Bmw 3 Series E46 1998–2006 Motorpedia ALL models, history and specifications

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Description
Model Variants

BMW 3 Series (E46)

Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Production	1998–2006
Assembly	Germany: Leipzig Germany: Munich Germany: Regensburg China: Shenyang (BBA) Egypt: 6th of October City (BAG) Indonesia: Jakarta Malaysia: Shah Alam (AMIM) Mexico: Toluca Russia: Kaliningrad (Avtotor) South Africa: Rosslyn
Designer	Erik Goplen, Chris Bangle
Body and chassis
Class	Entry-level luxury car
Body style	2-door coupé 2-door convertible 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 3-door hatchback
Layout	FR layout, F4 layout (xi models)
Related	BMW M3 BMW X3 (E83)
Powertrain
Engine	1.8–2.0 L M43/N42/N46 I4 2.0 L M47 I4 diesel 2.0–3.2 L M52/M54/S54 I6 2.9–3.0 L M57 I6 diesel 4.0 L P60 v8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	107.3 in (2,725 mm)
Length	Sedan: 176.0 in (4,470 mm) Wagon: 176.3 in (4,478 mm) Convertible & Coupe: 176.7 in (4,488 mm)
Width	Sedan & wagon: 68.5 in (1,740 mm) Cabrio & coupe: 71.3 in (1,811 mm)
Height	55.5–56.5 in (1,410–1,435 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	BMW 3 Series (E36)
Successor	BMW 3 Series (E90)

The BMW E46 is the fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of entry-level luxury cars, and was produced from 1998 to 2006.

The body styles of the range are:

4-door sedan, sold from 1998 to 2005
2-door coupé, sold from 1999 to 2006
2-door convertible, sold from 1999 to 2006
5-door estate/wagon (marketed as "Touring"), sold from 1999 to 2005
3-door hatchback (see BMW 3 Series Compact), sold from 2000 to 2004

The BMW E90 began to replace the E46 sedans in late 2004, however the E46 coupe and convertible body styles remained in production until 2006.

All-wheel drive, last available in the E30 3 Series, was reintroduced for the E46. It was available for the 325xi and 330xi sedan/wagon models. The E46 was the first 3 Series to be available with an engine using variable valve lift ("valvetronic"). Various electronic features were also introduced to the 3 Series in the E46 generation, including satellite navigation, electronic brake-force distribution, rain-sensing wipers and LED tail-lights.

The highest selling year for the E46 chassis was 2002, when 561,249 vehicles were sold worldwide.

The M3 version of the E46 was powered by the BMW S54 straight-six engine. The M3 was released in 2001 and was available in coupé and convertible body styles. The transmissions available were a 6-speed manual or the 6-speed "SMG-II" sequential manual gearbox.

Development

316ti interior

In May 1995, the general exterior design of the E46 by Erik Goplen was approved and as a result DesignworksUSA was contracted by BMW to work alongside BMW Group's in-house design team to create the exterior body work for the 3-Series range in February 1996. Based on the E36 body shell, the design team put an emphasis on improving aerodynamics and increasing the car's aggressive stance. Design patents were filed in Germany on July 16, 1997 and in the US on January 16, 1998.

Chris Bangle was responsible through January 1996 for the production saloon exterior, as evident in the 1997 design patent. Production development of the saloon took 24 months from January 1996 to January 1998. Goplen designed the production coupé and estate during 1996–1997.

Chassis

The body shell of the E46 was claimed by BMW to be 70% more rigid than its E36 predecessor, and aluminium was used for an increased quantity of suspension components, in order to decrease unsprung mass. However, with a curb weight of 1,450 kg (3,197 lb), the E46 328ci is 55 kilograms (121 lb) heavier than the E36 equivalent.

In tune with BMW's core values regarding handling dynamics, the E46 was released with a front engine rear-wheel drive layout and a 50/50 weight distribution.

Electronics

The E46 electronics are more integrated than previous generations of 3 Series, including the use of a CAN bus system. Drivetrain information (such as engine, transmission and stability control) is communicated using the CAN bus. Vehicle electronics (such as the radio, navigation, television and telecommunications) can communicate to each other via the K-bus.

Specifications

Petrol engines

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque	Accel.
316i	1999–2001	M43B19	77 kW (103 hp)	165 N·m (122 lb·ft)	12.3 s
	2001–2004	N42B18	85 kW (114 hp)	175 N·m (129 lb·ft)	11.0 s
	2004–2005	N46B18	85 kW (114 hp)	175 N·m (129 lb·ft)	11.0 s
318i / 318ci	1998–2001	M43B19	87 kW (117 hp)	180 N·m (133 lb·ft)	10.7 s
	2001–2005	N42B20	105 kW (141 hp)	200 N·m (148 lb·ft)	9.3 s
	2003–2006	N46B20	105 kW (141 hp)	200 N·m (148 lb·ft)	9.3 s
320i / 320ci	1998–2000	M52TUB20	110 kW (148 hp)	190 N·m (140 lb·ft)	9.8 s
	2000–2001	M54B22	125 kW (168 hp)	210 N·m (155 lb·ft)	8.3 s
	2001–2006	M54B22	125 kW (168 hp)	210 N·m (155 lb·ft)	8.3 s
323i / 323ci	1998–2000	M52TUB25	125 kW (168 hp)	245 N·m (181 lb·ft)	7.9 s
325i (EU) / 325ci (EU)	2001–2006	M54B25	141 kW (189 hp)	245 N·m (181 lb·ft)	7.2 s
325i (US) / 325ci (US)	2001–2006	M54B25	137 kW (184 hp)	237 N·m (175 lb·ft)	7.6 s
328i / 328ci	1998–2000	M52TUB28	142 kW (190 hp)	280 N·m (207 lb·ft)	7.2 s
330i (EU) / 330ci (EU)	2000–2006	M54B30	170 kW (228 hp)	300 N·m (221 lb·ft)	6.6 s
330i (US) / 330ci (US)	2000–2006		168 kW (225 hp)	290 N·m (214 lb·ft)	6.8 s
330i ZHP / 330ci ZHP	2003–2006		175 kW (235 hp)	301 N·m (222 lb·ft)	6.1 s
M3 (EU)	2000–2006	S54B32	252 kW (338 hp)	365 N·m (269 lb·ft)	4.9 s
M3 (US)	2000–2006		248 kW (333 hp)	355 N·m (262 lb·ft)	5.1 s
M3 CSL	2003–2004		265 kW (355 hp)	370 N·m (273 lb·ft)	4.7 s

Diesel engines

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque	Accel.
318d	1999–2001	M47D20	85 kW (114 hp)	265 N·m (195 lb·ft)	11.1 s
318d	2001–2005	M47TUD20	85 kW (114 hp)	280 N·m (207 ft·lb_f)	10.8 s
320d	1998–2001	M47D20	100 kW (134 hp)	280 N·m (207 lb·ft)	9.9 s
	2001–2003	M47TUD20	110 kW (148 hp)	330 N·m (243 lb·ft)	8.8 s
	2003–2006	M47TUD20	110 kW (148 hp)	330 N·m (243 lb·ft)	8.7 s
330d	1999–2002	M57D30	135 kW (181 hp)	390 N·m (288 lb·ft)	8.1 s
330d	2003–2005	M57D30	150 kW (201 hp)	410 N·m (302 lb·ft)	7.1 s

Manual transmissions

5-speed ZF S5-39 (320d, 330d)
5-speed Getrag S5D 250G
5 speed Getrag S5D 320Z (328i, 330i)
6-speed ZF S6-37 (2003–2006)

Automatic transmissions

4-speed GM 4L30-E (A4S270R) (323i and 328i – up to 1999)
5-speed GM 5L40-E (A5S360R) (323i and 328i – 1999–2000)
5-speed GM 5L40-E (A5S390R) (320i, 325i and 330i)
5-speed GM 5L40-E (A5S390R) (320d and 330d)
5-speed ZF 5HP19 (A5S325Z) (323i, 325i, 328, 330i – 2000–2003)
6-speed SMG-II

M3

E46/5 hatchback

The hatchback version was marketed as the BMW 3 Series Compact.

Special models

Performance package (ZHP)

2005 BMW 330Ci ZHP in Titanium Silver

The Performance Package was an inclusive option sold in North America, which was labelled the ZHP option code in the USA and ZAM in Canada. It was available for sedans from model years 2003 to 2005, and available for coupes and convertibles from 2004 to 2006. It included various aesthetic changes over the regular 3 series, as well as functional and mechanical enhancements.

The ZHP was equipped with sportier camshafts and revised engine tuning to increase power from 225 hp (168 kW) to 235 hp (175 kW). Suspension was modified over the standard suspension with firmer springs and dampers, larger anti-roll bars, stronger front control arm ball joints, a lower ride height, and slightly more negative camber.Car and Driver magazine track-tested the car, which returned a 0–60 mph time of 5.2 seconds and passed through the 1/4 mile in 14.3 seconds.

325i SULEV

BMW introduced a super ultra low emission vehicle (SULEV) into the selected regions of the United States to meet stricter emission standards. California, New York, and Massachusetts received the SULEV E46's in 2003, and Vermont in 2004. They received a variant of the M54 engine, the BMW M56. The M56 meets SULEV standards, as well as partial zero emission vehicle (PZEV) and zero evaporative emissions requirements. The M56 is claimed to have identical power as its M54 counterpart.

Information sticker on the SULEV radiator
Engine bay of a 2004 325i SULEV

M3 GTR Strassen version

M3 GTR (race version)

In order for the M3 GTR race car to compete in the American Le Mans Series, BMW produced 10 examples of the "M3 GTR Strassen Version" road car in 2001. As per the race M3 GTR, the Strassen Version was powered by the BMW P60B40 4.0 L v8 engine.

Motorsport

Andy Priaulx was the champion of the 2004 European Touring Car Championship season and 2005 World Touring Car Championship season driving a 320i.Franz Engstler won the 2006 Asian Touring Car Championship season in a 320i.

The car has further competed in the British Touring Car Championship, the European Touring Car Cup and the Russian Touring Car Championship.

Year	Championship	Result
2003	European Touring Car Championship	3
2004	Danish Touringcar Championship	1
2004	European Touring Car Championship	1
2005	Danish Touringcar Championship	1
2005	Italian Superturismo Championship	1
2005	World Touring Car Championship	1
2006	Asian Touring Car Championship	1
2006	British Touring Car Championship	11
2008	European Touring Car Cup	1