Verdict
A
BHP
231 bhp
0–60
6.5 s
Top speed
155 mph
MPG
25 mpg (US)
Used
$1,900-$10,000
Strengths
- Pure naturally-aspirated inline-six soundtrack
- Touring and Compact added
- Reference RWD chassis balance
Weaknesses
- Rear subframe cracking
- Cooling system plastic failures
- Rust on UK cars
Notable tech
- E46 platform
- Saloon, Touring, Coupé, Convertible, Compact bodies
- M3 above (E46 M3 covered separately)
- 5/6-speed manual or Steptronic
- M52 / M54 inline-six petrol
- M47 4-cyl diesel
Common issues
- Rear subframe cracking
- Cooling system failures
- VANOS rattle
- Door lock actuators
Engine derivatives
US-spec trims and engines offered across E46's life. Click any two rows to compare them side-by-side.
316i 1.8 / 1.9
BHP115
Torque175 Nm
0–6011.0 s
Top124 mph
MPG (US)31 mpg
DriveRWD
Gearbox5MT
318i 2.0
BHP143
Torque200 Nm
0–609.0 s
Top134 mph
MPG (US)30 mpg
DriveRWD
Gearbox5MT / 5AT
320i 2.0 / 2.2
BHP170
Torque210 Nm
0–608.2 s
Top142 mph
MPG (US)28 mpg
DriveRWD
Gearbox5MT / 5AT
325i 2.5 inline-6
BHP192
Torque245 Nm
0–607.4 s
Top149 mph
MPG (US)27 mpg
DriveRWD
Gearbox5MT / 5AT
330i 3.0 inline-6
BHP231
Torque300 Nm
0–606.5 s
Top155 mph
MPG (US)25 mpg
DriveRWD
Gearbox5MT / 6MT / 5AT
320d 2.0 diesel
BHP150
Torque330 Nm
0–608.9 s
Top136 mph
MPG (US)42 mpg
DriveRWD
Gearbox5MT / 6MT / 5AT
330d 3.0 diesel
BHP204
Torque410 Nm
0–607.2 s
Top149 mph
MPG (US)35 mpg
DriveRWD
Gearbox6MT / 5AT