Performance Review: BMW 3 Series 330ci E46/2 - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series 330ci E46/2 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 2979cc 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 1505 kgs (3317 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series 330ci E46/2 in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 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 2979cc 24V St6 engine produces 228 bhp (170 kW) @ 5900 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 221 lb-ft (299.6 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 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 2013 Volvo S60 T6 3.0 Turbo (176.4 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 151.4 bhp per ton and 146.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 3 Series competing with the 2013 Volvo S60 T6 3.0 Turbo (176.4 bhp per ton) or the 1991 Porsche 944 Turbo Cabriolet (176.4 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 146.8 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 Audi A4 RS4 4.2 FSI Cabriolet (171.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1954 Frazer-Nash Sebring 2.0 Roadster (171.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.6 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series 330ci E46/2 as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the or the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs). This BMW 3 Series 330ci E46/2 is also faster than 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 and the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 1970 Chevrolet Malibu 5.7 V8 Turbo Hydra-Matic

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.33 secs @ 89.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Chevrolet Malibu 5.7 V8 Turbo Hydra-Matic (15.26 secs), the 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12 (15.29 secs), and the 1953 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Coupe (15.30 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the BMW 3 Series 330ci E46/2 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 3 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 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 330ci E46/2 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2006 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison