Performance Review: BMW 3 Series 318is 4d Saloon E46 - [1996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series 318is 4d Saloon E46 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1996. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12.This particular BMW 3 Series has a 1895cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 3 Series shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 3 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1260 kgs (2777 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series 318is 4d Saloon E46 in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1895cc 16V St4 engine produces 138 bhp (102 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 133 lb-ft (180.3 Nm) @ 4300 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 3 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1981 Ford Capri 2.8i (134.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 3 Series.

The BMW 3 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 109.5 bhp per ton and 105.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1996 3 Series competing with the 1981 Ford Capri 2.8i (134.4 bhp per ton) or the 1998 BMW 3 Series 330d Sports Saloon E46 (134.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 3 Series generating around 105.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 2.5 V6 GSi (130.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero-Shogun Evolution 3.5 V6 (130.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.0 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series 318is 4d Saloon E46 as fast as the 2005 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (9.70 secs) the 1994 Peugeot 106 Rallye (9.70 secs) the 1984 Peugeot 604 GTi 2.8 V6 (9.70 secs) the or the 1977 Ford Cortina MKV 2.3 Ghia (9.70 secs). This BMW 3 Series 318is 4d Saloon E46 is also faster than the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (9.80 secs) the 1980 Ford Mustang M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo (9.80 secs) the 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra 2.3 V6 Turbo (9.80 secs) the and the 1979 Volvo 242 GT 2.3 (9.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 1984 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.13 secs @ 79.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1984 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo (17.05 secs), the 1998 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo RT (17.06 secs), and the 1963 Lotus Super Severn 1.5L (17.06 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1996 version of the BMW 3 Series 318is 4d Saloon E46 has a maximum speed of 132mph.

Top Speed of the 1996 3 Series equals the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (143 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1996 BMW 3 Series 318is 4d Saloon E46 then how about the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (143 mph), the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (143 mph), or the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (143 mph).

Related Links:

1996 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison