BMW 3 Series (E46)

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)[1]
Indonesia: Jakarta
Malaysia: Shah Alam (AMIM)[2]
Mexico: Toluca[3]
Russia: Kaliningrad (Avtotor)[4]
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 Petrol:
1.8–2.0 L (M43/N42/N46) I4
2.0–3.2 L (M52/M54/S54) I6
4.0 L P60 v8
Diesel:
2.0 L M47 I4
2.9–3.0 L M57 I6
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:

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, 330xi and 330xd sedan/wagon models.[6][7] 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.[8][9][10]

The highest selling year for the E46 chassis was 2002, when 561,249 vehicles were sold worldwide.[11]

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.[12][13][14] Based on the E36 body shell, the design team put an emphasis on improving aerodynamics and increasing the car's aggressive stance.[13] Design patents were filed in Germany on July 16, 1997[15] and in the US on January 16, 1998.[16]

Chris Bangle was responsible through January 1996 for the production saloon exterior,[17][18] 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.[19]

Chassis

The body shell of the E46 was claimed by BMW to be 70% more rigid than its E36 predecessor,[20] and aluminium was used for an increased quantity of suspension components, in order to decrease unsprung mass.[20] However, with a curb weight of 1,450 kg (3,197 lb),[21][22] the E46 328ci is 55 kilograms (121 lb) heavier than the E36 equivalent.[23][24]

In tune with BMW's core values regarding handling dynamics,[25] the E46 was released with a front engine rear-wheel drive layout and a 50/50 weight distribution.[20][26]

Electronics

The E46 electronics are more integrated than previous generations of 3 Series, including the use of a CAN bus system.[27] Drivetrain information (such as engine, transmission and stability control) is communicated using the CAN bus.[28][29] Vehicle electronics (such as the radio, navigation, television and telecommunications) can communicate to each other via the K-bus.[30]

Specifications

Petrol engines

Model[31] Years Engine Power Torque Accel.[32]
316i[33][34] 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[35]
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 110 kW (148 hp) 200 N·m (148 lb·ft) 9.3 s
320i /
320ci[36]
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[37]
1998–2000 M52TUB25 125 kW (168 hp) 245 N·m (181 lb·ft) 7.9 s
325i (EU) /
325ci (EU)[38][39]
2001–2006 M54B25 141 kW (189 hp) 245 N·m (181 lb·ft) 7.2 s
325i (US) /
325ci (US)[40][41]
137 kW (184 hp) 237 N·m (175 lb·ft) 7.6 s
328i /
328ci[42]
1998–2000 M52TUB28 142 kW (190 hp) 280 N·m (207 lb·ft) 7.2 s
330i (EU) /
330ci (EU)[43][44][45]
2000–2006 M54B30 170 kW (228 hp) 300 N·m (221 lb·ft) 6.6 s
330i (US) /
330ci (US)[46][47]
168 kW (225 hp)290 N·m (214 lb·ft) 6.8 s
330i ZHP /
330ci ZHP[48][49]
2003–2006 175 kW (235 hp) 301 N·m (222 lb·ft) 6.1 s
M3 (EU)[50] 2000–2006 S54B32 252 kW (338 hp) 365 N·m (269 lb·ft) 4.9 s
M3 (US)[51] 248 kW (333 hp) 355 N·m (262 lb·ft) 5.1 s
M3 CSL[52] 2003–2004 265 kW (355 hp)370 N·m (273 lb·ft) 4.7 s

Diesel engines

Model[53] Years Engine Power Torque Accel.[54]
318d[55] 2001–2003 M47D20 85 kW (114 hp) 265 N·m (195 lb·ft) 11.1 s
2003–2005 M47TUD20 85 kW (114 hp) 280 N·m (207 ft·lbf) 10.8 s
320d[56] 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 110 kW (148 hp) 330 N·m (243 lb·ft) 8.7 s
330d[57][58] 1999–2002 M57D30 135 kW (181 hp) 390 N·m (288 lb·ft) 8.1 s
2003–2005 150 kW (201 hp) 410 N·m (302 lb·ft) 7.1 s

Manual transmissions

Automatic transmissions

M3

BMW M3

The E46 M3, first introduced in October 2000, appeared with the 3.2 L S54 M-tuned engine. It was available in coupe and convertible configurations.

The E46 M3 was offered with a standard 6-speed Getrag transmission, but optionally came with a SMG drivelogic transmission (also known as the SMG II). The engine had a redline of 8,000 rpm. As with most M engines, the S54 again had 6 independent throttle bodies and this time electronically operated throttles (drive-by-wire throttle with no cable).

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.[63] It was available for sedans from model years 2003 to 2005, and available for coupes and convertibles from 2004 to 2006.[64] 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).[64] 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.[65] 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.[65]

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.[66] They received a variant of the M54 engine, the BMW M56.[66] The M56 meets SULEV standards, as well as partial zero emission vehicle (PZEV) and zero evaporative emissions requirements.[66] The M56 is claimed to have identical power as its M54 counterpart.[66]

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.[67] As per the race M3 GTR, the Strassen Version was powered by the BMW P60B40 4.0 L v8 engine.

Model year changes

2000

2001 facelift (LCI)

In September 2001, the facelift (LCI) versions of the sedan and Touring were released for the 2002 model year.

2003

In March 2003, the facelift (LCI) versions of the coupe and convertible models (except M3) were released for the 2004 model year.

Motorsport

Andy Priaulx was the champion of the 2004 European Touring Car Championship season and 2005 World Touring Car Championship season driving a 320i.[68] Franz Engstler won the 2006 Asian Touring Car Championship season in a 320i.[69]

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

YearChampionshipResult
2003European Touring Car Championship3
2004Danish Touringcar Championship1
2004European Touring Car Championship1
2005Danish Touringcar Championship1
2005Italian Superturismo Championship1
2005World Touring Car Championship1
2006Asian Touring Car Championship1
2006British Touring Car Championship11
2008European Touring Car Cup1
Sedan
Wagon (Touring)
Coupe
Convertible

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