The E46 3 Series was the successor to the E36 3 Series, whose manufacturing terminated in 2000, and is the fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series line of small executive automobiles. It was manufactured by the German automaker BMW from 1997 to 2006. The E46 was first made available in sedan, coupe, convertible, station wagon, and hatchback body styles in November 1997. The 3 Series Compact has been the name given to the latter.
The 2-door coupe version of the M3 performance variant debuted in June 2000, while the convertible version debuted in April 2001. The BMW S54 straight-six engine powers the M3, which has a 6-speed manual or 6-speed SMG-II automated manual transmission as an option.
After the E90 3 Series sedans were released in late 2004, the E46 lineup began to be phased out. The E46 coupe and convertible body types, however, were still manufactured up until August 2006.
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The general model number for the current 3 series automobile lineup is E46. Production of the 323i and 328i (sedans) began in 1999, followed by the coupe and sedan 323 and 328 models in 2000, and the 325, 330, and M3 vehicles in 2001. Entwicklung, meaning development (or evolution), is what the German letter E stands for. E36, E30, etc. were the designations for earlier 3 series vehicles.
The 330i, 330ci, 325i, and so on are all merely models that are employed in place of adjectives like “civic” or “fiero.”
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To be clear. The number 46 indicates the beginning of the model’s development at that time.
For instance, the 8 Series, which is the E31, began production in 1989, whereas the 7 Series, which is the E32, began production in 1986. You can observe that the number doesn’t necessarily correspond to the order in which the cars are released on the market.
But how are the numbers picked then? Is it just someone’s preference, or does it have some special meaning? Although the assembly plant theory is somewhat logical, it doesn’t address why the assembly facilities weren’t given the BMW E1, E2, E3, E4, or E5 designations. etc
Which “e” is my BMW according to the body designations?
Although you may have heard a lot of “e” words at your local BMW Service Center, along with potentially some “f” and “s” words, phrases like “e36,” “e60,” and “e28” have specific meanings to BMW mechanics and aficionados. For instance, an e46 is referred to as a 2003 330i. Depending on the look and year of your BMW, these “e” designations are used to define BMW Body style design. Entwicklung, the German term for development or evolution when you link the ‘e’, is abbreviated as “E.”
If you don’t understand any of these terms, the following list should assist you identify the code name for your BMW.
What Distinguishes an E36 from an E46 BMW?
The E36 and E46 are part of BMW’s 3 Series, a lineup of luxurious, midsize cars. The E36, which replaced the E30, was produced between 1990 and 1998. The E36’s manufacture was stopped in 1998, and the E46 was unveiled as a replacement.
The coupe, convertible, sedan, hatchback, and station wagon body types were offered for the E36 and E46. Both the E36 and E46 had automatic and manual transmission options, but when the E46 was introduced, BMW made certain alterations.
What Model To Buy? – Buyer’s Guide For The BMW E46 3 Series
The BMW E46 3 Series is perhaps the first vehicle that springs to mind when you mention the brand BMW to almost anyone. It is without a doubt one of the best-selling model generations in BMW history and one of the most well-known BMWs of all time. Actually, it’s challenging to go a day without spotting one driving about. There is a good reason why they are so well-liked. Probably the best 3 Series ever produced by the Bavarians is the BMW E46.
Are E46s Simple to Repair?
One of the final BMWs to be genuinely DIY-friendly was the E46. Because you don’t need specialized diagnostic equipment to fix even the smallest problems with these cars, they are still mainly analog in that regard. Additionally, you can reach practically anything in the engine compartment if you extend your arm down far enough.
It depends on you whether an E46 will be simple for you to work on. If you intend to undertake the majority of the job yourself, these cars require a certain amount of mechanical expertise. The good news about the E46 is that there is a ton of how-to information available online, including in our little corner of the internet.
It is one of the most well-known BMWs ever produced, and there are thousands of owners who are too attached to their vehicles to allow anybody else to service them. You should be able to locate instructions for replacing almost anything on this automobile, with the exception of a complete engine or transmission rebuild.
What followed the BMW E46?
The BMW 3 Series’ fifth generation began with the BMW E90. By the end of the BMW E46 period in 2002, the 3 Series had already had a facelift with brand-new headlights and taillights.
The BMW E90 3 Series Sedan and E91 Sports Wagon eras began in 2006, respectively. Along with it, the BMW E92 3 Series Coupe and E93 3 Series Convertible were introduced.
The fifth generation of the 3 Series has undergone significant mechanical and aesthetic improvements. First, a dimension increase was brought on by the switch from the BMW E46 to the E90. The new 3 Series E90 was more balanced because to its wider tracks, bigger wheelbase (1.4 inches wider than E46), and roomier cabin.
What distinguishes a BMW E36 from an E46?
The E36 sedan’s 2.8-liter, 185-horsepower engine was available. The sedan was modified to feature a 3.0-liter, 225-horsepower engine when the E46 was introduced. Although the driver and passenger only had front airbags in the E36, side curtain airbags were added in the E46. Along with an in-dash navigation option, adaptive headlights, and side turning indicators, E46 versions offered these features in 2003.
A classic, the BMW E46?
