This example was supplied by BMW Park Lane in November 2001 - finished in Topaz Blue Metallic over a Light Grey Nappa leather interior. BMW UK do keep records, but it's estimated based on online communities that there were fewer than 200 RHD E46 M3 Convertibles finished in Topaz Blue. Wider arches, different bumpers, mirrors and bonnet bulge to name just a few. Another rarity that adorns this car is the 18" wheels; the overwhelming majority of M3s were optioned with 19" wheels. Today, these smaller items have become increasingly desirable, helping to improve steering feel and ride thanks to the smaller diameter. They're wrapped in a set of Pirelli P-Zero tyres. Inside, you'll find the light grey Nappa interior has been well optioned. Automatic climate control, heated seats, cruise control and widescreen navigation are all in play. Thanks to the fact that this car has covered less than 50,000 miles, there are limited signs of wear present, just a few areas of sticky soft-touch plastics. The car even benefits from two cup holders, though in typical early 2000s BMW fashion, you can't use them if you want to use the armrest! Under the bonnet, you'll find a 3.2-litre S54 straight six, it breathes through six individual throttle bodies, which is what provides the E46 with its legendary induction roar. Its 340 bhp is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed SMG gearbox. It's a semi-automatic manual gearbox that has both manual and automated modes. The SMG takes a lot of unnecessary abuse. Once you're accustomed to its nuance, many believe it is the gearbox of choice, even BMW, as that's what was deployed exclusively in the lightweight CSL. Despite sharing parts with a humdrum diesel saloon car, the M3 is a high-performance sports car. Which means that this additional power can cause issues, most notably, they tend to form hairline cracks in the rear axle carrier panel. Fear not, as in 2023, this car had any present cracks attended to. This is a costly job, and a vital one to consider when purchasing any M3. We could harp on for hours as to why the E46 M3 is a great car, but this one speaks for itself. In a sea of silver and black, this Topaz blue example stands above the rest. With a great service record, low mileage and a soundtrack that is best appreciated with the roof down. As with all our vehicles, an entire digital folder is available upon request. The car can also be viewed by appointment at our West London showroom.