BMW 3 Series E46 (1999–2006)

Year by year

Engines and outputs (US)

1999-2000: 323i with a 2.5 liter M52TU six (170 hp) and 328i with a 2.8 liter M52TU six (about 190 hp). 2001-2006: 325i with the 2.5 liter M54 (184 hp, 175 lb-ft) and 330i with the 3.0 liter M54 (225 hp, 214 lb-ft). The 330i ZHP made 235 hp and 222 lb-ft. Source: en.wikipedia.org, europremiumparts.com, unixnerd.co.uk.

Facelift timing: 2002 for sedans and wagons, 2004 for coupes and convertibles

Sedans and wagons were facelifted in September 2001 for the 2002 model year (new headlights, grille, bumpers). Coupes and convertibles followed in March 2003 for the 2004 model year (new lights including LED tails, revised bumpers), and the 330 manual went from five to six speeds at the same time. Source: en.wikipedia.org, unixnerd.co.uk.

US lineup by year and body style

Sedans arrived for 1999 (323i, 328i), coupes, convertibles and wagons for 2000. The 325 and 330 replaced the 323 and 328 for 2001, when the xi all-wheel-drive sedan and wagon also arrived. Sedans and wagons ended after 2005. For 2006 only the coupe and convertible remained. Source: en.wikipedia.org, api.nhtsa.gov.

Note: the E46 Compact (316ti, 318ti, 325ti) was never sold in the US

The E46 Compact hatchback with N42/N46 four-cylinders or the 325ti six was a Europe-market car from 2001 to 2004. The US 318ti was the earlier E36 Compact (1995-1999). Source: en.wikipedia.org, unixnerd.co.uk.

xi all-wheel drive: 2001-2005 sedans and wagons only

The 325xi and 330xi added permanent all-wheel drive to the sedan and wagon from 2001 to 2005. There was no all-wheel-drive coupe or convertible. Source: en.wikipedia.org, api.nhtsa.gov, unixnerd.co.uk.

Recalls

Early-car recalls: side airbag sensitivity, brake pedal clip, brake light switch, wheel flanges

99V063000 and 02V223000: side airbags on 1999-2000 sedans could fire on pothole or curb hits. The control module was reprogrammed. 99V100000: brake booster pushrod clip on 1999 cars could detach. 00V048000: brake light switch on 2000 323i and 328i. 00V383000: tire-mounting machine may have damaged inner wheel flanges on 2001 325i and 330i. Years: 1999-2001. Source: api.nhtsa.gov.

Recalls 19V851, 19V852, 19V853, 21V401: driver airbag inflators on 1999-2001 cars

1999-2001 323i, 325i, 328i, 330i, 330xi and 2000-2001 Ci and wagon models had Takata non-azide driver inflators that can absorb moisture, then rupture or under-inflate. 21V401 covers cars that were inspected but not replaced under the 2019 campaigns. Years: 1999-2001. Source: api.nhtsa.gov.

Recall 20V018000: interim Takata passenger inflators from earlier recalls

Covers 2000-2005 sedans and wagons and 2000-2006 coupes and convertibles that received non-desiccated Takata replacement inflators as an interim fix. Those parts can also degrade and explode, so the airbag is replaced again. Years: 2000-2006. Source: api.nhtsa.gov.

Recall 14V428000: Takata passenger airbag inflator

Covers 2000 323i and 328i, 2001-2005 325i and 325xi (sedan, coupe, convertible, wagon as listed), 2006 325i coupes and convertibles, 2001-2006 330i, and 2001-2005 330xi. The passenger airbag inflator can rupture and throw metal fragments. Dealers replace the passenger airbag free. Years: 2000-2006 (by model, see summary). Source: api.nhtsa.gov.

Recalls 01V206000 and 02V138000: auxiliary cooling fan can fail and overheat (2001)

On 2001 325i, 325Ci, 325iT, 330i, 330Ci and 330xi, a failing electric fan motor could overload and burn out the fan control unit, stopping the fan. Result: overheating, and a possible fire in the fan control unit. Dealers replaced the fan. Years: 2001. Source: api.nhtsa.gov.

Equipment recall 07E023000: some Cardone remanufactured brake master cylinders

Certain Cardone replacement master cylinders (several part numbers, date codes before DCA7078) sold for 2001-2006 325i, 325Ci, 330i and 330Ci could have a failing seal. This concerns aftermarket parts, not factory equipment. Years: 2001-2006. Source: api.nhtsa.gov.

Recall 02V057000: front strut upper mount (2002 325i and 330i)

The thrust bearing in the front strut mount might not be secured, so with the suspension fully unloaded the strut could separate from the mount. Dealers replaced both front upper mounts. Years: 2002. Source: api.nhtsa.gov.

Recall 02V088000: cracked rear rotors (2002 325xi)

A manufacturing problem could crack the rear rotor where the disc meets the parking brake drum, letting the drum separate and leaving no braking at that wheel. Dealers replaced both rear rotors. Years: 2002. Source: api.nhtsa.gov.

Recall 13V172000: passenger airbag (2002-2003)

Covers 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans, 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles, and 325iT and 325xiT wagons. Excess internal pressure could rupture the passenger inflator. Years: 2002-2003. Source: api.nhtsa.gov.

Recall 11V438000: tail light contacts (2002-2005 sedans built Sep 2001 to Mar 2005)

On 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i and 330xi built from September 1, 2001 through March 1, 2005, resistance in the rear lamp contacts can make tail, brake or turn lights stop working. Dealers repair free. Years: 2002-2005 (sedans). Source: api.nhtsa.gov.

Recall 15V318000: driver airbag module (sport steering wheel era)

Covers 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i and 330xi sedans and wagons, and 2002-2006 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles. Moisture can get into the dual-stage driver inflator and make it rupture. Dealers replace the driver airbag module. Years: 2002-2006. Source: api.nhtsa.gov.

Recall 03V124000: high idle on automatics (2003 325i and 325Ci)

On some 2003 automatic cars at rest, idle could rise to about 1,300 rpm so the car felt pushed when put in gear. Dealers reprogrammed the engine control unit. Years: 2003. Source: api.nhtsa.gov.

Recall 03V160000: window anti-pinch control unit (2003)

Some 2003 cars had a window anti-pinch function that might not work. Dealers inspect and, if needed, replace the control unit. Years: 2003. Source: api.nhtsa.gov.

Check a specific car with our VIN decoder or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What the full BMW 3 Series E46 report covers

• Start here: Verdict: score dashboard and best and worst years; Generation DNA: year-by-year changes and what the VIN tells you
• Buying: Failure atlas: known issues ranked by cost and likelihood, each with a walk away, negotiate or ignore verdict; Rust map; Printable pre-purchase inspection, about 45 minutes
• Owning: First 90 days: what to fix first; Real-world maintenance schedule; DIY job cards
• Modding: Mod-readiness scorecard; Build paths with budgets; Swaps, interchange and wheel and tire fitment
• Tracking: What breaks on track; Safety and tech inspection; Prep by level and setup baseline

Everything in a MettaCar report

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