BMW 3 Series fourth generation

BMW 3 Series fourth generation
Photo: Rudolf Stricker / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

The BMW 3 Series fourth generation (1998–2006): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 142 versions in the United Kingdom.

Model codes: E46 · Sold in: United Kingdom

Dimensions, weights and capacity

SpecificationNorth AmericaWikipedia
Dimensions
Length–4,470–4,490 mm
Width–1,740 mm
Height–1,410–1,430 mm
Wheelbase–2,725 mm
Weights and towing
Kerb weight–1,285–1,785 kg
Seats and space
Luggage space (EPA)255–736 L EPA–
Passenger space (EPA)2,095–2,633 L EPA–
Fuel tank–63 L
Performance
Torque–150–410 Nm

Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: Wikipedia (en, de, sv), US EPA fuel economy data. Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reliability and owner reports

UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age

Age at testPass rateUK averageTests
13 years and older72.6% (72.5–72.8)69.2%228,572

What the MOT finds

AreaThis modelUK average, same ages
Brakes48.0%36.4%
Suspension40.0%41.6%
Tyres31.6%31.2%
Noise, emissions and leaks26.5%17.1%
Lights and electrics21.9%28.8%
Visibility (glass, mirrors, wipers)12.0%11.8%

First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)

Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)

4,143 complaints for model years 2000–2006. 138 crashes · 166 fires · 185 injuries · 5 deaths

  • Airbags 1,574
  • Lights 497
  • Electrical system 479
  • Transmission and drivetrain 430
  • Engine 307
  • Locks and latches 139

Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints

All 142 versions of the BMW 3 Series fourth generation

Show all 142 versions

United Kingdom 142 versions

New cars on sale in the UK, from the Vehicle Certification Agency. NEDC figures until 2018 and WLTP figures after; years are the editions a version appeared in.

