The BMW E46 M3 built between 2000 and 2006 is the quintessential early nougthies modern classic car. It has the kudos that comes with a BMW M badge, one of the best engines ever built, and is widely recognized as a high point in the M3’s 36-year career. No wonder values have rocketed in recent years.
But an extremely low mileage M3 currently being auctioned on Bring-a-Trailer could set a new record for non-CSL versions of BMW’s classic coupe, and push up the prices of every other example in the process.
Make a list of everything you’d want your dream pre-owned E46 M3 to be, and this one delivers on almost every level. A one-owner car that’s spent it’s entire life in sunny Florida, it is fitted with the desirable six-speed stick-shift transmission instead of the clunky SMG automated manual alternative from 2004 that’s aged about as well as a quart of milk from the same era.
Related: BMW M Rumored To Be Readying Special M4 For 50th Ann. With Manual Gearbox
The body is finished in Titanium Silver Metallic, which contrasts nicely with the Imola Red Nappa leather interior, and there are plenty of desirable options, including xenon headlights, 19-inch M double-spoke wheels and a Harmon Kardon audio system. From the pictures, it looks immaculate, but the auction listing does say the seller fesses up to it having “a stone chip”. That’s right, one stone chip. There’s also very slight wear to the bolster on the driver’s seat, but nothing that couldn’t be remedied.
Admittedly, this is just a regular M3, not the later Competition version with the slightly quicker steering rack (known as the CS in the UK), or the incredible lightweight CSL sold in Europe (but sadly not eligible for U.S. import until 2028). But what really sets this M3 apart from others, and what will ensure it sells for crazy money, is the freakishly low 6,783 miles (10,916 km) on the 333 hp (338 PS) 3.2-liter S54 inline-six.
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We’ve already seen what happens when modern performance icons with sub-7,000 mile odometer readings hit Bring-a-Trailer. A 1995 Toyota Supra with 6,571 miles sold for $201,000 last year, and in January 2022 a 6,649-mile Acura Integra Type R minted in 2000 made $112,000. And given that a 12k-mile M3 went for $85,000 in January, we’re guessing this M3 will comfortably make six figures.
We’re also guessing it will get snapped up by a collector, or a dealer like Enthusiast Auto Group, which recently sold a 3k-mile E39 M5 for $200k, and parked up as an investment, rather than driven and enjoyed. That’s sad, but understandable, given how difficult it would be to find another car like this.
But we also worry that the headlines created by this sale (and I appreciate the irony that I’m contributing to them now) will push up prices for every other E46 M3. Used M3s were always your everyman’s supercar, but it looks like you might soon need a supercar budget to afford one. If you do have a Ferrari-sized pile of cash and you want the next best thing to a new 2004 M3, the auction ends Monday, March 14.
What do you think this M3 will sell for? Leave a comment and let us know.
