BMW E46

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BMW E46
Early E46 320i
Manufacturer BMW
Production 1998–2006
Predecessor BMW E36
Successor BMW E90, E91, E92, E93
Class Entry-level luxury car / Compact executive car
Body style(s) 2-door coupé
2-door convertible
3-door hatchback
4-door saloon
5-door estate
Layout FR layout/AWD
Engine(s) Otto- and diesel engines
I4, I6
1.8-3.2 L, 77-252 kW
Transmission(s) 5- and 6-speed manual
Sequential manual (SMG)
5-speed automatic
5-speed semi-automatic (Steptronic)
Length 4,471 mm (176.0 in)
Width 1,739 mm (68.5 in)
Height 1,415 mm (55.7 in)
Related BMW Z4
BMW X3
Rover 75

The E46 automobile platform is the fourth generation of BMW's highly successful 3 Series entry-level luxury car / compact executive car. The saloon was introduced in 1998 and replaced the E36 saloons the same year. The touring and coupé models appeared in 1999 with BMW's newly designed steptronic transmissions (available in all 3 series models), and the convertible and M3 later in 2000. The E46 compact, a 3-door compact hatchback, was revealed in 2001 to be sold in European and Australian markets.

In 2000, the E46 lineup received an engine boost when the new M54 engines appeared for Model Year 2001 cars; with the new 3.0 L 330 replacing the 328, BMW renamed the 2.5 L car the 325. Outside of the engine and exhaust upgrades, there were few cosmetic changes, the most noticeable being the 330 receiving silver accents on the front fascia.

The first major overhaul occurred when the E46 saloon underwent a facelift in 2002, which included re-designed headlights, new bumpers and a stiffer chassis. Also, the 316i and 318i models received new, more powerful engines. Then in 2004 the coupe and convertible had a facelift which included new headlights, new front wings and bumpers, new selections in exterior colour, and redesigned sidemarker lights and LED tail lights. The M3s got a much more mild facelift that same year, with the inclusion of the updated boot and LED tail lights from the coupe/convertible.

Despite being introduced last, the E46 compact was the first to be replaced when 1 Series was launched in September 2004. In mid-2005 the E46 saloons were phased out with the introduction of the new E90 saloons. The E46 touring was also replaced later that year with E91. The E46 remained in production as coupé, convertible and M3 until the E92 coupé and E93 convertible was revealed in late 2006. The new M3 coupé concept was later unveiled in March 2007 during Geneva Motor Show.

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]

As a credit to the E46 platform, it was chosen for Car and Driver Magazine's "10 Best Cars" every year of its production. See Car and Driver Ten Best.

Contents

[edit] Engines

[edit] Petrol

Model[2] Engine Production[3] Volume
cm³		 Type[4] Power Torque 0-100 km/h[5]
316i M43B16 1998-2001 1596 I4, 8v 105 PS (104 hp/77 kW) 165 N·m (122 ft·lbf) 12.4 s
316i/ti N42B18 2001-2004 1796 I4, 16v 115 PS (113 hp/85 kW) 175 N·m (129 ft·lbf) 10.9 s
N46B18 2004-2005
318i/Ci M43TUB19 1998-2001 1895 I4, 8v 118 PS (116 hp/87 kW) 180 N·m (133 ft·lbf) 10.4 s
318i/Ci/ti N42B20 2002-2003 1995 I4, 16v 143 PS (141 hp/105 kW) 200 N·m (148 ft·lbf) 9.3 s
N46B20 2004-2005
318Ci 2005-2007 150 PS (148 hp/110 kW) 9.2 s
320i M52TUB20 1998-2000 1991 I6, 24v 150 PS (148 hp/110 kW) 190 N·m (140 ft·lbf) 9.9 s
320i/Ci M52B22/M54B22 2001-2007 2171 I6, 24v 170 PS (168 hp/125 kW) 210 N·m (155 ft·lbf) 8.2 s
323i/Ci M52TUB25 1998-2000 2494 I6, 24v 170 PS (168 hp/125 kW) 245 N·m (181 ft·lbf) 8.0 s
325i/xi/Ci/ti M54B25 2001-2007 2494 I6, 24v 184 PS (181 hp/135 kW) 245 N·m (181 ft·lbf) 7.2 s
328i/Ci M52TUB28 1998-2000 2793 I6, 24v 193 PS (190 hp/142 kW) 280 N·m (207 ft·lbf) 7.0 s
330i/xi/Ci M54B30 2000-2007 2979 I6, 24v 231 PS (228 hp/170 kW) 300 N·m (221 ft·lbf) 6.2 s
330i/zhp///M Pkg M54B30 2003-2006 2979 I6, 24v 241 PS (238 hp/177 kW) 311 N·m (229 ft·lbf) 5.6 s
M3 S54B32 2001-2006 3246 I6, 24v 343 PS (338 hp/252 kW) 365 N·m (269 ft·lbf) 4.8 s
M3 CSL 2003-2004 360 PS (355 hp/265 kW) 370 N·m (273 ft·lbf) 4.6 s

[edit] Diesel

Model Engine Production Volume
cm³		 Type Power Torque 0-100 km/h
318d/td M47D20 2001-2005 1951 I4, 16v 115 PS (113 hp/85 kW) 265 N·m (195 ft·lbf) 10.7 s
320d M47D20 1999-2001 1951 I4, 16v 136 PS (134 hp/100 kW) 280 N·m (207 ft·lbf) 9.9 s
320d/cd/td M47TUD20 2001-2007 1995 I4, 16v 150 PS (148 hp/110 kW) 330 N·m (243 ft·lbf) 8.9 s
330d/xd/cd M57D30 1999-2003 2926 I6, 24v 184 PS (181 hp/135 kW) 390 N·m (288 ft·lbf) 7.8 s
M57TUD30 2004-2007 2993 204 PS (201 hp/150 kW) 410 N·m (302 ft·lbf) 7.2 s

[edit] Special models

[edit] 330 ZHP Performance Package (USA), Clubsport Package (UK) (Later changed to M-SPORT)

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 (7 kW) and 8 lb·ft (11 N·m) 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 color option of Imola Red replaces Electric Red when ordering with ZHP Performance Package, which is usually only available in the M-series. Europe received slightly more cosmetic upgrades with their version, the Clubsport Package available only for the 330Ci (Coupe) models. The ZHP package though not a true M, helped BMW fill in a gap that was left after the departure of the 4Dr e36 M3 in 98, since the next generation e46 M3 was only available in coupe/conv form.

Specific details on the order package include:

  • Sport suspension
  • Double Spoke (Styling 135M) cast alloy wheels, 18 x 8.0 front, 18 x 8.5 rear;,225/40R-18 front, 255/35R-18 rear performance tires
  • M Aerodynamic package
  • Reinforced right & left front lower control arms
  • Matte stainless steel, 35 mm dual exhaust pipes
  • High-gloss shadowline trim
  • 8-way power front sport seats with 2-way manual headrests and thigh support; 3-driver memory for exterior mirror and seat positions; automatic tilt-down of passenger’s side-view mirror when vehicle is shifted into reverse gear
  • Alcantara/cloth upholstery
  • Anthracite interior headliner
  • M 3-spoke Alcantara-wrapped multi-function sport steering wheel with fingertip cruise, audio and accessory phone controls
  • Aluminum “black cube” interior trim
  • Tachometer with 300 rpm-higher redline and red needle
  • Short, sport gearshift lever
  • 3.07 gears in rear differential
  • .5 degrees camber all around
  • No 128 mph (206 km/h) governor (155 mph top speed).
  • Special Clubsport (Euro Only)
    • Front bumper splitters
    • GT rear wing
    • Door sills
    • Clubsport Style 18" rims with 225/40R18 front, 255/35R18 rear performance tires
    • Exterior paint choices of Titanium Silver, and two "BMW Individual" colors Estoril Blue and Velvet Blue

The ZHP package was available on mid-2003 330i sedans, all 2004-2005 330i sedans, and mid 2004-2006 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.

[edit] M3 Competition Package (USA), M3 Clubsport (UK)

2004 BMW M3 with CSL wheels
2004 BMW M3 with CSL wheels

Although the M3 CSL was never exported to the United States, in 2005 BMW introduced an M3 Competition Package (a.k.a. Clubsport in the UK): a $4,000 option which offered a number of upgrades taken from M3 CSL. The package includes:

  • CSL 19-inch BBS spin-cast alloy wheels
  • Specially tuned spring rates for the Competition Package; this was carried over to all M3 production from 12/05 on.
  • CSL steering rack: More direct steering ratio of 14.5:1 (vs. standard M3's 15.4:1)
  • CSL's M-Track Mode DSC with a button mounted on the steering wheel (deletion of cruise control and steering wheel mounted radio controls)
  • Compound cross-drilled rotors from the M3 CSL model; larger front rotor of 13.6 inches (from 12.8 inches)
  • Alcantara steering wheel, gear lever and hand brake
  • Interlagos Blue exterior paint available as an exclusive color option.
  • Unique cube aluminum interior trim
  • Cruise Control Delete

[edit] M3 GTR

An E46 GTR came to life on February 2001, powered by a 4000 cm³ V8 producing 444 bhp (race version—street version produced 380 bhp). Unlike the straight-six powered M3 versions, which were outpaced by the Porsche 996 GT3, the racing version of the E46 M3 GTR 16 was very successful in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), entered by Schnitzer Motorsport.

Rivals such as Porsche pointed out that this car was more of a prototype as no V8 engine was available in the road-going BMW E46, which is in violation of the spirit of Gran Turismo. In 2001, ALMS regulations stated that cars must be for sale on two continents within twelve months of the rules being issued. To fulfill this rule, BMW put 10 road going GTRs on sale after the 2001 season, for 250,000 euros (then $218,000) each, allegedly only available for select customers.

Due to this, the ALMS rules were altered for 2002 to state that 100 cars and 1000 engines must be built for the car to qualify without penalties. Although BMW could have raced the V8 with the new weight and power penalties under these new regulations, they chose to pull out of the ALMS, effectively ending the shortlived M3 GTR's career.

Two Schnitzer Motorsport GTR cars saw a comeback in 2003 at the 24 Hours Nürburgring, winning 1-2 in 2004 and 2005, as well as entries in the 24 Hours Spa. Onboard coverage recorded in 2004 Hans-Joachim Stuck, Pedro Lamy, Jörg Müller & Dirk Müller on the Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps.

Private teams (Scheid, Getrag, etc.) also have fit 4000 cc BMW V8 engines into the E46 body to race on the Nürburgring, winning some VLN races in the last years.

[edit] M3 CSL

BMW made a limited run (less than 1,400 units) of the M3 CSL machines between June and December of 2003. The CSL (Coupe Sport Lightweight) received an aggressive weight reduction campaign, more power (up to 360 hp), and sharper handling characteristics than the standard M3, courtesy of semi-slick racing tires. From the outside, the CSL is distinguished from its standard sibling with a different wheel design, larger integrated rear spoiler and a large air intake hole on the left side of the front bumper. Weight loss was achieved through use of a carbon-fibre roof, carbon-fibre boot lid, lighter exhaust manifold, thinner rear glass, carbon fibre interior door panels and console, lightweight racing seats, and the removal of side air bags. Several other features available in a regular M3 as standard such as air conditioning and radio were also deleted, although these options could be added at the request of the owner. SMG II sequential manual gearbox was made standard. Owing to the small production run and the complications of clearing DOT and EPA standards for the North American market, BMW never exported the CSL to the United States, although some parts from it were later made available on the regular M3 as part of an optional Competition Package.

While the CSL was comparable in performance to the Ferrari's 360 at half the price, this version of the M3 is often criticized as being too racing-oriented and significantly pricier than the standard model. Focusing on weight loss, the CSL became less of the "everyday car" that the M3 is known for. Another criticism was the unavailability of a manual gearbox.

[edit] Gallery

Coupe Front

Coupe Rear

Coupe Side (Facelift)

Coupe ZHP (Euro)

Sedan Front

Sedan Front (Facelift)

Sedan Rear (Facelift)

Sedan ZHP (US)

Cabriolet

Cabriolet (Facelift)

Touring Front (Facelift)

Touring Rear (Facelift)

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Successful 2003 Financial Year for the BMW Group. The Auto Channel. Retrieved on 2006-07-24.
  2. ^ An i indicates either saloon or touring (The i was originally used to indicated fuel injected rather than a carburated engine but all modern models are fuel injected.) 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).
  3. ^ Model year production.
  4. ^ The I indicates an Inline/Straight engine, followed by the number of cylinders and the total amount of valves.
  5. ^ Figures are for saloons/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.

[edit] External links

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Type Series 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
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Compact exec 3 Series E21 E30 E36 E46 E90 / E91 / E92 / E93
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