AutoHunter Spotlight: 2004 BMW M3 Convertible

Featured Automatic Hunteran online auction platform operated by ClassicCars.com, is this 2004 BMW M3 Convertible.

BMW’s website calls “M” the “most powerful letter in the world.” It also says: “BMW M is part of an extraordinary motorsport history and stands for a passion for high performance – a passion that can be felt every day, on the street and on the racetrack.” The M division’s origins date back to 1972; since then, the group has designed some of the world’s most popular driving machines.

One of the most brilliant achievements of BMW’s performance division is the M3 compact executive sedan. In front of us today is just such a stunning car in Titan Silver, which has a color-matched hardtop, relatively low mileage and an unmodified powertrain. It is being sold by a dealer in Jensen Beach, Florida, and the auction ends on Wednesday.

The E46 is the fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series, sold in North America from 1999 to 2006. Throughout the life of the 3 Series, the M model has occupied the top of the performance car list and is equipped with upgrades from BMW’s motorsport department. Upgrades include reinforced shock absorbers, revised axle geometry and gas-pressure shock absorbers, all of which are tuned to optimize handling on the street or track.

According to the CARFAX report, the car was sold to its first owner in Arizona nearly 20 years ago on October 28, 2004. It remained in Arizona until 2017 when it moved to New Mexico and then to Tennessee. Recent records show that the car was sold at auction in August 2024. Today, the odometer reads 98,291 miles, which means the next owner will be lucky enough to reach the much-desired 100,000-mile mark.

There’s a lot to like about this car: Among its features is a color-matched hardtop that complements the standard retractable soft top. The car is said to be free of blemishes, and CARFAX shows that it was serviced within the last 1,000 miles by Grayson BMW of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Under the hood is an S54 3.2-liter inline-six engine that sends power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. From the factory, the engine is rated at 333 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The E46 M3’s powertrain is so impressive that it has won multiple “Engine of the Year” awards. Features include a double VANOS system, a carbon fiber intake manifold, modified camshafts, and an iron engine block.

BMW’s magazine ad for the E46 M3 proclaims: “We stare at perfection. Perfection in the blink of an eye.” Are you ready to experience perfection? Click on the auction to bid on this iconic machine.

The auction for this 2004 BMW M3 Convertible will end on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 11:45 AM (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery