SedanBMW65% by Neofiliac Team

BMW 3 Series E46 LCI

Compact Sedan

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Product Overview

BMW 3 Series E46 LCI is a compact executive sedan in production from 2001 to 2005. It is available with a range of inline-4 and inline-6 engines that displaced 1.8 to 3.0 liters.

Owners will likely appreciate the most the M54 petrol and M57 diesel inline-6 (I6) engines, which are perfectly balanced while being rather simple to work on. However, some may prefer the pre-facelift version, which are arguably better looking.

On the plus side, the LCI E46 comes with a high towing capacity.

Drivers who appreciate handling should keep in mind that the E46 uses MacPherson front suspension, which doesn't provide the best cornering performance, though the E46 LCI has lots of aftermarket and enthusiast support, making it a modern classic.

Ratings

What we found

Neofiliac score 65%

Pros

Good M54 and M57 engine options
Good towing capacity
Classic BMW handling characteristics

Cons

Stuck with MacPherson struts in the front
Uglier than pre-facelift

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Specifications

Variants shown:

316i

316i AT

318d

318d AT

318i

320d

320d AT

320i

320i AT

325i

325i AT

325ix

325xi AT

330d

330d AT

330i

330i AT

330xd

330xd AT

330xi

330xi AT

[[{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Cargo Capacity","Fv":"410 L / 14.5 cu-ft"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Coolant Capacity","Fv":"7.5 L / 7.9 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Engine Oil Capacity","Fv":"4.2 L / 4.5 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Fuel Capacity","Fv":"63.0 L / 16.6 gal"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Passengers","Fv":"5"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Payload","Fv":"500 kg / 1102 lbs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Front","Fv":"Ventilated discs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Rear","Fv":"Disc"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Power Steering","Fv":"Hydraulic Steering"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Front","Fv":"MacPherson strut"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Rear","Fv":"Multi-link"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Tire Size","Fv":"195/65 R15"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Turning Circle","Fv":"10.5 m / 34.4 ft"},{"Ft":"Construction","Fn":"Body Style","Fv":"4-door Sedan"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Height","Fv":"1420 mm / 55.9 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Length","Fv":"4470 mm / 176.0 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Width","Fv":"1740 mm / 68.5 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Front","Fv":"1480.0 mm / 58.3 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Rear","Fv":"1495.0 mm / 58.9 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Weight","Fv":"1320.0 kg / 2910.1 lbs"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheel Size","Fv":"6.5J x 15"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheelbase","Fv":"2725 mm / 107.3 in"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 100 km/h","Fv":"10.9 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 60 mph","Fv":"10.4 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"CO2 Emission","Fv":"218 g/km"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Fuel Economy","Fv":"7.1 L/100km / 33.1 MPG (combined) | 9.9 L/100km / 23.8 MPG (urban) | 5.5 L/100km / 42.8 MPG (highway)"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Top Speed","Fv":"206.0 km/h / 128.0 mph"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Towing Capacity","Fv":"730 kg / 1609 lbs (w/o brakes) | 1800 kg / 3968 lbs (w/ brakes @ 8% gradient) | 1700 kg / 3748 lbs (w/ brakes @ 12% gradient)"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Drivetrain Layout","Fv":"Front-engine (longitudinal), Rear-wheel drive"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Emission Standard","Fv":"Euro 4"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine","Fv":"N42B18"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Bore","Fv":"84.0 mm / 3.3 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Compression Ratio","Fv":"10.5:1"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Displacement","Fv":"1.8 L / 109.6 cu-in / 1796.0 cc"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Power","Fv":"116.0 hp / 86.5 kW @ 5500 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Specific Output","Fv":"64.6 hp/L / 1.1 hp/cu-in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Stroke","Fv":"81.0 mm / 3.2 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Torque","Fv":"175 Nm / 129.1 lb-ft @ 3750 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Type","Fv":"Naturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol inline-4 DOHC engine with 4 values per cylinder"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Gears","Fv":"5-speed"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Type","Fv":"Manual"},{"Ft":"Production","Fn":"Availability","Fv":"2001 ~ 2005"}],[{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Cargo Capacity","Fv":"410 L / 14.5 cu-ft"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Coolant Capacity","Fv":"7.5 L / 7.9 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Engine Oil Capacity","Fv":"4.2 L / 4.5 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Fuel Capacity","Fv":"63.0 L / 16.6 gal"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Passengers","Fv":"5"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Payload","Fv":"500 kg / 1102 lbs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Front","Fv":"Ventilated discs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Rear","Fv":"Disc"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Power Steering","Fv":"Hydraulic Steering"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Front","Fv":"MacPherson strut"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Rear","Fv":"Multi-link"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Tire Size","Fv":"195/65 R15"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Turning Circle","Fv":"10.5 m / 34.4 ft"},{"Ft":"Construction","Fn":"Body Style","Fv":"4-door Sedan"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Height","Fv":"1420 