The BMW 3 Series is an entry-level luxury car / compact executive car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It was the successor to the 2002 coupe, retaining much of that car's styling while adding a more powerful 2.0 L 110 hp (82 kW) engine and other performance enhancements. The 3 Series was for some time the smallest car line manufactured by BMW (exempting the BMW-owned MINI), although that place was in 2004 taken by the BMW 1 Series. The 3 Series is BMW's best selling automobile, accounting for nearly 40% of all automobiles sold by the company in 2005.[1].The 3 Series is the best selling luxury sedan in the United States — 98,000 vehicles were sold in 2005.[2]
The E46 chassis began to replace the E36 specification for 1998. Only the 4-door sedans were updated that year. The E36 coupé and touring models lasted one more year until the E46 replacements arrived for model year 2000. The 2.8 L cars were called 328 while 2.5 L cars got the confusing 323 name. The new M54 engines appeared for 2001; with the new 3.0 L 330 replacing the 328, BMW renamed the 2.5 L car the 325. Also in 2001, the compact 3-door version appeared on the european market, but it was replaced in 2004 by the 1 series. During the second half of 2005 the E46 sedan and touring were phased out in favour of the new E90. The E46 coupé and convertible remain in production well into 2006. The E46 Coupe & Convertible used a "ci" (standing for coupe/convertible) instead of "i".
The BMW M52 inline 6-cylinder engine was used in a variety of BMW models, including the E36 3 Series, the E39 5 Series Sedan, the Z3 and the E46 3 Series.
The M52 was an upgrade to the successful M50 engine. The M52 was produced in 2.0 (M52B20), 2.5 liter (M52B25) and 2.8 liter (M52B28) configurations. When the BMW E46 3 Series was launched in 1999, the M52TU engine was introduced in the E46 323i, E46 328i and the E39 528i models. The major changes in this Technical Update were the redesigned crankcase, modified pistons, Double VANOS for the camshaft drive, and Siemens MS42 DME system. Later, the E39 523i was introduced with the M52B25TU engine.
BMW took a large step in 1994 with the introduction of an aluminum block with the wear-resistant Nikasil coating on the cylinder bores. This reduced the engine's weight from around 190 kg (M50) to some 160 kg (M52). The camshafts were now fitted with counterbalancing masses, as was already the case on those of the eight-cylinder engine.
With the introduction of the M52 a new BMW power-output characteristic was introduced as well. The maximum power of 192 bhp previously achieved with the 2.5-liter engine was now reached with a 2.8 liter engine that delivered a significantly higher maximum torque. The new 2.5-liter engine was positioned between the 2.0-liter and 2.8-liter versions with its 170 bhp.
As a special version for four countries with high-sulfur gasoline, the M52 was supplied with a cast-iron cylinder block. The Nikasil cylinder coating would have had marginal reliability under those operating conditions.
In 1998 the VANOS system, which initially adjusted only the inlet camshaft was developed into the Double-VANOS system which now adjusted the timing of the exhaust camshaft as well. This opened the potential for further optimization of the engine's performance.
The E46 3-Series is the car that won Andy Priaulx and BMW Team GB the World Touring Car Championship in 2005.
This car is the one driven by Tom Coronel who took the Independents Trophy for privateers in the FIA ETCC 2004.
(With information from wikipedia and BMW).
The E46 chassis began to replace the E36 specification for 1998. Only the 4-door sedans were updated that year. The E36 coupé and touring models lasted one more year until the E46 replacements arrived for model year 2000. The 2.8 L cars were called 328 while 2.5 L cars got the confusing 323 name. The new M54 engines appeared for 2001; with the new 3.0 L 330 replacing the 328, BMW renamed the 2.5 L car the 325. Also in 2001, the compact 3-door version appeared on the european market, but it was replaced in 2004 by the 1 series. During the second half of 2005 the E46 sedan and touring were phased out in favour of the new E90. The E46 coupé and convertible remain in production well into 2006. The E46 Coupe & Convertible used a "ci" (standing for coupe/convertible) instead of "i".
The BMW M52 inline 6-cylinder engine was used in a variety of BMW models, including the E36 3 Series, the E39 5 Series Sedan, the Z3 and the E46 3 Series.
The M52 was an upgrade to the successful M50 engine. The M52 was produced in 2.0 (M52B20), 2.5 liter (M52B25) and 2.8 liter (M52B28) configurations. When the BMW E46 3 Series was launched in 1999, the M52TU engine was introduced in the E46 323i, E46 328i and the E39 528i models. The major changes in this Technical Update were the redesigned crankcase, modified pistons, Double VANOS for the camshaft drive, and Siemens MS42 DME system. Later, the E39 523i was introduced with the M52B25TU engine.
BMW took a large step in 1994 with the introduction of an aluminum block with the wear-resistant Nikasil coating on the cylinder bores. This reduced the engine's weight from around 190 kg (M50) to some 160 kg (M52). The camshafts were now fitted with counterbalancing masses, as was already the case on those of the eight-cylinder engine.
With the introduction of the M52 a new BMW power-output characteristic was introduced as well. The maximum power of 192 bhp previously achieved with the 2.5-liter engine was now reached with a 2.8 liter engine that delivered a significantly higher maximum torque. The new 2.5-liter engine was positioned between the 2.0-liter and 2.8-liter versions with its 170 bhp.
As a special version for four countries with high-sulfur gasoline, the M52 was supplied with a cast-iron cylinder block. The Nikasil cylinder coating would have had marginal reliability under those operating conditions.
In 1998 the VANOS system, which initially adjusted only the inlet camshaft was developed into the Double-VANOS system which now adjusted the timing of the exhaust camshaft as well. This opened the potential for further optimization of the engine's performance.
The E46 3-Series is the car that won Andy Priaulx and BMW Team GB the World Touring Car Championship in 2005.
This car is the one driven by Tom Coronel who took the Independents Trophy for privateers in the FIA ETCC 2004.
(With information from wikipedia and BMW).
Comments