page_title: BMW 3 Series Compact
section_title: E46/5 (2000–2004)
hierarchical_section_title: BMW 3 Series Compact / E46/5 (2000–2004)
caption_attribution_description: BMW E46 Compact
context_page_description: The BMW 3 Series Compact is a 3-door hatchback version of the BMW 3 Series, which was produced from 1993 through 2004. Initially based on the E36 platform, it switched to the E46 platform in 2001.
  The launch models were powered by four-cylinder petrol engines, with the range expanded over the years to include a four-cylinder compressed natural gas engine, four-cylinder diesel engines and six-cylinder petrol engines. Unlike most hatchback competitors, the 3 Series Compact uses rear-wheel drive.
  In 2004, the 3 Series Compact was replaced by the 1 Series. The 3 Series GT, introduced in 2013, is not a successor to the 3 Series Compact, despite also using a hatchback rear opening.
context_section_description: In 2000, the 3 Series Compact was redesigned using the then-new E46 platform. This updated Compact has the model code E46/5.
  As per the rest of the E46 range, the wheelbase was increased by 25 mm (1.0 in). The overall length is also increased by 52 mm (2.0 in).
  The exterior styling has several differences to the rest of the E46 3 Series range, notably the distinctive headlights and tail-lights. Mechanically, the Compact shares many elements with the rest of the E46 range, however the steering rack has a faster ratio.
  The E46/5 was not sold in North America as its predecessor didn't prove to be a sales success in that market.
caption: Rear view
exif: {"Image Make": "CASIO", "Image Model": "QV-4000", "Image Orientation": "Horizontal (normal)", "Image XResolution": "72", "Image YResolution": "72", "Image ResolutionUnit": "Pixels/Inch", "Image Software": "Ver1.02", "Image DateTime": "2007:11:04 15:08:58", "Image YCbCrPositioning": "Centered", "Image ExifOffset": "210", "Thumbnail Compression": "JPEG (old-style)", "Thumbnail XResolution": "72", "Thumbnail YResolution": "72", "Thumbnail ResolutionUnit": "Pixels/Inch", "Thumbnail JPEGInterchangeFormat": "1104", "Thumbnail JPEGInterchangeFormatLength": "4938", "EXIF ExposureTime": "2687/500000", "EXIF FNumber": "4", "EXIF ExposureProgram": "Program Normal", "EXIF ExifVersion": "0210", "EXIF DateTimeOriginal": "2007:11:04 15:08:58", "EXIF DateTimeDigitized": "2007:11:04 15:08:58", "EXIF ComponentsConfiguration": "YCbCr", "EXIF CompressedBitsPerPixel": "471859/117600", "EXIF ExposureBiasValue": "0", "EXIF MaxApertureValue": "2", "EXIF MeteringMode": "Pattern", "EXIF Flash": "Flash did not fire", "EXIF FocalLength": "713/100", "EXIF FlashPixVersion": "0100", "EXIF ColorSpace": "sRGB", "EXIF ExifImageWidth": "1992", "EXIF ExifImageLength": "1167", "Interoperability InteroperabilityIndex": "R98", "Interoperability InteroperabilityVersion": "[48, 49, 48, 48]", "EXIF InteroperabilityOffset": "976", "EXIF FileSource": "Digital Camera"}