Carsieve BMW 3er-Reihe E46 facelift 318Ci Cabrio, 143 PS, 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, convertible (2003–2006)
- Power
- 143 PS (105 kW)
- Engine codes
- N46B20
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Production years
- 2003–2006
- Running cost per month
- €455
- Fuel
- Petrol (98)
- Median price
- €6,000
- Reliability
- 3/5
- DIY
- 3/5
Research for this car
- Generation guide BMW 3 Series E46 (1998-2006): known problems and buying guide
Cheap and common, but check the rear subframe, the airbag recall and the cooling parts before you buy.
Known issues for this car
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear subframe mounts cracking | All E46 built 1999 to 2006 | Not stated | No confirmed price | Generation guide |
| Takata passenger airbag | Passenger airbag, cars built about 2000 to 2003 | Not stated | Free | Generation guide |
| N42 and N46 timing chain | N42 and N46 petrol engines | 100,000-150,000 km (N42) | No confirmed price | Generation guide |
| Cooling system plastic parts | All engines; tank and pump on sixes | About 97,000-161,000 km (pump) | No confirmed price | Generation guide |
| Body rust | All E46 | Not stated | No confirmed price | Generation guide |
| Steering and suspension wear | All E46 | Not stated | No confirmed price | Generation guide |
Before you buy this car
From the generation guide
- Lift the car and check the four rear subframe mounts for cracks. Bad result: cracks, or a clunk from the rear under acceleration.
- Listen for a rattle in the first seconds after a cold start. Bad result: a rattle, or no proof the chain was replaced.
- Ask a BMW dealer to check open airbag recalls for the car's VIN. Bad result: an open passenger airbag campaign.
- Check the coolant and the expansion tank for leaks. Bad result: a leak, overheating, or no record of tank work on a car over about 150,000 km.
- Check the power steering fluid. Bad result: dark fluid, a whine, or leaks at the steering gear.
- Check the sills, wheel arches and floor under the footwells. Bad result: holes or soft metal.
Running costs
| Operational | €250 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €108 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €97 |
| Total per month | €455 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €74 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de in this generation with this fuel, gearbox and power.
- Listings
- 86
- 25th percentile
- €4,999
- Median price
- €6,000
- 75th percentile
- €7,200
- Median mileage
- 179,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2004
- Dealer share
- 29.1%
Check a listing
Prices by first registration
| First registration | Listings | Median price | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | – | – |
| 2005 | 13 | €6,499 | 175,000 km |
| 2004 | 32 | €5,500 | 183,000 km |
| 2003 | 38 | €5,900 | 180,000 km |
| 2002 | 2 | – | – |
Medians only for years with at least 5 listings. Many cars are first registered after production ends, so years can run past the build years.
Price history
| Month | Listings | Median price | Middle half | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2026 | 86 | €6,000 | €4,999 – €7,200 | 179,000 km |
| Oct 2026 | 86 | €6,000 | €4,999 – €7,200 | 179,000 km |
Median asking price at the last snapshot of each month.
ADAC versions
All 3 ADAC versions
| Version | Power | Production years | Running cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 318Ci Cabrio | 143 PS | 2003–2006 | €455 |
| 318Ci Cabrio Edition Exclusive | 143 PS | 2004–2006 | €459 |
| 318Ci Cabrio Edition Sport | 143 PS | 2004–2006 | €455 |