Production chronology1997–2006
Sourced production or model lifecycle range used by the main catalog timeline.
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← BMW
BMW / Model record
BMW3 Series (E46)
Production1997–2006
Recorded originGermany
ClassBmw 3 series
Built3,266,885 units
Background
The BMW 3 Series (E46) is the fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars manufactured by German automaker BMW. Produced from 1997 to 2006, it was the successor to the E36 3 Series, which ceased production in 2000. It was introduced in November 1997, and available in sedan, coupé, convertible, station wagon and hatchback body styles. The latter has been marketed as the 3 Series Compact.
Text adapted from “BMW 3 Series (E46)” on Wikipedia ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · retrieved 2026-07
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