What BMW is E46?
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. The 2014 M3, also known as the F80, was the first turbocharged BMW M3. It featured an inline-six unit under the hood.BMW M3 (E90/92/93 4th Generation) The convertible’s leather seats had a special surface that prevented the seats from getting hot when the top was down. It was the only mass-market M3 to use a V8 engine, a new 414-horsepower 4.The 2025 BMW M3 and M4 share the same engineering excellence but appeal to different types of drivers. The M3, with its four-door sedan layout, offers a mix of high performance and practicality. It’s well-suited for those who need extra space without sacrificing speed.
Are BMW 325i rare?
The 325i Touring holds a special place in BMW’s history—not just because it’s rare, but because it was never supposed to exist. Conclusion: The E36 BMW Is the Drift King While other BMW models like the E30 and E46 are excellent platforms in their own right, the E36 strikes the perfect balance between cost, performance, and modifiability.This model’s engineering has stood the test of time, and its versatility has prolonged its vaunted status among enthusiasts. Inevitably, those qualities have prompted high bmw e46 m3 prices on the used car market. Still, most pre-owned e46 m3 models are more affordable than a new m3.Whilst it is very probable that this will one day be considered a classic, the E46 M3 is now between 15 and 20 years old. We like to call this the ‘minefield phase’ here at The Car Investor.Comparing the two, there’s no doubt that the E46 was given the better cabin space. The E36 has an almost utilitarian layout that feels far more dated than the E46’s, which holds up better today. The much-rounder M3 has an interior to match with flowing lines and reduced button count, even by today’s standards.It’s always uncommon to see an Individual BMW, yet seeing a Ruby Red Metallic E46 M3 is downright rare. Allegedly, only around 25 buyers were willing to spec their new E46 with Ruby Red through BMW Individual, and the left-hand-drive examples were in the single digits.
How much does the BMW E46 cost?
You can easily find one in coupe or convertible form between $15,000 and $25,000. The non-ZHP 330 and the 325 models are priced even lower. If you desire even stronger acceleration, step up to the 330i model. Although its engine is similar to that of the 320i model, BMW tuned it to produce a more formidable 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Both models are incredibly efficient.The BMW 325is is a sporty version of the BMW 3 Series, which was first introduced in 1975. The 325is was produced from 1987 to 1991 and was known for its high performance. It was powered by a 2.Older BMW Models (Pre-2010) BMW 3 Series (E46, E90): The 3 Series models from the late ’90s to early 2000s are some of the most popular BMWs. A replacement engine for an E46 3 Series typically costs between $3,000 and $5,000, depending on the engine variant.Like the Honda and Ferrari, the BMW powerplant which has 333 horsepower, does not arrive with any earth shattering new technology. Rather, the engines achieve their superb outputs through a careful, methodical approach of lightening the engine internals and improving the breathing.The value of a 1987 BMW 325is can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $26,100 for a 1987 BMW 325is in good condition with average spec.
What are the big three for an E46?
The “Big 3” (BMW E46 M3) You will often hear people talk about “The Big 3” when it comes to maintenance on your E46. The Big 3 includes rod bearings, a rebuilt VANOS, and subframe reinforcement. The 325i engine remains one of BMW’s best inline-six powerplants, combining durability, smooth performance, and great tuning potential.Oh yes, absolutely. The E46 3 Series is still one of the best ways to get into the brand and one of the best bang-for-buck cars on the road today.For the BMW X3 the reliability rating is 7. This gives the BMW X1 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW X3. Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW X1’s base engine makes 241 horsepower, and the BMW X3 base engine makes 255 horsepower.The BMW 330i xDrive 0-60 time is faster. This sedan equips all-wheel drive to boost off-the-line traction. Other aspects, such as top speed and performance features, are the same as the 330i, but the BMW 330i xDrive launches from zero to 60 mph in a speedier 5.We’re going to call the E65 7 Series as the worst generation of BMW, even though I think there’s room for others in the conversation. The entire G30 5 Series was a little unseasoned and overcooked overall, for example. And the first-gen X5 was far from the total package.
Why is the E46 so famous?
The E46 M3’s technical specs were impressive, but what really cemented its place in pop culture was the racing game Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The game sold 16 million copies, making it the most commercially successful Need for Speed game ever. The real-life prototype of the Need for Speed™ car is a racing car based on the BMW M3 E46. It was developed by BMW M Motorsport for the then American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and, despite its short development phase, exceeded all expectations right from the start.This famous car was banned from the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) due to last-minute changes to homologation which required BMW to create at least 100 road-going models with the same V8 engine and 1,000 examples of the engine it used in order to compete in the 2002 season (BMW only ever made ten examples of the BMW M3 .The real-life prototype of the Need for Speed™ car is a racing car based on the BMW M3 E46. It was developed by BMW M Motorsport for the then American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and, despite its short development phase, exceeded all expectations right from the start.
Why was the E46 banned?
However, controversy surrounded the car’s dominance, as it was later revealed that BMW had exploited a loophole in the rules to gain an unfair advantage. As a result, the car was eventually banned from competition. Despite its short-lived racing career, the E46 GTR remains a highly sought-after and iconic BMW race car. M3 GTR road car As per the race M3 GTR, the roadgoing Version was powered by the BMW P60B40 4. L V8 engine which was slightly detuned and generated a maximum power output of 283 kW (380 hp) at 7,000 rpm.The rarest BMW is the homologation-special M3 GTR Strassenversion, of which only 10 units were planned. It was based on the six-cylinder E46 M3, albeit the GTR featured a V8 engine generating 346 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, enabling a top speed of 183 mph.The rarest BMW is the homologation-special M3 GTR Strassenversion, of which only 10 units were planned. It was based on the six-cylinder E46 M3, albeit the GTR featured a V8 engine generating 346 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, enabling a top speed of 183 mph.
Is the 325i an E36?
BMW 325i (E36) The third model generation of the BMW 3 Series was launched on the market in the autumn of 1990 initially as a four-door sedan. The complete redevelopment was a significant improvement in all respects compared with its predecessor and won over an expectant BMW 3 Series customer base right from the start. BMW used a Siemens engine computer, or engine control unit (ECU) to control the fuel injection system in the E46 model range. There were three versions for non-M cars: MS42 for 1999-2000 323i/328i, MS43 for 2001-2/2003* 325i/330i, and MS45 for 2/2003-2006 325i/330i. Another version was used on the M3 model (MSS54).The bmw 318ti/320 e46 16v n42 engine is a powerful 4-cylinder engine built specifically for the bmw e46 series, renowned for its precision engineering and superior performance.In 2000, BMW of North America, in conjunction with PTG, built six BMW E46 M3 race cars. Four ran with six-cylinder engines and two used the 4. M5 S62 V8s, each of them combined with specially developed carbon fiber bodywork.Engines. The petrol models initially used the turbocharged 4-cylinder N13, 4-cylinder N20 and 6-cylinder N55 engines. This meant that the 328i models (traditionally powered by naturally-aspirated 6-cylinder engines) now used the turbocharged 4-cylinder N20 engine.