For a lot of people, the E46 is the M3 that every other generation has to answer to. Built from 2000 to 2006, it took what was good about the E36 and sharpened all of it. The centerpiece is the S54, a 3.2-liter naturally aspirated straight-six that spins to 8,000+ rpm and won International Engine of the Year so often it got slightly embarrassing. No turbo, no electric assist, just a hungry six driving the rear wheels through a manual (or the wonky SMG).
This time it came only as a coupe or convertible, with no sedan in the lineup. The one most people daydream about is the CSL, a stripped, track-minded special that was the first M car to wear a carbon fiber roof out in the open. There was also the unhinged V8-powered M3 GTR, a homologation unicorn most of us only ever "drove" as the hero car in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Need_for_Speed:_Most_Wanted_(2005_video_game)">Need for Speed: Most Wanted</a>.
The E46 sits right at the close of the analog era, the last M3 with a naturally aspirated engine and nothing electronic standing between you and trouble. Prices reflect that. Track down a clean one with real service history, ask pointed questions about the rod bearings and rear subframe, and you have a car that has topped people's M3 lists for twenty years running.

318Ti

325Ci

325i

330Ci ZHP

330i ZHP

316i

318Ci

318i

320Ci

320d

320i

323Ci

323i

325Ti

325Xi

328Ci

328i

330i

330Xi

Alpina B3

Browse 15 BMW 3 Series E46 listings. Sales from $3,301 to $120,000. Get free email alerts on MaxFindsCars.

BMW 3 Series E46 (1998–2006) for Sale | MaxFindsCars

BMW 3 Series E46

Variants

M3

318Ti

325Ci

325i

330Ci ZHP

330i ZHP

316i

318Ci

318i

320Ci

320d

320i

323Ci

323i

325Ti

325Xi

328Ci

328i

330i

330Xi

Alpina B3

Active Listings(15)

25k-Mile 2004 BMW M3 Convertible 6-Speed Conversion

2005 BMW M3 Coupe 6-Speed Conversion

47k-Mile 2006 BMW M3 Convertible 6-Speed

2003 BMW 330i ZHP Sedan 6-Speed

2006 BMW 325i Sedan

E46 Drop-Top: 2001 BMW 330Ci Convertible With Sport Package

2004 BMW M3 Convertible

2004 BMW 325Ci Convertible

Slicktop 2006 BMW M3 Competition Package Coupe 6-Speed

2004 BMW M3 Coupe 6-Speed

2004 BMW M3 Coupe

2004 BMW 330Ci ZHP Coupe 6-Speed

Never miss a BMW 3 Series listing

Recent Sales(24)

2005 BMW M3 Competition Package Coupe 6-Speed Conversion

Original-Owner 2006 BMW 325Ci Convertible

2002 BMW 330Ci Coupe 5-Speed

2004 BMW 325i Touring

2004 BMW 330Ci Convertible

One-Family-Owned, 44k-Mile 2002 BMW M3 Convertible 6-Speed

2001 BMW 330Ci Sport Convertible

47k-Mile 2002 BMW M3 Coupe 6-Speed

1999 BMW M3 Convertible

2005 BMW M3 Coupe

43k-Mile 2003 BMW 325xi Sedan

2004 BMW M3 Convertible 6-Speed