Made in Germany.
Restyling at the end of 2001.
Spare parts for M 3 are 1.5 times more expensive and are often supplied only to order.
Body
Unbroken old BMWs are practically never found. The fame of the brand as a car for active drivers contributes to this.
Since the late 90s, BMW has been using water-based enamel, which is softer and scratches quickly.
Rust: Inner hood edge, trunk lid, fender flares. The headlight washer will cause the hood edge to rot. Rust under the door sills.
In the rain, water flows from under the door trim due to the unsuccessful design of the door seals. The problem with all BMWs.
The rear beam attachment plate rots and can come off the body along with the rear axle and all this will remain on the road. Extrudes the rear support cups. After restyling in 2000, these places were strengthened.
VIN embossed on the right front cup. There is a film on the number, if damaged, problems in the traffic police will inevitably arise. On the left mudguard there is a sticker with the name of the color.
The sedan and coupe have no common body parts.
The paint is scratched on the interior plastic. Wood inserts crack.
Electrician
The contacts of the rear number illumination and the trunk button are oxidized. The contacts of the rear lights are oxidized. The oxidation of the contacts also affects the climate control with the engine management and cooling system. Eliminated by replacing the harnesses.
Door locks may stop responding to the key fob. Only the driver's door will be opened from the key fob. Eliminated by replacing the control unit for mirrors and power windows.
Mechanisms of manual windows creak, steles in the doors rattle in the lowered state.
The plastic holders on the window sliders break.
The climate control display goes out, the fan speed changes spontaneously, the fan stops turning on due to the failure of the control cascade of resistors or the climate control unit.
The climate system can only blow with cold air. Eliminated by purging the interior temperature sensor.
Mileage can be found by reading the information using KeyReader from the ignition key.
The key battery is charged from the ignition switch. So you need to periodically use all the keys.
Any data from the on-board computer can be obtained from each of the keys: VIN, year of manufacture, configuration, unit numbers, total mileage, service intervals, recorded faults, etc.
Weak cassette hatch.
Unsuccessful design of the headlight washer. Caps are lost and wedged in frost.
In ZKW bi-xenon headlights, after 3-4 years, the reflector burns out and bursts. Delivered in parallel with quality AL (BOSCH) headlights.
On halogen headlights, plastic quickly becomes cloudy, which changes separately.
After restyling, the fist of the wiper trapezoid, in which the rod is held on which the brushes are put on, began to be made of plastic, which wears out over time. There is a play in the brushes and dirt flows through the air intake behind the cabin filter. It is eliminated by laborious replacement of fists with pre-styling ones or by replacing the trapezoid assembly.
The battery terminals in the trunk must be disconnected starting from the negative terminal, otherwise the igniter on the positive terminal may be triggered. By the way, by the appearance of the squib one can find out the emergency past of the car. After an accident, a "bug" is often installed instead of a new squib.
Sensors may fail in winter ABS ($ 25 apiece) and stops working other than ABS , exchange rate stability system. If the right rear wheel sensor fails, the odometer and fuel consumption calculator in the on-board computer will stop working.
Engine
The M43TUB19 engine (105 HP, 1.9 L) was installed on 316 i
The N42B18 engine (116 HP, 1.8 L) was installed on 316 i
The N46B18 engine (116 HP, 1.8 L) was installed on 316 i
The M43TUB19 engine (118 HP, 1.9 L) was installed on 318 i between 1998 and 2001.
The N42B20 engine (143 hp, 2.0 l) was installed on the 318 i between 2001 and 2004.
The N46B20 engine (143 hp, 2.0 l) was installed on the 318 i in the period from 2004 to 2005.
The M52TUB20 engine (150 HP, 2.0 L) was installed on 320 i
The M54B22 engine (170 HP, 2.2 L) was installed on 320 i
The M52TUB25 engine (170 HP, 2.5 L) was installed on 323 i between 1998 and 2000.
The M54B25 engine (192 HP, 2.5 L) was installed on 325 i / xi between 2001 and 2006.
Engine M 56 B 25 (184 HP, 2.5 L) was installed on 325 i from 2003 to 2005 for the US market.
The M52TUB28 engine (193 HP, 2.8 L) was installed on 328 i between 1998 and 2000.
The M54B30 engine (231 HP, 3.0 L) was installed on 330 i / xi in the period from 2000 to 2006.
The S54B32 engine (348 HP, 3.2 L) was installed on M 3 between 2001 and 2006.
M 47 D engine 20 (116 HP, 2.0 L) was installed on 318 d in the period from 2001 to 2003.
The M47TUD20 engine (116 hp, 2.0 l) was installed on 318 d in the period from 2003 to 2005.
M 47 D engine 20 (136 HP, 2.0 L) was installed on 320 d between 1999 and 2001.
The M47TUD20 engine (150 HP, 2.0 L) was installed on 320 d in the period from 2001 to 2005.
The M57D30 engine (184 hp, 2.9 l) was installed on 330 d / xd between 1998 and 2003.
The M57TUD30 engine (204 HP, 3.0 L) was installed on 330 d / xd in the period from 2004 to 2006.
Diseases of gasoline engines BMW M (1933-2011)
Diseases of gasoline engines BMW N (2001-present)
Diseases of BMW M Diesel Engines (1983-present)
Common BMW engine diseases
Fuel level sensors fail, one of which is assembled with a gas pump.
Overheating occurs due to the plastic impeller of the water pump, which rotates on the axle of pre-styling cars (after restyling, the impeller was made metal), the failure of the viscous fan clutch on four-cylinder engines and the electric motor of the fans on six-cylinder, due to contamination of small radiator cells, jamming of the valve in the expansion cap tank and, as a result, cracks in the tank, breakage of the plastic mountings of the thermostat.
All gasoline engines have a timing chain with a resource of 250 t. Km. Four-cylinder engines run 250-300 tons km before overhaul, six-cylinder engines run 150-200 tons more kilometers.
Transmission
Automatic transmission5 ZF Steptronic with manual gear shifting has no weak points.
On version with four-cylinder engines installed automatic transmission until 2001General Motors, where the torque converter, bearings and seals can wear out with a mileage of up to 200 t. Km. The repair will cost $ 2,200.
Re styled BMW 325i and 330i were equipped with SMG robotic gearboxes with paddle shifters. The control electronics fail on them, and by 100 t. Km, together with the clutch ($ 400), the working cylinder of the hydraulic drive often wears out.
On the manual transmission, the first and reverse gears begin to engage tightly. The reason is the wear of the plastic bushing of the stage. By 120 t. Km, leaks may appear in the area of the gear shift shaft oil seals and the gearbox shank. The adhesion resource is about 200 t. Km. Replacement will cost $ 130, but if you start it, the dual-mass flywheel ($ 1000) will also wear out: knocks will appear when the clutch pedal is released.
By 150 t. Km there is a hum or vibration when starting off. The reason is a worn intermediate support ($ 100) and an elastic coupling ($ 120) of the propeller shaft. If you start it, you will have to change the propeller shaft assembly ($ 900).
The rear axle gearbox will not cause problems if you monitor the oil level in it. Sometimes the silent blocks fastening the rear axle to the subframe are torn.
On all-wheel drive versions of the car, up to 150 t. Km, a small play appears in the splines on the flanges of the output shafts of the transfer case and the shafts of the internal hinges. This backlash does not cause any particular concern and does not bear any further consequences.
Chassis
There are cars with the "oriental package", which are distinguished by a winter engine management program, stiffer shock absorbers, steel crankcase protection, the absence of an oxygen sensor after the catalyst, longer springs, metal spacers in the supports and higher ground clearance, more rigid anti-roll bars. All cars from Kaliningrad have an “oriental package”.
The stabilizer racks run no more than 50 t. Km. Will cost $ 50 front and $ 25 rear.
Front aluminum levers with pressed-in ball joints wear out quickly. Before restyling in 2001, the levers ran no more than 50 tons. Km, after the levers were replaced with modernized interchangeable ones (they have an openwork design instead of a monolithic one), which run about 80 tons. Km. Levers, both old and modernized, cost $ 300 apiece. They are equipped with a silent block ($ 120), which run 100 t. Km. One-time replacement of silent blocks is allowed separately from the lever.
On all-wheel drive versions, steel levers were installed, which are much more durable. The inner ball joint on such cars is changed separately ($ 150).
Shock absorbers run at least 100 t. Km and will cost $ 650 for the front and $ 400 for the rear.
The rear multi-link suspension runs 120-160 tons km, but its repair will cost $ 1000.
Rear springs sometimes break.
Control mechanisms
By 80 t. Km, a play appears in the steering rack, which by 130 t. Km turns into a knock. Eliminated by replacing the rail assembly.
Steering tips often run longer than the rack itself, but on cars with the "oriental package" they go about 50 tons. Km due to changes in ground clearance.
The gasket for the cover of the power steering barrel is crumbling.
The charged BMW M-ki are quite famous all over the world, but one of the legends of the BMW M3 E46 requires a separate review. This is not just a sports car, but a whole story, let us consider in more detail its characteristics and parameters.
During this period, several modifications and variants of the car were released. In terms of body form, the BMW M3 E46 is available as a coupe and convertible, other options are excluded. To understand what this beast is capable of, we will consider in detail the configuration, characteristics and parameters of the M3 E46.
Exterior of the legend BMW M3 E46
The third series of BMW cars can boast of power and compact dimensions at the same time. Still, the M-series is much faster and more attractive than the standard version. It often happens that inexperienced car enthusiasts confuse M-ki with the standard BMW 3-Series equipped with an M-package.
The charged BMW M3 E46 looks more aggressive than the usual three. The front part can be distinguished by a different bonnet, the front grille air intakes are smaller. The curved lines do not extend from the upper grille of the BMW M3 E46, but from the bumper itself, thus, looking closely, you can see where the first differences are. The hood of such an M-ki also changed its shape, immediately behind the classic emblem of the company, a convex part appeared, characteristic only for the M-series. Such a convex part of the hood is made in order to accommodate a large intake manifold under the hood.
The most rare is the BMW M3 E46 GTR, designed specifically for the English Channel. For the racing season, the manufacturer produced only 16 of these cars, and at the end 10 more such cars were produced, especially for the road. A characteristic feature of this variant of the BMW M3 E46 is the presence of gills (additional holes for engine ventilation), as well as the presence of a factory spoiler behind.
The optics of the BMW M3 E46 also differ in shape, the side part on the fenders is not directed upward, as before, and the insert under the optics has a wave-like shape, but the classic two lenses in one headlight were left unchanged. The front bumper of the BMW M3 E46 is also distinguished by an aggressive look, its central part is occupied by an additional grille for engine airflow. On the sides of the bumper there are foglights and, in some configurations, turn signal repeaters.
The side part, typical only for the BMW M3 E46, the first is more expressive and extended wheel arches, just behind the arches there was a hole for better aerodynamics, and the first nameplate with the M3 inscription was placed on it. From the front arch to the rear optics, the BMW M3 E46 is divided into an upper and a lower section. Another difference is the smaller side mirrors compared to the standard equipment, which has much larger ones.
As already mentioned, the body type BMW M3 E46 is only available in a two-door version. The entire length of the charged coupe is emphasized by molding, from the front to the rear arches, it is at this distance that the bumpers are installed. In the front part of the molding, on the front fender, a turn signal is located, which is also installed only on the M3.
The rear end of the BMW M3 E46 is almost the same, if you do not take into account the special editions of the M3 E46. The trunk lid is curved at the end, like a small spoiler, such a curvature is positively reflected in the aerodynamics of the car. The rear optics of the BMW M3 E46 are the same as in the regular model. But the difference is in the rear bumper, the central lower part is occupied by two cutouts for the twin exhaust pipes. It is they who create the pleasant and characteristic sound of a charged BMW M3 E46.
In terms of dimensions, a charged BMW M3 E46 will depend on the configuration and body type. They can be divided into coupe, convertible and exclusive CSL model. First, let's take a look at the dimensions of the BMW M3 E46 Coupe.
- compartment length - 4492 mm;
- width - 1780 mm;
- M3 E46 Coupe height - 1372 mm;
- clearance - 110 mm;
- wheelbase - 2731 mm.
- convertible length - 4488 mm;
- width is - 1757 mm;
- the height is less than in the compartment - 1370 mm;
- wheelbase Convertible - 2725 mm;
- ground clearance - 110 mm.
- E46 CSL length - 4492 mm;
- vehicle width - 1780 mm;
- CSL height - 1365 mm;
- wheelbase - 2729 mm;
- ground clearance M3 E46 CSL - 110 mm.
In terms of color, the body of the BM M3 E46 is painted in a huge number of shades, but the most common ones are:
- silver;
- black;
- Navy blue;
- blue;
- dark grey;
- yellow;
- Red;
- snow white.
At first glance, a charged BMW M3 E46 can be confused with the usually three, but those who know what the M-series is will say unequivocally that these are completely different cars, both externally and under the hood.
BMW M3 E46 interior
If the exterior of the BMW M3 E46 had characteristic differences at first glance, then the interior of this car does not differ much from the production model, except for the presence of inscriptions (nameplates) of the M-series. The front panel is made in a classic style, and much will depend on the chosen vehicle configuration. This refers to the presence and location of interior devices such as a TV, climate control panel and other decor details.
At the very top of the front panel there are two air ducts, under them, depending on the configuration, there may be an audio system panel with a display, or a conventional audio system. In most configurations of the BMW M3 E46, a climate control panel is located under the audio system, but it is possible that an air conditioner panel may be located (an example of this was the BMW M3 E46 CSL model). A small set of buttons for controlling the heated seats, door locks and other functions are located very nearby.
Even lower, behind the panel, there is an ashtray and a cigarette lighter, a gearshift lever is located nearby, according to the configuration of the BMW M3 E46, the gearbox can be robotic or mechanical. On the lever itself, regardless of the type of gearbox, there will be an M-series marking in the form of the letter M. To the right and left of the lever there are four power window control buttons. Despite the fact that all BMW M3 E46 are two-door, glass is provided for the second row, and for them, as it should be, power window buttons.
A mechanical handbrake was located behind the gearshift lever, at that time little was known about the electromechanical ones, and the reliability left us expecting the best. Comfortable and thoughtful enough, an armrest is made, with a recess for the handbrake. No less interesting is the driver's seat of the BMW M3 E46, the dashboard is updated, but still in the style of BMW. The central part is occupied by a speedometer, a tachometer, a fuel level and engine temperature sensor, indicators are located under the instruments. At the bottom of the speedometer of the BMW M3 E46, the characteristic M-series markings, three inclined stripes in blue, blue and red, as well as the letter M.
The steering wheel of the BMW M3 E46 does not differ much from the standard model, in addition to the characteristic M-series lettering on the bottom of the third spoke. On two side spokes were located buttons for controlling mobile communications, cruise control and an audio system. Behind the wheel, there are knobs for switching turn signals, wipers control and other functions of the BMW M3 E46. To the left of the steering wheel, a standard control panel for light and fog lights was placed. It is worth noting that for the BMW M3 E46 convertible since 2001, gearshift paddles were installed behind the wheel.
If we talk about the seats of the BMW M3 E46, they are made with the sporty style of the time, streamlined on the sides from the top and bottom, with a comfortable fit and the possibility of electronic adjustment. The rear row of seats, although designed for two passengers, can accommodate a third, but not for long-distance trips.
High-quality leather or suede (for CSL equipment) was used as a material for the interior upholstery of the BMW M3 E46. The interior is very diverse in color, much depends on the taste and desires of the buyer of those times. Most often you can find a leather interior in colors:
- black;
- beige;
- Gray;
- yellow;
- Navy blue;
- Orange.
The conclusion about the interior of the BMW M3 E46 is that in comparison with the usual three, there are no special differences, except for the inscriptions indicating that the model belongs to the M-series and the front sports seats.
Specifications BMW M3 E46
Talking about the appearance or interior of the BMW M3 E46 is one thing, but the whole highlight of the legend lies under the hood in the technical characteristics of the car. From the usual configuration, this charged car is distinguished by a new engine, modified suspension and lighter weight, as well as improved aerodynamics.
The charged BMW M3 E46 is powered by a naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine. It was this unit that was recognized as the best engine of its size for 5 years, from 2001 to 2006, although it first appeared in 2000. The volume of such a BMW M3 E46 engine is 3.2 liters. For the coupe and convertible, the power of this unit is 343 hp, with a maximum torque of 365 Nm. The CSL trim level, due to its light weight, can produce 360 hp. and a maximum torque of 370 Nm.
In all variants of the BMW M3 E46, the L-engine is located longitudinally, and the drive is transmitted to the rear wheels. An all-wheel drive option was not provided and was not produced. The BMW M3 E46 engine is paired with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Despite some general technical characteristics of the BMW M3 E46, the fuel consumption of each configuration is different for the body. A regular coupe and a lightweight version of the CSL with a manual transmission consume 17.8 l / 100 km in the city. Outside the city, the consumption is 8.4 liters, and in the combined cycle, 11.9 liters of gasoline will be required. The maximum speed of a conventional BMW M3 E46 coupe is 250 km / h, while the first hundred on the speedometer can be covered by the car in 5.2 seconds. The maximum speed of the lightweight CSL is the same - 250 km / h, but the first hundred can be overcome in 4.9 seconds.
The BMW M3 E46 convertible with a manual transmission will eat 17.9 liters per hundred in the city, 8.8 liters outside the city, and the combined cycle will pull 12.1 liters. The maximum speed is still the same - 250 km / h, acceleration to the first hundred will take 5.5 seconds.
As soon as you press the gas pedal, the BMW M3 E46 bites into the asphalt and takes off as quickly as possible, according to technical indicators, the car takes the maximum speed to failure and only the electronic limiter does not allow putting the arrow to the maximum mark. Craftsmen bypass the limiter in various ways, and then the maximum speed increases to 280 - 300 km / h.
The unique equipment of the BMW M3 E46 GTR is considered the rarest. First released in February 2001, the car is powered by a 4L V8 engine. The power of such a unit is 380 hp. at 7000 rpm of torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission, with a special sports two-disc clutch and an M-differential that can change the degree of blocking.
Also from the technical characteristics, the unique BMW M3 E46 GTR acquired a rigid chassis. In addition to all this, this car has been significantly underestimated to improve aerodynamics and better downforce.
As for the suspension of the usual BMW M3 E46, it is updated and modified. At the front there is a wishbone-based shock absorber struts, as well as a wishbone and a transverse stabilizer. Rear suspension on the basis of telescopic shock absorbers, with a transverse stabilizer, paired with a coil spring and a trailing arm. The braking system, both in front and behind, is based on ventilated disc brakes.
It is these technical characteristics that underline and distinguish the BMW M3 E46 from other BMW 3 Series cars in the E46 body. Many BMW fans can say that this charged coupe, although in years, is in no way inferior to modern similar cars of its class in terms of technical indicators.
Security systems BMW M3 E46
The charged BMW M3 E46 cannot boast of a large set of security systems, since at that time there were simply no special electronic systems in comparison with modern security systems. But as for that time, the equipment was not bad enough.
The BMW M3 E46 comes standard with DSC Dynamic Control and EDFC Engine Control. For the front passenger and driver, there are two airbags in the front and two side airbags, there are also seat belts for the front and rear passengers. Rumor has it that a rear-view camera was installed on trim levels with a display, but there is no reliable data from the manufacturer.
BMW M3 E46 price and equipment
You can buy a BMW M3 E46 in Russia. This is not a rare model, and quite a few of these sports coupes were brought to the territory of the Russian Federation. The price will depend on the configuration and condition of the car, since many have already been a lot for a year, and those who drive have seen more than one race on the road. It is a rare case when a BMW M3 E46 has survived in perfect native condition, as a rule, the price for such copies is twice as expensive as a regular M3 E46.
In terms of configuration, most often there are BMW M3 E46 coupes, but convertibles can also, much less often you can find other modifications. BMW statistics show that over the entire period, 10 road cars of a special version of the BMW M3 E46 GTR were produced, the price of one such GTR was at that time 250,000 euros. The lite version of CSL was released in a circulation of 1400 copies. Today you can buy a used BMW M3 E46 in Russia at a price of 2,500,000 to 3,000,000 rubles.
For a used coupe and convertible BMW M3 E46 the price in Russia is from 700,000 to 1,000,000 rubles. There may also be tuned models from the manufacturer, they can be more expensive than 1,000,000 rubles. According to BMW, 84,383 copies of the BMW M3 E46 coupe and convertible were produced from 2000 to 2006, excluding the special versions.
To this day, the BMW M3 E46 is considered one of the best and most successful models among the 3 Series cars. The combination of bodywork and technical characteristics has shown excellent aerodynamic performance and speed capabilities. The owners of such BMW M3 E46 say that the car is worth the money asked for it.
Video review and history of the creation of the BMW M3 E46:
This model was produced from March 1998 to February 2007 and was produced at the main plant in Munich-Schwabing, Regensburg and Roslin in South Africa.
Car production was also established in China - Brilliance Motors in Shenyang, Egypt - Bavarian Auto Group in the city of Stadt des 6. Oktober and in Russia - Avtotor in Kaliningrad.
The BMW E46 has become one of the best-selling vehicles compared to its predecessor, the E36. The cabin was much tougher and therefore increased safety. The body styles available for the E46 3 Series are sedan, station wagon, coupe, convertible and hatchback.
Specifications BMW E46
BMW E46 engines
BMW E46 Restyling
In September 2001, the sedan and station wagon received a facelift (facelift), the optics were changed. In addition, a new generation of four-cylinder engines has appeared with Valvetronic variable valve timing.
BMW 3 Series E46 Touring Upgrade - Side View 
BMW 3 Series E46 Touring Upgrade - Front View 
BMW 3 Series E46 Touring Upgrade - Rear View
In March 2003, the coupe and convertible were revised, and differ somewhat from the sedan in optics and side fenders.
Facelift BMW 3 Series E46 Coupe - side view 
Facelift BMW 3 Series E46 Coupe - front view 
Facelift BMW 3 Series E46 Coupe - rear view 
Restyling BMW 3 Series E46 Cabrio - side view 
Restyling BMW 3 Series E46 Cabrio - front view 
Restyling BMW 3 Series E46 Cabrio - rear view BMW is one of the most famous German brands around the world. And one of the best-selling cars of the eminent BMW is the E46. Buyers liked BMWs of this series and still like them for many reasons. Someone falls in love with a car at first sight, without driving, and someone, having tried it once, cannot stop. There are many opinions on this, but everyone is unanimous with the statement: "There is something catchy in this episode." Let's consider the main characteristics and features of these German "handsome".
A bit of history
The sedan car appeared in 1998. It replaced the outdated E36 series. The very next year, in 1999, the station wagon and coupe E46 appeared. BMWs of this series were incredibly popular. In 2002, a record number of cars of this series were sold - more than half a million units. There were also cabrio and hatchback bodies. And, of course, a sports version with the M3 index was produced on the basis of the E46.
3 years after the start of production, the E46 sedan was modernized. When restaling, the headlights and bumpers were changed, and other more advanced power units were added. Similar changes were made to other bodies of the popular series.
BMW 3 Series E46 existed until 2006. Then came the 90th episode. The hatchback body was the most unpopular, followed by the station wagon. In general, this series of "BMW" was very successful. Over the entire period of its existence, more than 3 million pieces have been produced and sold in production. The series was produced not only at the main factories in Germany, but also in South Africa, China, Egypt, Indonesia and even in Russia.
Variety of species by characteristics
A distinctive feature of BMW has always been a wide range of modifications within the series. This was no exception for the E46. BMW sedan was the most popular, so the choice of characteristics is especially great for it. There were only 12 petrol variants of the E46 sedan, plus 6 models were equipped with a diesel power unit. Such a wide variety was determined, first of all, by the wide range of installed engines. The smallest volume of the BMW 3 series engine is 1.6 liters; and the largest is 3.3 liters. At the same time, a 3-liter petrol car has the highest power of 231 "horses", a maximum speed of 250 km / h and the shortest acceleration time - up to 100 km / h in 6.5 seconds.
If we take the station wagon body, then here too we find 14 types of power units, which together gives 17 varieties of "BMW E46". Car engines range from 1.6 to 3.3 liters. The fastest motor for a station wagon is the same M54V30 with a capacity of 231 "horses", accelerating to a hundred in 6.8 seconds. It should be borne in mind that sports engines from the E46 M3 series were not installed on this body, as well as on the sedan. There were installed 2 engines with a volume of 3.2 liters and a capacity of 343 and 360 "horses", respectively. The more powerful one could accelerate the car to 100 km / h in just 4.9 seconds.
The three remaining bodies of the series, namely the coupe, convertible and hatchback, carried the same set of engines under the hood. At the same time, sports engines were installed on a coupe body - E46 M3, and a smaller unit in terms of power (3.2 liters) could stand on a convertible. The hatchback had the smallest set of engines installed. Either one of three petrol or one of two turbodiesel variants could be installed here.
E46 series engines
A car of any brand can be described and characterized from different angles. Let's consider one of its main components, namely the engine. As for the 46 series "BMW", there were more than a dozen of them here.
The first cars in the series were equipped with a choice of:
- M43 for 105 and 118 "horses";
- M52 with a capacity of 150, 170 and 193 liters. with.;
- diesel М47 with 136 "horses" on board;
- diesel М57 184 hp with.
After a couple of years, the cars went to restyling, and new engines appeared: N42, N45, N46, M47N, M54 and M57N. The new generation of units was distinguished by high reliability with unchanged German quality. A separate position is the engines under the E46 M3 - S54 and S54N. Their sporty character is confirmed by 343 and 360 "horses", respectively. Aggressive sporty style was emphasized by the overall look of the M3 coupe. "BMW" E46 diesel, which could compete with many well-known brands of the same middle class, nevertheless lost to its gasoline sports versions.
Gearboxes for E46
BMW cars of the described series had both a mechanical and an automatic unit for gear shifting. And if everything is more or less clear with manual transmissions, then as for the automatic transmission, there are nuances. The fact is that if the unit was produced by the well-known German company ZF, then everything is fine. These five-speed gearboxes have a long, trouble-free life. Many of them do not have an oil change. But, as practice shows, a car falls into the hands of a motorist exactly at the time when its factory life in Germany ends.
The basic rule when operating an automatic transmission is a timely oil change; if it is worn out, the torque converter of the box should be changed, and if possible, you should not overheat. Overheating can be especially difficult if a powerful 3-liter engine is installed on the car, it is hot outside and you want to drive. It's just worth remembering that overheating of the box significantly reduces the time of its operation, and sometimes leads to breakdown.
In addition to the ZF automatic transmission, a 5HP24 and GM5L40E gearbox was installed. The latter had a lot of negative reviews, due to more "capricious" work and rapid wear of parts at high speeds. Very often it literally "ended" during high-speed maneuvers. There is such an automatic transmission on the earlier 4-cylinder "BMW" E46. Engines for such boxes are more suitable for low-speed ones.
The qualities of the chassis "BMW E46"
What about the E46 suspension? "BMW" is initially a solid car, and the elastic suspension at the front on the struts, and at the rear on the levers only adds comfort and stability. Do not forget that all-wheel drive vehicles are mandatory in the 46th series. These, of course, are not SUVs, here the all-wheel drive plays the role of increased reliability when driving on snow-covered streets and good European quality dirt surfaces of rural areas.
What should you look for in the chassis? The front lever of the rear-wheel drive E46 has a non-separable ball joint, despite the fact that it itself practically does not wear out. The way out here is to install a non-standard lever or to rework an existing one in such a way as to change the ball ones from all-wheel drive cars. In all-wheel drive, the ball joints of the problem front arm are immediately collapsible. Among the other elements of the front suspension, stabilizer struts fall into the risk zone, everything else is very reliable.
The rear suspension is even better. Here, ball, as well as the so-called floating silent blocks occasionally wear out. In order not to have problems with cardan shafts and gearboxes, it is enough to inspect them regularly. Oil is added to the bridges as needed, and it is better to change it every 100 thousand km. Contrary to popular belief about non-replaceable oil, it is better to play it safe. Indeed, in fact, changing the oil is much cheaper than repairing the bridge.
Body questions on the E46
If this is your first time in a BMW, there is a high probability that you will like everything. The contrast will be especially noticeable after transplanting from a domestic car. It is really very convenient here. At the same time, everything looks as pleasant as it is used. Panel "BMW E46" is made of plastic, but high quality plastic. Initially, in any configuration, the E46 is equipped with air conditioning and electric windows. For additional money, an even greater number of different options were installed. Panel "BMW E46" is made of plastic, but high quality plastic.
Everything would be just perfect if there were no weaknesses. And the new car has plenty of them. Let's analyze the main points that you should pay special attention to when buying. One of the main problem areas, especially for a car before modernization, is the fastening of the front shock absorber supports. With frequent driving on a bad road in these places, due to constant stress, severe wear and cracks appear. This is especially bad for the right cup, where the serial number of the body is stamped.
Another place where excessive wear and tear can occur is at the front of the rear subframe. Among the shortcomings of the body, a small amount of rear space is distinguished. Despite the fact that, in comparison with the previous body, E39, there is more space, it is still not enough. The trunk is also small if we consider the E46 as a family car.
In general, the body of "BMW E46", the photo of which is located above, has a large margin of safety and resists corrosion for a long time. A car can bring much more problems with regard to the electrical part.
E46 electrical surprises
Like any other car from BMW, the E46 has an advanced electrical system. There are a large number of sensors and electronic units. In this case, the weak point in the "wiring - sensor" system is occupied, oddly enough, by wires. The harnesses of the engine compartment are especially affected. It happens that due to a faulty wiring, the cooling fans fail. Therefore, in the case of BMW E46, sensors are not always the cause of a breakdown. Before changing any electronic unit, you should carefully check the wiring.
Smart ignition keys can cause a lot of problems. E46 has two of them, main and spare. The whole trick, from which you can suffer without knowing the nuances, is that the keys are charged only while in the ignition. The built-in battery is not supplied separately, plus, after changing the key, it is necessary to undergo initialization. All these activities are not cheap, so you should use both keys alternately, keeping an eye on the charge level.
In the passenger compartment, the air conditioning control unit and the power window and mirrors control unit may fail. The BMW E46 stove has a heater motor, which is also at risk. One might get the impression that the E46 is just a "wreck" that is not even worth considering. But this is not the case. The point is that "weak points" are indicated, which most often fail. On a single machine, there may be no problems at all. For example, the car was regularly serviced and stored in a warm garage.
How to choose the best option "BMW E46"
In order to choose the best option for your beloved "BMW E46", reviews for which exceed all expectations, you should know the following main points.
1. When choosing an engine, it is better to give preference to 6-cylinder units. At the same time, given that the more powerful the motor, the greater the likelihood of more severe exploitation. Do not be afraid of the engine "eating up" the oil. For the E46 with mileage, adding 0.5 liters of engine oil for every 1000 km is considered the norm. If the oil consumption increases, it is worth contacting the service. If possible, you should not choose a car with N-series engines. These high-speed units, on the one hand, save fuel consumption. On the other hand, the engine overheats, which leads to early repairs.
2. BMW of any brand should not be afraid of automatic transmission. In some cases, an automatic transmission lasts longer than a manual one. Its reliability is really high, while the oil in the box still needs to be changed. Moreover, only high-quality products should be poured. Repair of the same box poured into a lump sum. Moreover, for the automatic version it may even be cheaper than for the "mechanics".
3. When choosing a car, do not rush. Knowing the options for weak points, you should explore all the possibilities and check the car in all possible conditions. To do this, try to ride at the first inspection. Don't be afraid to ask "uncomfortable" questions. It is better to show yourself from the disadvantageous side than to get into an unprofitable car.
4. It is important to remember that there are practically no damaged cars of the E46 series. Do not panic, nobody canceled body repair. At the same time, the appearance can differ significantly on different models. Wheels on "BMW E46", carbon-fiber interior inserts, various attachments raise the already magnificent view of the car to a new level.
New shitblog in my performance, about the next model of the BMW brand, ezhoy;)
The BMW E46 is the fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series. It began to be produced in 1998 and was discontinued after 7 years, in 2005. It will be replaced by the new E90 ...
In 1998, the E46 appeared in all automotive markets in the world, with the exception of the United States. Initially, the car was produced only as a sedan. The range of engines at the beginning of production was quite extensive. In 1999, the coupe and touring were put on the conveyor. And in 2000, the range of bodies was fully equipped with new ones: a convertible and a hatchback. The E46 was a very popular car in all sales markets. The most successful year was 2002, this year they managed to drive 561 thousand E46. The car is considered to this day the standard of class D. And so off we go ...
In 1998, the E46 debuts, which replaced the old E36. The main emphasis of the engineers was placed on reducing the weight of the car and increasing the rigidity of the body relative to its predecessor. The E46 is 70% stiffer than the E36. Also, the car turned out to be much lighter than its progenitor, this was facilitated by the widespread use of aluminum in the design of the car. E46 had an ideal axle weight distribution - 50/50, which contributed to excellent handling. Initially, the E46 was supplied only as a sedan. The engine lineup was as follows: 318i (1.9 - 118 hp), 320d (2.0 - 136 hp), 320i (2.0 - 150 hp), 323i (2.5 - 170 hp), 328i (2.8 - 193 hp). All modifications could be equipped with both an automatic machine and a mechanics, except for the 320d, which was only equipped with a 5MKPP.
In 1999, the range of bodies was supplemented by two: the coupe and the touring. The station wagon's engine lineup was identical to the sedan, but the coupe was not. Diesel engines were not installed on it in principle (Diesel engines appeared on the coupe only after restyling in 2003) and also the coupe did not receive a new 1.9-liter engine, which this year they began to put on the sedan and station wagon. This engine was 8-valve and developed 105hp, designated by the index 316i. And another novelty in the range of engines was a 2.9-liter diesel with a capacity of 184hp, the modification with this engine received the 330d index and was aggregated only with a 5-speed manual transmission. All modifications, except for the diesel 320d and 330d, could be ordered with both automatic and manual transmissions. But the USA, to put it mildly, is not a pearl, they have just started selling 323i and 328i. Neither budget sedans, coupes, nor station wagons were available for the American market.
In 2000, one more body option appeared: a convertible. Sales of the coupe and station wagon started in America. The range of engines was supplemented with 3 liter engines and an all-wheel drive transmission. But there was confusion, some engines were installed only on the sedan / station wagon, while others were not installed on the coupe and convertible, and something was removed from production, confusion. And so, in order, all modification options at the end of 2000.
Sedan / station wagon modifications:
316i (1.6 - 105hp) 5MKPP / 4AKPP
318i (1.9 - 118hp) 5MKPP / 4AKPP
320i (2.0 - 150hp) 5МКПП / 5АКПП
320d (1.9 - 136hp) 5MKPP / 5AKPP
325i (2.5 - 192hp) 5MKPP / 5AKPP
325xi (2.5 - 192hp) 5MKPP / 5AKPP
330i (3.0 - 231hp) 5MKPP / 5AKPP
330xd (2.9 - 184hp) 5MKPP / 5AKPP
330xi (3.0 - 231hp) 5MKPP / 5AKPP
Coupe modifications:
318Ci (1.9 - 118hp) 5MKPP / 4AKPP
320Ci (2.0 - 150hp) 5МКПП / 5АКПП
Convertible modifications:
323Ci (2.5 - 170hp) 5MKPP / 5AKPP
325Ci (2.5 - 192hp) 5MKPP / 5AKPP
328Ci (2.8 - 193hp) 5MKPP / 5AKPP
330Ci (3.0 - 231hp) 5MKPP / 5AKPP
And this year, M Power GmbH presented the BMW M3 Coupe. The Cabrio was introduced a year later. The car was equipped with a 3.2-liter inline-six. For different markets, the M3 had different capacities. So for Europe the power of the car was 343hp, and for America it was already 333hp. respectively. In the M3 standard, it was equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, for an additional fee, it was possible to install it with a 6-speed robot (SMG II). Unlike its predecessor, the M3 E46 shares very few parts with the standard BMW 3 Series. From the exterior, 2 cars have only common doors, roof and trunk. The M3 has wider fenders, sporty bumpers, side sills, mirrors, a protruding bonnet, a spoiler, fender gills with a proud M and four tailpipes.
In 2001, the three-ruble note received a facelift. The most notable innovation was the facelift. The sedan / station wagon received new engines: 316i (1.9 - 116hp), 318d (2.0 - 115hp), 320i (2.2 - 170hp), 320d (2.0 - 150hp), 325i (2.5 - 192hp), 325Xi (2.5 - 192hp), and from the old line, only one modification 318i (1.9 - 118hp) remained unchanged, which by the way remained only on the sedan. The coupe and convertible received a budget version of the modification. The model was called 318Ci (2.0 - 143hp). In addition, the coupe received an additional 2 diesels: 320Cd (2.0 - 150hp) and 330Cd (3.0 - 204hp).
Also this year BMW released a sports package that emphasized the sportiness of the car.
This year, BMW launched two new models: the BMW E46 Compact, which had a slightly different exterior than the rest of the third family. Initially, the model was equipped with 4 engines: 316ti (1.8 - 116hp), 318ti (2.0 - 143hp), 320td (2.0 - 150) and 325ti (2.5 - 192hp). In 2004, a modest diesel engine was added to them: 318td (2.0 - 115hp). By the way, ti did not mean at all that the engines were turbo, as many thought (including myself, by the way, I confess: D). It was a message to the past, a tribute to its old progenitor who bore the name BMW 02 Series.
And the second model was the new BMW M3 GTR. This car was specially created for the American ALMS races, where it was opposed by the Porsche 911 GT3. The straight-six was replaced by a V-shaped eight, which produced 380 hp. In the racing version, the engine produced 450hp. According to the homologation rules, it is necessary to produce 10 cars, which BMW has successfully done. BMW Motorsport won the championship in its first year at ALMS. But the following year, the organizers changed the technical regulations, which made the racing M3 GTR ineffective, and although this was the end of the participation in the ALMS eight-cylinder M3, this fact did not really affect her sports career. In 2003, under the banner of the Schnitzer Motorsport team, two M3 GTRs returned to endurance racing. They dominated the 2004 and 2005 24 hour races at the Nurburgring. They occupied the first two lines. That was the end of the M3 GTR's motorsport career, but since then many private teams have entered the VLN series, stuffing the engine under the hood of regular M3s.
In 2002, the public was presented with the BMW M3 CLS Concept (18 prototypes), which was a lightweight version of the M3. And a new body kit called M-Sport Limited. And in general, the year turned out to be somehow mean for the E46.
