The BMW 3 Series E46 is considered one of the best editions of the 3 Series, and it's not just us who say it, there are thousands of fans, users and experts in the field who support the idea and, deep down, it's no wonder. The E46 arrived at a key moment for the German firm, one of the best moments for BMW, without a doubt; it was 1998, the 3st century was just around the corner and BMW had its sights set on a future that would be overwhelming: BMW 46 Series E5, BMW 39 Series E7, BMW 38 Series E3 and BMW ZXNUMX, among others, made up a catalogue that has been very difficult to match.
It was then that the brand really began to become an object of desire., one of the main references in the segment with cars of exceptional performance and quality, thanks to one of the best generations of vehicles. A clear evolution of what was already in its catalogue, since the E3 36 Series marked an important change with respect to the E30 and there was no other option, they had to mark a great leap in all sections. Without going any further, it was with the E46 when the brand developed one of the best 4-cylinder engines in the category, but above all, one of the best turbodiesel engines on the market, regardless of the category in which the car in question was classified.

That turbodiesel engine was, of course, the one that gave life to the BMW 330d that arrived in stores in 1999, a six-cylinder inline with 2.926 cubic centimeters – a long-stroke engine, typical of diesels of those years – which thanks to a double camshaft, common-rail direct injection, tVariable geometry turbocharger with intercooler, produced 184 hp at 4.000 rpm and no less than 390 Nm of torque between 1.750 and 3.200 rpm.It was the most powerful diesel engine in its category, a marvel of technology and the capabilities of a brand, BMW, which was very strong during the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century.
THE BMW 330D WAS THE BENCHMARK AMONG DIESEL-ENGINED CARS OF ITS TYPE
With a five-speed gearbox, the BMW 330d was almost unchallengeable in all situations to which it was subjected by the press of the time. There was nothing similar that could match it. For example, At 160 km/h the engine was running at 3.000 rpm in idle, which still left a margin of 1.000 rpm until the ignition cut-off., which allowed it to reach 227 km/h, making it one of the fastest turbo-diesel cars on the market. Engine 16, in its number 838, recorded some more than interesting data. For example, during the first 30 metres of acceleration from a standstill, the BMW 330d could travel six metres per second and after the first 400 metres it was already travelling at 141 km/h.
All this with fuel consumption that, in relation to performance, was very low. The same magazine Motor 16 gave evidence of this: 9,4 liters per 100 kilometers in the city, 6,8 liters at 140 km/h, with an average of 7,9 liters and a range of about 700 kilometers “at a good pace” and fully loaded. The only bad thing, if anything, is that it cost 5.820.000 pesetas, about 35.000 euros without including the CPI.
Shortly after, another of the most desired versions of the E46 saga made its appearance, the BMW 330i, the version with a “gasoline” engine, Another six-cylinder that was considered at the time another marvel of technique and technology, which gave life to other models of the brand. To begin with, it was launched by the BMW X5 E53, the first generation of the German SUV, and later, it ended up in the engine compartment of the E46 and also the BMW Z3.
With the 330I, BMW proved that it was a specialist in cars with six-cylinder engines.
That engine had nothing to do with the six-cylinder engines that would come later. The first thing to know about this engine was its naturally aspirated nature, a technique and configuration that became a “trademark of the house”, the true essence of BMW that with 2.979 cubic centimetres, Double VANOS distribution and multi-point electronic injection, managed to achieve 231 hp at 5.900 rpm and 30,6 mkg at 3.500 rpmIt was one of the best engines in its class, which was above the 2.8 hp 193 and below the 3 hp M343. It also stood up to the Mercedes C320, which with 3,2 liters announced 218 hp and 310 Nm.

The BMW 330i, according to what was published at the time by the Autopista magazine - issue 2.132 - offered a soft and silky feel, with a strong but constant thrust, which extended up to the ignition cut-off, located at 6.500 revolutions, with astonishing ease. The top speed was electronically limited to 250 km/h, but it could complete 0 to 100 km/h in 6,5 seconds. and offer an average consumption of 9,1 liters, a figure that may seem high, but in reality, it was more than good at the time.
Two six-cylinder options within the same range, a turbodiesel and a gasoline, Two cars, the BMW 330i and the BMW 330d, which are legendary and, without a doubt, future classics. which will soon see their prices skyrocket. If you like either of them, take advantage before it's too late.