If you have ever looked into project drift cars, it is almost certain that a BMW 3-Series was one of the first cars you stumbled upon. And for a good reason! The 3-series is the go-to choice for most people looking to get into this sport.
While the E36 generation seems to be favored by many drift drivers, there is still a case to be made for the E46. With certain mods, the E46 generation can be a total killer on track. Here are the three best reasons why the E46 simply makes sense for a proper drift car project.
Just the Right Kind of Modern
Being more modern is usually a welcomed advantage, but it can be the exact opposite when thinking about a project car. After all, more technology often means more possible issues. Thankfully, the E46 generation has done quite well in this regard over the years. With strong roots in the ‘90s, this 3-Series car is not an overly complicated vehicle to work on. There aren’t many safety assists and electrical components that are expensive to replace and difficult to get rid of.
That said, some modernism is still welcome and that’s exactly what the E46 delivers. Compared to older cars such as the E36 or the NB generation Mazda MX-5, it’s much easier to diagnose issues on the E46 platform. All E46s are equipped with an OBD-2 port, which can be a lifesaver when dealing with phantom car troubles. The E36 had it as well, but the E46 system features more sensors, hence more ways you can diagnose problems.
Let’s face it, especially when heavily modified, cars do not have to be the most reliable. Thus, an OBD-2 scanner tool can make your life with a drift car E46 much simpler! Still, if you decide to go with another model for your drift car, know that 1996 was the year when BMW introduced OBD-2 across the entire model lineup.
Rust issues are less common on the E46, too. Other than that, the E46 is largely just an enhanced E36. For example, the front and the rear suspension are quite similar in both cars. A point speaking for the E46 is its torsional chassis rigidity. The E36 Coupe is rated at 10,900 Nm, while the E46 Coupe achieves 12,500 Nm. Even better is the sedan that achieves close to 18,000 Nm. This greatly improves the drifting abilities of the car.
Great Driving Characteristics and Lots of Power
Arguably the most important advantage of the E46 drift car is its handling performance. BMW has always paid attention to the sporty character of their vehicles and with each new generation introduced, it moved the bar a bit higher. This was also the case with the shift from E36 to E46. The newer iteration is simply more refined and offers better handling, and more power even as stock.
In terms of drivetrains, the E46 was available in a variety of options, ranging from rather slow four-cylinders in the 316i, to more rowdy straight six engines in the M3 models. The most popular E46 drift cars are the 325i and 330i models.
While the M3 might offer more power and even better handling as stock, it is significantly more expensive and honestly, the cars are starting to have a true historical value as one of the major milestones of BMW. For this reason, it is better to keep the M3 as close to stock as you can, if you’re into that sort of thing.
The BMW 325i stands somewhere in the middle of what BMW had to offer back in the day. It features a 2.5L inline six-cylinder code-named the M54B25 that generates 184 hp and 175 lb.-ft of torque. Cars with these engines were produced between 2001 and 2006, so they are already facelifted models.
Transmission is also an important point to consider, especially with a drift car. The 325i is paired with a Getrag 250. This is a 5-speed manual transmission similar to the one that could have been found on the 325i of the E36 generation. This also showcases another strong point of the E46 — lots of components are interchangeable with a variety of other BMW models ranging from the 3 Series up to the top-of-the-line 7 Series.
The perhaps most popular option for an E46 drift car is the 330i. For the US market, this engine was offered between 2000 and 2006. It uses a 3.0L inline-6 code-named M54B30. With 225 hp and 214 lb.-ft of torque, it is much easier to initiate a drift than it is with the less powerful 325i model. This one is combined with either a 5-speed or 6-speed ZF transmission. Both of them are class-leading automatics.
More advanced drivers will inevitably get to a point where the stock power will not be enough, but that is not something to worry about. The E46 engines are some of the best cars to mod.
Compared to other viable drift car options such as, again, the BMW 3-Series E36 or Lexus IS 200, the E46 has a longer wheelbase at 107.3 inches. While a short wheelbase can help you on small tracks and tight corners, the longer wheelbase gives you more control. It is definitely something to consider when choosing your project drift car.
For the proper drift experience, you will, of course, want to modify your E46. The most common mods, besides obviously proper wheels and drift tires, include a welded differential and coil overs.
With how popular the car is, there are lots of ready-to-install kits for E46 drift cars. These include reinforcement kits and subframe kits, among others. If you want to go the extra mile and make your E46 drift car perfect, there are lots of car shops that focus on drift cars and BMWs specifically and can tailor it to your needs.
Massive Community
Have you ever been to a drift show? If so, you’ve probably noticed the numerous E46 drift cars out there, together with other BMW models. Yes, the brand might be the most represented by the E36, but this is slowly starting to change. The E36 is becoming difficult to find and maintain. Not to mention that many of these awesome cars fell victim to rust. The E46 will likely become even more popular in the coming years, as E36s will diminish.
Anyway, a large community is something that many people disregard when choosing their project model, but there’s nothing better than being able to get help with virtually any issue you might encounter. Whether real-life meetups, forums, or other social media, there are lots of people to talk with about your E46 drift car build. The large community is also a result of the high production numbers of the E46 3-Series. The car was popular when new, and it still holds strong today.
BMW drift cars are often entirely rebuilt for the best drifting abilities, and it often inevitably results in decreased reliability. You will thus really appreciate how easily you can find replacement parts. This includes both new OEM or Genuine parts, but also aftermarket components. There is a truly wide range of components to choose from, and they can even be had for cheap. This makes the E46 perfect for even beginner-budget builds.
E46 Drift Car Simply Makes Sense
Although the E36 still reigns supreme, there are a number of reasons that make the E46 just as good, maybe even better. Especially since the E36 models are becoming rarer by the day. The E46 will soon become even cheaper to get without being rusted to the core. On top of this, the E46 will make for a more original build. An E46 drift car is simply a great idea and not only in comparison with the E36.
