Performance Review: BMW 3 Series 330ci E46 - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series 330ci E46 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.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 1675 kgs (3692 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series 330ci E46 in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 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 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 1985 Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged (161.1 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 136.1 bhp per ton and 131.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 3 Series competing with the 1985 Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged (161.1 bhp per ton) or the 1991 Chevrolet Camaro 5.7 V8 Z28 (161.1 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 131.9 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 2009 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.4 Turbo (156.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1955 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Gullwing W198 (156.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.1 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series 330ci E46 as fast as the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the or the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (6.90 secs). This BMW 3 Series 330ci E46 is also faster than the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 2007 Mazda 6 MPS 2.3T

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.86 secs @ 86.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Mazda 6 MPS 2.3T (15.78 secs), the 2011 Lexus GS 350 (15.79 secs), and the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen (15.80 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the BMW 3 Series 330ci E46 has a maximum speed of 153mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 3 Series equals the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260 (164 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 BMW 3 Series 330ci E46 then how about the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260 (164 mph), the 1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400S (164 mph), or the 1967 Ford GT 40 (164 mph).

Related Links:

2001 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison