BMW M3 E46

The E46 is the BMW M3 generation our specification records cover for US model years 2001–2006. Across that run EPA certified 20 versions of it for sale in America, under 2 trim names. It was sold as a coupe and convertible.

Dimensions are the figures the panel above does not carry. The E46 measures 176.8 in · 4,491 mm long, sits on a wheelbase of 107.5 in · 2,730 mm and weighs 3,417 lb · 1,550 kg to 3,781 lb · 1,715 kg. Length and wheelbase come from Transport Canada, which measures every vehicle sold in North America; curb weight from the same source.

Set against the E36 that preceded it, the E46 is 2.4 inches longer at the shortest version and 242 lb · 110 kg heavier at the lightest. Both figures are taken from the lightest and shortest version we hold for each, so they compare like with like rather than setting a base car against a loaded one.

Every version we hold under this code is rear-wheel drive. That matters on the used market more than it looks: which axles are driven changes the weight, the service list and the price, and the badge does not always say which you are looking at.

Gaps are left as gaps. We do not hold curb weight for 2 of the 20, because Transport Canada does not publish a weight for every model. A dash on this site means the figure is not in a source we can name, never that it is roughly the same as the row above.