E46 BMW 3 Series 1999–2006

What it came with

Badges

• 323i (1999–2000): 2.5L inline-six, Rear-wheel drive¹
• 328i (1999–2000): 2.8L inline-six, Rear-wheel drive¹
• 323Ci (2000): 2.5L inline-six, Rear-wheel drive¹
• 328Ci (2000): 2.8L inline-six, Rear-wheel drive¹
• 325i (2001–2005): 2.5L inline-six (M54), Rear-wheel drive^2,3
• 325xi (2001–2005): 2.5L inline-six (M54), All-wheel drive^2,3
• 330i (2001–2005): 3.0L inline-six (M54), Rear-wheel drive^2,3
• 330xi (2001–2005): 3.0L inline-six (M54), All-wheel drive^2,3
• 325Ci (2001–2006): 2.5L inline-six (M54), Rear-wheel drive^2,4
• 330Ci (2001–2006): 3.0L inline-six (M54), Rear-wheel drive^2,4

• 2.5L inline-six¹

  170 hp · 1999–2000

• 2.8L inline-six¹

  193 hp · 1999–2000

• 2.5L inline-six (M54)^5,2

  184 hp · 2001–2006

• 3.0L inline-six (M54)^5,2

  225 hp · 2001–2006

Transmissions

5-speed manual^2,3, 6-speed manual³, 5-speed Steptronic automatic^1,6, 6-speed SMG sequential manual (2004–2006)^7,3

Drivetrains

Rear-wheel drive², All-wheel drive (2001–2005)^2,3

Trims

Sedan (1999–2005)^8,3, Coupe (2000–2006)^1,4, Convertible (2000–2006)^1,4, Sport Wagon (2000–2005)^1,3

Packages

Sport Package⁹, Premium Package^9,10, Cold Weather Package⁹, Performance Package (ZHP) (2003–2006)^5,11

• 330i sedan built: June 2000 to February 2005¹²
• Free maintenance: 4 years or 50,000 miles from 2003, up from 3 years or 36,000 miles¹⁰
• Run-flat tyres: Optional on 330 models from 2002, with a tyre monitor^13,10

Colors

• Alpine White 2000–2005 ^14,15,16
• Jet Black 2000–2005 ^14,15,16
• Titanium Silver Metallic 2000–2005 ^14,15,16
• Steel Blue Metallic 2000–2005 ^14,15,16
• Orient Blue Metallic 2000–2005 ^14,15,16
• Siena Red Metallic 2000 ¹⁴
• Light Yellow Metallic 2000 ¹⁴
• Fern Green Metallic 2000 ¹⁴
• Bright Red 2000 ¹⁴
• Steel Gray Metallic 2000 ¹⁴
• Electric Red 2003–2005 ^15,16
• Mystic Blue Metallic 2003–2005 ^15,16
• Silver Gray Metallic 2003–2005 ^15,16
• Oxford Green Metallic 2003–2005 ^15,16
• Gray Green Metallic 2003–2005 ^15,16
• Black Sapphire Metallic 2003–2005 ^15,16
• Imola Red 2003–2006 ¹¹ Rare

Interiors

• Black 2000–2005 ^14,15,16
• Gray 2000–2005 ^14,15,16
• Sand 2000–2005 ^14,15,16
• Natural Brown 2003–2005 ^15,16
• Montana leather Leather ⁹

Rare catches

Rare options, colors and interiors to look out for, and whether finding one is good news.

• Rare Imola Red Color

  An M colour, offered with the Performance Package¹¹

Year by year

• 1999 The new sedan arrives as the 323i and 328i.⁸
• 2000 New coupe, convertible and wagon. The hatchback is dropped.¹
• 2001 Bigger engines make the 325 and 330, with larger wheels and brakes. All-wheel drive arrives as the xi.²
• 2002 The sedan and wagon get a facelift, and bi-xenon headlights become an option. Stability control gains a traction mode, and Hill Descent Control on all-wheel drive.^6,13
• 2003 A centre rear head restraint for every sedan, a front armrest on the 325, and a standard moonroof on the 325 wagon. Free maintenance grows to 4 years or 50,000 miles.¹⁰
• 2004 The coupe and convertible get a new front and bumpers. A six-speed SMG gearbox is optional on some models.⁷
• 2005 A power moonroof is standard on every model.³
• 2006 Only the coupe and convertible remain, beside the new E90 sedan and wagon.⁴