As BMW marks the fiftieth anniversary of the three Collection, BMWBLOG is exploring the mannequin’s storied historical past and its contribution to the automaker’s success. We’ve already seemed on the first three generations—the E21, the E30, and the E36. The E30 maybe stands out among the many three as a result of it significantly expanded the three Collection’ buyer base. Plus, the E30 M3, being a homologation particular, is a extremely sought-after basic automotive.
Nonetheless, right this moment we’ll evaluation the fourth-generation 3 Collection, codenamed the E46—which roughly matches the E30’s aura and stature. It was produced from 1997 to 2006 and was out there in sedan, coupe, convertible, property and hatchback physique kinds. The range-topping M3, nonetheless, was provided solely as a coupe or convertible (the E36 additionally had an M3 sedan). Notably, all-wheel drive was reintroduced on the E46 after being absent from the E36.
E46: The Most Profitable BMW 3 Collection
The E46 had substantial mechanical enhancements over its predecessor. For instance, its chassis was 70 p.c stiffer than the E36’s, leading to higher security, dealing with and efficiency. Moreover, the suspension, transmission and powertrains had been all upgraded. There was additionally elevated use of electronics, with options like satellite tv for pc navigation, LED tail-lights and superior security methods.
The design of the E46 3 Collection is an fascinating case in BMW’s historical past, because it struck an ideal steadiness between evolution and modernization whereas sustaining the model’s signature aesthetic. Though Chris Bangle was already BMW’s Design Chief by the late Nineties, the E46 was largely the work of Erik Goplen, the lead designer from BMW’s Californian design studio, Designworks USA. The E46 adopted a conservative design strategy, refining the E36’s clear traces whereas modernizing the proportions and particulars. In contrast to later Bangle-era BMWs, which grew to become extra radical (such because the E65 7 Collection with its controversial “flame surfacing”), the E46 remained true to BMW’s conventional styling.
Not A lot Energy, However A lot of Enjoyable
So far as the specs are involved, the entry-level variants had been underpowered by right this moment’s requirements, with the 316i producing 114 horsepower and 129 pound-feet of torque and going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in nearly 11 seconds. However the 325i provided a extra respectable 189 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a 0 to 60 mph time of 8.5 seconds. In the meantime, the 328i generated 225 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque and achieved a 0 to 60 mph time over 6 seconds.
Whatever the powertrain, the E46 was exceptionally enjoyable to drive and it’s no shock that it’s the best-selling 3 Collection of all time, with 3.2 million deliveries. For comparability, its predecessor, the E36, had a manufacturing run of two.7 million, whereas its successor, the E90, reached 3 million models.
E46 M3: Exclusivity, Efficiency and Heritage
The E46 M3 packed the S54 straight-six engine, which additionally powered the Z3 M and the Z4 M. The engine produced 338 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque and was out there with both a 6-speed handbook or a 6-speed SMG II transmission. The 0 to 60 mph time was lower than 5 seconds. Apparently, the special-edition M3 CSL had an extra 17 horsepower and weighed 110 kilograms lower than the bottom M3, because of upgrades akin to a carbon-fiber roof and a thin-walled exhaust system. Consequently, it outperformed the Ferrari 360 Problem across the Nurburgring with a lap time of seven minutes 50 seconds. Manufacturing of the CSL was restricted to only 1,383 models.
Even rarer than the M3 CSL was going to be the homologation-special E46 M3 GTR, of which simply 10 models had been deliberate (every costing €250,000). It was powered by a V8 engine (a primary for the M3) that produced 346 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque and had a high velocity of 183 mph. Sarcastically, regardless of the exclusivity of the CSL and the GTR, a complete of 85,000 E46 M3s had been constructed between 2000 and 2006 (56,133 coupes and 29,633 convertibles), making it the most well-liked BMW M mannequin of all time.
So all stated and carried out, we’d conclude that the E46 is likely one of the most vital autos BMW has ever made—it was critically acclaimed, commercially efficiently and above all, beloved and admired by the model’s most passionate followers.
