Car Model History

Fourth generation · E46 · 1999–2005

2000BMW 3 Series

Widely regarded as a high-water mark for the 3 Series, balancing analog feel with modern refinement. Home of the celebrated S54-powered E46 M3 (US 2001–2006).

Fourth generation · E46

2000 BMW 328i E46 sedan, front three-quarter view

Photo: “BMW 328i 2000 (53444347743).jpg” by RL GNZLZ from Chile / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Quick facts

Engines
2offered2.5L M52TU DOHC inline-six → 2.8L M52TU DOHC inline-six
Top output
193hp2.8L M52TU DOHC inline-six

Body stylesFour-door sedan · Two-door coupe · Two-door convertible · Five-door Sports Wagon

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 2000 BMW 3 Series model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Complete, source-verified lineup

Find your exact 2000 3 Series

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

6factory configurations
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified

We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for BMW's complete 2000 U.S. factory E46 sedan, coupe, convertible, and Sports Wagon service roster. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from BMW — 2000 U.S. factory service-manual model, body, and engine roster (Operation CHARM mirror).

6versions shown
Four-door rear-wheel-drive E46 sedan

BMW 323i Sedan

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive E46 sedan
Engine
2.5-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (170 hp / 181 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E46 coupe

BMW 323Ci Coupe

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E46 coupe
Engine
2.5-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (170 hp / 181 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E46 convertible

BMW 323Ci Convertible

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E46 convertible
Engine
2.5-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (170 hp / 181 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Five-door rear-wheel-drive E46 Sports Wagon

BMW 323iT Sports Wagon

Body
Five-door rear-wheel-drive E46 Sports Wagon
Engine
2.5-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (170 hp / 181 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door rear-wheel-drive E46 sedan

BMW 328i Sedan

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive E46 sedan
Engine
2.8-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (193 hp / 206 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E46 coupe

BMW 328Ci Coupe

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E46 coupe
Engine
2.8-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (193 hp / 206 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 2000 model year

Overview

BMW's 2000 U.S. 3 Series completed the core E46 body rollout with six exact configurations. The 170-hp 2.5-liter M52TU powered the 323i sedan, 323Ci coupe, 323Ci Convertible, and new 323iT Sports Wagon. The 193-hp 2.8-liter M52TU powered the 328i sedan and 328Ci coupe. The previous E36 Compact, coupes, convertibles, and M3 were gone, and BMW did not list a 328Ci Convertible in the preserved 2000 roster.

Specifications

Engines
  • 2.5L M52TU DOHC inline-six170 hp
  • 2.8L M52TU DOHC inline-six193 hp
Body styles
Four-door sedan, Two-door coupe, Two-door convertible, Five-door Sports Wagon

Year over year

What changed

  • E46 coupe, convertible, and Sports Wagon bodies joined the continuing sedans.
  • The 323iT introduced a five-door wagon body to the U.S. E46 roster.
  • E36 carryovers and the E36 M3 left the model-year roster.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • First U.S. model year with E46 sedan, coupe, convertible, and Sports Wagon bodies together.
  • Six exact configurations; no backdated 328Ci Convertible, 330, all-wheel drive, or E46 M3.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Confirm 2.5-liter versus 2.8-liter M52TU and the exact body before ordering intake, cooling, exhaust, transmission, suspension, glass, or body parts.
  • The Sports Wagon has rear-body, cargo-area, hatch, glass, and suspension fitment not shared wholesale with the sedan.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 2000 3 Series on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 2000 BMW 3 Series. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
9
Factory intervals
4
Fitment-scoped
9
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filter

    Fitment must be confirmed

    At each indicated Engine Oil Service and Inspection service; no fixed mileage is claimed.

    Applies to: 2000 · M52TU 2.5L inline-six · 323i sedan (E46) · United States · Exact 2000 323i sedan record; coupe, convertible, wagon, xi, M3, SULEV, and other E46 configurations are not claimed.

    Source: BMW — 2000 323i sedan (E46) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Engine Oil Service and Inspection I/II · checked

  • Inspection I

    Fitment must be confirmed

    Perform when the service indicator calls for Inspection I.

    Applies to: 2000 · M52TU 2.5L inline-six · 323i sedan (E46) · United States · Exact 2000 323i sedan record; coupe, convertible, wagon, xi, M3, SULEV, and other E46 configurations are not claimed.

    Source: BMW — 2000 323i sedan (E46) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service I · checked

    Inspection II

    Perform when the service indicator calls for Inspection II; includes Inspection I plus the additional published tasks.

    Applies to: 2000 · M52TU 2.5L inline-six · 323i sedan (E46) · United States · Exact 2000 323i sedan record; coupe, convertible, wagon, xi, M3, SULEV, and other E46 configurations are not claimed.

    Source: BMW — 2000 323i sedan (E46) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II · checked

  • Microfilters

    Fitment must be confirmed

    Replace at each indicated Engine Oil Service and Inspection; shorten in dusty operation.

    Applies to: 2000 · M52TU 2.5L inline-six · 323i sedan (E46) · United States · Exact 2000 323i sedan record; coupe, convertible, wagon, xi, M3, SULEV, and other E46 configurations are not claimed.

    Source: BMW — 2000 323i sedan (E46) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Engine Oil Service and Inspection I — microfilter replacement · checked

  • Engine air-cleaner element

    Fitment must be confirmed

    Replace at Inspection II; shorten in dusty operation.

    Applies to: 2000 · M52TU 2.5L inline-six · 323i sedan (E46) · United States · Exact 2000 323i sedan record; coupe, convertible, wagon, xi, M3, SULEV, and other E46 configurations are not claimed.

    Source: BMW — 2000 323i sedan (E46) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — intake air-cleaner replacement · checked

  • Brake fluid

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2000 · M52TU 2.5L inline-six · 323i sedan (E46) · United States · Exact 2000 323i sedan record; coupe, convertible, wagon, xi, M3, SULEV, and other E46 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 24 months · From vehicle production date.

    Source: BMW — 2000 323i sedan (E46) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Additional Services / Inspection I — every two years · checked

  • Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2000 · M52TU 2.5L inline-six · 323i sedan (E46) · United States · Exact 2000 323i sedan record; coupe, convertible, wagon, xi, M3, SULEV, and other E46 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 48 months · From vehicle production date.

    Source: BMW — 2000 323i sedan (E46) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Additional Services / Inspection I — every four years · checked

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2000 · M52TU 2.5L inline-six · 323i sedan (E46) · United States · Exact 2000 323i sedan record; coupe, convertible, wagon, xi, M3, SULEV, and other E46 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 100,000 mi / 160,000 km · Published replacement interval.

    Source: BMW — 2000 323i sedan (E46) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · 100,000-mile normal/additional-service row · checked

  • Oxygen sensor

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2000 · M52TU 2.5L inline-six · 323i sedan (E46) · United States · Exact 2000 323i sedan record; coupe, convertible, wagon, xi, M3, SULEV, and other E46 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 100,000 mi / 160,000 km · Published replacement interval.

    Source: BMW — 2000 323i sedan (E46) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · 100,000-mile normal/additional-service row · checked

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 2000 · United States

    2.5-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (170 hp / 181 lb-ft) — K&N HP-7007

    K&N HP-7007

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2000 · 2.5-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (170 hp / 181 lb-ft) · 323i · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW E46 325i/330i replacement oil-filter catalog · 2000 BMW E46 M52/M54/M56/S54 gasoline — HP-7007 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    2.5-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (170 hp / 181 lb-ft) — K&N HP-7007

    K&N HP-7007

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2000 · 2.5-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (170 hp / 181 lb-ft) · 323Ci Coupe · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW E46 325i/330i replacement oil-filter catalog · 2000 BMW E46 M52/M54/M56/S54 gasoline — HP-7007 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    2.5-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (170 hp / 181 lb-ft) — K&N HP-7007

    K&N HP-7007

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2000 · 2.5-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (170 hp / 181 lb-ft) · 323Ci Convertible · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW E46 325i/330i replacement oil-filter catalog · 2000 BMW E46 M52/M54/M56/S54 gasoline — HP-7007 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    2.5-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (170 hp / 181 lb-ft) — K&N HP-7007

    K&N HP-7007

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2000 · 2.5-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (170 hp / 181 lb-ft) · 323iT · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW E46 325i/330i replacement oil-filter catalog · 2000 BMW E46 M52/M54/M56/S54 gasoline — HP-7007 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    2.8-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (193 hp / 206 lb-ft) — K&N HP-7007

    K&N HP-7007

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2000 · 2.8-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (193 hp / 206 lb-ft) · 328i · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW E46 325i/330i replacement oil-filter catalog · 2000 BMW E46 M52/M54/M56/S54 gasoline — HP-7007 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    2.8-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (193 hp / 206 lb-ft) — K&N HP-7007

    K&N HP-7007

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2000 · 2.8-liter M52TU DOHC inline-six (193 hp / 206 lb-ft) · 328Ci · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW E46 325i/330i replacement oil-filter catalog · 2000 BMW E46 M52/M54/M56/S54 gasoline — HP-7007 · checked

    Verified ordering references

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. BMW — 2000 U.S. factory service-manual model, body, and engine roster (Operation CHARM mirror)

Other Fourth generation years

Explore the E46 generation →All Fourth generation · E46 years →

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