The BMW 323i/Ci E46 is a modified model of the fourth generation, the third lineup of the BMW brand, which succeeded its predecessor, the BMW 323i E36. The four-door version of the BMW 323i began rolling off the assembly line in December 1997, with the last car of this modification produced in August 2000.
As for the two-door car, this variant started production a year later and ceased production at the same time.
In December 1999, BMW released another car in this lineup — a convertible, which ended its existence alongside the other cars. To provide a more vivid demonstration of all the pros and cons of this model, we have prepared comparative tables of cars with similar technical characteristics.
Comparison of BMW 3 323i with other cars
Let's start with the most crucial aspect — the engine. The BMW 323i/Ci E46 was equipped with a 2.5-liter gasoline six-cylinder engine M52TUB25.
This modification, in general, stands out for its smooth operation, good efficiency, and relatively low gasoline consumption, made possible by the use of the VANOS system.
Comparison by technical characteristics
| Specifications | BMW 3 323i | Audi A42.8 B5 | Mercedes W202 C240 | Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 JTS 16V | Volvo S40 2.0 |
| Displacement, cm3 | 2494 | 2771 | 2398 | 1970 | 1948 |
| Power, horsepower | 170 | 174 | 170 | 165 | 160 |
| Torque, Newton-meters | 245 | 250 | 255 | 206 | 230 |
The BMW 3 323i has a stamped five-speed manual transmission, but there are also modified models with an automatic transmission.
Comparison of dynamics and fuel consumption
| Specifications | BMW 3 323i | Audi A42.8 B5 | Mercedes W202 C240 | Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 JTS 16V | Volvo S40 2.0 |
| Top speed, km/h | 231 | 230 | 218 | 220 | 210 |
| Acceleration time, sec. | 8.0 | 8.2 | 9.3 | 8.2 | 9.0 |
| City fuel consumption, liters | 12.7 | 8.8 | 14.3 | 12.3 | 12.5 |
| Highway fuel consumption, liters | 6.9 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 6.6 | 6.8 |
| Combined cycle | — | — | 10.0 | 8.6 | — |
| Fuel tank capacity, liters | 63 | 62 | 62 | 63 | 60 |
| Range on a full tank, km | — | — | 620 | 733 | — |
Dimensions of BMW 3 323i and other cars
To visualize the complete picture, let's compare important indicators such as the dimensions of the cars.
| Specifications | BMW 3 323i | Audi A42.8 B5 | Mercedes W202 C240 | Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 JTS 16V | Volvo S40 2.0 |
| Length, mm | 4470 | 4478 | 4488 | 4430 | 4483 |
| Width, mm | 1740 | 1733 | 1720 | 1745 | 1717 |
| Height, mm | 1415 | 1415 | 1415 | 1415 | 1411 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2725 | 2617 | 2690 | 2595 | 2550 |
| Front track, mm | 1481 | 1498 | 1499 | 1519 | 1450 |
| Rear track, mm | 1494 | 1479 | 1481 | 1506 | 1470 |
| Ground clearance, mm | 130 | 110 | 150 | 140 | 150 |
| Trunk volume, liters | 440 | 440 | 430 | 378 | 415 |
| Max trunk volume, liters | — | 720 | — | — | 853 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1445 | 1300 | 1320 | 1285 | 1230 |
| Gross weight, kg | 1870 | 1850 | 1900 | 1770 | 1790 |
The worthy successor to the BMW 323i/Ci E46 did not take long to arrive, and cars of the fifth generation rolled off the assembly line — BMW 323i E90, BMW 323i E91, BMW 323i E92, and BMW 323i E93.
