2002 BMW M3 Convertible (SMG) in steel gray for sale in Pacific Grove California

Walk around video of this beautiful M3 Convertible for sale

2002 BMW M3 Convertible (SMG) — Steel Gray Metallic over Black Leather — 133,000 miles — Documented Maintenance, Clean Title — (100+ photos below)

ASKING $13,500 OBO

TEXT / CALL: 813-240-5357 (not a typo, I moved from Florida)

***talking on the phone first about the car is required in order to setup a time to come see it and test drive it***

OVERVIEW

This 2002 BMW M3 Convertible is finished in Steel Gray Metallic over Black Nappa leather and is equipped with the Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG), Xenon headlights, factory navigation, Harman/Kardon audio, Park Distance Control, and 19" Style 67M wheels. The car shows ~133,000 miles and has been owned primarily in New Mexico and California.

It has a complete and well-documented service history, including a professionally rebuilt SMG hydraulic pump, starter replacement, brakes, tires, alignments, spark plugs, filters, differential service, and several recent oil services, with the most recent completed in October 2025. A clean California smog certificate was issued on October 16, 2025.

The car has been garaged the vast majority of its life, includes the two original keys, and comes with a copy of the original owner’s manual.

Factory Equipment

  • Steel Gray Metallic (400)

  • Black Nappa Leather (N5SW)

  • SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox (0793)

  • 19" M Style 67M Wheels

  • Xenon Headlights (0522)

  • Navigation System (0609)

  • Harman/Kardon Premium Audio (0674)

  • Park Distance Control (0508)

  • Cold Weather Package (02CW)

  • Black Convertible Soft Top (0388)

DESCRIPTION AND DETAILS FROM THE OWNER

This 2002 E46 BMW M3 Convertible with SMG transmission has been well maintained and serviced its entire life. Both keys are included. It has been garaged nearly all it’s life, save for some months under a carport and a cover. Adult owned and driven. Never driven on a track. The car has a fully documented service history including the not supposed to be given out “Warranty Vehicle Inquiry” from a BMW dealership. I own the car outright and it has a clean title.

As far as the “Big 3” of the E46 M3, see the service history records that show at 38,336 miles the rod bearing replacement under E46 S54 service campaign was done; VANOS fault diagnosed and SMG software updated at that time also. The motor for the SMG pump was repaired by a specialist in Texas and taken out and installed again by Sandia BMW in August of 2020. The SMG transmission has worked flawlessly since then. No known subframe issues.

It was a New Mexico car (rarely driven in bad weather, previous owner garaged it in winter) then now a California car. The car itself runs very well and drives very well. It just had an oil change service done in October. Tires have less than 5,000 miles on them. Brakes have less than 7,000 miles on them. I replaced the battery this past spring. So you are good to go for a long time as far as regular maintenance needs. This M3 is ready to be driven!

I am including extras like the OEM car cover and sunshade and a printed out copy of the owner’s manual. I also have a unique zip up M sport sweatshirt I can include, and a foam BMW (off brand) mat I put outside the door in the carport / garage. Plus, I also have a ///M sport flag too I can include. I replaced the rubber radio antenna with a little cone shaped one that allows the OEM car cover to go on and off without having to remove the original, long rubber antenna. Plus, it looks way better!

I installed LED angel eye daytime running lights soon after buying it. I also installed an aux cable directly from the CD changer running a cable to the center council that allows playing music from your iPhone (lighting or USB-C) over the Harmon Kardon sound system. I have never tested it with an Android phone, but I think it would work no problem. This just means, I believe, you would have to reconnect the CD changer to play CDs if you wanted to. 

The car has its quirks, but I have always felt it adds to the driving experience of it and makes it still feel special every time I get behind the wheel all these years later. Driving it down Highway 1 to Big Sur, it is hard to beat that experience for the money. Plus, the back seats are usable for adults, so it’s a true 4 passenger convertible. 

The car is in good condition for a car driven 133,000 miles. I would say all the flaws and signs of wear are in line with a car of this mileage, from paint stone chips, wear shown on the center console, wheels condition, but I think the leather seats and much of the interior is in very good condition. I used BMW OEM leather conditioner on the seats and interior in my time owning the car. 

I love this car and it was my dream car when I bought it. Now it is time for it to go to another good home where someone has the time to enjoy driving it more than I currently have. It is in my opinion the least expensive, special car you can buy. With an engine that revs to 8,000 RPM and the exhaust note from that, the character of the car, it all makes it a very special vehicle. And this car still turns heads when out driving! It’s a car you can bring to car shows and meetups, a car you can proudly drive around during Car Week even among much more expensive cars.

I will want to talk on the phone with you and discuss the car before setting up a time to come see it / test drive it. No exceptions to this. So please let’s set up a time to first talk on the phone, and then we can go from there for setting up a time to come see the car / test drive it.

813-240-5357 (not a typo, a FL number)

The car is conveniently located in the downtown Pacific Grove, CA area.

FULL SPECIFICATIONS AND SERVICE HISTORY SUMMARY

Factory Equipment

  • Steel Gray Metallic (400)

  • Black Nappa Leather (N5SW)

  • SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox (0793)

  • 19" M Style 67M Wheels

  • Xenon Headlights (0522)

  • Navigation System (0609)

  • Harman/Kardon Premium Audio (0674)

  • Park Distance Control (0508)

  • Cold Weather Package (02CW)

  • Black Convertible Soft Top (0388)

Exterior

The car is finished in Steel Gray Metallic with factory xenon headlights, original badging, and the stock black soft top. The seller notes normal minor wear consistent with age and mileage but overall presents well and has been garage-kept for nearly all of its life (with brief periods in a covered carport under a BMW OEM cover).

Interior

The cabin features Black Nappa leather with aluminum trim.

  • Minimal driver-seat bolster wear, unusual for an E46 at this mileage.

  • Factory navigation and Harman/Kardon audio function properly.

  • SMG display and shift lights operate as expected.

  • Climate control, windows, and PDC work as intended.

A copy of the original BMW owner’s manual is included with the sale.

Powertrain

Powered by the legendary S54 3.2-liter inline-six producing 333 hp, paired with the SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox.

This M3 has exceptional documentation, including major mechanical work and SMG-specific service not typical in most examples.

Key Engine/Drivetrain Services

  • Rod bearing recall completed (2004)

  • Starter motor replaced – Feb 2020 @ 123k

  • SMG hydraulic pump professionally rebuilt – Sep 2020 @ 125k

    • Full BMW dealer documentation + owner authorization notes

    • Eurton Electric rebuild authorization is included BMW-SMG-Pump-Authorrization-by-…

    • SMG pump rebuild reference documentation included (Eurton Electric) BMW-SMG-E46-M3-Hydraulic-Pump-M…

  • SMG relay replaced – Oct 2020 @ 125.6k

  • OEM SMG relay purchased – Jul 2021

Recent Major Maintenance (2020–2025)

2020

  • Starter motor replaced (Sandia BMW – Feb 2020).

  • SMG pump rebuilt (Sandia BMW + Eurton Electric – Sep 2020).

  • Airbag recall completed (passenger module).

2021

  • Full brake overhaul – May 2021

    • Drilled rotors, ceramic pads, sensors, and fluid front + rear

  • Oil service – June 2021 (customer-supplied BMW 10W-60)

  • OEM SMG relay purchased – July 2021 (Sandia BMW)

2022

  • New Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 tires (rear pair) purchased from Sam’s Club (Jan 2022) Tires-jan-2022-rear-receipt

  • Front tires replaced (receipt provided)

  • Road-force balance + alignment – Feb 2022

  • BMW oil service & brake-fluid flush – Aug 2022 @ 129k

2023

  • Comprehensive service (Oct 2023 @ 131,364 mi):

    • Engine air filter (Hengst) and MAF cleaning

    • Cabin air filter (Micronair) + cowl clip

    • Differential fluid service (Red Line 75w-140)

    • Spark plugs (NGK DCP R8 EKP) + new strut-brace lock nuts

2025

  • Fresh oil service – Oct 13, 2025 @ 133,000 mi (C&C Repair, Monterey CA)

  • California Smog Test – PASSED – Oct 16, 2025 @ 133k

Wheels & Tires

  • 19" Style 67M wheels

  • Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 tires

    • Rear pair purchased from Sam’s Club (Jan 2022) Tires-jan-2022-rear-receipt

    • All tires road-force balanced and aligned in Feb 2022

  • Tires remain in good condition with even tread wear.

Braking System

  • Complete 4-wheel brake replacement – May 2021

    • Drilled rotors

    • Ceramic pads

    • Brake sensors

    • Brake fluid flush

  • Subsequent BMW brake-fluid service in Aug 2022

Convertible Top

  • Factory black soft top (0388) in good condition.

  • Fully functional opening and closing.

Condition Notes

  • Garage-kept nearly all of its life

  • No driver seat bolster wear

  • Normal minor cosmetic imperfections consistent with age

  • Engine runs smoothly, SMG shifts properly

  • A copy of the original owner’s manual is included

Included in the Sale

  • Copy of the original BMW owner’s manual

  • BMW OEM car cover

  • Full set of service records from 2002–2025

  • SMG pump rebuild documentation

  • Tire receipts, alignment records, and California smog certificate

  • Two keys

Summary

This Steel Gray 2002 BMW M3 Convertible is an enthusiast-owned, well-documented example with extensive maintenance, a rebuilt SMG pump, fresh fluids, newer tires and brakes, and a clean California smog certificate. Its strong mechanical history, clean interior, and careful long-term ownership make it a rare find among E46 M3 convertibles.

PRICING

Asking $13,500 or best offer


Exterior views of the car from all standard angles and views

ASKING $13,500 OBO

TEXT / CALL: 813-240-5357 (not a typo, I moved from Florida)

***talking on the phone first about the car is required in order to setup a time to come see it and test drive it***


Interior photos


Sunset views of this 2002 BMW M3 Convertible for sale in Pacific Grove


Stylish photos of the M3’s striking good looks that still turns heads

ASKING $13,500 OBO

TEXT / CALL: 813-240-5357 (not a typo, I moved from Florida)

***talking on the phone first about the car is required in order to setup a time to come see it and test drive it***


Engine bay photos


Exterior details shots and under the car

ASKING $13,500 OBO

TEXT / CALL: 813-240-5357 (not a typo, I moved from Florida)

***talking on the phone first about the car is required in order to setup a time to come see it and test drive it***


Special options including the original tools, CD changer, and Navigation


Free extras included with the car like OEM car cover and sunscreen


Imperfections with the car

ASKING $13,500 OBO

TEXT / CALL: 813-240-5357 (not a typo, I moved from Florida)

***talking on the phone first about the car is required in order to setup a time to come see it and test drive it***


Vehicle documentation samples, full documentation upon appointment viewing

I have the actual confidential Warranty Vehicle Inquiry from a BMW dealership from when the car was sold to me in April 2019. Since my ownership I have copies of the full service history of the vehicle. This M3 has been properly maintained and taken care of.