Meet the Latest GRM Addition: an E46-Chassis BMW M3.

David S.
Update by David S. Wallens to the BMW M3 project car
Sep 20, 2016

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After years of lusting, we finally have our own E46-chassis BMW M3.

This one’s clean, even under the hood.

When BMW gave us an all-new M3 for 2001, we instantly fell for its 333-horsepower engine, grippy suspension, smooth six-speed, purposeful fender flares and efficient interior. Its $60,000-plus price tag left us on the sidelines, though, as it was just too rich for our blood.

Until now.

Prices have been falling, and we have been watching. When they hit the $25,000 mark several years back, we took note.

Recently we mentioned to a friend that we wouldn’t mind adding one to the fleet. He noted that a mutual friend was thinking about selling his, a six-speed 2004 Mystic Blue coupe.

ORLY?

We had seen the car in the flesh a couple of years ago. It was a clean, much-loved example.

That evening we got an e-mail from the owner asking if we were interested. A slew of photos and documents soon followed.

Mileage was 138,000. Original paint. Meticulous maintenance records. Southern car. Never tracked. Nicely equipped. Lots of parts replaced in the last few years, including the steering wheel, headlights, driveshaft components, various trim pieces and just about the entire cooling system. Stock aside from the Bremmer wheels, brand-new Konis and a few subtle tweaks—like the color-coded grille kidneys. The stock wheels, by the way, came with the car, too.

He’d like to get $10,000 for it.

Deal.

He lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. We’re in Florida. So after the Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationals in Lincoln, Nebraska, we flew straight to Knoxville.

The morning after arriving we finally saw the car—again. It was exactly as presented. The trunk contained two boxes of O.E. replacement parts.

We did the paperwork, and by 10:00 that morning owned an E46-chassis M3.

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Comments
yupididit
yupididit HalfDork
10/26/16 2:35 p.m.

$10,000 for a 04 6speed coupe with a clean title

Mister Fister
Mister Fister New Reader
10/26/16 2:36 p.m.

Love mine - 10k is quite a deal on one of these.

The last straight 6, rwd, no turbos, no bullshit, "I stand-up-to pee regardless of my gender identity" BMWs.

Tyler H
Tyler H GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
10/26/16 2:37 p.m.

SWEET. Wish I knew -- we could have had a K-town BMW Bro Lunch Meeting

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/26/16 2:49 p.m.
yupididit wrote: $10,000 for a 04 6speed coupe with a clean title

It was a quick, no-BS sale that helped him buy something even sexier. But, yeah, we lucked into that one.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/26/16 2:52 p.m.
Tyler H wrote: SWEET. Wish I knew -- we could have had a K-town BMW Bro Lunch Meeting

Next time. Although it was a super-quick visit. I landed in Knoxville late that night, got the car the next morning, and got to BimmerWorld for lunch. Whew.

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