2005 BMW M3

We know this car because the vendor bought it through us at auction in February 2024.

The previous owner kept the car for 10 years and, evidently, made sure that it was serviced and maintained as necessary and to the right standard.

It was in very decent condition in 2024 and, as the owner has added no more than 3,000 miles to the odometer since, it’s in very decent condition now, too.

This car presents handsomely from every angle and, one or two localised cosmetic issues aside, its condition is good both for its age and its mileage.

The vendor tells us that the car drives exactly as you would hope and expect and that it feels very well screwed together.

It seems Gunther and Wolfgang were on good form when they (or some people with roughly similar names) finished putting it together somewhere in Regensburg in 2005.

The bodywork is pretty much beyond reproach and we’ve found no dinks, dents, dimples or creases of any significance.

The Carbon Black paintwork has retained plenty of shine and depth of lustre.

The shut-lines and panel gaps are crisp and consistent and, in general, even entirely standard scratches, scuffs and stone chips are more notable by their absence than their presence.

The two areas that aren’t quite following the script in terms of condition are to be found supporting the wing mirrors.

The triangular alloy panels are showing bubbling beneath the paint but, as these units are separate and therefore available to buy as stand-alone items, they could be replaced fairly easily and, we imagine, without too much money changing hands.

The black fabric hood is in fine fettle, goes up and down as it should, and has the added benefit of a glass rear screen with a demister element, all of which makes this a practical all-year-round car and not just one that can only come out to play when the sun is shining.

The wheels have some scuffing, kerbing and lacquer delamination in a few places, but they’re by no means beyond redemption.

All lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings look to be in good order.

The interior, you won’t be surprised to discover, is as good as its exterior counterpart.

For the most part, the full grey Nappa leather interior has yet to earn more than a few light creases, let alone any meaningful patina.

The exceptions are the outer bolster on the driver’s seat back-rest, which has worn the shine off the leather and de-coloured it, and the central armrest, which also has some signs of wear.

Elsewhere, it’s all really very good.

Save for a little wear to the wood veneer insert on the driver’s side, the door cards are in good order, as are the carpets and mats.

So, too, is the roof lining.

The steering wheel, gear lever and other controls all look fine, and the various black plastic elements around the dashboard have resisted the temptation to crack or fade.

We understand that some of the pixels are breaking down in the main display monitor.

The dark wood veneer inserts on the dashboard are looking good.

The boot is similarly impressive and contains a wind deflector.

The engine bay looks dry and clean, and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The undersides of the car appear to us to possess plenty of structural integrity and we’ve seen nothing to make us tut or raise an eyebrow.

This M3 comes with a service book that’s bristling with stamps – all but one of them from BMW main dealerships.

The service intervals are as follows.

• BMW Stevenage - 10,545 miles - 19.7.06
• Stratstone BMW - 23,626 miles - 12.4.07
• North Oxford BMW - 40,787 miles - 01.09.08
• North Oxford BMW - 54,327 miles - 28.10.09
• North Oxford BMW - 66,177 miles - 26.10.11
• North Oxford BMW - 75,556 miles - 09.09.15
• North Oxford BMW - 79,543 miles - 20.09.17
• Mark Purcell BMW Specialist - 81,245 - 29.03.22

It also comes with a sizeable wad of bills, receipts and invoices, plenty of old MoT certificates, full sets of keys and its original wallets, books and manuals.

It has an MoT certificate - with no advisories - that’s valid until the 23.10.25.

There are two things that would make us scratch our chins and, in all probability, walk away from an E46 M3.

The first would be any performance tweaks or after-market deviations from what the fine engineers at Regensburg intended.

The second would be an incomplete service history or one that has more stamps from ‘Honest Bob’s Motor-Mart’ than it does from BMW main dealers.

This highly original, authentic, un-tweaked car ticks all the right boxes for us and has the kind of service history that rightly reassures.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £10,000 - £15,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.