Years and versionEngineFuelGearboxConsumption (combined)CO₂
2006–2007318i Saloon2.0 LPetrol6-speed manual7.3 L/100 km NEDC175 g/km
2006–2007318i Saloon2.0 LPetrol6-speed automatic7.9 L/100 km NEDC190 g/km
2006–2007318d Saloon · 318d Saloon - with particle filter2.0 LDiesel6-speed manual5.6 L/100 km NEDC150 g/km
2006–2007320i Saloon - from March 2006 · 320i Saloon - up to February 2006 · 320i Saloon2.0 LPetrol6-speed manual7.4 L/100 km NEDC178 g/km
2006–2007320i Saloon - from March 2006 · 320i Saloon - up to February 2006 · 320i Saloon2.0 LPetrol6-speed automatic7.9 L/100 km NEDC190 g/km
2006–2007320d Saloon · 320d Saloon - with particle filter2.0 LDiesel6-speed manual5.7 L/100 km NEDC153 g/km
2006–2007320d Saloon · 320d Saloon - with particle filter2.0 LDiesel6-speed automatic6.7 L/100 km NEDC179 g/km
2006–2007318i Touring2.0 LPetrol6-speed manual7.6 L/100 km NEDC182 g/km
2006–2007318i Touring2.0 LPetrol6-speed automatic8.1 L/100 km NEDC195 g/km
2006–2007318d Touring · 318d Touring - with particle filter2.0 LDiesel6-speed manual5.8 L/100 km NEDC155 g/km
2006–2007320i Touring - from March 2006 · 320i Touring - up to February 2006 · 320i Touring2.0 LPetrol6-speed manual7.6 L/100 km NEDC182 g/km
2006–2007320i Touring - from March 2006 · 320i Touring - up to February 2006 · 320i Touring2.0 LPetrol6-speed automatic8.1 L/100 km NEDC196 g/km
2006–2007320d Touring - from March 2006 · 320d Touring - up to February 2006 · 320d Touring - with particle filter and 1 more trim2.0 LDiesel6-speed manual5.9 L/100 km NEDC158 g/km
2006–2007320d Touring · 320d Touring - with particle filter2.0 LDiesel6-speed automatic6.9 L/100 km NEDC184 g/km
2006–2007325i Saloon · 325i Coupé2.5 LPetrol6-speed manual8.4 L/100 km NEDC203 g/km
2006–2007325i Saloon · 325i Coupé2.5 LPetrol6-speed automatic9.0 L/100 km NEDC218 g/km
2006–2007325i Touring2.5 LPetrol6-speed manual8.6 L/100 km NEDC208 g/km
2006–2007325i Touring2.5 LPetrol6-speed automatic9.2 L/100 km NEDC222 g/km
2006–2007330d Saloon · 330d Coupé - with particle filter · 330d Saloon - with particle filter3.0 LDiesel6-speed manual6.5 L/100 km NEDC174 g/km
2006–2007330d Saloon · 330d Coupé - with particle filter · 330d Convertible - with particle filter - from March 2007 and 1 more trim3.0 LDiesel6-speed automatic7.4 L/100 km NEDC197 g/km
2006–2007330d Touring · 330d Touring - with particle filter3.0 LDiesel6-speed manual6.7 L/100 km NEDC179 g/km
2006–2007330d Touring · 330d Touring - with particle filter3.0 LDiesel6-speed automatic7.6 L/100 km NEDC203 g/km
2006–2007330i Saloon3.0 LPetrol6-speed manual8.7 L/100 km NEDC210 g/km
2006–2007330i Saloon · 330i Coupé3.0 LPetrol6-speed automatic9.0 L/100 km NEDC216 g/km
2006–2007330i Touring3.0 LPetrol6-speed manual8.9 L/100 km NEDC214 g/km
2006–2007330i Touring3.0 LPetrol6-speed automatic9.3 L/100 km NEDC224 g/km
2006318 Ci Coupé2.0 LPetrol5-speed automatic8.1 L/100 km NEDC196 g/km
2006318 Ci Convertible2.0 LPetrol5-speed automatic8.4 L/100 km NEDC203 g/km
2006318 Ci Coupé2.0 LPetrol5-speed manual7.4 L/100 km NEDC180 g/km
2006320 Cd Coupé2.0 LDiesel6-speed manual5.7 L/100 km NEDC153 g/km
2002–2006318 Ci Convertible2.0 LPetrol5-speed manual7.7–7.8 L/100 km NEDC187–190 g/km
2006320 Cd Convertible2.0 LDiesel6-speed manual6.3 L/100 km NEDC167 g/km
2006320si Saloon2.0 LPetrol6-speed manual8.9 L/100 km NEDC214 g/km
2006320 Ci Coupé2.2 LPetrol5-speed manual8.9 L/100 km NEDC213 g/km
2006320 Ci Coupé2.2 LPetrol5-speed automatic9.4 L/100 km NEDC226 g/km
2001–2006320 Ci Convertible2.2 LPetrol5-speed manual9.4 L/100 km NEDC225 g/km
2001–2006320 Ci Convertible2.2 LPetrol5-speed automatic9.8 L/100 km NEDC236 g/km
2006325 Ci Coupé2.5 LPetrol5-speed manual9.0 L/100 km NEDC217 g/km
2006325 Ci Coupé2.5 LPetrol5-speed automatic9.5 L/100 km NEDC229 g/km
2001–2006325 Ci Convertible2.5 LPetrol5-speed automatic9.9 L/100 km NEDC239 g/km
2001–2006325 Ci Convertible2.5 LPetrol5-speed manual9.6–9.8 L/100 km NEDC230–235 g/km
2006325 Ci Coupé - SMG2.5 LPetrol6-speed manual9.0 L/100 km NEDC217 g/km
2006325 Ci Convertible - SMG2.5 LPetrol6-speed manual9.6 L/100 km NEDC230 g/km
2006330 Ci Coupé3.0 LPetrol5-speed automatic9.6 L/100 km NEDC230 g/km
2000–2006330 Ci Convertible3.0 LPetrol5-speed automatic10.2–10.6 L/100 km NEDC244–254 g/km
2006330 Ci Coupé · 330 Ci Coupé - SMG3.0 LPetrol6-speed manual9.1 L/100 km NEDC218 g/km
2006330 Ci Convertible · 330 Ci Convertible - SMG3.0 LPetrol6-speed manual9.6 L/100 km NEDC229 g/km
2006330 Cd Coupé3.0 LDiesel6-speed manual6.6 L/100 km NEDC177 g/km
2006330 Cd Convertible3.0 LDiesel6-speed manual7.0 L/100 km NEDC187 g/km
2006M3 Coupé · M3 Coupé-SMG · M3 CS Coupé and 1 more trim3.2 LPetrol6-speed manual13.4 L/100 km NEDC323 g/km
2006M3 Convertible · M3 Convertible-SMG3.2 LPetrol6-speed manual13.6 L/100 km NEDC328 g/km
2002–2004316i Saloon N42 · 316i Saloon1.8 LPetrol5-speed manual7.1 L/100 km NEDC172 g/km
2002–2004316i Saloon N42 · 316i Saloon1.8 LPetrol5-speed automatic8.0 L/100 km NEDC194 g/km
2002–2004316i Touring1.8 LPetrol5-speed manual7.3 L/100 km NEDC177 g/km
2002–2004316i Touring1.8 LPetrol5-speed automatic8.1 L/100 km NEDC196 g/km
2001–2004316 ti Compact1.8 LPetrol5-speed manual6.9–7.0 L/100 km NEDC167–170 g/km
2001–2004316 ti Compact1.8 LPetrol5-speed automatic7.6–7.8 L/100 km NEDC183–190 g/km
2002–2004320 td Compact · 320d Saloon · 320 Cd Coupé2.0 LDiesel5-speed automatic6.9 L/100 km NEDC185 g/km
2002–2004318 Ci Coupé · 318i Saloon · 318 Ci Coupé (from March 2004 production) and 3 more trims2.0 LPetrol5-speed automatic8.1 L/100 km NEDC196 g/km
2002–2004318 Ci Convertible · 318 Ci Convertible (from March 2004 production) · 318 Ci Convertible (up to February 2004 production)2.0 LPetrol5-speed automatic8.4 L/100 km NEDC203 g/km
2002–2004318i Touring · 318i Touring (from March 2004 production) · 318i Touring (up to February 2004 production)2.0 LPetrol5-speed automatic8.2 L/100 km NEDC199 g/km
2002–2004320d Touring2.0 LDiesel5-speed automatic7.1 L/100 km NEDC190 g/km
2003–2004318i Saloon · 318 Ci Coupé · 318 ti Compact2.0 LPetrol5-speed manual7.4 L/100 km NEDC180 g/km
2003–2004320d Saloon · 320 td Compact · 320 Cd Coupé2.0 LDiesel6-speed manual5.7 L/100 km NEDC153 g/km
2002–2004318i Touring2.0 LPetrol5-speed manual7.4–7.6 L/100 km NEDC179–185 g/km
2003–2004320d Touring2.0 LDiesel6-speed manual5.9 L/100 km NEDC158 g/km
2003–2004318 ti Compact · 318 ti Compact (from March 2004 production) · 318 ti Compact (up to February 2004 production)2.0 LPetrol5-speed automatic8.0 L/100 km NEDC194 g/km
2004318d Saloon2.0 LDiesel5-speed manual5.6 L/100 km NEDC151 g/km
2004318d Touring2.0 LDiesel5-speed manual5.8 L/100 km NEDC156 g/km
2004318d Saloon2.0 LDiesel5-speed automatic6.8 L/100 km NEDC182 g/km
2004318d Touring2.0 LDiesel5-speed automatic7.0 L/100 km NEDC188 g/km
2001–2004320 Ci Coupé · 320i Saloon2.2 LPetrol5-speed manual8.9 L/100 km NEDC213 g/km
2001–2004320 Ci Coupé · 320i Saloon2.2 LPetrol5-speed automatic9.4 L/100 km NEDC226 g/km
2001–2004320i Touring2.2 LPetrol5-speed manual9.0 L/100 km NEDC216 g/km
2001–2004320i Touring2.2 LPetrol5-speed automatic9.6 L/100 km NEDC230 g/km
2001–2004325 Ci Coupé · 325i Saloon2.5 LPetrol5-speed manual9.0 L/100 km NEDC217 g/km
2001–2004325 Ci Coupé · 325i Saloon2.5 LPetrol5-speed automatic9.5 L/100 km NEDC229 g/km
2001–2004325i Touring2.5 LPetrol5-speed manual9.2 L/100 km NEDC221 g/km
2001–2004325i Touring2.5 LPetrol5-speed automatic9.7 L/100 km NEDC232 g/km
2001–2004325 ti Compact2.5 LPetrol5-speed automatic9.5 L/100 km NEDC227 g/km
2003–2004325 Ci Coupé - SSG · 325i Saloon - SSG · 325 Ci Coupé - SMG and 1 more trim2.5 LPetrol6-speed manual9.0 L/100 km NEDC217 g/km
2003–2004325ti Compact - SSG · 325 ti Compact · 325 ti Compact - SMG2.5 LPetrol6-speed manual8.9 L/100 km NEDC215 g/km
2003–2004325 Ci Convertible - SSG · 325 Ci Convertible - SMG2.5 LPetrol6-speed manual9.6 L/100 km NEDC230 g/km
2003–2004325i Touring - SSG · 325i Touring - SMG2.5 LPetrol6-speed manual9.2 L/100 km NEDC221 g/km
2000–2004330 Ci Coupé · 330i Saloon3.0 LPetrol5-speed automatic9.6–9.9 L/100 km NEDC230–238 g/km
2000–2004330i Touring3.0 LPetrol5-speed automatic9.8–10.2 L/100 km NEDC235–244 g/km
2003–2004330 Ci Coupé - SSG · 330i Saloon - SSG · 330 Ci Coupé and 3 more trims3.0 LPetrol6-speed manual9.1 L/100 km NEDC218 g/km
2003–2004330 Ci Convertible - SSG · 330 Ci Convertible · 330 Ci Convertible - SMG3.0 LPetrol6-speed manual9.6 L/100 km NEDC229 g/km
2003–2004330i Touring - SSG · 330i Touring · 330i Touring - SMG3.0 LPetrol6-speed manual9.3 L/100 km NEDC222 g/km
2003–2004330d Saloon · 330cd Coupé · 330d Saloon (from March 2004 production) and 1 more trim3.0 LDiesel6-speed manual6.6 L/100 km NEDC177 g/km
2003–2004330d Saloon · 330cd Coupé3.0 LDiesel5-speed automatic7.7 L/100 km NEDC206 g/km
2003–2004330d Touring · 330d Touring (from March 2004 production) · 330d Touring (up to February 2004 production)3.0 LDiesel6-speed manual6.8 L/100 km NEDC182 g/km
2003–2004330d Touring3.0 LDiesel5-speed automatic7.9 L/100 km NEDC211 g/km
2001–2004M3 Coupé · M3 Coupé - SMG · M3 CSL Coupé - SMG3.2 LPetrol6-speed manual11.9 L/100 km NEDC287 g/km
2001–2004M3 Convertible · M3 Convertible - SMG3.2 LPetrol6-speed manual12.1 L/100 km NEDC292 g/km
2001–2002Z3 Roadster 1.9i1.9 LPetrol5-speed manual7.9 L/100 km NEDC189 g/km
2001–2002316i Saloon · 316i Saloon M431.9 LPetrol5-speed manual7.9 L/100 km NEDC188 g/km
2001–2002316i Saloon · 316i Saloon M431.9 LPetrol4-speed automatic9.0 L/100 km NEDC214 g/km
2002318 ti Compact · 318 Ci Coupé · 318i Saloon2.0 LPetrol5-speed manual7.2 L/100 km NEDC175 g/km
2002318 ti Compact2.0 LPetrol5-speed automatic7.9 L/100 km NEDC191 g/km
2002320 td Compact · 320d Saloon2.0 LDiesel5-speed manual5.5 L/100 km NEDC148 g/km
2002320d Touring2.0 LDiesel5-speed manual5.7 L/100 km NEDC153 g/km
2001–2002Z3 Roadster 2.2i2.2 LPetrol5-speed manual9.2 L/100 km NEDC222 g/km
2001–2002Z3 Roadster 2.2i2.2 LPetrol5-speed automatic9.6 L/100 km NEDC229 g/km
2001–2002325 ti Compact2.5 LPetrol5-speed manual8.9 L/100 km NEDC215 g/km
2000–2002330d Saloon2.9 LDiesel5-speed manual6.7–6.8 L/100 km NEDC178–181 g/km
2000–2002330d Saloon2.9 LDiesel5-speed automatic8.0 L/100 km NEDC213 g/km
2000–2002330d Touring2.9 LDiesel5-speed manual7.0 L/100 km NEDC186 g/km
2000–2002330d Touring2.9 LDiesel5-speed automatic8.1 L/100 km NEDC216 g/km
2000–2002Z3 Roadster 3.0 · Z3 Roadster 3.0i3.0 LPetrol5-speed manual9.5 L/100 km NEDC228 g/km
2000–2002Z3 Roadster 3.0 · Z3 Roadster 3.0i3.0 LPetrol5-speed automatic10.1 L/100 km NEDC242 g/km
2000–2002330 Ci Coupé · 330i Saloon3.0 LPetrol5-speed manual9.1 L/100 km NEDC218 g/km
2000–2002330 Ci Convertible3.0 LPetrol5-speed manual9.6–9.9 L/100 km NEDC229–237 g/km
2000–2002330i Touring3.0 LPetrol5-speed manual9.3–9.4 L/100 km NEDC222–225 g/km
2001–2002M Roadster · M Coupé3.2 LPetrol5-speed manual11.1 L/100 km NEDC268 g/km
2000–2001318 Ci Coupé · 318i Saloon1.9 LPetrol5-speed manual7.9–8.0 L/100 km NEDC188–190 g/km
2000–2001318 Ci Coupé · 318i Saloon1.9 LPetrol4-speed automatic9.1–9.2 L/100 km NEDC216–220 g/km
2000–2001318i Touring1.9 LPetrol5-speed manual8.1–8.2 L/100 km NEDC194–195 g/km
2000–2001318i Touring1.9 LPetrol4-speed automatic9.3–9.4 L/100 km NEDC223–224 g/km
2000–2001320d Saloon2.0 LDiesel5-speed manual5.7 L/100 km NEDC152 g/km
2000–2001320d Touring2.0 LDiesel5-speed manual5.9 L/100 km NEDC156 g/km
2000318tds Compact1.7 LDiesel5-speed manual6.4 L/100 km NEDC168 g/km
2000Z3 Roadster 1.81.9 LPetrol5-speed manual7.8 L/100 km NEDC187 g/km
2000316i Compact1.9 LPetrol5-speed manual7.6 L/100 km NEDC183 g/km
2000316i Compact1.9 LPetrol4-speed automatic8.9 L/100 km NEDC213 g/km
2000316i Saloon1.9 LPetrol5-speed manual7.8 L/100 km NEDC187 g/km
2000316i Saloon1.9 LPetrol4-speed automatic8.9 L/100 km NEDC213 g/km
2000318ti Compact1.9 LPetrol5-speed manual7.9 L/100 km NEDC187 g/km
2000318ti Compact1.9 LPetrol4-speed automatic8.8 L/100 km NEDC209 g/km
2000Z3 Roadster 2.02.0 LPetrol5-speed manual9.2 L/100 km NEDC220 g/km
2000Z3 Roadster 2.02.0 LPetrol4-speed automatic9.9 L/100 km NEDC237 g/km
2000323 Ci Coupé · 323i Saloon2.5 LPetrol5-speed manual9.0 L/100 km NEDC215 g/km
2000323 Ci Coupé · 323i Saloon2.5 LPetrol5-speed automatic10.0 L/100 km NEDC239 g/km
2000323 Ci Convertible2.5 LPetrol5-speed manual9.7 L/100 km NEDC232 g/km
2000323 Ci Convertible2.5 LPetrol5-speed automatic10.6 L/100 km NEDC254 g/km
2000Z3 Roadster 2.82.8 LPetrol5-speed manual9.4 L/100 km NEDC225 g/km
2000Z3 Roadster 2.82.8 LPetrol4-speed automatic10.4 L/100 km NEDC249 g/km
2000328 Ci Coupé · 328i Saloon2.8 LPetrol5-speed manual9.1 L/100 km NEDC216 g/km
2000328 Ci Coupé · 328i Saloon2.8 LPetrol5-speed automatic10.1 L/100 km NEDC241 g/km
2000328i Touring2.8 LPetrol5-speed manual9.3 L/100 km NEDC223 g/km
2000328i Touring2.8 LPetrol5-speed automatic10.3 L/100 km NEDC247 g/km
2000M Roadster · M Coupé3.2 LPetrol5-speed manual11.1 L/100 km NEDC268 g/km

Similar models from other brands

Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.