The BMW E46 3 Collection acquired lots of reward over time, 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 effectively previous their first or second homeowners. However whether or not worse for put on or well-kept, the E46 has so much to like. Nonetheless price your money and time in 2025?
Execs: Worth, Steering, Appears to be like
The BMW E46 3 Collection is, not like the BMW E36, indisputably nonetheless a great worth in 2025. BMW offered so lots of these items that there is no such thing as a scarcity of excellent ones, okay ones, and beat-up ones. So it’s straightforward to buy at your worth level and get one thing that works to your wants. Even E46 ZHP automobiles — that are arguably the proper center floor — could be had for an affordable worth. With 4 physique kinds together with a wagon, there’s nearly assured to be an E46 that checks all of the packing containers. Small caveat: worth turns into far more of a private dialogue when taking a look at high-dollar and low-mile E46 M3 examples.
That glorious worth comes by advantage of the truth that the E46 is solely fantastic to drive. Just like the E36, the restrict is low on these automobiles, 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 glorious really feel. And, a minimum of relating to the M3 (and, I suppose, ZHP automobiles), energy is greater than enough, if not quick by trendy requirements. And lastly, whereas it’s subjective, it’s arduous to search out somebody that doesn’t assume the E46 is a fairly handsome automotive. A wise wanting automotive that drives nearly as good because it appears to be like? Looks as if it’s arduous to go fallacious with an E46.
Cons: Energy, Tech, Affordability
You don’t want a ton of energy to have a great time, however it does assist. Most variations of the BMW E46 3 Collection make round 200 horsepower, with outliers on both finish. The M3, after all, is excluded from this destructive, as 333 horsepower nonetheless feels fast. Just like the E36, the E46 has some fairly dated expertise. Once more — hardly mandatory in case you’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 inexpensive nowadays, folks shopping for a tough one with out some inclination to DIY or a great Euro mechanic on pace dial may discover prices to maintain the automotive on the highway rapidly outstripping the automotive’s worth. In my expertise, E46s have all the time been a little bit bit extra upkeep intensive than E36s (and even many E90s). Elements 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 little bit bit with general affordability, the E46 3 Collection 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 massive issues) that may go fallacious. Fortunately, these automobiles 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 arduous to search out. Nonetheless, in 2025, there’s a fairly stable likelihood that any E46 you choose up will want one thing.
Verdict: Purchase an E46 in 2025?
Oh sure, completely. The E46 3 Collection continues to be the most effective methods to get into the model and the most effective bang-for-buck automobiles on the highway right now. 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 procuring and expertise a automotive that may ceaselessly put a smile on an fanatic’s face. Simply, um, pay no consideration to the E46 Compact.
