Performance Review: BMW 3 Series 330d Sports Saloon E46 - [1998]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series 330d Sports 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 1999 Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged and the 1998 Mercedes CLK GTR 6.9 V12.This particular BMW 3 Series has a 2993cc Naturally Aspirated Diesel powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Diesel St6's includes the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30

The 3 Series shares its Diesel St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 and the 2013 BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10. 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 1520 kgs (3351 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series 330d Sports Saloon E46 in the same weight category as the 2024 Ferrari F80 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 ZX (201 bhp)

In terms of power the 2993cc 24V St6 engine produces 204 bhp (152 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 ZX (201 bhp) or the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 302 lb-ft (409.4 Nm) @ 1750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Audi A3 S3 Sportback (310 lb-ft) or the 2024 Audi A3 S3 Sedan (310 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 1991 Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16v (159.2 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 134.2 bhp per ton and 198.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1998 3 Series competing with the 1991 Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16v (159.2 bhp per ton) or the 1995 BMW 7 Series 750i E38 Auto (159.1 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 198.6 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 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (223.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (223.4 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 330d Sports Saloon 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 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs). This BMW 3 Series 330d Sports Saloon 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 2018 BMW X7 M50d 3.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.96 secs @ 85.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2018 BMW X7 M50d 3.0 Turbo (15.88 secs), the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182 (15.88 secs), and the 2011 Infiniti FX 37 3.7 V6 (15.88 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1998 version of the BMW 3 Series 330d Sports Saloon E46 has a maximum speed of 150mph.

Top Speed of the 1998 3 Series equals the 2013 Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6 Turbo (161 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 330d Sports Saloon E46 then how about the 2013 Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6 Turbo (161 mph), the 2013 Porsche Panamera 3.6 V6 (161 mph), or the 2011 Radical SR3 SL 2.0 Turbo (161 mph).

Related Links:

1998 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison