BMW 3 Series (E46)

BMW 3 Series (E46)
BMW 3 Series (E46)
Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Production	December 1997 – August 2006
Model years	1999–2005 (North America)
Assembly	Germany: Leipzig; Munich; Regensburg; South Africa: Rosslyn (BMW SA); China: Shenyang (BBA); Mexico: Toluca (BMW Mexico); Russia: Kaliningrad (Avtotor); Indonesia: Jakarta (Gaya Motor); Malaysia: Shah Alam (AMIM); Egypt: 6th of October City (BAG);
Designer	Chris Bangle, Wolfgang Reitzle (sedan); Erik Goplen (coupe, convertible, station wagon)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact executive car (D)
Body style	2-door coupé; 2-door convertible; 3-door hatchback; 4-door sedan; 5-door wagon;
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive; Front-engine, all-wheel-drive ("xi/xd" sedan/wagon models only);
Related	BMW M3 (E46); BMW 3 Series Compact; BMW Z4 (E85); BMW X3 (E83); Alpina B3 E46
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol:; 1.6–2.0 L M43/N42/N46 I4; 2.0–3.2 L M52/M54/S54 I6; Diesel:; 2.0 L M47 I4; 2.9–3.0 L M57 I6;
Transmission	5-speed manual; 6-speed manual; 4-speed automatic; 5-speed automatic; 6 speed SMG-II;
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,725 mm (107.3 in)
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); 1,365–1,785 kg (3,009–3,935 lb) (wagon); 1,285–1,555 kg (2,833–3,428 lb) (coupe); 1,465–1,635 kg (3,230–3,605 lb) (convertible);
Chronology
Predecessor	BMW 3 Series (E36)
Successor	BMW 3 Series (E90)

The fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars is designated under the model code E46, which was produced by the German automaker BMW from 1997 to 2006, and was the successor to the E36 3 Series which ceased production in 2000. First introduced in November 1997, the E46 was 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.

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.

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