BMW 3 Series (E46)

BMW 3 Series (E46)
Overview
ManufacturerBMW
ProductionDecember 1997 – August 2006
Model years1999–2006 (North America)
Assembly
DesignerChris Bangle, Wolfgang Reitzle (sedan)[5]
Erik Goplen (coupe, convertible, station wagon)[6]
Body and chassis
ClassCompact executive car (D)
Body style
Layout
RelatedBMW M3 (E46)
BMW 3 Series Compact
BMW Z4 (E85)
BMW X3 (E83)
Alpina B3 E46
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,725 mm (107.3 in)[7]
Length
  • 4,470 mm (176.0 in) (sedan)
  • 4,480 mm (176.4 in) (wagon)
  • 4,490 mm (176.8 in) (coupe/convertible)
Width
  • 1,740 mm (68.5 in) (sedan/wagon)
  • 1,760–1,780 mm (69.3–70.1 in) (coupe/convertible)
Height
  • 1,410–1,430 mm (55.5–56.3 in) (sedan/wagon)
  • 1,360–1,370 mm (53.5–53.9 in) (coupe/convertible)
Curb weight
  • 1,285–1,655 kg (2,833–3,649 lb) (sedan)[8][9]
  • 1,365–1,785 kg (3,009–3,935 lb) (wagon)[10][7]
  • 1,285–1,555 kg (2,833–3,428 lb) (coupe)[11][12]
  • 1,465–1,635 kg (3,230–3,605 lb) (convertible)
[13][14]
Chronology
PredecessorBMW 3 Series (E36)
SuccessorBMW 3 Series (E90)

The BMW 3 Series (E46) is the fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars manufactured by German automaker BMW. Produced from 1997 to 2006, it was the successor to the E36 3 Series, which ceased production in 2000. It was introduced in November 1997, and available in sedan, coupé, convertible, station wagon and hatchback body styles. The latter has been marketed as the 3 Series Compact.

The M3 performance model was introduced in June 2000 with a 2-door coupé body style, followed by the convertible counterpart in April 2001. The M3 is powered by the BMW S54 straight-six engine with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed SMG-II automated manual transmission.[15]

The E46 line-up was phased out starting from late 2004, following the introduction of the E90 3 Series sedans. However, the E46 coupé and convertible body styles remained in production until August 2006.[16]

  1. ^ "BMW plant". forum.roadfly.com. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Группа компаний Автотор :: Автомобили BMW". Avtotor.ru. Archived from the original on 8 June 2003. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  3. ^ "New Locally-Assembled BMW 325i Now Available". autoworld.com.my. 9 July 2002. Archived from the original on 5 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  4. ^ "Bavarian Auto Group". Bag-eg.com. 9 April 2010. Archived from the original on 22 July 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  5. ^ "The history and the variants of the 3 Series BMW of the E46 series –". Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  6. ^ Boeriu, Horatiu (21 May 2010). "Erik Goplen, E46 3 Series designer, draws the new F25 BMW X3". BMW BLOG. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Technische Daten BMW 3er touring325xi; 330xi; 330xd" [Technical data BMW 3er touring325xi; 330xi; 330xd] (PDF) (in German). BMW. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  8. ^ "1999 BMW 3-series E46/4 Sedan phase-I RWD (2WD) all versions specifications and performance data". automobile-catalog.com.
  9. ^ "2005 BMW 3-series E46/4 Sedan phase-II X (4WD) all versions specifications and performance data". automobile-catalog.com.
  10. ^ "1999 BMW 3-series E46/3 Touring Wagon phase-I RWD (2WD) all versions specifications and performance data". automobile-catalog.com.
  11. ^ "1999 BMW 3-series E46/2 Coupe phase-I all versions specifications and performance data". automobile-catalog.com.
  12. ^ "2006 BMW 3-series E46/2 Coupe phase-II all versions specifications and performance data". automobile-catalog.com.
  13. ^ "2001 BMW 3-series E46/2C Cabrio phase-I all versions specifications and performance data". automobile-catalog.com.
  14. ^ "2006 BMW 3-series E46/2C Cabrio phase-II all versions specifications and performance data". automobile-catalog.com.
  15. ^ "2004 BMW 3 Series Review". NewCarTestDrive. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  16. ^ "Model selection – 3'E46 – convertible – 330ci – EUR – 08/2006". realoem.com. Retrieved 19 June 2020.