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

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series 328i Saloon E46 is the 5 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 2793cc 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 1395 kgs (3075 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series 328i Saloon E46 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 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 2793cc 24V St6 engine produces 193 bhp (143 kW) @ 5300 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 2001 Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo (163.2 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 138.3 bhp per ton and 148.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1998 3 Series competing with the 2001 Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo (163.2 bhp per ton) or the 1988 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth (163.2 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 148.3 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 Audi A5 S5 3.0 Quattro Cabriolet (173.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2003 Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp (173.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.0 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series 328i Saloon E46 as fast as the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (6.80 secs) the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (6.80 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Countrman (6.80 secs) the or the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Brera JTS 3.2 V6 24v (6.80 secs). This BMW 3 Series 328i Saloon E46 is also faster than 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 and the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.82 secs @ 86.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe (15.75 secs), the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26R (15.75 secs), and the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 (15.75 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1998 version of the BMW 3 Series 328i Saloon E46 has a maximum speed of 147mph.

Top Speed of the 1998 3 Series equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 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 328i Saloon E46 then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph), or the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (158 mph).

Related Links:

1998 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison