Unofficialbmw.com

[rslong]

I'm new to the BMW world and I wanted to increase the performance and I know this is a dumb question, but whats the diff. between E36 and E46?

[rld777]

Hello,
You asked what the differance is between an e-36 and an e-46? First of all, the E-## designation is the factory "codename" for a series platform. Ie the new 7-series is the E-65, the old one was the E-38, etc. Well the differance is substantial, it is the newer model 3-series that BMW brought out beginning in 1999 with the 323i & 328i 4-door sedans, then in 2000 expanded with the 323i "touring" or wagon, and the 323Ci and 328Ci coupes. The models were again revised in 2001 with slightly upgraded engines and model designations of 325i and 330i, and in the case of the 330i the model designated an actual engine upgrade to 3.0 liters of displacement and 225 bhp. The 323i was actually a 2.5 liter six, but a "detuned" version to 170hp. The newer 325i is apx 190 hp. With the advent of the e-46 series, the engine blocks went to aluminum with cast-iron liners, (except the 3.2L M-3 engine) rather than all cast-iron for the block.

As for the E-36, in the US this model was imported between 1992 to 1999, with the sedan being replaced by the E-46 in 1999. The M-3 model, with a 3.0L 240 bhp six was introduced in 1995, in 1997 an M-3 sedan was introduced 1997 along with an upgraded 3.2 L six that still produced 240 bhp. The original offerings of the E-36 in the US were the 318i and 325i (sedan only) and then the 318is and 325is coupes and convertables were added within a year. The 318i & is used an M-42 1.8L four cylinder (apx 145 bhp) that was known for profile gasket failures. This engine was replaced in 1995 with a 1.9L four though the cars with this engine were still called "318." In 1995, the "ti" model was introduced, which was a 3-door hatchback and used an E-30 3-series-based rear suspension for space savings and cost reduction. the four cylinder models were dropped from the US lineup after 1999 after the 318ti was dropped and not replaced.

The 325i and is used the M-50 six cylinder engine, which recieved partially varible valve timing (VANOS) in 1993. This engine produced 189 bhp, and was replaced with the M-52 six cylinder of either 2.8 (328i & is) or 2.5 (323is) displacement.

Hope all this helps, may be an error two here or there. Would seriously reccommend Jeremy Walton's "3-series Enthusiast Guide" avalible from Bentley Publishers, and advertised eleswhere on this page. Welcome.

[Matt's 323IS]

After recently buying a 1999 323IS I have been told by some that it is a E36 model and others that it is a E46. Can anyone help me out here or at least point me in the right direction for the answer?

[donaldan]

One of the easiest way to tell them apart is the difference in the shape of the lights, front and rear.

Front light plastic lens cover
E36 - the lower edge goes straight across.
E46 - the lower edge is scalloped.

Rear lights
E36 - the inner slant line is straight.
E46 - the inner slant line is stepped.