2005 BMW M3 - ZCP - IR/Black - 6 Spd Manual - 53K Miles

[Mar48]

BIMMERPOST / Classifieds

Asking Price:

Sold

Item Interest

Posting here since M3forum.net is closed:

With some regret, I’m posting my 2005 Imola Red/Black E46 M3 ZCP for sale. The car has a 6 Spd manual and only has 53K miles. The car feels/smells/drives like new and is absolutely excellent condition. It is 1 of 108 Imola Red ZCP M3’s in North America (1 of 8 with IR/Black Nappa with 6 spd manual). Needless to say this was a special car to me, and was similar in its ‘rarity’ factor as my AW/IR Z4M which I replaced this with (due to needing rear seats).

I purchased the car in 2018 from the original owner (yes, one owner for 13 years from March 2005 to October 2018), he was a fellow enthusiast on M3forum.net. This was important to me as the famous BaT adage goes, buy the owner, not the car (particularly when buying a ‘older’ car). I bought the car with 49K miles on it and drove it across the country from Washington DC to Minnesota, the car performed flawlessly.

As much as I love the E86/E46 platforms, I feel like I’m ready for something a little newer, a little bigger (for the little one and future little one), with a little more power (looking at F80/F82’s right now)… I may regret the change, but in any case, that’s why I’m selling the car.

The car itself is in excellent exterior/interior/mechanical shape, again it drives almost like new. It has a clean and clear title having never been in an accident. I have a copy of the CarFax & Autocheck report from when I purchased the car. I also did get a PPI (Pre-Purchase Inspection) before buying the car at a reputable BMW shop (which frequently still serviced E46’s) in the DC area, since I was buying the car across the country. The shop owner told me it was one of the nicest E46 M3’s they had at their shop in a long time, said it was extremely good shape, with no evidence of cracking in the subframe or signs of failure (they did a visual inspection).

The DC shop along with my local shop (Imola Motorsports in Plymouth, MN) did not/do not recommend I do the subframe reinforcement, rod bearing replacement or VANOS rebuild. I’ve done research on all three and made the personal decision to listen to the shops advice. From what I’ve seen, other owners I’ve spoken with, shop I’ve talked to, I think some of the hype is overblown. However, I can understand for those that feel differently, it’s a personal choice when to address any of the items mentioned. My perspective is that all three need to be monitored/checked especially with higher mileage (and I have not read about many lower mileage failures). In any case, I’m not here to debate the topic. I would plan on addressing the ‘big three’ by around 100K miles. Both me and the prior owner did not track the car, we both used the car as essentially a fun driver during the summer.

The car will be due for inspection 2 at 60K miles (inspection 1 was completed around 30K miles). Otherwise, all preventative maintenance has been done along with frequent oil changes.

I'm open to PPI's as long as it's within about 30 min of my house.

Details about the car:

2005 BMW E46 M3
ZCP package
6 Speed Manual
Imola Red/Black Nappa Interior
53,xxx miles
Options:
ZCP Competition Package (19" ZCP Wheels, Aluminum Trim, Alcantara Wheel and Handbrake, Compound Brakes, M Track Mode)
Cold Weather Package (Heated Seats, Headlight Washers, Ski Bag)
Premium Factory Addons
(Moonroof, Power Front Seats, Xenon He adlights, Harman Kardon Sound)
My location: Plymouth, MN 55447

The only modification on the car is a Dinan muffler and it will only come with the car at my asking price, otherwise the stock muffler will be put back on.


Pros:
• 1 of 108 Imola Red ZCP package M3’s in North America
• Very low miles & in mint/excellent condition (drive like new/very smooth)
• 6 Speed manual
• Considered the best M3 generation by many
• Collector status, prices have been only going up if you follow Hagerty
• Easy to maintain (and I’ve personally found the E46 platform to be fairly reliable)
• Harmon Kardon sound system does sound nice (I have Bang & Olufsen in my Audi Allroad daily driver for comparisons sake)

Cons:
• Minor rock chips on the front bumper

Pictures:






































Engine Bay:






Interior:









Price is $39,500

[IB M]

Beautiful car!

Great job on the posting write-up and Pics and GLWS.

[Blindside_137]

Wow, simply beautiful.

[cvstar9M3]

Wow. What a car! GLWS

[Jayis20]

Sweet ride. GLWS

[Mar48]

Thanks! Appreciate the compliments

[ttnguy15]

Awesome car & post. Imola nevergets old. i would definitely interested in the dinan muffler if you decide to sell separately.

[JDAURIA]

Creamy, excellent example. Should definitely sell for top dollar.

Confused about the "5 speed was more common"? Never came in a 5 speed

[Mar48]

Originally Posted by JDNY516

Creamy, excellent example. Should definitely sell for top dollar.

Confused about the "5 speed was more common"? Never came in a 5 speed

DOH! I copied part of this post from an older ad I had for a 2004 330Ci I sold, I edited it but missed deleting that part (my 330 was a 6 spd manual - 5 spds are more common on those). Thanks for catching that!

[Mar48]

Sale Pending

[Da_Coach]

Wow just joined the forum and this is exactly what i am looking for little bit too late. Whoever bought this beauty congrats.

[Mar48]

Thanks man, if it somehow falls through I’ll let you know (a deposit was placed so should be finalized next week)

[Da_Coach]

Definitely do.

[Mar48]

Sold