Description
BMW introduced the fourth generation of the 3 Series in 1997 as a sedan, followed by the coupe in 1998 and the station wagon, which the automaker named Touring, in 1999.
With the fourth generation of the 3 Series (BMW internal code E46), the premium compact vehicle became more family-friendly. Still, the automaker didn’t rush to introduce it. But when it did, the car enjoyed great success in Europe. In the U.S., it wasn’t such a big hit. Furthermore, the car manufacturer didn’t offer it with as many engines as in Europe. Nevertheless, the car enjoyed great success among those looking for a spacious and practical family car that could also keep up with sports cars when needed, especially if fitted with proper engines.
As expected, it shared its front fascia with the rest of the BMW 3 Series range, featuring the same headlights with a double curvature on their lower side. The designer, Chris Bangle, tried to make the car look tamed down compared to its predecessor, and the 3 Series didn’t have such an aggressive appearance anymore. Up to the B-pillar, both versions, the sedan, and the Touring, shared the same bodywork panels, but things were different from there on.
While many automakers cut development costs by using the same rear doors on sedans and station wagons, BMW didn’t do that. It redesigned them and installed an upright frame for the windows. Behind the C-pillars, the automaker installed a third row of windows that flanked the trunk space. At the back, the 3 Series Touring sported a tilted-forward tailgate that was, depending on the options, adorned by a tiny roof spoiler. The rear bumper featured black rubber stripes that protected the bodywork against small scratches.
Inside, at the front, the 3 Series featured a pair of bucket seats with slight side bolstered areas for most versions. Still, BMW offered customers the option for leather-wrapped interior and high-bolstered seats at the front. The driver fronted an instrument cluster filled with two large dials for the speedometer and tachometer and the gauges for fuel level and temperature. In the back, there was enough room for two passengers on long journeys or three for short jaunts due to the tall transmission tunnel. The trunk could be expanded by lowering the rear split-folding seatback (60/40) of the bench seat. To ease loading and unloading, customers had the option to open the entire tailgate or just the rear window, a feature that was carried over from the first 3 Series Touring, the E30.
Depending on the market, the E46 Touring featured a wide choice of engines that ranged between 1.9-liter and 3.0-liter paired with either five-speed manual or automatic gearboxes. In addition, the car was available with either a rear- or an all-wheel-drive system, marking the return of the X-Drive on the compact-sized BMW lineup after it was denied for the 3 Series, E36 generation.
