Positioning:
High-performance luxury sports coupe/convertible, positioned as a flagship driver's car.
Competitors:
Porsche 911 Carrera, Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG, Audi S4, Chevrolet Corvette.
Performance Focus:
Renowned for its motorsport-derived engine, exceptional handling, and driver-centric cockpit.
Design Philosophy:
M division's pursuit of ultimate driving dynamics, lightweight construction, and aerodynamic efficiency.
Powertrain:
Engine operation, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system basics
Drivetrain:
Transmission operation, differential basics
Chassis:
Brake system operation, steering system basics, suspension basics
Electrical:
Lighting, instrument cluster, power accessories, battery care basics
Comfort And Convenience:
Climate control, seating adjustments, interior features, convertible top operation (if applicable)
Basic Maintenance:
Checking fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid), tire pressure checks, bulb replacement guidance
Operation:
Starting procedures, gear selection, parking brake usage, driving modes (e.g., Sport mode)
Safety Operation:
Seatbelt usage, airbag system explanation, child seat installation guidance
Troubleshooting:
Indicator light explanations, basic warning message interpretation
Emergency:
Emergency brake operation, tire change (jacking points, tool locations), jump starting
Depth:
Designed for the owner; focuses on operation, user-serviceable items, and understanding vehicle functions. Not a detailed repair manual.
Digital Format If Available:
PDF (for digital copies)
Print Quality:
High-quality glossy paper, clear text and diagrams (typical for BMW)
Binding:
Stapled or perfect bound booklet
Paper Type:
Durable, high-quality paper stock
Engine Type:
Naturally Aspirated Inline-6
Displacement:
3.2 Liters (3246 cc)
Bore X Stroke:
87.0 mm x 91.0 mm
Compression Ratio:
11.5:1
Horsepower:
333 hp @ 7900 rpm
Torque:
262 lb-ft @ 4900 rpm
Induction:
Individual Throttle Bodies (ITBs)
Fuel Delivery:
Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91+ Octane)
Valvetrain:
Double Overhead Camshafts (DOHC), 4 valves per cylinder, VANOS (Variable Valve Timing)
Engine Management:
BMW M-Tronic (MS43/MS45 variant)
Transmission Type:
6-Speed Manual (Getrag 420G)
Transmission Type:
SMG II (Sequential Manual Gearbox) - electrohydraulically actuated clutchless manual
Clutch:
Hydraulically operated, single-plate dry clutch
Differential:
Limited-Slip Differential (LSD)
Length:
177.7 inches (4513 mm)
Width:
71.5 inches (1815 mm)
Height:
54.1 inches (1374 mm)
Wheelbase:
107.4 inches (2728 mm)
Front Track:
60.3 inches (1531 mm)
Rear Track:
60.4 inches (1534 mm)
Curb Weight Coupe:
Approximately 3,595 lbs (1631 kg)
Curb Weight Convertible:
Approximately 3,792 lbs (1720 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:
Approximately 4,598 lbs (2086 kg)
Trunk Volume Coupe:
11.0 cu ft (312 liters)
Trunk Volume Convertible:
9.0 cu ft (255 liters) with top up, less with top down
NHTSA Frontal Impact Driver:
4 stars (for E46 3 Series)
NHTSA Frontal Impact Passenger:
4 stars (for E46 3 Series)
IIHS Side Impact:
Good (for E46 3 Series)
Traction Control:
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), M Dynamic Mode (MDM)
Braking System:
Four-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
Airbags:
Front dual-stage airbags, front side-impact airbags, front knee airbags (optional)
Seatbelts:
Three-point inertia-reel seat belts with pretensioners and force limiters
Structure:
Reinforced passenger cell, crumple zones
System Name:
BMW Professional Radio or optional Navigation System Professional
Features:
CD player, cassette player (early models), FM/AM radio, optional CD changer, GPS navigation, OBC (On-Board Computer).
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control functionality.
Parking Assist:
Rear Park Distance Control (PDC) was optional.
Phone Integration:
Optional Bluetooth hands-free interface (for compatible phones).
Oil Change Interval:
Typically every 7,500-15,000 miles or 12-24 months, dependent on CBS (Condition Based Service) system or manual recommendation.
Inspection Service:
Condition Based Service (CBS) monitors wear and tear; major inspections at approximately 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles, etc.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Around 60,000 miles (may vary based on specific spark plug type and driving conditions)
Engine Oil:
BMW Longlife-01 (LL-01) approved synthetic oil, SAE 0W-40 or 5W-40 recommended.
Coolant:
BMW Blue Antifreeze/Coolant (G48) mixed 50/50 with distilled water.
Brake Fluid:
DOT 4, preferably BMW Super DOT 4 or a high-performance equivalent.
Transmission Fluid Manual:
BMW MTF LT-2 or equivalent (e.g., Red Line D4 ATF, Castrol Syntrans).
Transmission Fluid Smg:
Pentosin CHF 11S or Pentosin CHF 202 hydraulic fluid.
Differential Fluid:
BMW Hypoid Gear Oil G2 or equivalent (e.g., Castrol SAF-XJ or Mobil 1 75W-140).
Rod Bearings:
Wear on rod bearings is a known potential issue, especially in higher-mileage or tracked vehicles. Early detection and replacement are crucial.
Subframe Mounts:
Cracking or separation of rear subframe mounting points can occur due to stress.
Oil Vanos Seals:
Degradation of VANOS (Variable Valve Timing) seals can lead to reduced performance and rough idle.
Cooling System:
Water pump and thermostat failures can occur, leading to overheating. Regular coolant checks are important.
Bmw M Division:
BMW M GmbH (formerly Motorsport division) is BMW's high-performance division, established in 1972, known for creating iconic performance vehicles.
M3 Lineage:
The E46 M3 is the fourth generation of the M3, succeeding the E36 M3. It represented a significant leap in performance and technology.
E46 M3 Generation:
Produced from 2000 to 2006, with the E46 M3 launching in 2000 for the 2001 model year in Europe and 2001 for the 2002 model year in North America. The Convertible followed shortly after.
Manufacturing Plant:
Regensburg, Germany
Production Volume:
Around 85,000 units globally (coupe and convertible combined)