Are you interested in purchasing a modern classic vehicle? The BMW E46 M3 offers visceral performance thrills at a (now) alluring price and may be exactly what you’re looking for. It is recognized as one of the best M vehicles ever manufactured. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking for one on the used market.
The number of cylinders in a BMW E46.
The E46 3 Series 318i has a naturally-aspirated Inline 4 cylinder engine, Petrol motor, with the engine code N42 B20A. This engine produces a maximum power of 143 PS (141 bhp – 105 kW) at 6000 rpm and a maximum torque of 200 Nm (147 lb.ft) at 3750 rpm. It has an average fuel consumption of 7.2 liters/100km – 39 mpg Rear wheel drive (RWD) with a 5 speed manual gearbox transfers power to the road. The E46 3 Series has Independent, which is related to chassis details responsible for road holding, handling behavior, and ride comfort. McPherson. springs in coils. Front suspension has an anti-roll bar and Multilink. springs in coils. rear suspension with an anti-roll bar. The stock tire sizes for the front and back of the vehicle are 205/55 on 16-inch rims. The E46 3 Series 318i’s front and rear Vented Disc brake systems each have a disc brake assembly to help the car stop. BMW produced the E46 3 Series model, a vehicle with 4 doors and 5 seats that was sold new from 2001 to 2005 and is now only available used.
Are BMW E46s quick?
The 3.2-liter inline-six S54B32 engine from BMW, which built on the foundation of its predecessor, was the heart of the M3 E46. However, at the time of its initial release in 2000, the model had 343 horsepower (252 kilowatts) and 269 pound-feet (365 Newton-meters) of torque, which was a nearly wholly new concept at the time. The vehicle in the video had a six-speed manual transmission, though an optional automated manual transmission was also offered.
On paper, the M3 E46 should be able to accelerate from a standstill to 62 mph (100 kph) in just 5.1 seconds despite having a curb weight of 3,461 pounds (1,570 kilograms). It is interesting to note that it has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 kph), even if the example from the video clearly exceeds that limit.
The M3 E46 had a V8 engine version, and it was the road-legal GTR produced as a homologation for the race vehicle, as a finishing point. The sports coupe was capable of 183 mph with the bigger engine.
The E46’s engine type.
Num. with Doors:
Wheelbase :
Length :
Width :
Height:
Num. of Seats :
Cx, the aerodynamic drag coefficient
Front brakes: size of the discs
Dimensions of rear brakes with dics:
Front tires’ rim measurements:
Size of the rear tires and rims:
Bench Weight:
Ratio of weight to power output:
Boot / Trunk capacity:
Suspension up front:
Suspension in back:
What kind of engine powers the BMW E46 325i? A 2494 cm3 / 152.2 cu-in inline 6-cylinder petrol engine powers the BMW E46 3 Series 325i.
A 2001 BMW E46 3 Series 325i has how many horsepower (hp). 192 PS/189 bhp/141 kW are the power ratings for the 2001 BMW E46 3 Series 325i.
What is the weight of a BMW E46 325i? 1395 Kg (3075 lbs) is the weight of the BMW E46 3 Series 325i.
How fast can a BMW E46 3 Series 325i go? The maximum speed of the BMW E46 3 Series 325i is 240 Km/h (149 mph).
Does the BMW E46 325i have all-wheel drive (AWD)? The BMW E46 325i does not have all-wheel drive. Rear wheel drive is used.
A sports car is an E46, right?
When it was introduced in 2000, the BMW M3 E46 Coupe swept true sports car enthusiasts off their feet. For many people, it represented a return to the strengths of the venerable BMW M3 E30 thanks to its low weight design and the high-rev philosophy of its inline 6-cylinder engine. The year after, a convertible was produced, offering an unusual fusion of open-top luxury and a sporty driving experience.
What kind of engine was in the BMW E36 M3?
The straight-six engine from a BMW S50 powers the E36 M3. The majority of M3 models since have utilized six-cylinder engines, making it the first M3 to do so.
The original 2,990 cc (182 cu in) version produced 320 Nm (236 lbft) at 3,600 rpm and 210 kW (286 PS; 282 horsepower) at 7,000 rpm in the majority of countries. Except for the limited-edition Canadian “M3 Euro-Spec” model, North American versions had the BMW S50B30US engine, which was less potent.
A 3,201 cc (195 cu in) version of the BMW S50 engine was added to the facelift vehicles in late 1995. This engine produces 350 Nm (258 lbft) at 3,250 rpm and 236 kW (316 hp) at 7,400 rpm. Instead, North American vehicles had the BMW S52 engine, which was less potent.
Is the BMW E46 a reliable vehicle?
There are a few things you should be aware of to make a secure purchase if you’re looking to buy a secondhand early 2000s E46s.
Among the most enduring BMW models are the 3 Series versions from the early 2000s. Whether you choose a two-door coupe or a four-door sedan, there are a few aspects about the used 3 Series cars from the early 2000s that you should be aware of.
One of the most popular BMW models in history is the E46. The E46, which was built from 1999 to 2006, restored BMW’s reputation for producing dependable vehicles.
Maintaining an old, used BMW (or any old automobile, for that matter) is the main expense of ownership. While JD Power lists BMW as one of the most dependable automakers currently, there is no getting around old, faulty auto parts. Let’s discuss all you need to know before buying a used BMW 3 Series without further ado.