BMW 3 Series (E46)
| BMW E46 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | BMW |
| Production | 1998–2006 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Entry-level luxury car / Compact executive car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé 2-door convertible 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon |
| Platform | FR/AWD |
| Related | BMW Z4 BMW X3 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Otto- and diesel engines I4, I6 1.6-3.2 L, 77-252 kW |
| Transmission | 5- and 6-speed manual Sequential manual (SMG) 5-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 4471 mm |
| Width | 1739 mm |
| Height | 1415 mm |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | BMW E36 |
| Successor | BMW E90 |
The E46 automobile platform is the fourth generation of BMW's highly successful 3 Series entry-level luxury car / compact executive car. It was introduced in 1998 and replaced the E36 sedans the same year. The touring and coupé models appeared for 2000, and the compact version for 2001. Despite being introduced last, the E46 compact was the first to be replaced when 1 Series was launched in September 2004.
The E46 sedan underwent a facelift for 2002, which included redesigned headlights, new bumpers and a stiffer chassis. Also, the 316i and 318i models received new, more powerful engines. Then in 2004 the coupe had a facelift which included new headlights, new fenders and bumpers, new selections in exterior color, and redesigned LED sidemarker lights and taillights
In mid-2005 the E46 sedans were phased out in favour of the new E90. The E46 touring was also replaced later that year. As of May 2006, the E46 remains in production as coupé, convertible and M3. The E92 coupé is expected to hit the market in September 2006. When the remaining E90 versions will appear is still uncertain, hence the production of the E46 probably continues well into 2007.
The E46 experienced enormous success in all markets and was widely considered the performance benchmark of its class. The record year for the E46 was 2002, when 561,249 vehicles were sold worldwide.[1]
Engines
Petrol
| Model[2] | Engine | Production[3] | Volume cm³ |
Type[4] | Power kW (PS) |
Torque Nm (ft·lbf) |
0-100 km/h[5] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316i | M43TUB19 | 1998-2001 | 1895 | I4, 16v | 77 (105) | 165 (122) | 12,4 s |
| 316i/ti | N42B18 | 2001-2004 | 1796 | I4, 16v | 85 (115) | 175 (129) | 10,9 s |
| N46B18 | 2004-2005 | ||||||
| 318i | M43TUB19 | 1998-2001 | 1895 | I4, 16v | 87 (118) | 180 (133) | 10,4 s |
| 318i/Ci/ti | N42B20 | 2002-2003 | 1995 | I4, 16v | 105 (143) | 200 (147) | 9,3 s |
| N46B20 | 2004-2005 | ||||||
| 318Ci | 2005-2007 | 110 (150) | 9,2 s | ||||
| 320i | M52TUB20 | 1998-2000 | 1991 | I6, 24v | 110 (150) | 190 (140) | 9,9 s |
| 320i/Ci | M52B22/M54B22 | 2001-2007 | 2171 | I6, 24v | 125 (170) | 210 (155) | 8,2 s |
| 323i/Ci | M52TUB25 | 1998-2000 | 2494 | I6, 24v | 125 (170) | 245 (181) | 8,0 s |
| 325i/xi/Ci/ti | M54B25 | 2001-2007 | 2494 | I6, 24v | 141 (192) | 245 (181) | 7,2 s |
| 328i/Ci | M52TUB28 | 1998-2000 | 2793 | I6, 24v | 141 (192) | 275 (203) | 7,0 s |
| 330i/xi/Ci | M54B30 | 2001-2007 | 2979 | I6, 24v | 170 (231) | 300 (221) | 6,5 s |
| M3 | S54B32 | 2001-2007 | 3246 | I6, 24v | 252 (343) | 355 (262) | 5,2 s |
| M3 CSL | 2003-2004 | 265 (360) | 370 (274) | 4,9 s |
Diesel
| Model | Engine | Production | Volume cm³ |
Type | Power kW (PS) |
Torque Nm (ft·lbf) |
0-100 km/h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 318d/td | M47D20 | 2001-2005 | 1951 | I4, 16v | 85 (115) | 265 (195) | 10,7 s |
| 320d | M47D20 | 1999-2001 | 1951 | I4, 16v | 100 (136) | 280 (207) | 9,9 s |
| 320d/cd/td | M47TUD20 | 2001-2007 | 1995 | I4, 16v | 110 (150) | 330 (229) | 8,9 s |
| 330d/xd/cd | M57D30 | 1999-2003 | 2926 | I6, 24v | 135 (184) | 390 (288) | 7,8 s |
| M57TUD30 | 2004-2007 | 2993 | 150 (204) | 410 (302) | 7,2 s |
ZHP Performance Package
In January 2003, at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, BMW of North America introduced the 330i Performance Package, order code ZHP. This was a trim level upgrade that included engine modifications for an increase of 10 HP and 8 LB-FT of torque and a redline increase to 6,800 RPM (from 6,500 in the regular 330i). The ZHP option also provided a 6-speed short-throw manual transmission, a higher final drive ratio and speed limiter setting, a suspension tuned for better handling, and various BMW M exterior trim elements as well as an interior similar to that of the M3.
The ZHP package was available on mid-2003 330i sedans, all 2004-2005 330i sedans, and mid 2004-2005 330Ci coupes & convertibles. It has become a highly sought-after model due to its unique modifications. Car and Driver magazine track-tested the car, which returned a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds and passed through the 1/4 mile in 14.2 seconds.
Gallery
-
2000 E46 330d sedan M -
2004 E46 325Ci -
2004 E46 cabriolet -
2005 E46 330i ZHP (Performance Package)
-
1998-2001 BMW 3-Series convertible -
Facelifted E46 318i sedan. UK right-hand drive version. -
Facelifted E46 318i sedan. The circles on the rear bumper reveals that the vehicle have acoustic parking assistance. -
Close-up of the 2002 facelift -
BMW E46 Coupe Facelift with optional M Sport Package -
BMW E46 320d Touring (2004) -
BMW E46 320d Touring (2004)
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Notes
- ^ "Successful 2003 Financial Year for the BMW Group". The Auto Channel. Retrieved 2006-07-24.
- ^ An i indicates either sedan or touring. A d stands for diesel, t is the 3-door hatchback (compact) and Ci stands for coupé or convertible. An x means all-wheel drive (xDrive).
- ^ Model year production.
- ^ The I indicates an Inline/Straight engine, followed by the number of cylinders and the total amount of valves.
- ^ Figures are for sedans/coupes with manual transmission. Acceleration may be slightly faster for compacts (ca. -0,1 s) and slower for tourings ca. +0,2 s, convertibles ca. +0,4-1 s, automatics ca. +0,2-1 s and all-wheel drives ca. +0,2-0,5 s.
External links
- BMW International Official BMW portal
- E46Fanatics.com The ultimate site for the Ultimate E46 enthusiast