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Free BMW 3 Series (E46) VIN Decoder

Look up available BMW 3 Series (E46) vehicle details and compare engine, transmission and body variants. The results depend on the VIN and market; the catalog does not confirm a car’s exact factory equipment. 21 listed variants. Free, no registration.

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1997–? 21 variants PetrolDiesel
Model-family illustration
Model-family illustration. Body style and generation may differ. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, via Wikimedia Commons

BMW 3 Series (E46) specs by variant

All 21 listed variants, grouped by fuel and gearbox. Open a group and compare the listed years, engine, power and emissions. On a small screen, scroll the table sideways.

Petrol · AUTOMATIC 8 variants
VariantListed yearsFuelEnginePowerGearboxDriveCO₂
330i 5AT RWD (231 HP) 1997–? Petrol 3.0 L 228 bhp AUTOMATIC 5sp RWD —
330xi 5AT RWD (231 HP) 1997–? Petrol 3.0 L 228 bhp AUTOMATIC 5sp RWD —
328i 5AT RWD (193 HP) 1997–? Petrol 2.8 L 190 bhp AUTOMATIC 5sp RWD —
325i 5AT RWD (192 HP) 1997–? Petrol 2.5 L 189 bhp AUTOMATIC 5sp RWD —
320i 5AT RWD (170 HP) 1997–? Petrol 2.2 L 168 bhp AUTOMATIC 5sp RWD —
323i 5AT RWD (170 HP) 1997–? Petrol 2.5 L 168 bhp AUTOMATIC 5sp RWD —
318i 4AT RWD (118 HP) 1997–? Petrol 1.9 L 117 bhp AUTOMATIC 4sp RWD —
316i 4AT RWD (105 HP) 1997–? Petrol 1.9 L 103 bhp AUTOMATIC 4sp RWD —
Petrol · MANUAL 9 variants
VariantListed yearsFuelEnginePowerGearboxDriveCO₂
330i 5MT RWD (231 HP) 1997–? Petrol 3.0 L 228 bhp MANUAL 5sp RWD —
330xi 5MT RWD (231 HP) 1997–? Petrol 3.0 L 228 bhp MANUAL 5sp RWD —
328i 5MT RWD (193 HP) 1997–? Petrol 2.8 L 190 bhp MANUAL 5sp RWD —
325i 5MT RWD (192 HP) 1997–? Petrol 2.5 L 189 bhp MANUAL 5sp RWD —
320i 5MT RWD (170 HP) 1997–? Petrol 2.2 L 168 bhp MANUAL 5sp RWD —
323i 5MT RWD (170 HP) 1997–? Petrol 2.5 L 168 bhp MANUAL 5sp RWD —
320i 5MT RWD (150 HP) 1997–? Petrol 2.0 L 148 bhp MANUAL 5sp RWD —
318i 5MT RWD (118 HP) 1997–? Petrol 1.9 L 117 bhp MANUAL 5sp RWD —
316i 5MT RWD (105 HP) 1997–? Petrol 1.9 L 103 bhp MANUAL 5sp RWD —
Diesel · AUTOMATIC 2 variants
VariantListed yearsFuelEnginePowerGearboxDriveCO₂
330d 5AT RWD (184 HP) 1997–? Diesel 2.9 L 181 bhp AUTOMATIC 5sp RWD —
320d 5AT RWD (136 HP) 1997–? Diesel 2.0 L 134 bhp AUTOMATIC 5sp RWD —
Diesel · MANUAL 2 variants
VariantListed yearsFuelEnginePowerGearboxDriveCO₂
330d 5MT RWD (184 HP) 1997–? Diesel 2.9 L 181 bhp MANUAL 5sp RWD —
320d 5MT RWD (136 HP) 1997–? Diesel 2.0 L 134 bhp MANUAL 5sp RWD —

Specification reference from cardata.wiki. A question mark means a year boundary is missing from the source, not that production continues. An empty field means the source did not provide that value. Confirm the fitted engine, transmission and equipment against the car’s documents. How specification matching works.

Reading your BMW 3 Series (E46) result

These model-code examples apply to BMW VINs beginning WBA, WBS, WBX or WBY. Other formats are checked against the available source data.

A model code can identify a family

For the supported European BMW format, characters 4–5 identify a model family in our decoder. Some codes also narrow the chassis generation. A family match does not identify every engine, gearbox or factory option.

A generation is not a build year

Our decoder does not read position 10 as a year for WBA, WBS, WBX and WBY VINs. If the exact year is missing, use the registration document or build label to select the right year in Refine. North American formats, including 5UX, use a different year rule.

Check the body style before choosing specifications

A 3 Series sedan, Touring and Gran Turismo can share a model-family name while using different bodies and specifications. Match the chassis and body to your car before using a variant from the catalog. The listed variants are alternatives, not your vehicle’s equipment list.

Examples recognized by this decoder, VIN positions 4–5
CodeModel familyMapped generation
AL3 SeriesE46

These are supported pattern examples, not a complete list of VIN formats or a manufacturer build record. A matching model family does not confirm an individual car’s trim.

How we match sources and handle missing data. For US-market vehicles, compare NHTSA’s VIN decoder and VIN-specific recall lookup. For other markets, confirm campaigns with the manufacturer or an authorised repairer.

Using the BMW 3 Series (E46) specifications

Start with the car’s year, body and engine, then compare the matching row. Several variants may share a model name while differing in power, transmission or drive layout. If the advert conflicts with the registration or manufacturer documents, resolve the mismatch before relying on the specifications. A VIN lookup can help narrow the comparison, but does not replace a build record or inspection.

Other 3 Series generations and versions

The same nameplate across body styles and chassis generations.

3 Series (E21)3 Series (E36)3 Series (E90)3 Series (F30)3 Series Cabriolet3 Series Cabriolet (E36)3 Series Cabriolet (E46)3 Series Cabriolet (E93)3 Series Compact (E36/5)3 Series Compact (E46/5)3 Series Convertible (E30)3 Series Convertible (E93)3 Series Coupe (E30)3 Series Coupe (E36)3 Series Coupe (E46)3 Series Coupe (E92)

Other BMW models

Compare another model, or see all BMW models.

1 Series1 Series (F20)1 Series 3 doors (E81)1 Series 3 doors (F21) LCI1 Series 3-door (F21)1 Series 5 doors (E87)1 Series 5 doors (F20) LCI1 Series 5-door (E87) LCI1 Series 5-door (F20) LCI1 Series Convertible (E88)1 Series Coupe (E82)1 Series Coupe (E82) LCI1 Series M Coupe (E82)1 Series Sedan (F52)150016002 Series2 Series Active Tourer2 Series Active Tourer (F45)2 Series Convertible2 Series Convertible (F23) LCI2 Series Coupe (G42)2 Series Gran Tourer (F45)2 Series Gran Tourer (F46)

BMW 3 Series (E46) VIN FAQ

What can a BMW 3 Series (E46) VIN lookup show?+
It can return available vehicle details and related model data. A catalog variant list does not prove the exact engine, gearbox or factory equipment fitted to your car. Recall campaigns are model-level matches, not confirmation of an outstanding repair for your VIN.
Where should I check the BMW 3 Series (E46) identification number?+
Compare the number on the registration document with the vehicle’s identification markings. Common locations on modern vehicles include the windscreen base and a door-jamb label, but the owner’s manual is the reference for the correct location on your version.
What do the BMW 3 Series (E46) dates in this catalog mean?+
The source lists years 1997–? across 21 variants. A question mark means a year boundary was not supplied. These are catalog dates, not a verified production history or an individual vehicle’s build date.
Is the BMW 3 Series (E46) VIN check free?+
Yes. The available decode, specifications and model-level results are free without an account. An optional paid history report may contain additional records depending on the car and market.

Look up your BMW 3 Series (E46) VIN

Find available details for a supported 17-character VIN. Free, no registration.

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  • ✓ Available registration and usage records
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