Fifty years of the BMW 3 Series represent half a century of rich automotive history in one of the most fascinating segments of all: the medium -sized class. But which generation of the 3 Series is the best? Opinions are shared, but when it comes to the mixture of design, drive train and progress, there is a lot to be said for the E46 ideal with a six-cylinder engine, and why not the lesser known 323i?
Since the 1970s, the BMW 3 Series has been the sporty and dynamic car of choice in the European middle area segment. At that time nobody used the word “premium”. Fifty years later, that has changed. At that time, direct rivals of brands such as Ford, Opel and Audi came. The real premium competition only appeared in the mid-1980s when Mercedes entered the entry-level market at 190. While the E30-3 series has long become a coveted classic and many E36 now wear historical number plates, attention is paid to the E46. For many enthusiasts, it is the most beautiful and stylistically self -confident 3 ever. Although it may still be necessary for a few years before it is officially a classic, the perfect time is now to be a legend to be a snap-sized model.
Compared to its immediate predecessor, the E36, the E46 stands out thanks to its design and avoids the indifferent appearance of the previous model. While the E36 had decent proportions, it did not appear from the front and back. The E46 introduced in 1998 plays in its own league. The same applies to the engine area, which extends from 1.6 to 3.2 litres – and even up to 4.0 liters in a limited GTR run. Those who are looking for a future classic can easily disregard several versions. The best-selling four-door limousine and real estate models, in particular the short-lived 3-series compact, are less desirable. The compact, which competes with the Golf, lacked the charm and driving dynamics of its larger siblings. Those who are looking for strong residues or future appreciations should concentrate on the coupé or the convertible.
There is little hope of the subordinated four-cylinder models such as the 316i, 318i or even the 320i-snack latter with a straight motor. An insider tip is the relatively unknown BMW 323i, which was built for a short time. The 2.5-liter line with 170 hp offers popularity, offers a minimum for entertaining performance. From autumn 2000, the improved 320i replaced it with the same output. The solid bets for future classics include the 325i and 328i with 192 hp from the M54 or 193 hp from the M52 engine. Once popular diesel variants are now largely irrelevant in the classic scene due to emission restrictions and access restrictions.
The best engine selection for the E46, whether Coupé or Cabrio, is the 330, which offers 231 hp and 300 Nm at 3,500 rpm. It accelerates to 100 km/h in less than seven seconds and can reach 250 km/h with a manual gear. Early five-speed manuals feel loud and happy, while models offer better long-distance comfort and fuel efficiency after 2003 with six-speed manuals. The five-speed automatic of ZF blums the lively nature of the straight six, although sports mode helps a bit. The three-liter six remains a fantastic all-rounder, be it with a manual or a torque converter. Neither Audi nor Mercedes had a lot to compete with regard to drive train and handling in the early 2000s. The real consumption is not much higher than weaker six -cylinder variants. For coupé fans, the 330CI was also available with all-wheel drive.
The M3 models that even outperform the rarer alpina variants are very popular on the used market. The 3.2-liter S54-SIX produces 343 hp and 365 Nm at 4,900 rpm. The M3 Coupé is a phenomenal sports car with excellent handling. Many owners have removed the 250 km/h speed limit to keep up with Porsche 911s and other competitors. Only the Alpina B3 and B3S with 280 and 305 hp were officially faster and offered a sophisticated performance of up to 270 km/h.
The M3 is a clear choice for those who are looking for a perfect sports coupé with investment potential. The 330i fits better with the convertible and is the open character. If you do an M3, make sure it has the standard exchange manual. The sequential SMG transmission is not suitable for the less powerful models and is only pleasant under full throttle in the M3. It is standard in the M3 CSL, which now collects over 80,000 euros. Well-maintained standard M3 coupés with less than 100,000 km at € 40,000.
There are some debates whether the 2001 facelift has improved the E46. The coupé and the convertible were updated in 2003. The kidney grill grew wider, the indicators moved into the wings and new bumpers showed smaller round fog lights. The front and taillights were easily redesigned and the LED behind lamps were introduced on the coupé and convertible. The interior changed over the almost ten -tense long production run, apart from a larger broad screen. As with any future classic, more equipment means more desirability. Features such as light metal wheels, xenon headlights and partial-electric leather seats were not always standard. The ideal kit includes leather sports, climate control, 18-inch wheels, heated seats and a decent sound system. A well -groomed BMW 330i Coupé with less than 125,000 km and a good specification begins at around € 15,000. Cabrios cost a little more. The prices only go in one direction – and this also applies to salons and goods that start from € 10,000.
