Mid-year 1998 (MY 99)
316, 318, 320, 323, and 328 sedans are released to worldwide markets, designated "i"(excluding the US).
[edit]1999
323 and 328 E46 sedans introduced in the US (The 316 to 320 models were not released in the US to the general public at any point).
E46 coupe is launched into worldwide markets, designated "Ci" (excluding the US).
E46 Touring is launched into worldwide markets, designated "iT" (excluding the US).
[edit]2000
E46 coupe is launched into the US.
E46 Touring is launched into the US.
Dynamic Stability Control replaces Automatic Stability Control.
Auto Recirculation becomes standard.
The 323 has 15-inch alloy wheels standard (replacing hub caps for no-option package 323s).
The Premium Package has wood trim and moonroof standard, with 16-inch wheels only (no more 15-inch offered).
The 323 gets the Sport/Premium combo package offered.
Power seats are a stand-alone option on 323.
[edit]Mid-year 2000 (9/99)
Power seats with driver's seat memory upgraded to include exterior mirror memory.
Radio has clock function; as a result, an onboard computer function and the time can be displayed at the same time.
Child seat tether anchorages added as standard equipment.
Center console buttons redesigned.
New key design
Automatic transmission changes to Steptronic
[edit]2001
323i (2.5) is replaced by the 320i (2.2) and receives the new M54B22 engine
328i is replaced by the 330i and receives the new M54B30 engine
325xi and 330xi all-wheel-drive models are introduced
All 2001 325xi for U.S. market has their VIN numbers registered as 325i since the 'xi' was considered an option to the base 'i' car instead of a separate model.
New sport steering wheel with circular airbag cover.
Xenon/HID equipped with larger projector lens.
New dual exhaust from headers to muffler.
325i sports package gets 17x8 style 44 wheels.
330: lumbar adjustments standard with leather seats.
330: 17" rims are standard
330: Sports package rims are changed to style M68 with 17x7.5 up front and 17x8.5 in the rear.
330: Brakes are 1" larger
330: Headlight washer jets standard on cold-weather package
330: Silver trim around headlights
330: "Updated" steering (more power assist)
Coupes get titanium front spoiler trim.
[edit]Mid-year 2001 (3/01)
325i and 325iT: New standard equipment: foglights, cruise control, & automatic climate control
325Ci and 325Cic: New standard equipment: automatic climate control
330: Due to customer feedback, there was a mid-year change back to a steering system with less boost, although more than 323s and 328s had. BMW offered a free "steering retrofit" to reduce the boost for some time. You now must pay for this retrofit. This only affected 2001 cars.
330i: New standard equipment: power seats, Harman Kardon stereo, & sport suspension
330Ci & 330Cic: New standard equipment: Harman Kardon stereo
[edit]2002
NAV systems now have a widescreen 16x9 display.
E46 sedans and wagons receive a facelift: New headlight and taillight designs, side directional marker moved and re-shaped, new wider grille, new hood, new front bumpers for 325i and 330i without sport package.
330i 18-inch wheel option offered
318i receives an engine boost to 2.0L
320d receives new engine 148 bhp (110 kW; 150 PS)
Xenon headlight option upgraded to bi-xenon configuration
[edit]Mid-year 2002 (9/02)
Sirius satellite radio now pre-wired on non-navigation cars
[edit]2003
NAV system becomes DVD based (Mark IV NAV system). In addition, the navigation system will now be available with in-dash CD-player or cassette player.
The sound system head unit now has a new auxiliary input (aux input kit required)
Sedans receive third rear headrest and 3-point seatbelt.
325: Rain sensor and automatic headlight control will now be part of the Premium Package.
325: Front armrest will be standard in the sedan and sport wagon.
325: Moonroof will be standard in the sport wagon.
325: SULEV 325i, 325Ci, and 325iT are introduced with the M56 motor to meet new emission requirements. The SULEV M56 motor was offered optionally and only comes with the Steptronic transmission.
330: Tire Pressure Monitor replaces the Flat Tire monitor on vehicles with run-flat tires. The alarm display and button in the middle console remain unchanged.
330xi with Sport Package will come with 17" all-season run-flat tires with styling 98 wheels (same as the current run-flat tire option).
[edit]Mid-year 2003 (3/03)
Performance package introduced on the 330i sedan. It's only offered with a manual transmission and NOT offered with the premium package.
All E46s are now pre-wired for the BMW Bluetooth kit
All 330 manual transmissions now 6-speed instead of 5-speed
[edit]Mid-year 2003 (6/03)
M3 CSL production (1400 units)
[edit]Mid-year 2003 (9/03)
All 330i/330xi Sedans, and 330Ci Coupes must be ordered with option 403 - moonroof.
All 330Ci Convertibles must be ordered with ZPP - premium package.
Myrtle wood is no longer available as a stand-alone option. It will only be available when the Premium Package is ordered.
A new interior trim will be made available on all 3 Series. SA 426 or Aluminum "Brushed Columns" trim will be available as a no cost option when the Premium Package is ordered. If the Premium Package is ordered and SA 426 is not specified, the car will be equipped with Myrtle Wood trim (as before)
Cars equipped with Navigation are now pre-wired for Sirius
[edit]Mid-year 2003 (10/03)
SMG or Sequential Manual Gearbox available in conjunction with the sport package (not available in conjunction with the Performance Package or all-wheel-drive models).
[edit]2004
Performance package now available on coupes and convertibles, as well as with the automatic transmission and the premium package (on all 330s).
The climate control head unit has a new control button layout (temp, fan and recirculate control buttons) for simpler operation and ease of use.
The rain sensor and automatic headlight control standard for all Sedans and Sports Wagons. These features were previously only available with the Premium Package (ZPP).
Automatic STEPTRONIC transmission will be available in conjunction with the Performance Package.
New Sport Package wheel for 325i Sedan and Sports Wagon. Styling 119 replaces Styling 96.
New base wheel for the 330i/330xi Sedan and 325xi Sedan/Sports Wagon when equipped with the Sport Package. New wheel replaces Styling 73.
Titanium exterior trim on the front grille and headlights is no longer different for 330i and 330xi Sedans. (The headlights are black and the front spoiler is a combination of black and body color.)
Coupes and convertibles receive a face lift with a new front grille (larger "BMW kidneys"), revised lower bumper design and front/rear light redesign including LED tail lights, repositioned side turn signal lights and clear front corners on sport package cars.
The Xenon headlight package was upgraded to the Adaptive Xenon package for coupes/convertibles only.
325i and 325iT: Styling 119 (17 x 8) with performance tires replaces Styling 96 when the sport package (ZSP) is ordered.
330i/330xi get a new base wheels. 325xiT and 330xiT get new Sport Package wheels.
The M47N diesel engine was revised, the main changes being a redesigned swirl flap design in the intake manifold and an electronically-activated turbocharger wastegate, both of which increase reliability.
Styling 137 (17 x 7) with all-season tires replaces Styling 73, also known as the Radial spoke.
[edit]2005
Lumbar seat support added to the premium package on the 325.
CD shuttle became MP3 compatible
[edit]Mid-year 2005 (5/05)
Performance package 330s get a perforated leather steering wheel instead of alcantara.
[edit]2006
Sedans discontinued.
LCMs now support "comfort blinker" function (triple flash). Must be activated by dealer
