2004 BMW M3

Built in March 2004, Scotthall BMW of Leeds sold ‘YK04 BMR’ to its first owner in the same month it was assembled. It stayed with her until 2007 and 35,000 miles, and its fourth keeper bought it in 2009.

He kept it for 15 years and we sold it in November 2024 with 66,900 miles on the clock. Our seller has added just 900 miles since then.

This Mystic Blue Metallic example also remains in an original condition having been spared the indignity of life with people who think they understand the M3 better than the people who engineered it.

It has also benefitted from being owned by people who appreciate the importance of maintaining it properly – and who haven’t been afraid to spend the appropriate amount of money with the right people.

And it’s clearly paid off because Berry Cobham, a BMW main agent, carried out a Health Check in September 2025 and it recorded green ticks in every section – and you know how main dealers like to find work to do…

That inspection was only 500 miles ago, and the MoT in March was also clear of advisories, just like the one before; when buying a classic the wisest course of action is to try to find reasons NOT to buy it – and with this example those reasons simply don’t exist.

For a start, the Mystic Blue Metallic coachwork (paint code A07) is surely one of the finest, if not THE finest, shades of them all. It’s a rare colour too, and this one also benefits from what has clearly been a vigorous regimen to keep it looking good.

It starts with the panel alignment and shutlines, all of which are still mm-perfect and a credit to the Bavarian firm. The recent HPI check is clear too, which further suggests this example has managed to avoid the ministrations of those whose ambition outweighed their talent.

The factory-fitted sunroof continues to perform to spec, sliding fore and aft smoothly at the touch of a button. The pop-up wind deflector deploys to order and the glass panel seals well when it is closed – but then all the apertures are both clean and feature good rubber seals.

Speaking of which, the lamp lenses are free of chips and cracks and are retained by yet more good rubber seals.

The paintwork itself impresses with the depth and consistency of its shine. There are no obvious defects in its application either; try as we might we couldn’t spot a single run or area of orange peel.

The seller hasn’t used it much since he bought it and has kept it in a dehumidified garage. He also had a bespoke car cover made for it that even features the car’s registration number – and yes, this will be staying with it.

Further good news is that it had new and matching Pirelli P-Zero tyres fitted shortly before being auctioned in 2024 and these were fitted to freshly refurbished 19-inch, ‘67M’ alloy wheels – and the latter set the owner back almost £1,500 but then a top-notch Anthracite ‘n’ diamond-cut finish doesn’t come cheap.

The centre caps are in great shape too, as are the smaller ‘M’ badges, and they’ve clearly been treasured as they’re still free of scuffs, scrapes and other kerbing damage.

As for the health of the tyres, Berry Cobham recorded their tread depths at between 6.6mm and 7.0mm in September 2025. The odometer read 67,490 miles at the time, and the M3’s only covered around 300 miles since, so there is plenty of meat left on them.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The M3-specific bits are all present and correct, including the modest Gurney flap that’s been fitted to the boot lid in lieu of the enormous rear spoilers that manufacturers less secure than BMW fit.

The quad exhaust tailpipes are shiny and nicely aligned, and the subtle body kit and flared wheelarches give it an understated muscularity that today’s skinny-jean-wearing gym bunnies simply wouldn’t understand.

As for issues, the offside front wing has some sanding marks below the grilles, the boot lid has a couple of chips, and the nearside front wing has a small spot of blistering on its wheelarch.

Trivial stuff, therefore, and easily put right should it bother you.

The Nappa Titanium Grey leather interior has fared every bit as well as the coachwork, with the only significant signs of aging being the driver’s seat – and even that is nothing more than light creases and the odd spot of colour loss.

That sort of wear ‘n’ tear is inevitable with seats as heavily bolstered as this. Luckily, BMW was ahead of the game, and the smooth Nappa leather not only feels good when you touch it, it also helps the driver glide across the surface in a way that simply wouldn’t be possible with a more textured leather or, heaven forbid, cloth.

The view from the driver’s seat, which features adjustable lateral support in addition to extendible under-thigh cushions, is splendid with a three-spoke M steering wheel lying in front of a M-Division instrument binnacle that features a white-on-grey speedometer that goes all the way to 180mph alongside a tachometer that boasts an 8,000rpm red line.

The seats and door cards are remarkably clean given their light hue but then the cabin itself has obviously been very well cared for over the years because the headlining is also taut and undamaged.

The carpets are also in great shape, including the vulnerable driver’s heel protector, thanks to them having been protected by dark blue overmats whose light-grey piping coordinates with the rest of the interior trim.

The original headunit is still fitted, and the netting pockets behind the front seats remain tight and elasticated.

The rest of the cabin follows the BMW minimalist ethos but nonetheless manages to squeeze in electrically adjustable front seats, windows, and mirrors, as well as cruise-control and climate-control, which has been extensively fettled over the years including a new receiver/dryer by BMR Motors in August 2021, which followed the installation of a new air-conditioning radiator by the same firm in March of that year.

The tool kit under the boot lid is about half full, which is about 50% better than most we see, and the rest of the luggage area is decently clean and hosts the aforementioned monogrammed car cover plus the factory tyre inflator.

Lifting the boot carpet reveals a few small spots of what looks like partially-treated rust but other flaws seem to be restricted to colour loss from the driver’s door and central armrests.

The M3’s service history is recorded as follows:

· 23rd of March 2004 – pre-delivery inspection by Scotthall BMW Leeds

· 18th of May 2004 – running-in check at 1,864 miles by Scotthall BMW Leeds

· 26th of May 2005 – service at 13,502 miles by Scotthall BMW Leeds

· 12th of October 2006 – service, including fresh brake fluid, at 25,731 miles by Stratstone Chesterfield

· 28th of September 2007 – service at 34,910 miles by Stratstone Chesterfield

· 4th of March 2011 – service, including fresh brake fluid, at 44,789 miles by BMW Park Lane

· 20th of February 2013 – service at 51,834 miles by Lusardi Motors

· 20th of February 2014 – service at 55,715 miles by Lusardi Motors

· 11th of March 2015 – service at 58,374 miles by Lusardi Motors

· 19th of December 2015 – fresh brake fluid, at 58,787 miles by Burch Motor Works

· 27th of February 2016 – adjust valve clearances by Burch Motor Works at 59,059 miles

· 26th of February 2018 – service at 61,702 miles by Westerly Dorchester and this included new brake discs and pads

· 4th of March 2024 – service at 66,718 miles at 66,718 miles by BMW Dorchester

· 22nd of September 2025 – routine maintenance check at 67,490 miles by Berry Cobham

There is also an invoice on file for repairs to the rear subframe mounts in April 2016 and 59,217 miles. This was done by Burch Motor Works and involved the use of a repair kit from Redish Motorsport plus new bushes, gaskets, seals, and mounts followed by Wurth stoneguard and underbody paint to protect it all.

The final bill came to almost £1,500 and it was accompanied by photos showing the kit’s installation, allowing you to check the quality of the workmanship for yourselves.

Other recent work includes a new Bosch battery in 2025, and an airbag recall in December 2025 that resulted in the front passenger airbag being replaced. Munich Legends also replaced the SMG relay in November 2025.

As you can see, the M3’s engine fires into life with enthusiasm and idles and revs as smoothly as only a well-fettled straight-six can. It makes all the right noises too, and there are no odd sounds, warning lights on the dashboard, or excessive smoke to worry about.

The seller drove it to us from his home, a 100-mile journey he thoroughly enjoyed, but then he tells us that it has always “driven beautifully” in addition to drawing a lot of appreciative interest at the local car shows he’s displayed it at.

The engine bay is in good shape too; sure, you could replace the rusty fasteners and spruce it up with a professional valet but that’s strictly for those who prefer their car’s minty-fresh; if, like us, you’re happy with a clean and useable engine that you aren’t afraid to use in wet weather then there won’t be anything under the bonnet to concern you.

It’s much the same story underneath: While some of you might want to refresh things like the rusty steering and suspension components, the rest will be happy to revel in its two advisory-free MoT passes. The exhaust system appears to be robust too, and the scratches to the front plastic undertray are only light.

NB: There were advisories for corrosion to rear subframe crossbrace mounting area to both sides in 2024, but they haven’t reappeared since. The seller had the car inspected before buying it, and it wasn’t commented on then and neither of the subsequent BMW Health Checks brought it up either. He’s even looked himself and couldn’t spot anything.

The BMW’s MoT certificate, which is valid until March 2027 was, just like the year before, issued with no advisories.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and it comes with two keys.

The M3’s history file includes a V5C Registration Certificate in the seller’s name, a printout of its service history, various invoices and health checks, plenty of expired MoT certificates and eight old tax discs, and the BMW wallet and book pack.

Many consider the E46 to be the best driving M3 of them all; still robustly analogue in feel, it’s a sportscar in which the driver is in control, something that simply isn’t the case anymore, no matter how big your budget.

And yet, despite its many virtues, prices continue to languish well below where we expect them to end up, because even this one, with its solid history and fantastic condition, comes to market with a valuation of between £14,000 and £18,000.

Which would be an absolute bargain, especially as we think the E46’s time won’t be long in coming: Its neat, understated design is aging well and while the gloss of some of its Johnny-come-lately contemporaries fades, the E46 continues to quietly mature.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.