mm / 55.9 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Length","Fv":"4470 mm / 176.0 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Width","Fv":"1740 mm / 68.5 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Front","Fv":"1480.0 mm / 58.3 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Rear","Fv":"1495.0 mm / 58.9 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Weight","Fv":"1320.0 kg / 2910.1 lbs"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheel Size","Fv":"6.5J x 15"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheelbase","Fv":"2725 mm / 107.3 in"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 100 km/h","Fv":"11.9 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 60 mph","Fv":"11.3 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"CO2 Emission","Fv":"218 g/km"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Fuel Economy","Fv":"8.0 L/100km / 29.4 MPG (combined) | 10.9 L/100km / 21.6 MPG (urban) | 6.4 L/100km / 36.8 MPG (highway)"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Top Speed","Fv":"200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Towing Capacity","Fv":"730 kg / 1609 lbs (w/o brakes) | 1800 kg / 3968 lbs (w/ brakes @ 8% gradient) | 1700 kg / 3748 lbs (w/ brakes @ 12% gradient)"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Drivetrain Layout","Fv":"Front-engine (longitudinal), Rear-wheel drive"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Emission Standard","Fv":"Euro 4"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine","Fv":"N42B18"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Bore","Fv":"84.0 mm / 3.3 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Compression Ratio","Fv":"10.5:1"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Displacement","Fv":"1.8 L / 109.6 cu-in / 1796.0 cc"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Power","Fv":"116.0 hp / 86.5 kW @ 5500 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Specific Output","Fv":"64.6 hp/L / 1.1 hp/cu-in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Stroke","Fv":"81.0 mm / 3.2 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Torque","Fv":"175 Nm / 129.1 lb-ft @ 3750 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Type","Fv":"Naturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol inline-4 DOHC engine with 4 values per cylinder"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Gears","Fv":"5-speed"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Type","Fv":"Automatic"},{"Ft":"Production","Fn":"Availability","Fv":"2001 ~ 2005"}],[{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Cargo Capacity","Fv":"410 L / 14.5 cu-ft"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Coolant Capacity","Fv":"7.9 L / 8.3 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Engine Oil Capacity","Fv":"5.5 L / 5.8 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Fuel Capacity","Fv":"63.0 L / 16.6 gal"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Passengers","Fv":"5"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Payload","Fv":"500 kg / 1102 lbs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Front","Fv":"Ventilated discs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Rear","Fv":"Disc"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Power Steering","Fv":"Hydraulic Steering"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Front","Fv":"MacPherson strut"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Rear","Fv":"Multi-link"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Tire Size","Fv":"195/65 R15"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Turning Circle","Fv":"10.5 m / 34.4 ft"},{"Ft":"Construction","Fn":"Body Style","Fv":"4-door Sedan"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Height","Fv":"1420 mm / 55.9 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Length","Fv":"4470 mm / 176.0 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Width","Fv":"1740 mm / 68.5 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Front","Fv":"1480.0 mm / 58.3 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Rear","Fv":"1495.0 mm / 58.9 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Weight","Fv":"1395.0 kg / 3075.4 lbs"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheel Size","Fv":"6.5J x 15"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheelbase","Fv":"2725 mm / 107.3 in"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 100 km/h","Fv":"10.7 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 60 mph","Fv":"10.2 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"CO2 Emission","Fv":"218 g/km"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Fuel Economy","Fv":"5.8 L/100km / 40.6 MPG (combined) | 7.8 L/100km / 30.2 MPG (urban) | 4.7 L/100km / 50.0 MPG (highway)"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Top Speed","Fv":"204.0 km/h / 126.8 mph"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Towing Capacity","Fv":"730 kg / 1609 lbs (w/o brakes) | 1800 kg / 3968 lbs (w/ brakes @ 8% gradient) | 1700 kg / 3748 lbs (w/ brakes @ 12% gradient)"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Drivetrain Layout","Fv":"Front-engine (longitudinal), Rear-wheel drive"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Emission Standard","Fv":"Euro 4"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine","Fv":"M47D20"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Bore","Fv":"84.0 mm / 3.3 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Compression Ratio","Fv":"19.0:1"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Displacement","Fv":"2.0 L / 119.1 cu-in / 1951.0 cc"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Power","Fv":"115.0 hp / 85.8 kW @ 4000 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Specific Output","Fv":"58.9 hp/L / 1.0 hp/cu-in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Stroke","Fv":"88.0 mm / 3.5 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Torque","Fv":"265 Nm / 195.5 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Type","Fv":"Turbocharged commonrail diesel inline-4 engine with 4 values per cylinder"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Gears","Fv":"5-speed"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Type","Fv":"Manual"},{"Ft":"Production","Fn":"Availability","Fv":"2001 ~ 2005"}]]

Variants	316i	316i AT	318d
Capacity
Cargo Capacity	410 L / 14.5 cu-ft
Coolant Capacity	7.5 L / 7.9 qt	7.5 L / 7.9 qt	7.9 L / 8.3 qt
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 L / 4.5 qt	4.2 L / 4.5 qt	5.5 L / 5.8 qt
Fuel Capacity	63.0 L / 16.6 gal
Passengers	5
Payload	500 kg / 1102 lbs
Chassis
Brakes \| Front	Ventilated discs
Brakes \| Rear	Disc
Power Steering	Hydraulic Steering
Suspension \| Front	MacPherson strut
Suspension \| Rear	Multi-link
Tire Size	195/65 R15
Turning Circle	10.5 m / 34.4 ft
Construction
Body Style	4-door Sedan
Dimensions
Size \| Height	1420 mm / 55.9 in
Size \| Length	4470 mm / 176.0 in
Size \| Width	1740 mm / 68.5 in
Track Width \| Front	1480.0 mm / 58.3 in
Track Width \| Rear	1495.0 mm / 58.9 in
Weight	1320.0 kg / 2910.1 lbs	1320.0 kg / 2910.1 lbs	1395.0 kg / 3075.4 lbs
Wheel Size	6.5J x 15
Wheelbase	2725 mm / 107.3 in
Performance
Acceleration \| 0 - 100 km/h	10.9 sec	11.9 sec	10.7 sec
Acceleration \| 0 - 60 mph	10.4 sec	11.3 sec	10.2 sec
CO2 Emission	218 g/km
Fuel Economy	7.1 L/100km / 33.1 MPG (combined) \| 9.9 L/100km / 23.8 MPG (urban) \| 5.5 L/100km / 42.8 MPG (highway)	8.0 L/100km / 29.4 MPG (combined) \| 10.9 L/100km / 21.6 MPG (urban) \| 6.4 L/100km / 36.8 MPG (highway)	5.8 L/100km / 40.6 MPG (combined) \| 7.8 L/100km / 30.2 MPG (urban) \| 4.7 L/100km / 50.0 MPG (highway)
Top Speed	206.0 km/h / 128.0 mph	200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph	204.0 km/h / 126.8 mph
Towing Capacity	730 kg / 1609 lbs (w/o brakes) \| 1800 kg / 3968 lbs (w/ brakes @ 8% gradient) \| 1700 kg / 3748 lbs (w/ brakes @ 12% gradient)
Powertrain
Drivetrain Layout	Front-engine (longitudinal), Rear-wheel drive
Emission Standard	Euro 4
Engine	N42B18	N42B18	M47D20
Engine \| Bore	84.0 mm / 3.3 in
Engine \| Compression Ratio	10.5:1	10.5:1	19.0:1
Engine \| Displacement	1.8 L / 109.6 cu-in / 1796.0 cc	1.8 L / 109.6 cu-in / 1796.0 cc	2.0 L / 119.1 cu-in / 1951.0 cc
Engine \| Power	116.0 hp / 86.5 kW @ 5500 rpm	116.0 hp / 86.5 kW @ 5500 rpm	115.0 hp / 85.8 kW @ 4000 rpm
Engine \| Specific Output	64.6 hp/L / 1.1 hp/cu-in	64.6 hp/L / 1.1 hp/cu-in	58.9 hp/L / 1.0 hp/cu-in
Engine \| Stroke	81.0 mm / 3.2 in	81.0 mm / 3.2 in	88.0 mm / 3.5 in
Engine \| Torque	175 Nm / 129.1 lb-ft @ 3750 rpm	175 Nm / 129.1 lb-ft @ 3750 rpm	265 Nm / 195.5 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
Engine \| Type	Naturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol inline-4 DOHC engine with 4 values per cylinder	Naturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol inline-4 DOHC engine with 4 values per cylinder	Turbocharged commonrail diesel inline-4 engine with 4 values per cylinder
Transmission \| Gears	5-speed
Transmission \| Type	Manual	Automatic	Manual
Production
Availability	2001 ~ 2005

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