BMW 3 series 2001 Touring E46 Estate car
Very pleasant to drive
Even an old car looks visually appealing
Comfortable interior
Powerful also with 2.0l diesel engine
I like the equipment - multi steering, climate control, sunroof, etc.
Comfortable, easy to park
Does not require large investments, repairs are not expensive
Popular model, many spare parts available, both new and used
read all BMW 3 series reviews
This BMW is available with five petrol engines with displacement from 1.8 to 3.0 litres and power of from 116 to 231 horsepower un four diesel engines with displacement from 2.0 to 3.0 litres and power of from 115 to 204 horsepower.
The car is available with both manual (17 versions), as well as automatic (14 versions) gearbox.
BMW 3 series 2001 Touring E46 Estate car average fuel consumption in combined cycle for petrol engine is from 7.3 to 11 litres per 100km, whereas for diesel engine - from 5.7 to 8.9 litres per 100km. The most fuel efficient BMW 3 series 2001 Touring E46 Estate car petrol engine version is BMW 316i Touring, consuming 7.3 litres per 100km. While the most fuel efficient BMW 3 series 2001 Touring E46 Estate car diesel - BMW 320d Touring for 100 kilometers consumes 5.7 liters of diesel.
According to user reviews, BMW 3 series real-world fuel consumption is on average about approximately for 4 percents higher as the manufacturer's claimed fuel economy (on average +5% for petrol engines and +3% for diesel engines). For a more detailed actual fuel economy of each model, select a specific BMW 3 series modification.
BMW 3 series 2001 Touring E46 Estate car CO2 emissions for petrol engine are from 177 to 264 grams per kilometer, whereas for diesel engine - from 153 to 238 grams per kilometer. From BMW 3 series with petrol engines the lowest CO2 emissions has BMW 316i Touring which produces an average of 177 grams of CO2 per kilometer. In turn, from the BMW 3 series diesels least CO2 distributes BMW 320d Touring - 153 grams per km.
The best acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h - 6.7 seconds has BMW 330xi Touring version, conversely the tardiest one is BMW 316i Touring reaching this speed only in 12 seconds. The maximum top speed is 250 km/h for the 3.0 petrol 6-cylinder 231 hp version (BMW 330i Touring) and the 3.0 petrol 231 hp version (BMW 330i Touring).
Lenght of BMW 3 series is 448 cm, it is decent size car. For comparison - BMW 3 series is about 3 cm longer than Ford Focus estate car / wagon, but 4 cm shorter than Opel Astra estate car / wagon. BMW 3 series gross weight is from 1930 to 2225 kg (depending on modification), this car is about 17 percent heavier than the average for this age and class of vehicles. BMW 3 series trunk space is 435 litres, by folding down all rear seats boot capacity can be increased to 1345 litres.
This BMW is quite costly - it can be purchased (in Latvia) for around 2400 €. According to user reviews, average BMW 3 series repair costs are 340 € per year. Users calculated BMW 3 series 2001 cost of ownership for this generation, got average 3400 € cost per year and 0.23 € cost per one kilometer. Fuel costs were estimated at around 66%, while repair and maintenance costs - around 19% from total. We have an excellent car cost calculator, calculate ownership costs of BMW 3 series for your situation and driving habits here! Below you will find more detailed information about BMW 3 series prices and costs.
In user reviews BMW 3 series received average grade 8.0 (from 10) it corresponds to average rate for cars of this age. Ratings are quite controversial, both positive and not so good, read more in the reviews below. 94% of reviewers would recommend this car to the friend.
BMW 3 series modifications
Modification | Engine | Power | Consumption | Gearbox | Drive type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BMW 316i Touring
Mar 2002 — Sep 2005 Most fuel efficient petrol version |
1.8 Petrol | 116 HP | 7.3 l/100km | Manual (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 316i Touring Mar 2002 — Sep 2005 | 1.8 Petrol | 116 HP | 8.1 l/100km | Automatic (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 318i Touring Sep 2001 — Sep 2005 | 2.0 Petrol | 143 HP | 7.4 l/100km | Manual (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 318i Touring Sep 2001 — Sep 2005 | 2.0 Petrol | 143 HP | 8.2 l/100km | Automatic (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 318d Touring
Mar 2002 — Sep 2005 Most fuel efficient diesel version by real consumption |
2.0 Diesel | 115 HP | 5.9 l/100km | Manual (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 318d
Jan 2003 — Dec 2005 Most fuel efficient diesel version by real consumption |
2.0 Diesel | 115 HP | 5.8 l/100km | Manual (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 318d Jan 2003 — Dec 2005 | 2.0 Diesel | 115 HP | 6.8 l/100km | Automatic (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 318d Touring Mar 2003 — Sep 2005 | 2.0 Diesel | 115 HP | 6.9 l/100km | Automatic (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 320d Touring
Sep 2001 — Mar 2003 Most fuel efficient diesel version |
2.0 Diesel | 150 HP | 5.7 l/100km | Manual (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 320d Touring Mar 2003 — Sep 2005 | 2.0 Diesel | 150 HP | 5.9 l/100km | Manual (6) | Rear wheel |
BMW 320d Touring Sep 2001 — Sep 2005 | 2.0 Diesel | 150 HP | 7.1 l/100km | Automatic (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 320i Touring Sep 2001 — Sep 2005 | 2.2 Petrol | 170 HP | 9.0 l/100km | Manual (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 320i Touring Sep 2001 — Sep 2005 | 2.2 Petrol | 170 HP | 9.6 l/100km | Automatic (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 325i Touring Sep 2001 — Sep 2005 | 2.5 Petrol | 192 HP | 9.2 l/100km | Manual (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 325i Touring Sep 2001 — Sep 2005 | 2.5 Petrol | 192 HP | 9.7 l/100km | Automatic (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 325xi Touring 4x4 Sep 2001 — Sep 2005 | 2.5 Petrol | 192 HP | 10.0 l/100km | Manual (5) | All wheel |
BMW 325xi Touring 4x4 Sep 2001 — Sep 2005 | 2.5 Petrol | 192 HP | 11.0 l/100km | Automatic (5) | All wheel |
BMW 330d Touring Sep 2001 — Mar 2003 | 2.9 Diesel | 184 HP | 7.0 l/100km | Manual (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 330d Touring Sep 2001 — Mar 2003 | 2.9 Diesel | 184 HP | 8.1 l/100km | Automatic (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 330xd Touring 4x4 Sep 2001 — Mar 2003 | 2.9 Diesel | 184 HP | 7.8 l/100km | Manual (5) | All wheel |
BMW 330xd Touring 4x4 Sep 2001 — Mar 2003 | 2.9 Diesel | 184 HP | 8.9 l/100km | Automatic (5) | All wheel |
BMW 330i Touring
Sep 2001 — Mar 2003 Most dynamic version - 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds |
3.0 Petrol | 231 HP | 9.3 l/100km | Manual (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 330i Touring
Mar 2003 — Sep 2005 Most dynamic version - 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds |
3.0 Petrol | 231 HP | 9.3 l/100km | Manual (6) | Rear wheel |
BMW 330i Touring Sep 2001 — Sep 2005 | 3.0 Petrol | 231 HP | 9.8 l/100km | Automatic (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 330xi Touring 4x4
Sep 2001 — Mar 2003 Most dynamic version - 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds |
3.0 Petrol | 231 HP | 9.8 l/100km | Manual (5) | All wheel |
BMW 330xi Touring 4x4 Mar 2003 — Sep 2005 | 3.0 Petrol | 231 HP | 10.0 l/100km | Manual (6) | All wheel |
BMW 330xi Touring 4x4 Sep 2001 — Sep 2005 | 3.0 Petrol | 231 HP | 11.0 l/100km | Automatic (5) | All wheel |
BMW 330d Touring Mar 2003 — Sep 2005 | 3.0 Diesel | 204 HP | 6.8 l/100km | Manual (6) | Rear wheel |
BMW 330d Touring Mar 2003 — Sep 2005 | 3.0 Diesel | 204 HP | 7.9 l/100km | Automatic (5) | Rear wheel |
BMW 330xd Touring 4x4 Mar 2003 — Sep 2005 | 3.0 Diesel | 204 HP | 7.8 l/100km | Manual (6) | All wheel |
BMW 330xd Touring 4x4 Mar 2003 — Sep 2005 | 3.0 Diesel | 204 HP | 8.9 l/100km | Automatic (5) | All wheel |
BMW 3 series safety
During safety testing BMW 3 series has obtained 4 stars from five, which means good safety level.
Adults (driver and passenger) safety of BMW 3 series is evaluated with four stars, and for pedestrian protection BMW 3 series got one star.
BMW 3 series prices
BMW 3 series 2001 - 2005 estate car price in Latvia is from 1400 € to 3700 €.
Comparing to analogical vehicles BMW 3 series price is very high - BMW 3 series is approximately for 65 percents more expensive then average estate cars of this age (compare estate cars 2001 - 2005 prices). Despite of price above average BMW 3 series quality is not so good (see below), so this BMW may not be the best choice for this price.
Year | Lowest | Average | Highest | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
BMW 3 series 2005 price | 2300 € | 3000 € | 3700 € | |
BMW 3 series 2004 price | 1900 € | 2400 € | 3000 € | |
BMW 3 series 2003 price | 1600 € | 2500 € | 3200 € | |
BMW 3 series 2002 price | 1400 € | 2200 € | 3100 € | |
BMW 3 series 2001 price | 1400 € | 2100 € | 2800 € |
BMW 3 series total costs of ownership
How much really costs to own BMW 3 series? Users calculated BMW 3 series 2001 cost of ownership for this generation, got average 3400 € cost per year and 0.23 € cost per one kilometer.
To calculate the BMW 3 series total running costs, including the purchase, insurance, maintenance costs as well as taxes and other costs, click year of production
BMW 3 series 2001 BMW 3 series 2002 BMW 3 series 2003 BMW 3 series 2004 BMW 3 series 2005
BMW 3 series reliability and quality
According to yearly reports of vehicle inspection service BMW 3 series reliability is more below average. In the roadworthiness tests carried out in 2016, defects were detected in an average of 35.9 percent of BMW 3 series of this generation (on average 13 years old at the time of inspection). The average failure rate for a vehicles of the same age was 31.4%.
BMW 3 series 2001 Touring E46 Estate car features (options)
Percentage of BMW 3 series with corresponding feature (option)
82% Climate control
79% Metallic paint
61% Adjustable steering wheel
58% Roof bars (railings)
51% Rain sensor
47% Cruise control
46% Xenon headlights
37% Rear parking sensors
33% Leather upholstery
33% Heated seats
33% Navigation
20% Sunroof
19% Dimming mirrors
16%
BMW 3 series 2001 Touring E46 Estate car photo images
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- fewer faults
- lower fuel consumption
- also available in 2WD
- fewer faults
- lower fuel consumption
- roomier boot
- lower price
- fewer faults
- roomier boot
- also available in 2WD
- fewer faults
- roomier boot
- fewer faults
- lower price
BMW 3 series reviews
Total 75 BMW 3 series owner reviews
Purchase year: | 2015 (age of car 13 years) | Owned for: | 40`000 kilometers (3 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 10.0 litres per 100km (90% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 1860 € (~ 620 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: Very pleasant to drive
Even an old car looks visually appealing
Comfortable interior
Powerful also with 2.0l diesel engine
I like the equipment - multi steering, climate control, sunroof, etc.
Comfortable, easy to park
Does not require large investments, repairs are not expensive
Popular model, many spare parts available, both new and used
Cons: Fuel-inefficient
Very brittle rolling stock, suspension. If driven over potholes, rolling and suspension must be repaired for sure.
Be aware of the car's weak points: radiator is sensitive to shocks and air conditioning may not work, boot lid rusts, so number plate illumination is affected
Purchase year: | 2016 (age of car 15 years) | Owned for: | 105`000 kilometers (4 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 8.8 litres per 100km (50% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 2000 € (~ 500 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: Car is powerful stable, sporty, comfortable, beautiful. Engine is good! Consumption very good, lots of extras!
Cons: Rust, Rust, Rust. The running gear is very sweaty and tears regularly. The oil sometimes gets out of the engine somewhere, if you chip it you will soon be able to look for a new gearbox and reducer as well as a hanging bearing, a little expensive.also the same hanging bearing is very brittle, you will smoke the tires a couple of times and start to vibrate, the price is not terrible but change often with reluctance!
Purchase year: | 2019 (age of car 17 years) | Owned for: | 60`000 kilometers (3 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 6.5 litres per 100km (30% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 5110 € (~ 1703 € per year) |
Would NOT recomend this car to the friend
Pros: A very good car if you have a lot of money (if you want to maintain it properly). The M57 engine is, of course, like taken from WW2 tank that is still alive today.
Cons: Rust is probably crazier than Opel, but it's more the owners' fault for ignoring rust in early stages, which are economically unviable to save later
Purchase year: | 2016 (age of car 13 years) | Owned for: | 15`000 kilometers (1 year) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 8.0 litres per 100km (30% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 780 € (~ 780 € per year) |
Would NOT recomend this car to the friend
Pros: Relatively flexible, dynamic, warm, simple
Cons: Engine N42 sucks. Something broke on a regular basis, produces a variety of hitherto unheard of until end of sounds that are not managed to avoid. It is difficult to find fault. Eat oil, a white oil appears. Hard and rattles. Rusts. Glass elevators holds on nothing. In short, away from those engines, more than 100 000km it is not intended.
Purchase year: | 2020 (age of car 19 years) | Owned for: | 15`000 kilometers (1 year) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 8.0 litres per 100km (50% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 1900 € (~ 1900 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: Pleasant and good-looking. Sporty. Easy to drive. Powerful. Convenient.
Cons: Expensive engine parts. Complex engine and its supportive structure. With automatic transmission very diesel edible. The control system is fragile. Brutally baggy, on the smallest failure stands still. The fuel system has been repaired 2 times, still having problems
Purchase year: | 2014 (age of car 11 years) | Owned for: | 45`000 kilometers (2 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 7.4 litres per 100km (60% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 640 € (~ 320 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: If you get cared one, it is ideal. If not, then spend an average of 1500-2000 euro to bring in perfect order.
Cons: Sometimes passengers does not have enough room in back.
Purchase year: | 2018 (age of car 14 years) | Owned for: | 15`000 kilometers (0 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 6.5 litres per 100km (80% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 300 € |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: Solid body, fast, great stability on the bends, comfort seats, very relaxing in long journeys, reliable for fast over taking.
Cons: None
Purchase year: | 2014 (age of car 12 years) | Owned for: | 20`000 kilometers (3 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 7.0 litres per 100km (30% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 100 € (~ 33 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: A very good car, which does not require large investments. Tough under circumstances in Latvia.
Cons: Can crawl into rust
Purchase year: | 2015 (age of car 14 years) | Owned for: | 60`000 kilometers (1 year) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 6.7 litres per 100km (40% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 470 € (~ 470 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: Overall, car is good. Comfortable and convenient, relatively powerful
Cons: Could be softer suspension
Purchase year: | 2019 (age of car 18 years) | Owned for: | 1`000 kilometers (0 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 8.0 litres per 100km (40% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 80 € |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: Economical enough, nimble, comfortable seats. Cheap parts!
Cons: Small boot. Uncomfortable for sleeping.
Purchase year: | 2014 (age of car 12 years) | Owned for: | 65`000 kilometers (5 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 7.0 litres per 100km (90% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 890 € (~ 178 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: Comfortable, good quality interior and durable suspension
Cons: Rust, problems with coolant loss
Purchase year: | 2016 (age of car 14 years) | Owned for: | 12`000 kilometers (1 year) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 7.6 litres per 100km (60% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 120 € (~ 120 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: A practical, very powerful (good capacity margin, if needed)
Cons: A large road tax..
Purchase year: | 2015 (age of car 14 years) | Owned for: | 30`000 kilometers (2 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 10.0 litres per 100km (70% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 1210 € (~ 605 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: A very good, reliable and secure car.
Purchase year: | 2023 (age of car 21 year) | Owned for: | 11`000 kilometers (0 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 4.8 litres per 100km (30% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 140 € |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: Economical, dynamic
Cons: Frequent repairs, not comfortable
Purchase year: | 2017 (age of car 14 years) | Owned for: | 40`000 kilometers (2 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 8.0 litres per 100km (90% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 120 € (~ 60 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: Dynamic, very enjoyable
Cons: Rusts, unfortunately
Purchase year: | 2014 (age of car 13 years) | Owned for: | 80`000 kilometers (2 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 6.2 litres per 100km (50% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 500 € (~ 250 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: Economic and dynamic
Cons: Thermostats to change
Purchase year: | 2008 (age of car 5 years) | Owned for: | 150`000 kilometers (7 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 6.0 litres per 100km (60% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 2360 € (~ 337 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: Classic driving car, joy ride
Purchase year: | 2015 (age of car 12 years) | Owned for: | 15`000 kilometers (1 year) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 6.0 litres per 100km (60% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 75 € (~ 75 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Pros: Comfort driving
Cons: Shaking at idle speed
Purchase year: | 2016 (age of car 12 years) | Owned for: | 3`000 kilometers (0 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 5.0 litres per 100km (50% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 840 € |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Cons: Audio system could be better.
Purchase year: | 2014 (age of car 10 years) | Owned for: | 30`000 kilometers (3 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 10.0 litres per 100km (60% urban driving) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Cons: corrosion
Purchase year: | 2013 (age of car 9 years) | Owned for: | 100`000 kilometers (2 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 5.8 litres per 100km (20% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 460 € (~ 230 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Purchase year: | 2014 (age of car 10 years) | Owned for: | 30`000 kilometers (1 year) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 6.5 litres per 100km (30% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 185 € (~ 185 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Purchase year: | 2015 (age of car 11 years) | Owned for: | 15`000 kilometers (1 year) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 10.0 litres per 100km (40% urban driving) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Purchase year: | 2006 (age of car 5 years) | Owned for: | 200`000 kilometers (10 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 7.0 litres per 100km (80% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 800 € (~ 80 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Purchase year: | 2016 (age of car 14 years) | Owned for: | 70`000 kilometers (1 year) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 6.0 litres per 100km (50% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 1600 € (~ 1600 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Purchase year: | 2006 (age of car 3 years) | Owned for: | 40`000 kilometers (13 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 7.5 litres per 100km (60% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 570 € (~ 43 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Purchase year: | 2016 (age of car 12 years) | Owned for: | 100`000 kilometers (4 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 5.2 litres per 100km (30% urban driving) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Purchase year: | 2019 (age of car 16 years) | Owned for: | 25`000 kilometers (1 year) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 6.0 litres per 100km (50% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 2190 € (~ 2190 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Purchase year: | 2016 (age of car 11 years) | Owned for: | 50`000 kilometers (4 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 7.0 litres per 100km (60% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 1180 € (~ 295 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Purchase year: | 2019 (age of car 16 years) | Owned for: | 310`000 kilometers (2 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 7.0 litres per 100km (20% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 435 € (~ 217 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Purchase year: | 2015 (age of car 13 years) | Owned for: | 26`000 kilometers (0 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 6.0 litres per 100km (70% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 300 € |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Purchase year: | 2012 (age of car 10 years) | Owned for: | 22`000 kilometers (3 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 7.0 litres per 100km (80% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 35 € (~ 11 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend
Purchase year: | 2015 (age of car 14 years) | Owned for: | 100`000 kilometers (3 years) |
---|---|---|---|
Average fuel consumption: | 6.0 litres per 100km (60% urban driving) | ||
Total cost of repairs: | 700 € (~ 233 € per year) |
Would recomend this car to the friend