What does E46 mean in BMW?
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. From 2000, the BMW 330i Sedan (E46) replaced the previous flagship model (BMW 328i). The newly developed M54 engine with a displacement of 3. The power unit accelerated the BMW 330i Sedan in the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.The E46 M3’s engine was where a lot of the magic started. This 3. E36 M3 powerplant, but the upgraded S54 was one of BMW’s most highly evolved naturally aspirated engines to date.It’s called the BMW E46 330 CI. And 330 represented this three litre inline six cylinder known as an M54 rated at 228 horsepower and 300 neton metres of torque. It a 5050 white distribution and all this power is sent to the rear wheels by a 5 speed manual gearbox.The BMW M3 GTR from Need for Speed: Most Wanted — the car that made an entire generation fall in love with BMW M. Loud, raw, and completely untouchable.The BMW E46 M3 GTR of 2001 is one of the coolest cars that has ever worn an M badge. The GTR was created to help BMW use a V8 engine on the track after it could no longer extract enough horsepower from the E46’s inline-six to win races. Even by homologation standards, this car was incredibly rare.
How much does a 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. A 325 coupe or convertible will cost even less, and a sedan or wagon will be cheaper still. Prices for a used BMW 330Ci currently range from $1,999 to $66,577, with vehicle mileage ranging from 5 to 338,787.
Which E46 had a V8?
BMW M followed suit and produced a small series of ten BMW M3 GTR Street cars. This version was almost as ferocious as its track-going sibling. The 4. V8 with a 90-degree cylinder bank angle largely matched the P60B40 engine of the racing version, which had a power output of well over 450 hp. 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.BMW Z4 GT3 (2010–2015) The Z4 GT3 was an FIA GT3-specification model available to private teams. It is powered by the P65B44 V8 engine based on the production engine used in the E92 M3 and generates a power output of 384 kW (522 PS; 515 hp).
What is E36 and E46?
The E36 and E46 M3s are some of the most accessible sports cars available on the second-hand market. BMW got it right around the new millennium, offering sport sedans with qualities that enthusiasts could get behind. It’s the M Car that many enthusiasts claim is the ultimate iteration of BMW’s most lovable performance car, with sleek lines and a orchestral exhaust note, the E46 M3 truly does it all. As they celebrate their 25th birthday, E46s are now certified future classics, and here’s 8 to choose from!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.The E46 is praised for perhaps being a car that is good at nearly everything it does. Sure there are cars that are better at a specific area but the E46 strikes a sweet spot . Most people would say that it looks good, handles good, is reliable, is easy enough to maintain, is versatile, and is practical.The e36 and e46 were very dependable. The m50 and m54 engines were solid. The only gripe about the m54 was the aluminum block. The head bolts would pull the thread out of the block during a head repair if new bolts weren’t used.
What is a ZHP E46?
The ZHP Performance Package, offered on the E46 330i and 330ci from 2003–2006, transformed an already excellent BMW with firmer suspension, 10 extra horsepower, an M-Tech body kit, and premium interior touches — all for a price that now looks like a bargain given how much well-kept examples fetch today. One noteworthy model that is reliable and cheap to maintain compared to other vehicles from the same manufacturer is the 2005 BMW E46 — a vehicle beloved by car aficionados for its affordable maintenance and easy repairs.The BMW E46 3 Series is, unlike the BMW E36, indisputably still a good value in 2025. BMW sold so many of these things that there is no shortage of good ones, okay ones, and beat-up ones. So it’s easy to shop at your price point and get something that works for your needs.In 1995, BMW quietly built the rarest E36 M3 ever — the Australian-spec M3-R — a road-legal racing special with just 15 units produced. BMW made several different versions of the E36 M3 during its roughly seven years of production.The 2005 BMW E46 vs Other BMW Models Maintenance costs will vary per year, though you can expect to spend roughly $600 to $2,000 annually, occasionally spending more for unexpected repairs and replacements.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.
What is the rarest E46?
BMW E46 M3 GTR Strassenversion The M3 GTR Strassenversion is the rarest M car, with only 10 units planned and each priced at €250,000 (approximately $290,000 at today’s exchange rate). The BMW E46 M3 GTR Strassenversion is considered the rarest BMW ever made. Only 10 were produced, and only 6 were sold to the public. Follow @speedlinenetwork for more!