Performance Review: BMW 3 Series 325i Saloon E46 - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series 325i Saloon E46 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular BMW 3 Series has a 2996cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 3 Series shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . 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 1636 kgs (3606 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series 325i Saloon E46 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2996cc 24V St6 engine produces 215 bhp (160 kW) @ 6250 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 185 lb-ft (250.8 Nm) @ 7750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 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 2006 Renault Clio 2.0 16V 197bhp (156.4 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 131.4 bhp per ton and 113.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 3 Series competing with the 2006 Renault Clio 2.0 16V 197bhp (156.4 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Volvo S60 T5 2.4 Turbo (156.2 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 113.0 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 2006 Volvo C70 2.5 T5 Coupe Convertible Sport (137.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1996 BMW 5 Series 530i Saloon E39 (137.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series 325i Saloon E46 as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs). This BMW 3 Series 325i Saloon E46 is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 1975 Jaguar XJ S V12

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.05 secs @ 85.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1975 Jaguar XJ S V12 (15.99 secs), the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo (15.99 secs), and the 1954 Frazer-Nash Sebring 2.0 Roadster (15.99 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the BMW 3 Series 325i Saloon E46 has a maximum speed of 0mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 3 Series equals the 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 (65 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 BMW 3 Series 325i Saloon E46 then how about the 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 (65 mph), the 1992 Hummer H1 6.2 V8 4 Door (68 mph), or the 1961 Renault 4 L Export (70 mph).

Related Links:

2006 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison