El BMW 3-serie E46 (1998-2001) se ofreció con 26 configuraciones de motor distintas en toda su gama.
| Motor | Potencia | Par motor | Transmisión | Ruedas motrices | Velocidad máxima | 0-100 km/h | Consumo | Disponible en |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L Gasolina | 231 hp | 300 Nm | Automatic | All Wheel Drive | 242 km/h | 7.4 s | 10.3 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 3.0L Gasolina | 231 hp | 300 Nm | Manual | All Wheel Drive | 247 km/h | 6.6 s | 9.6 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 3.0L Gasolina | 231 hp | 300 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 247 km/h | 7.0 s | 9.6 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 3.0L Gasolina | 231 hp | 300 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 250 km/h | 6.5 s | 9.1 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.8L Gasolina | 193 hp | 280 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 235 km/h | 8.1 s | 10.1 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.8L Gasolina | 193 hp | 280 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 240 km/h | 7.0 s | 9.1 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.5L Gasolina | 192 hp | 245 Nm | Automatic | All Wheel Drive | 231 km/h | 8.5 s | 10.3 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.5L Gasolina | 192 hp | 245 Nm | Manual | All Wheel Drive | 234 km/h | 7.4 s | 9.6 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.5L Gasolina | 192 hp | 245 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 237 km/h | 8.3 s | 9.5 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.5L Gasolina | 192 hp | 245 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 240 km/h | 7.2 s | 9.0 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.9L Diésel | 184 hp | 390 Nm | Automatic | All Wheel Drive | 224 km/h | 8.8 s | 8.7 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.9L Diésel | 184 hp | 390 Nm | Manual | All Wheel Drive | 224 km/h | 8.5 s | 7.6 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.9L Diésel | 184 hp | 390 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 227 km/h | 8.2 s | 8.0 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.9L Diésel | 184 hp | 390 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 227 km/h | 7.8 s | 6.7 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.5L Gasolina | 170 hp | 245 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 228 km/h | 9.0 s | 10.1 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.5L Gasolina | 170 hp | 245 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 231 km/h | 8.0 s | 9.0 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.2L Gasolina | 170 hp | 210 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 223 km/h | 9.3 s | 9.4 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.2L Gasolina | 170 hp | 210 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 226 km/h | 8.3 s | 8.9 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.0L Gasolina | 150 hp | 190 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 216 km/h | 10.9 s | 10.0 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.0L Gasolina | 150 hp | 190 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 219 km/h | 9.9 s | 8.9 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.0L Diésel | 136 hp | 280 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 207 km/h | 10.3 s | 6.9 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.0L Diésel | 136 hp | 280 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 207 km/h | 9.9 s | 5.7 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 1.9L Gasolina | 118 hp | 180 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 202 km/h | 12.2 s | 9.2 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 1.9L Gasolina | 118 hp | 180 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 206 km/h | 10.4 s | 8.0 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 1.9L Gasolina | 105 hp | 165 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 194 km/h | 13.6 s | 9.0 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 1.9L Gasolina | 105 hp | 165 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 200 km/h | 12.2 s | 7.9 l/100km | 2 acabados |
Cada fila es una configuración mecánica distinta — cilindrada, potencia, transmisión, tracción y tipo de combustible — deduplicada entre acabados que comparten el mismo motor. Las diferencias solo de acabado (interior, llantas, opciones) no crean una fila aparte.