which year did the e46 start??

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futurebmw

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i wanted to know a couple things... first of all, what exactly is meant by e46... when exactly did it start, and is that the number for the entire 3 line, i.e., coupe, sedan, and the m3???

so what was before e46?? and what years was that around...

one last thing, for the m3, this current one is e46?? and how long has this one been around, and what was the one before this one...

thanks...
 
codex57

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99 for the sedan
00 for the coupe
Can't remember for the M3, but I'd guess 01.

Before teh E46, it was the E36. Before the E36 was teh E30.

This M3 is the E46. E46 is just the internal model designation. Like I said before, the E46 has been around since the 99 sedan came out. The M3 model before this would just be the E36 M3. Came out around 94 or 95 I believe. I think 92 was when the E36 came out.
 
MrElussive

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The E46 3-series first came out in like 1998 or 1999, I believe (as a sedan, followed by the coupe). It came out as a 323 and 328. In 2001, the model names were changed to 325 and 330 (bigger motors, 2.3 liters --> 2.5 liters, 2.8 liters --> 3.0 liters), and the AWD 325xi and 330xi became available. In 2002, the 3-Series Sedans received a face lift. In 2004, the 3-Series Coupes/Convertibles received a face lift. The E46 M3 (which is the one out right now) came out for the 2001 model year. In 1998 and 1999, they just kept the E36 M3 going and there was no 2000 model year M3. Before the entire E46 3-Series, there was the E36 3-Series which was out until about 1997-1998, but again, I'm not completely sure exactly when E36 3-Series ended and the E46 3-Series began.
 
codex57

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323 and 325 both had 2.5L engines. They were just tuned differently. The 323 engine had more torque compared to the 325 one, but the 325 engine had more horsepower comparatively.
 
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futurebmw

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ok, thanks for the replies guys... i actually wanted to get both of your opinions on this specifically... so i now have 2 questions:

1 - what is the difference then between say a 2001 m3 and a 2004 m3 (saying that they are both e46)??

2 - i really wanted to get a brand new 325ci... but a friend of mine, who knows a shite load about cars, was really convincing me last night to instead get a second hand car that is in excellent condition. and this way i can get a better speced one.... just to give you an example on how good deals he gets, in 1996 he bought a 1991 acura nsx which had done only 15,000 miles for $39,000... and he still has it and till this day, people still ask him if its brand new... he found some whale with like 7 cars that just threw this one away... so considering that i was going to spend around 30-35k for the new bimmer, he is like don't do it and he can get me an excellent m3 or something for that much... actually his words were, "and i will put $5,000 back in your pocket"... now that sounds like a hell of a deal... but the problem here is that in the back of my mind, a used car is a used car... i mean if i am spending 30k on a used car, that just sounds frivilous to me for some reason... is the same fun factor there with a used car, even if it is a better one that you would have gotten new?? it sounds awesome, but i just feel as excited inside... just wanted to get your guys thoughts... thanks...
 
MrElussive

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futurebmw, this is just my personal opinion, but I am honestly very hesitant to purchase a used car. See, I like to baby my car...I warm it up properly every time, I wash and wax it constantly, and I basically just take very good care of it. I really prefer having the car all to myself from day one, rather than take a several-year-old car that has been driven by one or more owner previously. Plus, you get the added bonus of driving a brand-new car whereas the used car will be several years old already. Your friend is so happy with his purchase of the used NSX because the NSX really hasn't changed much over the years. Honda/Acura is really great with reliability and making their cars last, a 10-year old NSX doesn't look much different than a brand-new one, and it is a great sports car for so much less money, that getting a used NSX is a no-brainer for a lot of people. Yeah, you could purchase a used M3 (2001 model) instead of getting a brand-new, slower 325Ci, but it would be your brand-new baby that I think you would appreciate more (or at least I would). [:)]
 
codex57

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I'm also hesitant to get a used car, but that's only cuz I have had bad experiences with it.

If your friend can find another rich dude who's throwing his extra car away, that's cool. Otherwise, you kinda have to wonder why someone would get rid of a new car that quickly. Sports cars, especially, are driven hard right from the get go. Sure lots of people get rid of M3s because they're too pure sport for their taste, but you still have to be careful. NSXs are practically bulletproof being a Honda so it's not as big a deal.

However, if your friend is just scanning the want ads for a used car, you should bring a mechanic to check the car out.

As for the difference btw the 2001 M3 and 2004 M3, there are only slight differences. The most critical ones are the LED brake lights and SMG II transmission option that's available on the 2004 and not on the 2001. Those are awesome options that you may seriously want to consider. Ok, the brake lights aren't options, but they're still awesome and something to think about. I agonized over getting a 2003 or waiting a month to get a 2004 because of those brakelights (and a couple other things), but ended up getting the 2003 because I just didn't like the new updated face. The M3 still has the old face so in my opinion, you get the best of both worlds.
 
codex57

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aNoodle said:
Got mine October 1998.
Click to expand...
yeah, but it's still listed as Model Year 1999 right? Most cars come out around September of the previous year. Now, it can be even earlier. Some cars are going to come out in like May or April of this year (2004) and are listed as 2005 model year cars.
 
codex57

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No it's right. The site says it's using the model year, not the actual year. There is a difference like I explained before. Plus, it is for worldwide production, not just US.
 
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I have original BMW Books of every model.

And for the 3 series it says:

2002 model- from 1966 to 1977
E21 model - from 1975 to 1983
E30 model - from 1982 to 1994
E36 model - from 1990 to 1999
E46 model - from 1998 to present

The 2002 doesn't count as a generation of the 3 series model. It starts since the E21.
 
codex57

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Bimmerlife said:
http://images.google.com/imgres?img...28i&svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N
Click to expand...
That's a real official looking site. [hihi]

I'm more inclined to believe this site: http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=17&article_id=3354&page_number=1

Read the last paragraph of teh first page. I'll copy and paste it too.

A little history: Already modestly updated for the 2001 model year, our test car represents the fourth generation of BMW's popular 3-series line, known internally as E46. The latest redesign was introduced for the 1999 model year, with a chassis that was stiffer and longer (an extra inch of wheelbase). Although the styling changes were subtle, it's a bigger car -- 1.5 inches longer, 1.6 inches wider, and almost an inch taller -- than its predecessor, and all its sheetmetal is new. It's also roomier, with an instrument panel and interior trim that more closely resemble those in the more expensive 5- and 7-series Bimmers.
 
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You don't understand me. Car and driver has nothing to do with this. It is a US magazine.

US is allway almost year late with the cars.

The E39 M5 was for sale in 1999 where in US in the first model is listed for 2000.

If you don't believe me than send an email to BMW AG in Munich and see what they will say to you.
 
aNoodle

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codex57 said:
No it's right. The site says it's using the model year, not the actual year. There is a difference like I explained before. Plus, it is for worldwide production, not just US.
Click to expand...
Exactly! Plus...I said earlier I got MY 1999 E46 in 1998!!
 
aNoodle

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Bimmerlife said:
You don't understand me. Car and driver has nothing to do with this. It is a US magazine.

US is allway almost year late with the cars.

The E39 M5 was for sale in 1999 where in US in the first model is listed for 2000.

If you don't believe me than send an email to BMW AG in Munich and see what they will say to you.
Click to expand...
Well, now I'm confused...my link was to European Car Magazine. (I'm sure certain cars come out at different times in different place...like the new Z4 didn't hit europe until later...but they still have to be called a certain year car...mine's a 1999 E46 received in 1998).
 
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