3 Series (E46)
We arrange finance on the BMW 3 Series (E46), built 1997 to 2006, for limited companies and LLPs, for business borrowing over £25,000, and for individuals borrowing over £60,260 under the high net worth exemption.
- BUILT
- 1997 to 2006
- ERA
- 1990s
- BODY
- 2-door coupé; 2-door convertible; 3-door hatchback; 4-door sedan; 5-door wagon
- ENGINE
- Petrol:; 1.6–2.0 L M43/N42/N46 I4; 2.0–3.2 L M52TÜ/M54/M56/S54 I6; Diesel:; 2.0 L M47 I4; 2.9–3.0 L M57 I6
- LAYOUT
- Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive; Front-engine, all-wheel-drive ("xi/xd" sedan/wagon models only)
- DESIGNER
- Chris Bangle
- ASSEMBLY
- Germany: Leipzig; Munich; Regensburg; South Africa: Rosslyn (BMW SA); China: Shenyang (BBA); Mexico: Toluca (BMW Mexico); Russia: Kaliningrad (Avtotor); Indonesia: Jakarta (Gaya Motor); Malaysia: Shah Alam ( ); Egypt: 6th of October City (BAG)
- BUILT IN
- Germany
- PRODUCTION
- 3,266,885 built
Financing a 3 Series (E46)
Nineties cars are the current growth end of the market. Originality, mileage and a documented history drive value, and modified cars are harder to place with a lender.
The 3 Series (E46) was built 1997 to 2006 in Germany and is recorded with a petrol:; 1.6–2.0 l m43/n42/n46 i4; 2.0–3.2 l m52tü/m54/m56/s54 i6; diesel:; 2.0 l m47 i4; 2.9–3.0 l m57 i6 , styled by Chris Bangle. Those details matter to a lender only insofar as they support a valuation: what is being funded is a specific car with a specific history, not a model line.
A company usually takes hire purchase or lease purchase on a car like this. A certified high net worth buyer borrows under the exemption. An owner who already has the 3 Series (E46) in the garage can raise money against it instead. In each case the lender wants an independent valuation, evidence of condition and a clear view of how the borrowing is repaid.
Before you buy
- 01Full service history and a mileage that can be verified
- 02Whether the car is standard, and what was done if it is not
- 03Accident history and paint readings around repaired panels
- 04Hood, frame and seals, and the state of the floors underneath them.
- 05An independent valuation the lender will accept
- 06Agreed value insurance quoted before completion
Model reference: Wikipedia. Specifications vary by year and market, so check the individual car.
Questions
Can my company buy a BMW 3 Series (E46) on finance?
Yes. A limited company or LLP can buy on hire purchase or lease purchase, with the agreement in the company name. It is not regulated consumer credit, whatever the amount. How the car is treated for tax depends on how the business uses it, so speak to your accountant.
Is a 3 Series (E46) too old to finance?
Age on its own is rarely the obstacle. Specialist lenders assess the car, its provenance and an independent valuation rather than applying a cut-off year, so a 1997 to 2006 car can often be financed, subject to status and lender criteria.
Can I raise money against a 3 Series (E46) I already own?
Often, yes, and the car normally stays with you. The lender takes security over it, and how much can be raised depends on the valuation and on how readily that model sells. We arrange this for companies and for certified high net worth owners.
I want a 3 Series (E46) for personal use. Can you help?
That would be regulated consumer credit, which requires FCA authorisation we do not hold. Send the enquiry anyway: it is handled through one of our regulated partners, and we tell you which firm before anyone contacts you.
Finance on this page is arranged for limited companies and LLPs, for sole traders and partnerships borrowing over £25,000 wholly or predominantly for business purposes, and for individuals borrowing over £60,260 who have signed a high net worth statement. Send us the details either way: cases outside that are handled through one of our regulated partners, and we tell you who before anyone contacts you.
Start the entry formModel details compiled from marque records, Wikidata and Wikipedia. Specifications vary by year and market, so check the individual car. Market values are added to this page as the price data for BMW is published. Questions about a specific car are best sent to enquiries@classiccarfinance.uk.