The BMW E46 3 Sequence acquired quite a lot of reward through the years, from journalists to discussion board members and everybody in between. However over twenty years after the automotive debuted: is it nonetheless price getting behind the wheel? Like many getting old BMWs, most E46s are properly previous their first or second homeowners. However whether or not worse for put on or well-kept, the E46 has loads to like. Nonetheless price your money and time in 2025?
Execs: Worth, Steering, Seems
The BMW E46 3 Sequence is, in contrast to the BMW E36, indisputably nonetheless a great worth in 2025. BMW bought so lots of these items that there isn’t any scarcity of excellent ones, okay ones, and beat-up ones. So it’s simple to buy at your worth level and get one thing that works on your wants. Even E46 ZHP vehicles — that are arguably the right center floor — could be had for an affordable worth. With 4 physique types together with a wagon, there’s nearly assured to be an E46 that checks all of the containers. Small caveat: worth turns into way more of a private dialogue when high-dollar and low-mile E46 M3 examples.
That wonderful worth comes by advantage of the truth that the E46 is solely great to drive. Just like the E36, the restrict is low on these vehicles, significantly if there isn’t an M badge on the again of your E46. However the steering is kind of good — arguably higher than the E36’s — mixing precision with wonderful really feel. And, not less than in terms of the M3 (and, I suppose, ZHP vehicles), energy is greater than sufficient, if not quick by fashionable requirements. And lastly, whereas it’s subjective, it’s onerous to search out somebody that doesn’t suppose the E46 is a reasonably handsome automotive. A wise wanting automotive that drives nearly as good because it appears? Looks as if it’s onerous to go flawed with an E46.
Cons: Energy, Tech, Affordability
You don’t want a ton of energy to have a great time, nevertheless it does assist. Most variations of the BMW E46 3 Sequence make round 200 horsepower, with outliers on both finish. The M3, in fact, is excluded from this unfavorable, as 333 horsepower nonetheless feels fast. Just like the E36, the E46 has some fairly dated expertise. Once more — hardly essential if you happen to’re prioritizing the driving dynamics, however nonetheless is likely to be a bit disappointing for folks utilizing the E46 as their solely automotive in 2025.
Whereas shopping for an E46 itself is pretty reasonably priced nowadays, folks shopping for a tough one with out some inclination to DIY or a great Euro mechanic on pace dial would possibly discover prices to maintain the automotive on the highway rapidly outstripping the automotive’s worth. In my expertise, E46s have at all times been a bit of bit extra upkeep intensive than E36s (and even many E90s). Components are fortunately plentiful, however a needy E46 — particularly an M3 — can turn out to be extra of a useful resource drain than it’s price rapidly. And I imply that actually.
E46 Reliability in 2025
Tying in a bit of bit with general affordability, the E46 3 Sequence is about as dependable as any BMW from the early 2000s could be, which is to say, it’s a blended bag. The E46 M3, significantly, wants “the Massive Three” addressed earlier than the acquisition even occurs. The Massive Three refers to rod bearings, subframe reinforcement, and VANOS. The latter can fail just about out of nowhere; the primary two have warning indicators however require a discovered eye. Non-M E46s are much less of a headache however there are nonetheless tons of little issues (and large issues) that may go flawed. Fortunately, these vehicles are fairly DIY-friendly. One other level in favor of the E46: BMW made a gazillion and a half of these items. So, components aren’t precisely onerous to search out. Nonetheless, in 2025, there’s a reasonably stable probability that any E46 you decide up will want one thing.
Verdict: Purchase an E46 in 2025?
Oh sure, completely. The E46 3 Sequence remains to be top-of-the-line methods to get into the model and top-of-the-line bang-for-buck vehicles on the highway at present. One other very cool factor about E46s within the US is that BMW solely ever supplied them with a six-cylinder. So, looking for a great one is only a tad bit simpler. Why are you continue to studying? Begin buying and expertise a automotive that may without end put a smile on an fanatic’s face. Simply, um, pay no consideration to the E46 Compact.
