Specifications
Highlights
• Stock example finished in the iconic Laguna Seca Blue!
• EAG service history dating back to 2012
• VANOS rebuilt and subframe reinforced
EAG Impressions
Building on the success of the E36, the E46 3-Series refined BMW's compact luxury formula. Its design was evolutionary rather than revolutionary, maintaining the brand's signature styling cues. While European buyers had access to a wide range of diesel and petrol engines, U.S. models were primarily offered with inline-six powerplants. The performance gap between European and U.S. models narrowed significantly with this generation, particularly with the M3. Both markets received the same high-revving 3.2L S54 engine, though European models still enjoyed a slight power advantage due to less restrictive emissions equipment.
Overview
For many performance car manufacturers, there is one style of engine that they are most closely tied to; for Porsche, it is a Flat-6, with Ferrari a V12, and for BMW, since the 1930s, that motor has been the Inline-6. As technology advanced, the engine was improved and refined with every subsequent generation, and at numerous points, an inline-6 powered nearly every car in the brand’s lineup. When people talk about the peak of BMW’s inline-6 development, the S54 developed for the E46 M3 comes up frequently. A supremely flexible engine, the S54 offers fantastic in-town usability, but when you get on it, it will rev to the stratosphere and both sound and feel like a race car while you’re doing it.
This example was built in April 2004 and began its enthusiast owned journey in New Hampshire where it spent its life until we sourced back in 2012. Since then we've continued to preserve it and offer it to enthusiasts who appreciate the rarity of finding a stock LSB late model M3. The exterior of the vehicle shows incredibly well for the mileage and age with very minimal blemishes. This level of quality is followed into the interior where the Grey leather is free of any staining, creases, or wear. The satin finish is still in tact and it's easy to feel like you've been transported back to 2004 when you're behind the wheel.
Without a doubt, the S54 found in the E46 M3 is one of the best inline-6s ever produced by BMW. With dual overhead cams, individual throttle bodies, and VANOS on the intake and exhaust cams, the S54 feels like a proper motorsport engine in the high revs, but that maintains the ability to be happily used around town as well. In this example, this is paired with a solid feeling 6-speed manual gearbox, which offers great shift action and is really the ultimate way to enjoy the sublime powerplant.
History
EAG first received this vehicle in 2012 when it had 62,858 miles on the clock. Since then we've invested over $20,000 preserving this iconic example. These services include all of the E46 items you'd expect at this mileage like VANOS rebuild and rear subframe reinforcement. Prior to it being under our care this M3 was always serviced on time and at the proper mileage including a factory Inspection I at 30k and several subsequent Inspection II services at EAG. These services since new are all documented and saved with the vehicle. We will be performing yet another full inspection now in 2025 and services to ensure this is a turn-key example will be performed so the next owner only has to worry about enjoying this special M3!
Gallery
Documentation
