Sport Package Wagon: 2001 BMW 325XI Estate – SOLD!

January 17, 2023, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

On this Wagon Wednesday, we found one of the smarter buys you can make for a daily driver that will likely continue to appreciate while being a hoot to drive. The BMW 3-Series wagon with an inline-six engine and the manual gearbox is one of the best combinations you can ask for in a daily driver, and they’ve become both sought after and incredibly hard to find. This 2001 325xi Sportwagon features the desirable Sport package, which offers you better seats, suspension, and wheels. You’ll find the E46 Touring once listed in January 2023 on Craigslist in South Burlington, Vermont, for $5,750. Comparing that price against the Classic.com model guide shows that the average selling price for a clean E46 has ticked up, with $18,170 being the current baseline number. While I don’t entirely trust that number, the seller’s asking price is more than fair:

While many of us bemoan the direction BMW seems to be moving in constantly, it does mean that fairly recent model generations began to experience new levels of appreciation. What’s fascinating is it took damn near 20 years for the E30 chassis cars to become as loved as they are right now, while the E46 and E90 cars – thought by many to be the last of the “real” BMW 3-Series – are already creeping up in price. If you own an exceedingly clean 3-Series Touring from this era that also has the factory sport package, don’t be surprised if someone offers you more than what the online pricing guide says it’s worth. The E90, in particular, has seen its values hold steady and start to rise rapidly, especially for rear-wheel-drive wagons equipped with a manual gearbox and the aforementioned sport package.

The Library of Old Car Ads YouTube Channel features this E46 BMW 325Xi commercial:

The E46 is a terrific example of BMW’s venerable 3-Series, with excellent chassis dynamics, a minimum amount of electric nannies and governance tools, and comfortable interiors that featured a clean center stack and plenty of outward visibility. In many ways, the E46 and E90 were the last iterations of the 3-Series, as many of us knew it, and the last two model generations where it was possible to get a manual transmission in a wagon configuration. The seller’s wagon combines desirable features, including the 5-speed manual and factory sport package, which got you better seats, a three-spoke steering wheel, and firmer suspension settings. Despite being in Vermont, the seller notes this was a southern BMW before he picked it up, and it sounds like any rust is superficial. As an all-wheel-drive 3er, it is less coveted than the rear-wheel-drive wagons, but it’s still a rare spec with great colors.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“* 2001 BMW 325xi wagon
* Rare e46 wagon with sport package
* 5 speed manual transmission
* Oxford Green exterior with tan interior
* Power & Heated front seats
* AWD – great in all conditions
* All season tires – 2nd set of wheels and summer tires available
* Weighted Zhp shift know with new shift bushings.
* water pump has been previously replaced
* 133k – Gauge cluster was swapped from an M3 by previous owner (mileage shown is 129k)
* Runs and drives nicely – car has treated our family well, looking for larger vehicle
* regular maintenance, oil changes, upkeep preformed by The Automaster BMW locally.
* originally from the south, in great shape considering it is 20+ years old. Small area of surface rust above passenger side rear wheel
* Local pick-up only“

E46 versus E90: which generation was the last “real” 3-Series?