2003 BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 318Ci 5MT RWD (143 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Five years after the introduction of the BMW E46 3 Series Coupe, the German automaker unveiled the refreshed version of the car, an update named by BMW as the LCI, or Life Cycle Impulse.

BMW’s styling department, led by Chris Bangle, managed to create a timeless design for the E46 Coupe. As a result, it was challenging to upgrade the car’s look without spoiling it. As a result, the best it could do was to slightly update the front fascia and the taillights and add new bumpers and new options for the alloy wheels. The automaker also introduced new interior features, including XM Sirius Satellite radio for specific markets and navigation, which led to a redesigned center stack. Under the hood, there were also significant upgrades. BMW had to upgrade its engines to keep up with the competition, and it proved once again that sometimes larger engines were more fuel-efficient than low-displacement ones.

Up front, the 2003 BMW 3 Series Coupe had reshaped headlights with an option for HID bulbs. They flanked the classic BMW kidney grille, which was integrated into the front side of the hood. Lower, the wrapped-around plastic bumper featured a new lower apron that sported a broad center air intake flanked by a pair of triangular scoops with available fog lamps. The automaker also provided the option for an M-Package, which added a more aggressive-looking bumper with a design inspired by the M3.

The low-slung profile of the coupe was classic, featuring a long nose with a flat hood and a raked windshield followed by a short roof. Thanks to its sloped-down rear window and the short trunk, the car looked like it was leaning forward. The body-colored door handles and redesigned side sills also made the car look premium, which it was. Out back, BMW installed new corner-mounted LED taillights, which were extended on the trunk’s lid. Lower, the wrapped-around plastic bumper featured a black area miming a diffuser. Depending on the engine, the 3 Series coupe had one or twin pipes on a side.

Customers could get inside the vehicle via the frameless doors, which windows rolled down automatically when opened and up when they were closed. This feature ensured better insulation against wind. The cabin was fitted with a pair of bolstered seats at the front with an option for sportier ones that featured an expandable cushion that supported the legs even better. BMW offered the car with fabric or leather upholstery. Fronting the driver was a refreshed instrument cluster that could be adorned by silver encirclements for the dials. The automaker kept the fuel-efficiency meter on the lower side of the tachometer. Underneath all dials, the instrument panel featured an LCD that showed data gathered from the car’s onboard computer. On the center stack, customers had the option of a standard audio system. At the same time, a sat-nav unit was available at extra cost. In the back, the bench seat was cramped, but it could still provide enough room for two adults, albeit for short jaunts.

Under the hood, the 2003 BMW 3 Series Coupe offered a choice of diesel and gasoline engines, with four or six cylinders. Only the oil burners were turbocharged, while the spark-ignited ones were naturally aspirated. Power went to the rear wheels only, unlike the sedan or the station wagon, which were also fitted with AWD versions.