The E46 appeared at the end of April 1998 as usual at BMW initially only as a sedan, with a revised six-cylinder (M52TU) and four petrol (M43TU). With the M47-diesel BMW sold a first direct. A year later, we pushed the coupe, and shortly thereafter the diesel six-cylinder M57, who only in the sedan, and in the autumn 1999 and appeared at BMW touring traditionally referred combi was available. In April 2000, followed by the Cabriolet. In June 2000, appeared with the 330i, the first M54 engine, in the autumn were also M52TU the other six-cylinder M54 by powerful versions replaced.

In autumn 2001 there was a facelift for Touring Sedan and the optics to a year before the revamped BMW E39 anlehnte, have not had standlight rings. Also appeared in a new four-generation engines with variable valve timing Valvetronic. Recognizable is the revamped version outwardly especially at differently shaped front and rear lights, the shallower, wider and square up BMW kidney, which is now running to the outside seam on the bonnet, and the lateral indicators, the waistline on the shoulder line the vehicle was hochversetzt. In March 2003 coupe and cabriolet were similar, but slightly optically independently permanent geLIFTet. For the models M3 and M3 CSL there during the entire period of construction no facelift. Only the tail lights have been modified slightly against lamps with LED technology exchange.

In mid-2001 was also another version of the compact 3-Series Open. Were the first engines with the new Valvetronic installed at the beginning a few months later the new model year also in the other E46 models appeared. Optically differs CompactFlash on the front and rear on the nature of the other designs. His strikingly distinctive front and rear lot scared the customers but rather so they can regardless of his class rather than driving to the Ingolstadt Audi A3 competitor accessed against the compact on the market had no chance. Also a model of care in 2003 could be nothing more change. His design was somewhat defused by the unusual clear glass rear lights had completely soft red. In addition, there was outwardly curved side skirts and new front and rear aprons, as well as an additional surround in the trunk lid. Nevertheless, the Compact series E46 the success of his predecessor not repeat and became the flop. His production was in late 2004 after only about three years of construction set. BMW learned from the mistakes in the market position of the past and designed as a successor to the 1er, a more independent series, which violates A3 and Golf in the compact class exist.

In addition to the above versions are available in the BMW M GmbH in Munich leistungsgesteigerten sports M3. In the version of the E46 (only coupe and cabriolet) draws the M3 252 kW (343 hp) from a six-cylinder in-line engine. In the weight, limited edition version with the name M3 CSL is 265 kW (360 hp) available. The best known BMW tuner Alpina (occurs strictly as a producer on) sets contrast with its E46 versions B3 and B3S (3.3 / 3.4-liter engine capacity, 206/224 kW) to a more komfortorientierte sportsmanship. These models are also not at 250 km / h abgeregelt, but reach a maximum speed of around 270 km / h.

The E46 is one of the best-selling vehicles in the last ten years. With him were also at BMW modern direct injection diesel engines in question, which at the time standards in terms of performance and culture setzten.Im barrel compared to its predecessor (E36), the passenger cell designed much stiffer and therefore the crash safety.

Prices 2004 from 21.500 € (3er Compact) to 85.000 € (M3 CSL)