Carsieve BMW 3er-Reihe E46 facelift 330xi, 231 PS, 5-speed manual, all-wheel drive (2001–2003)
- Power
- 231 PS (170 kW)
- Engine codes
- M54B30
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Production years
- 2001–2003
- Running cost per month
- €550
- Fuel
- Petrol (98)
- Median price
- €8,999
- 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 |
| 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 |
| Six-cylinder oil use | M52TÜ and M54 sixes | Not stated | Kfz-Dietrich gives about 50 EUR for the valve part (Germany, year not stated) | 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.
- Ask a BMW dealer to check open airbag recalls for the car's VIN. Bad result: an open passenger airbag campaign.
- On a six-cylinder, check the oil level at each fill. Bad result: oil low between services.
- 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 | €306 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €125 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €119 |
| Total per month | €550 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €42 |
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
- 59
- 25th percentile
- €7,100
- Median price
- €8,999
- 75th percentile
- €12,900
- Median mileage
- 240,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2003
- Dealer share
- 8.5%
Check a listing
Prices by first registration
| First registration | Listings | Median price | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | – | – |
| 2005 | 2 | – | – |
| 2004 | 14 | €9,400 | 220,000 km |
| 2003 | 15 | €8,500 | 240,000 km |
| 2002 | 19 | €8,500 | 240,000 km |
| 2001 | 8 | €10,500 | 231,000 km |
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 | 59 | €8,999 | €7,100 – €12,900 | 240,000 km |
| Oct 2026 | 59 | €8,999 | €7,100 – €12,900 | 240,000 km |
Median asking price at the last snapshot of each month.
ADAC versions
All 2 ADAC versions
| Version | Power | Body | Doors | Production years | Running cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330xi | 231 PS | Saloon | 4 | 2001–2003 | €551 |
| 330xi Touring | 231 PS | Estate | 5 | 2001–2003 | €549 |