The BMW 3 Series turns 50 this year, and across Europe the anniversary is being celebrated not only with classic icons but also with personal stories – individual cars that define what the 3 Series means to real owners. In the Netherlands, one of these outstanding cars belongs to Dirk Fraterman, who has spent the last decade driving and preserving a 2002 BMW 318Ci convertible painted in one of the rarest factory colors of its time: Tourmaline Violet Pearl Effect. It’s a car that immediately catches the eye, but for Dirk the story begins long before he spots this E46 at a local dealer. His connection to BMW is something of a family tradition.
A family story with roots in BMW heritage
Dirk grew up surrounded by BMWs. His grandparents were the brand’s first supporters in the Netherlands, and his grandfather – a businessman – was a loyal customer who often played golf with his BMW dealer. “One thing led to another,” Dirk remembers. “First an E36 Touring for my grandmother, then several 5 Series and 7 Series models for my grandparents. When I was born, both of my parents were already driving BMWs. You can imagine how that turned out,” he adds with a smile.
It’s no surprise that decades later he would add his own chapter to the family’s BMW history.
A dream car, found by chance
Almost ten years ago, Dirk came across a BMW 318Ci convertible at a small local dealer – still full of transport dust, freshly arrived from Germany. Someone had informed him about it and he wasted no time getting there. “When I saw it, even unwashed, I thought it was beautiful,” says Dirk. “Tourmaline Violet Metallic was never common in the Netherlands, but it enjoyed a certain following in Germany, where this car was first registered.”
A single test drive confirmed what he had already suspected: this was the car he had dreamed of. And unlike many long-awaited dream car experiences that end in disappointment, this experience lived up to expectations. The purchase was completed quickly.
A special E46 for a special anniversary
As part of the 50th anniversary of the 3 Series, BMW Netherlands is presenting unique, characterful examples from the model’s history. Instead of focusing exclusively on high-performance variants, the focus is on cars that tell a richer, more personal story.
Dirk’s 318Ci Convertible fits this requirement perfectly. Its deep purple paint still attracts attention today and is a reminder that the strong BMW colors now celebrated by BMW Individual have deep roots. The tourmaline violet pearl effect (color code 897) no longer even appears in the extensive BMW Individual Visualizer, but was once available by special order, making cars like Dirk’s increasingly rare.
The forgotten engine: BMW’s N42
Behind the modest E46 kidney grille lies a powertrain that rarely makes headlines. While enthusiasts tend to lean toward the E46 M3 or the 330Ci, Dirk’s car uses BMW’s N42 engine – a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 143 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. By modern standards the numbers are modest. Even in 2002, the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds (11.1 seconds with automatic) was not noticeable. With a DIN curb weight of 1,540 kilograms, it was unexpectedly heavy compared to its sedan and coupe siblings.
But for Dirk, the driving experience is exactly what he wants from an open E46.
“As a student at the time, I appreciated that it didn’t consume too much fuel,” he explains. “Over the years I’ve grown to love the character of the four-cylinder even more. This car is made for relaxed cruising. I live in a beautiful, hilly area and Germany is just around the corner. A great drive is always nearby.”
A convertible just for fair weather
Today Dirk no longer uses the 318Ci as his daily driver. This task goes to an E38 735i – another nod to the family, as his grandfather once owned the same model. Meanwhile, the E46 Cabrio leads a pampered life. “My convertible sleeps inside,” says Dirk. “It keeps the car in great condition. It only comes out on sunny days.”
When this is the case, other enthusiasts always notice. Recently, someone behind the wheel of a British luxury car pulled over to offer a torrent of compliments. “When this model came out, it was something special,” says Dirk. “Now that they’ve become rarer, they stand out even more – especially when they’re original and well cared for. The perfect mix of classic and modern. And no, I’ll never sell them.”
You can watch the video here.
[Photos: BMW Netherlands]
