This M3 is a second hand car of French origin, its current owner having owned it since 2007. The car has 78.000 km, a mileage justified by the available documentation and the general condition of the car. The car has had its various recalls: rear axle at 5.000km and connecting rod bearings at 20.000 km.
Externally, the car is in new and strictly original condition. The original Titansilber Metallic paint (code 354) has never been redone, and no defects are visible. The car has the "Shadow Line" option, including various aesthetic refinements such as black lacquered window strips. The car has optional xenon lights and electric mirrors.
Inside, nothing is different from the original. The leather upholstery in the optional Laguna Seca blue is flawless. The driver's seat shows no signs of wear and tear, and features power adjustment with memory and lumbar adjustment. The plastics, especially the door sills, are scratch-free. Only the ashtray cover is missing in places. Options include a multifunction sport steering wheel, a 10-speaker stereo with 6-CD changer, a central armrest and a black lacquered dashboard finish.
The mechanics are described as working perfectly and remaining strictly original. The owner being a mechanic with a large experience on the brand, he has done himself the maintenance at very short intervals: engine oil change at maximum 1 year or 10.000km with Castrol EDGE 10w60, gearbox and axle oil change 3 years or 30.000 km. The valve clearances have been adjusted at 60,000 km. The engine is very quiet (see video) and seems to have all its power. The transmission does not make any abnormal noise.
The optional 19-inch forged wheels are scratch-free. The front tires are Michelin Super Sport and the rear tires are Michelin Pilot Sport with very little wear. The brake pads and discs have less than 1,000 km. The chassis, especially the rear part, has been checked less than 10.000 km ago in order to detect possible defects: none was found.
The car is sold with its original documentation and keys, as well as a clean technical control. The seller is a private individual located in Nogent-sur-Marne (94) and accepts visits. The latter wished to define a reserve price.
Video presentation
Inspection report
Inspection performed by Cabinet Comte - Automotive Consulting 12/01/2017 at the request of the owner. This is an optional service offered by Benzin and performed by an independent company.
Hello,
I had the chance to thoroughly inspect and test drive this very old car.
This M3 E46 is a very first generation model released in November 2000 (with its characteristic black antenna of the first year) although its original BMW anti-tampering bar under the hood was installed after the sale as it was only offered from 2002.
On the body side, it is with its original paint except for the front and rear bumper repainted to correct small impacts and scratches. The rims are impeccable and the paint also.
The floor in the trunk area does not show any cracks that are inherent to the E46 due to the multiple alternations of load (sudden accelerations and decelerations) and that can tear it at the 4 anchors of the rear cradle.
I found all the original documents of the vehicle on board.
The maintenance invoices are present as well as its booklet up to date since its purchase until its last inspection II carried out at BMW at 77000 kilometers as well as all its recalls like for example the recall of the connecting rod bearings carried out at 20.000kms.
BMW Maintenance Reminder:
- 20.000kms oil service
- 40.000kms inspection I
- 60.000kms oil service
- 80.000kms inspection II
The engine, gearbox, axle, brake and clutch fluids as well as coolant have been changed.
The 4 Michelin tires, the front discs and pads, the spark plugs as well as the oil-air-pollen and fuel filters have been replaced.
An inspection of the substructures allowed me to confirm that it has been cared for and has not suffered from corrosion. There is no evidence to suggest that it has been damaged in the past.
Thanks to the BMW ByMyCar Noisy dealership for providing me with some information confirming the mileage of this car for my review and confirming that the engine and gearbox numbers are original to the vehicle.
The bridge was replaced in its early days because some customers complained about noise during tight maneuvers and replacing it did not change the phenomenon I will explain.
This grumbling in the limited slip differential is characteristic of this model when the vehicle is not driven for a certain period of time and the first few meters or even the first few kilometers are driven with the steering wheel turned to the maximum, especially when this period of time has been significant.
Nothing serious because the oil in the axle settles while remaining static and the multiple discs of the differential dry out creating friction, so the fact of being in rotation and splashing in the oil solves the problem very quickly.
On the road, it is quiet and all its controls are firm, again confirming the low mileage.
Its acceleration is strong and its road handling is flawless.
The driver's seat is firm and not at all saggy. The surface treatment of the ashtray is a bit scratched, replacing it is not impossible to make it perfect.
The transmission has no significant play, the small noise in the driveshaft when shifting from 1st to stop all that is normal on this model.
In conclusion, this M3 is one of the few that I have seen in such a good condition, and my inspection did not find any anomalies.
Xavier Comte WG Development
Cabinet Comte - Automotive consulting
English
Français
Español
Italiano
Deutsch
Polski
Magyar
