What engines are in the E46 Touring?
The BMW E46 Touring petrol engine range comprised various in-line six-cylinder engines from the M54 family. The entry-level model was the 320i with a 2. W (170 hp), followed by the 325i with 2. W (192 hp). The top of the range was the 330i with 3. W (231 hp). The BMW M3 E46 Coupé took the hearts of real sports car fans by storm when it launched in 2000. With a low weight construction and the high-rev concept of its inline 6-cylinder engine, for many it embodied a return to the virtues of the iconic BMW M3 E30.Beginning with the E46 in 1999, US cars used the new aluminum M52 block with iron sleeves. The largest version of the M52 is 2. M50. As per the later versions of the M50, the M52 uses variable valve timing on the intake camshaft (called single-VANOS).The M54, produced from 2000 to 2006, is often hailed as one of BMW’s most reliable engines. This inline-six engine is known for its smooth operation, impressive durability, and balance between performance and efficiency.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.The BMW 3 Series, particularly the F30 generation, is one of the most reliable and best-selling models BMW has ever produced. It strikes a perfect balance between sporty handling, luxury features, and long-term reliability.
Was there an E46 M3 Touring?
The BMW M3 Touring was intended to be a true M automobile: The BMW M3 E46 Touring Concept progressed from the drawing board to the road. There were several important aspects: the ideal chassis design as well as matching the rear doors with the transition to the wide wheel housings. Setting out to develop a new and truly thrilling sports car, the M3 CSL, the engineers at BMW M focused from the start precisely on these straightforward laws and principles. Reminiscent of a long tradition at BMW, the abbreviation “CSL” stands for Coupé, Sport and Lightweight.
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. 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 road-legal M3 GTR has always been something of a unicorn. People talk about it, but the ultimate E46 is rarely seen out in the open. Only 10 were ever built, and not even BMW knows where all of them are today.One of the reasons is a very special BMW M model driven in the game by the main antagonist, Clarence Callahan, aka ‘Razor’: a BMW M3 GTR from 2001.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.
Why are M3 E46 so expensive?
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. 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.The “Big 3” (BMW E46 M3) The BMW E46 M3 with the S54 engine is an incredibly powerful and capable vehicle, but it has some notable points of failure. 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.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.Best E46 Year For Reliability: 2001 Model We trawled through data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and found that the 2001 E46 3 Series racked up very few overall complaints and recalls.
What are the big three for an E46?
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. Models equipped with inline-six engines like the M54, N52, or B58—and diesel workhorses like the M57 or B57—frequently reach 300,000 miles or more. From million-mile E30s tested under lab conditions to 500,000+ mile M5s driven daily, the high-mileage BMW isn’t a myth—it’s a well-documented reality.The BMW M3 E46 Coupé took the hearts of real sports car fans by storm when it launched in 2000. With a low weight construction and the high-rev concept of its inline 6-cylinder engine, for many it embodied a return to the virtues of the iconic BMW M3 E30.As detailed above, the 2002 version is the troublemaker of the e46 m3 family. Skip this year due to its many engine problems and risk of major breakdowns.The 325i engine remains one of BMW’s best inline-six powerplants, combining durability, smooth performance, and great tuning potential. While it has its share of common issues, proper maintenance ensures it remains a reliable choice for years to come.