Performance Review: BMW 3 Series 328CI Saloon E46 - [1998]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series 328CI Saloon E46 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1998. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular BMW 3 Series has a 2798cc 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, Coupe 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 1471 kgs (3242 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series 328CI Saloon E46 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 2798cc 24V St6 engine produces 193 bhp (143 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 207 lb-ft (280.6 Nm) @ 3950 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 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 2000 Volvo S60 T5 2.4 Turbo (156.2 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 131.2 bhp per ton and 140.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1998 3 Series competing with the 2000 Volvo S60 T5 2.4 Turbo (156.2 bhp per ton) or the 2010 Audi A8 3.0 TFSI Quattro (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 140.7 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 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo (165.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1993 Mazda RX7 FD Turbo (165.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series 328CI Saloon E46 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This BMW 3 Series 328CI Saloon E46 is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.09 secs @ 85.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1 (16.02 secs), the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (16.02 secs), and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (16.03 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1998 version of the BMW 3 Series 328CI Saloon E46 has a maximum speed of 148mph.

Top Speed of the 1998 3 Series equals the 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 Turbo (159 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1998 BMW 3 Series 328CI Saloon E46 then how about the 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 Turbo (159 mph), the 2016 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 (159 mph), or the 2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 (159 mph).

Related Links:

1998 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison