BMW 3 Series Generation E46

The portrait of the “car without flaws,” as the E46 was often called, began with a spectacular design. The team of designers, recently joined by the famous Chris Bangl, carefully and gently reworked, or even better to say, updated the look of the previous generation of the “three”. Branded Bavarian nostrils, having become a part of a hood, twin round headlights behind transparent dispensers and more sloping line of a roof have helped to create classical, timeless look which looks actual even today.

The new design has successfully concealed the noticeably increased dimensions of the 3 Series – the E46 has once again become more spacious. At the same time, the wide use of advanced materials in the design – aluminum and steel superalloys – helped the “3 Series” not to gain extra weight.

That’s why, as with the previous generation model, the restyled E46, introduced in 2001, kept the appearance of the original, having changed only in nuances – for example, the shape of the headlights, bumpers and taillights have changed. The basic equipment of all modifications includes a stabilization system.

But the main breakthrough happened on the engine front. At the Geneva Motor Show in 2001, BMW introduced the 316i Compact with a revolutionary Valvetronic variable valve control system, which does without throttle. The Valvetronic technology subsequently appeared on other versions of the three, and then on other BMW models.