Image Credit: Bring a Trailer.Finding a clean E46-generation BMW M3 is already enough to get enthusiasts interested. Finding one with desirable options, Dinan upgrades, and a connection to a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner makes the proposition considerably harder to ignore.This 2006 BMW M3 was purchased new by the late Dan Wheldon, the British racing driver who won the Indianapolis 500 in 2005 and 2011. Wheldon also captured the 2005 IndyCar Series championship, making him one of the most accomplished open-wheel racers of his era.Now listed for sale on Bring a Trailer, his former M3 combines Carbon Black Metallic paint with a Cinnamon Nappa leather interior. It also has BMW's Competition Package and a collection of Dinan performance upgrades that reportedly lifted output from its naturally aspirated inline-six.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor many BMW enthusiasts, the E46 represents a sweet spot in the M3's history, blending relatively compact dimensions with a high-revving engine and an engaging chassis. Add genuine motorsport provenance to that formula, and this particular example becomes considerably more interesting than the average used M3.A Two-Time Indy 500 Winner's ChoiceImage Credit: Bring a Trailer.Wheldon purchased the car new from Bert Smith International in St. Petersburg, Florida, with the original window sticker showing a suggested retail price of $63,695. Its specification suggests the professional racing driver knew exactly what he wanted from his road car.The M3 is equipped with both the Competition and Premium packages, while its exterior features 19-inch M cross-spoke Style 163M wheels, xenon headlights, Shadowline trim, a glass sunroof, LED taillights, and a subtle trunk spoiler. Inside, Cinnamon Nappa leather covers the power-adjustable sport seats, complemented by an Alcantara headliner and pillars.Modern conveniences include automatic climate control, navigation, a Harman Kardon audio system, cruise control, and Park Distance Control. The odometer currently shows approximately 78,000 miles, around 2,000 of which were reportedly added by the current owner after purchasing the car in 2024.Dinan Gave The S54 A Little Extra BiteImage Credit: Bring a Trailer.Under the hood sits BMW's celebrated 3.2-liter S54 inline-six, an engine that helped define the character of the E46 M3. Rather than relying on turbochargers or superchargers, the S54 delivers its performance through displacement, individual throttle bodies, and a willingness to rev toward 8,000 rpm.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis example received the Dinan S package, adding Stage 3 engine software, a high-flow intake and mass airflow meter housing, an upgraded exhaust system, and a front strut tower brace. According to the auction listing, Dinan rated an M3 equipped with the package at 355 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque.A plaque in the engine bay identifies the car's Dinan serial number as S03435. Recent maintenance listed for the M3 includes replacement of the alternator and drive belts in 2023, followed by a new fan clutch and a brake fluid flush in 2024.The SMG Is GoneImage Credit: Bring a Trailer.There is one significant difference between the car's current configuration and the specification Wheldon originally purchased. This M3 left the factory with BMW's six-speed SMG automated manual transmission, but it was converted to conventional manual operation under previous ownership in November 2021.For many E46 enthusiasts, that change will likely be considered an upgrade from a driving perspective. The conversion gives the car the traditional three-pedal setup that has become especially desirable as manual-transmission performance cars grow increasingly scarce.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdditional work performed at the same time included installing a subframe reinforcement kit and resealing the limited-slip differential. The trailing arm bushings were also replaced, addressing areas that prospective E46 M3 buyers often pay close attention to.One Of BMW M's Greatest HitsCalling any M3 generation the "best" is guaranteed to start an argument among BMW fans. The E30 has motorsport heritage, the E36 offers old-school simplicity, and the E90-series cars brought one of the greatest naturally aspirated V8 engines ever fitted to a sports sedan or coupe.Still, the E46 occupies a particularly desirable middle ground. It delivers the high-revving character enthusiasts expect from a classic BMW M car while remaining modern enough to use regularly, all without the weight, complexity, and digital interfaces that increasingly define newer performance cars.This example adds another layer with its Dinan modifications and original ownership by Wheldon. The modifications are relatively restrained, leaving the basic personality of the E46 intact while giving the engine and chassis a little extra edge.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe former Dan Wheldon 2006 BMW M3 is being offered on Bring a Trailer with service records, its original window sticker, owner's manuals, a damage-free Carfax report, and a clean California title. Whoever wins the auction will be getting a compelling specification of an already celebrated M car, along with a direct connection to one of the most successful Indianapolis 500 drivers of the modern era.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
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