BMW 330i Touring (E46) - Open the lid

Premium

BMW 330i Touring (E46) - Open the lid

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on July 3, 2025

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Bruno von Rotz

21

Daniel Kraus - Courtesy BMW AG

12

BMW AG

12

Archiv

1

46

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - 1.74 meters wide

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - wheelbase 272.5 cm

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - not quite 4.5 meters long

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - 1.42 meters high

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - four-eyed face under glass

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - the 18-inch wheels just fit into the wheel arches

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - good visibility, even when maneuvering

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - the tailgate conceals 435 liters of load volume, which can be increased to 1345 liters

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - classic estate car

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - with roof rails

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - classic estate car silhouette

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - elegant estate car

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - with parking distance control

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - you can quickly load something through this hatch

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - color Orient blue

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - not just for a trip into the countryside

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - before the facelift

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - not two meters wide even with mirrors

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - the steering wheel has a pleasant rim thickness

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - easy-to-read main instruments

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - with wood applications

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - already with screen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - manual transmission, five gears, built-in telephone

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - longitudinally mounted in-line six-cylinder engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - the in-line six-cylinder engine sits far back in the engine compartment

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - the six-cylinder with a displacement of 2979 cm3 and 231 hp

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - recessed headlights

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - flat and wide kidney grille

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - beautiful 18-inch wheels

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - when type designations still allowed conclusions to be drawn about the engine capacity

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - the practical separately opening glass hatch at the rear

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330i Touring (2000) - surrounded by its predecessors and successors - five generations of 3 Series

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 323i Compact (2002) - E46 compact version in the circle of its predecessors

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 325i (1993) - the E36 series was initially only available as a four-door model

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 325i Coupé (1994) - E36 series also available as Coupé

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 328i (1997) - E36 series as convertible, coupé and saloon

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 328i Touring (1999) - in the advertisement

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330 Xi Touring (2000) - with all-wheel drive and roof rails also ideal for winter vacations

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 330 Xi Touring (2000) - the estate was also available with all-wheel drive

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW M3 Touring (2000) - concept car, no series production

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW M3 Touring (2000) - concept car, no series production

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW M3 Touring (2000) - concept car, no series production

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW M3 Touring (2000) - concept car, no series production

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Six generations of the 3-series, E21, E30, E36 at the front, followed by E46, E90 and the latest version F30

You have only

1 out of 46

images seen in high resolution

Summary

With the Touring of the E46 series, BMW wanted to do everything better than its predecessor, the E36. And it succeeded. The 330i Touring was a convincing lifestyle estate, especially when equipped with a manual gearbox. This article looks back at the history of the E46 series, describes driving impressions and shows the fast estate car in pictures and advertising.

This article contains the following chapters

Good genes
The third generation
Coupé and Touring version follow the saloon
With the practical flap
From the 2.8-liter to the 3.0-liter straight-six
A match for the competition
Gentle facelift
The end after 7+ years
Pleasure with practical benefits

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Was "peak automobile" in the year 2000? Have cars really gotten any better since then? Anyone sitting in a BMW 330i Touring from the turn of the millennium might actually start to wonder. Because the ergonomics are right, the instruments are elegant and easy to read, the all-round visibility is superb and a powerful and low-vibration straight-six engine sounds from the engine compartment. It is coupled to a five-speed gearbox whose gears can be changed precisely with short hand movements. Hardly anything distracts from driving; we can safely ignore the screen for the entertainment electronics in the center console. And there's no need to pick up the huge telephone receiver in the center console, as the mobile phone network has long since been switched off. The five gears, the pedals and the steering wheel, which is comfortable to grip and neither square nor too thick, are enough for us. A driving machine without attitude and without sacrificing comfort. Driving pleasure!

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: