2000 BMW M3

BMW E46 3-series (Saloon), 1998-2005

The BMW E46 3-series was in production from 1998 to 2005. Styled in house, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive saloon, coupe, estate and convertible range seating four adults.

The E46 3-series was a replacement for the E36 3-series family, which had been introduced in 1991. It was BMW's most successful model line, targeting those too ambitious or well-heeled for a Mondeo but who needed a car of that sort of size. Available with a choice of 4 and 6 cylinder petrol and diesel engines, the range of body types and specifications ensured that there was a model for all tastes. Most popular in Britain were the 318i and 320i models, typically as they might feature on company car lists and they held an appeal for fleet buyers. However, it was the 328i, 330i or 330d that the entry level model owners would lust after, and values reflect the desirability of these models today. Saloon production began in December 1997 for a 1998 launch, while the coupe would follow a year later, and the estates and convertibles for 1999. Facelift variants of the saloon and estate were launched for 2001, while the coupe and convertible would be facelifted two years later. Just over 3.2 million E46 3-serieses were produced in total, with Britain one of BMW's most popular markets outside its native Germany.

BMW would have you believe that rivals for the E46 included the Mercedes-Benz C-class, the Audi A4, the Jaguar X-type and the Volvo S60 - with the Mercedes CLK and Volvo C70 rivalling the coupe and convertible. However, the truth was that buyers of cars like the Ford Mondeo V6 and Vauxhall Vectra V6 might have considered a BMW 320i as an alternative too, and of course BMW's own in house Rover 75 might have been seen as a rival by certain types of customer. Today, any of these cars - plus the earlier BMW E36 3-series - would make excellent alternatives.