Differences between the years...

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MY2002 added a 18" wheel option - 72M. I think the 16:9 Nav unit was offered first in MY2002 too, while DVD was added for MY2003.

Originally Posted by Cliff3

I think the 16:9 Nav unit was offered first in MY2002 too, while DVD was added for MY2003.

Thanks Cliff. Can anyone else confirm this?

One difference I noticed between the 2004 and 2005 325 Tourings is that in '05 the PP includes adjustable lunbar support in the seats; not present on my '04 with PP.

Originally Posted by KrisL

Thanks Cliff. Can anyone else confirm this?

FWIW, here's a scan from the 2002 330Ci sales brochure.

Originally Posted by Cliff3

FWIW, here's a scan from the 2002 330Ci sales brochure.

Great, thanks.

Originally Posted by Bob Clevenger

One difference I noticed between the 2004 and 2005 325 Tourings is that in '05 the PP includes adjustable lunbar support in the seats; not present on my '04 with PP.

Thanks, added.

Does anyone know if there were any styling differences between 2003 and 2004 in the 325i? (Non premium package)?

Suggested additions:

1 - Starting March 2003 production, all 330 manuals received a 6-spd gearbox instead of a 5-spd.

2 - I would add in the engine designations somewhere. The 323i and 328i used the M52TU and the 325i and 330i used the M54 (here is a link to a detailed write up on the 3.0 liter engine from when it was first introduced: http://www.bmwnation.com/articles/e46_330_01.html ).

3 - For the 2002 facelift I would add the following (in bold):

"E46 Sedans and wagons receive a facelift (new headlight and taillight design, side directional marker moved and re-shaped, new wider grille, new hood, new front bumpers for 325i and 330i without sport package)."

Maybe also mention the grille and different bumper on the 2004 coupe facelift description.

Originally Posted by PhilH

"E46 Sedans and wagons receive a facelift (new headlight and taillight design, side directional marker moved and re-shaped, new wider grille, new hood, new front bumpers for 325i and 330i without sport package)."

It's sort of implied by the revised side markers and headlight cluster, but maybe also state that the front fenders are new (character line ends at the side marker).

For the OP, didn't the original E46 door handles pull out instead of up?

Originally Posted by FenPhen

For the OP, didn't the original E46 door handles pull out instead of up?

aah yes.. I think that was started on the coupes and then moved to the sedans a year later? I'm not sure.

I beleive the early models had a conventional throttle cable that was changed to a drive by wire set up in the 2001 model year.

Originally Posted by JeffDunes

I beleive the early models had a conventional throttle cable that was changed to a drive by wire set up in the 2001 model year.

I'm pretty confident that all E46s are drive by wire.

From the article I linked above regarding the M54 it appears that there was an "electromechanical system" on the M52 which became fully drive by wire on the M54...

To allow even finer and more sensitive dosage of the gas pedal above all in stop-and-go motoring and to ensure an immediate response of the car whenever the driver wishes to enjoy supreme performance, the throttle butterfly previously operated by an electromechanical system has now been replaced by a fully electronic version.

A principle of this technology has been carried over directly from BMW's 12-cylinder power unit, avoiding any mechanical link between the gas pedal and throttle butterfly: The system recognizes the gear in which the car is driving and is thus able to activate an individually programmed throttle butterfly control line for each gear, providing the positive effects already described. A further advantage of the electronic throttle butterfly is that the transition from, say, overrun to part load and vice versa is even more harmonious and smoother than ever before. This increase in motoring comfort also pays off when driving the car with cruise control, a function also integrated within the electronic throttle butterfly. A positive side effect, finally, lies in the reduction of gas pedal forces thanks to the omission of the conventional mechanical linkage bars.

Originally Posted by KrisL

This post is in progress!

Changes from 2000 to 2001

...

330 only:

• New dual exhaust all the way to muffler
• 17" rims are standard
• Brakes are 1" larger
• Headlight washer jets standard on cold-weather package
• Silver trim around headlights
• "Updated" steering (more power assist) *Note: Due to customer feedback, there was a midyear change back to a 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.

I believe both 325 and 330 were affected by the mid-year steering update. I have a 06/01 production 325 and was told that I have the "updated" steering.

put your flame suit on...

Originally Posted by KrisL

I'm pretty confident that all E46s are drive by wire.

I am confident that they were not. My 99 323 broke down because of a mechanical failure of the thottle cable.

Can someone explain the pre wiring for Sirius in 2002 in beyond in the original reply. I am buying a 2002 and I have sirius now, how can I activate it in the new car, how much will the stealership charge me, and I assume it will play through the existing radio.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by volavet

Can someone explain the pre wiring for Sirius in 2002 in beyond in the original reply. I am buying a 2002 and I have sirius now, how can I activate it in the new car, how much will the stealership charge me, and I assume it will play through the existing radio.

Thanks.

Your question is answered in another sticky called E46 Options/Features Compatibility

E46 cars did not come specifically prewired for Sirius. The tuner module is connected to the CD changer connector in the trunk. You can do a self install and there is no need of any activation. Several DYI on Sat radio installation are available here on BF.

Any updates for 2005-2006?

This is a very cool post and a great idea; it's really nice to see all the incremental changes to the E46 detailed in one comprehensive document.

Just a couple comments from the 2003-2004 segment:

• Performance package now available on coupes and convertibles

You might want to mention that this was not available until mid-2004. The earliest facelifted '04 coupes and cabrios started showing up as early as August '03. I took delivery of mine in January '04, and the Performance Package was definitely not available at that time! IIRC, the first Perfomance Package coupes/cabrios didn't start showing up at dealers until about April or even May of 2004, at least a full six months behind the first MY'04s. I even have two different versions of the 2004 sales brochure, one has no mention of the Performance Package and the other has a full section on it.

Coupes

• Coupes receive a a slight facelift with a new front/rear light design including LED tail lights and clear corners on sport package cars.

I think this should say "Coupes and Convertibles"

Also, the names/availabity of different colors is well documented in the early years... but seems to have been forgotten? Maybe someone could post what new colors were available when if they know any, or if any were dropped. It's nice to see it documented.

For instance, "Sparkling Graphite" was introduced in MY2005 (it sure wasn't around in '04!). Any others?

--Jonathan

Just a quick note about that excellent post:

The obligation to order cars with the sunroof (option 403) in 2003 did not carry over to 2004 (ask me how I know). One could order w/o sunroof in 04 and 05, unless dealers would made it their own policy

Originally Posted by KrisL

Changes from 2004 to 2005

• Performance package 330s get a perforated leather steering wheel instead of alcantara

The perforated leather steering wheel was introduced later in the '05 model year (build dates of August 2005 I think). Many 2005 models (mine included) still had the alcantara wheel.

Originally Posted by Rowag

The perforated leather steering wheel was introduced later in the '05 model year (build dates of August 2005 I think). Many 2005 models (mine included) still had the alcantara wheel.

Mine was built on September 05 and has the leather.

Originally Posted by Tex

The obligation to order cars with the sunroof (option 403) in 2003 did not carry over to 2004 (ask me how I know). One could order w/o sunroof in 04 and 05, unless dealers would made it their own policy

For MY 2004, the moonroof was still an option, and I ordered my car without it. It became "standard" for 2005 in the marketing materials, whatever that means (you pay for it even if you opt out?).

Originally Posted by zentenn

Mine was built on September 05 and has the leather.

Confirm, my 2006 330Cic, ZHP, Alcantara trim, build date Sept. '05, has leather wheel.