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Curated Auction

2005 BMW 330i Touring (E46)

At a Glance

Long MOT | Solid, Smart Presentation Throughout | Recent Service | M Sport Trim | Recent Tyres

  • Mileage~97,522 on clock
  • Transmission5-speed Automatic
  • Engine3.0-litre
  • LocationWarwick

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below – we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report – learn more

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below – we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report – learn more

CURATED AUCTION

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HRS
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SEC
CURRENT BID£2,000
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AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min 51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£2,000

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Video #2

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy
Editor and Photographer

The E46 330i promises a great blend of daily refinement and weekend sports-car engagement.

The E46 generation of the BMW 3 Series - produced from 1997 through to 2006 - is widely regarded as the pinnacle of modern classic sports saloons, estates, and coupés. Engineered with a stiffer chassis than its predecessor and a near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution, it delivered a driving experience defined by communicative steering, incredible poise, and supreme structural rigidity.

The range offered a body style for virtually every buyer, alongside the naturally aspirated inline-six engines that cemented BMW's reputation for mechanical excellence. Highlighted by the bulletproof reliability and smooth power delivery, the E46 struck an effortless balance between analogue driver engagement and everyday usability. Today, it remains one of BMW's most celebrated and commercially successful models, representing an era of timeless design and exceptional performance.

The E46 330i M Sport Touring seamlessly combines everyday practical utility with a pure, driver-focused chassis. Powered by the range-topping 3.0-litre M54B30 straight-six engine delivering 228 bhp, it pairs linear power delivery and a smooth exhaust note with the functional benefits of a 5-door estate body shell.

The M Sport specification elevates the package both visually and dynamically, featuring aggressive front and rear bumpers, sculpted side skirts, High-Gloss Shadowline window trim, and stiffer, lowered suspension that sharpens chassis dynamics without compromising long-distance usability. Inside, heavily bolstered sport seats, a thick-rimmed multi-function M steering wheel, and an Anthracite headlining create a refined, driver-oriented cabin. Because BMW never produced an official E46 M3 Touring, the 330i M Sport Touring remains the undisputed performance flagship of the estate lineup, prized by enthusiasts for its rare balance of everyday practicality, classic proportions, and engaging analogue feedback.

Finished in Black Sapphire Metallic over Light Beige full Montana leather, this 2005 example has had just four owners from new, an excellent service history, and has been in the care of a sympathetic BMW collector. Solid and smartly presented throughout, the car boasts a comprehensive factory M Sport specification while remaining highly original and unmodified.

It comes complete with three keys, full owners wallet, a recent service carried out in August 2026, and an MOT valid through to August 2027.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Chris the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Video #2

Meet the owner

The engine feels capable of pulling smoothly along the road without effort; and even after two decades, the car still turns heads.

I love to drive it: you can enjoy a spirited run at legal speeds, and its size means you have plenty of room to move around while staying comfortably on your side of the road. My experience with the car has been fantastic; it has never missed a beat. For a 21-year-old vehicle, it still keeps up with modern traffic really well.

I wouldn't be selling it, but I have moved to a part of the country where a four-wheel drive is necessary, so it is time to let it go. It isn't my daily driver anyway, so it would only end up sitting unused in a barn.

Chris would be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Chris
Vehicle Owner

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CONTACT OWNER
EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Exterior

The aggressive M Sport bodykit, Shadowline trim, and timelessly proportioned estate silhouette ensure this E46 still turns heads today.

Wheels and Tyres

The 135M Sport MV2 10 Double Spoke 18" Alloy Wheels present positively, showing a minor and treatable rim scuff and mild corrosion around the valve on the nearside front wheel.

The front and rear of the car are fitted with Pirelli Cinturato tyres, with the front showing a spec of 255/40 and 255/35 to the rear; these are date-coded from 2024. They all have legal, even tread and are in good shape.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

image

Bodywork

The exterior is in smart condition, displaying flush panels, consistent shut lines and no discernible damage to the bodywork.

There is a slight trace of corrosion on the corner of the nearside rear wheel arch near the bumper. Both sides also show signs of age on the top of the sills near the front wings, as well as on the boot lid below the offside rear lamp. Otherwise, it presents above expectations for a car of this age. The doors open and close smoothly without issue.

The underside of the car is solid, with no issues noted on the floorpan, jacking points, wheel wells, or engine bay.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

image

Paint

Chris has had the paint polished and ceramic coated. The Black Sapphire metallic finish retains a decent hue and catches the light with a healthy lustre, while the colour remains consistent throughout.

There are a few road-wear marks on the nose of the car, as well as a handful of surface scuffs and treated chips elsewhere, whilst the bonnet shows a few minor areas of lacquer deterioration.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

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Glass and Trim

The windscreen has a handful of minor chips but these are not flagged as advisories on the latest MOT, whilst the windscreen seal shows signs of age. The front passenger glass has a couple of minor marks, but the glass, lighting and lenses are otherwise in good condition.

The bumpers sit flush to the body with only minor surface marks. The High Gloss Shadowline trim is in good condition throughout, and securely mounted.

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VIEW ALL
INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Interior

Timelessly elegant, driver-focused, and built to an exceptional standard.

Seats and Carpets

The light beige leather seats are in excellent shape, showing mild age-related creases and light wear on the driver's seat bolster.

The carpets are tidy with no significant signs of discolouration, and all remain completely free of dampness.

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Dashboard

The dashboard and fascia present well, with no significant damage, showing only mild marks on some of the plastics on the centre console.

The veneer and leather have been well maintained.

The switches, controls and dials are in good shape, and all are said to function as they should.

The anthracite headlining was replaced by LM Trimming in Kenilworth this year, and the door cards and interior trim are clean.

The condition of the luggage area suggests careful use.

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Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The multi-function steering wheel is in good shape.

The veneer gear knob shows fractures, but the gaiter is in good condition.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

Mechanics

Smooth, linear 3.0-litre power paired with sharp, balanced handling.

Engine and Gearbox

The cold-start process posed no issues for the car. It fired up immediately, with no lingering dashboard warning lights. The engine sounded smooth and even, with no unwanted vibrations or noises. The exhaust showed the usual cold-engine condensation, but was completely free of excessive smoke.

The engine is cleanly presented, suggesting regular attention. No fluid leaks were observed on the day of our visit.

The 5-speed ZF 5HP19 automatic transmission functions exactly as you would hope, free of clunks, with smooth changes and effective kick-down response.

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Suspension and Brakes

The car absorbs the road with no issues, soaking up bumps and uneven surfaces with knocks from the wheels. The ride is smooth and even, and its cornering capability remains impressive.

The braking was predictable and effective. The car has seen little use in the past six weeks; hence the mild build-up of surface rust on the discs, but this had no negative effect on the car's ability to slow and stop, remaining free of wobbles, grinds and judders.

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The Drive

The 3.0-litre M54 straight-six engine is widely considered one of the best naturally aspirated inline-six engines BMW ever built. Renowned for its smoothness, longevity, simplicity and reliability, it is the perfect match for the E46, one of the best-balanced and most communicative driving platforms on its day.

The car handles both urban driving and spirited runs exactly as you would expect a modern classic BMW to do. Throttle response is immediate, and power builds in a smooth, predictable and linear manner. When opened up, the car's neutral and stable cornering behaviour is very evident, with no unwanted feedback. It feels compact and nimble, coping with the road effortlessly.

The suspension delivers a firm, planted ride that controls body roll well without feeling harsh or jarring on normal surfaces. There are no unwanted noises from the engine or wheels when accelerating, and the steering wheel remains stable at all speeds. The coolant gauge stays dead centre, and there are no issues with oil pressure.

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Electrics and Other

The car is fitted with the M Sport Package, which includes the aerodynamic body kit (front and rear bumpers with side skirts), firmer M Sport suspension, highly bolstered Sport seats, a thick-rimmed three-spoke M multi-function steering wheel, Anthracite headlining, and High-Gloss Shadowline exterior window trim.

Also included are the luggage partition net and roof rails.

The car is standard from the factory, with the exception of a tint applied from the rear doors backwards.

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Video #2

History and Paperwork

It boasts a diligent servicing history, backed by over £4,000 invested over the past five years.

First registered in August 2005 in Yorkshire, the car comes with a good service history and has retained its last 10 MOT certificates. It has had only four previous owners, with Chris taking ownership in 2025. It comes with a file of invoices dating back to 2021 totalling over £4,000. Recent expenditure includes a service and new rear discs and pads - along with a £1,000 cosmetic spruce-up - in 2025.

The car is complete with its original owner's pack, which details eight service stamps/accompanying invoices. Sold with three keys, it also holds an MOT through to August 2027, having recently passed with no advisories.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
12-08-2026 MOT 96,724
12-08-2026 Specialist Service 96,724
27-10-2025 Specialist Service 91,644
08-08-2025 Rear disc and pads
04-07-2025 MOT 89,751
11-06-2024 Independent Service 89,709
21-12-2024 MOT 88,214
18-12-2023 MOT 86,031
05-12-2022 MOT 82,902
24-12-2021 MOT 81,296
24-12-2021 Independent Service + Front discs and pads 81,296
10-12-2020 MOT 78,685
02-12-2019 MOT 76,520
06-12-2018 MOT 69,088
30-08-2018 BMW Service 66,027
05-12-2017 MOT 60,565
14-12-2016 MOT 56,787
07-12-2015 MOT 52,520
06-08-2015 Service 51,284
09-12-2014 MOT 49,068
06-12-2013 MOT 45,236
30-04-2013 Service 42,016
10-12-2012 MOT 40,718
12-12-2011 MOT 36,755
20-12-2010 MOT 32,043
08-12-2009 MOT 25,556
08-12-2009 BMW Service 25,553
10-12-2008 MOT 19,532
12-12-2007 BMW Service 12,779
VIEW ALL
Key Details
  • Model BMW 330i Touring M Sport
  • Transmission 5-speed Automatic
  • Reg. Date 15-08-2005
  • CC 2979
  • Mileage ~97,522 on the clock
  • History Since 2021
  • Colour Black Sapphire Metallic
  • Interior Colour Biege
  • Interior Trim Leather
  • Chassis # WBAEN52060PC63876
  • Engine # 25495925
  • Last Service 12-08-2026
  • MOT 11-08-2027
  • MOT Exempt No
  • Road Tax Exempt No
  • HPi Clear Yes - all clear
  • Former Keepers 4
  • Tyre Brand Pirelli Cinturato
  • Tyre Age 2024
  • # of Keys 3
  • LHD or RHD RHD
  • Visited Yes
  • Sale Type Private
  • Owned 1 year
  • Key Feature Original and cleanly presented
  • Vehicle Registration YA05 YHS
  • Fuel Type Petrol
  • Body Type 5-door Estate
  • Auction ID 4046
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VIEW ALL
Video #2

All Images

Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

All Videos



Vehicle Location

Warwick

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    Auction Bidding

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    Current Bid £2,000
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    2005 BMW 330i Touring (E46)
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    Auction Ends Thu 22nd Oct at 7.50pm
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    £2,000 bid by omarsajjad12.10.26 @ 21:53:32
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    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a 330i like this is £TBC via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
    GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

    *Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Autumn 2026.

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    Vehicle Location

    Warwick

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