Input
Automatic Climate Control
Rain Sensor
On Board Computer
Fog Lights
Fold Down Rear Seats
BMW Rubber Floor Mats
Style 67 18-Inch Staggered M3 Wheels
Preventative Rod Bearing Replacement
Recent S54 Valve Adjustment
Continental ExtremeContact Sport 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 2005 Phoenix Yellow M3 is one of those post-facelift examples. Phoenix Yellow is one of the best E46 M3 colors; its dynamic hue changes dramatically with shifts in light. It is matched by a Black Leather interior with Brushed Aluminum trim. Desirable E46 M3 options are manual heated seats, a 6-speed manual transmission, and fold-down rear seats. The steering wheel is wrapped in Alcantara, along with the shift boot and E-Brake boots. It also sports a ZHP shift knob and aux input. The Carfax shows that it was initially sold to the first owner from Open Road BMW in Edison, New Jersey. It was then sold to the second owner, also in Edison, New Jersey, at 34,111 miles. Owner 3, from whom we got the car, took over in 2015 at 103,001 miles. The records show regular oil changes, services, inspections, and routine maintenance. Notable recent maintenance includes an S54 valve adjustment and preventative rod bearing replacements. In preparation for sale we replaced the oil relief plug, the left front control arm, control arm bushings on both sides, and gave it a fresh oil change. The records are included in a three-ring binder, along with all owners’ manuals, two keys, and a clean Carfax. As it sits, this is one of the most desirable E46 M3s on the market: it’s a late-model, Phoneix Yellow, 6-Speed manual, manual seats, with critical preventative maintenance done.
The Phoenix Yellow Metallic paint is in very good condition. It has clearly always lived indoors and been spared harsh weather and UV exposure. Close examination does show some scuffing and cracking on the bottom of the front lower lip and a few small nicks in the paint of the rear bumper. The clear coat on the top of the mirror caps is beginning to discolor slightly, but is not peeling. There are several small dents on the vehicle, but they take close scrutiny to see and all could be fixed with paintless dent repair. All panels appear to be original. The factory VIN placard is in place. There is no rust, albeit there is some superficial surface browning on some hardware on the underside from its tenure on the East coast. All trim work is in place. The windshield 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 18-inch M3 wheels are straight and true with virtually no curb rash. They are wrapped in Continental ExtremeContact Sport that were replaced in preparation for sale.
The black leather and brushed aluminum trim is in excellent condition. There is a spattering of small key marks on both of the interior door handles, along with some minor wear of the leather on the door cards. The carpet has no stains or tears and is protected by BMW M3 floor mats. The seats are in great shape, with minor bolster wear on the driver’s seat. The rear seats are the desirable fold-down type. The M steering wheel has been reupholstered in alcantara, and is also in excellent shape with 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). There is minor scratching of the center console. The shift knob is in very good shape and is paired with an alcantara shift boot. 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). All owners’ manuals and two keys are included with the sale, along with the original window sticker.
All preventative maintenance is up to date and all common issues have either been addressed or are not present. The rod bearings were replaced along with a valve adjustment being performed by a BMW technician at approximately 102,000 miles. The last oil change was performed less than 100 miles ago. Both airbag recalls have been complied with and the transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant have been flushed regularly. The engine fires on command, idles smoothly and pulls strongly to redline. It does not leak, drip, or spot. The VANOS is quiet. The shifter is tight 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. There are few better cars for the money than an E46 M3; this one is an excellent, clean, driver-quality example that is a blank canvas for the new owner.
VIN Decode
Vehicle Options
SHARE
THIS
LISTING