# Which battery for the BMW 3 Series (E46, 1997-2007)?

> BMW 3 Series E46 battery: conventional, 80 Ah and 740 A, case size LB4 (Varta F17). Battery for each engine and number plate check.

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- **Last update**: 2026-11-10

BMW 3 (E46)

- BMW 3 Coupe (E46)

- BMW 3 Touring (E46)

- BMW 3 Compact (E46)

- BMW 3 Convertible (E46)

[← All generations of the BMW 3 Series](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-3-series-battery)
Car battery by model
There are no Start-Stop versions of the BMW 3 Series (E46, 1997-2007), so it usually takes a battery like the Varta F17: conventional, 80 Ah and 740 A, in case size LB4. Other engines use the Varta E11 (conventional, 74 Ah and 680 A); the table shows the battery for each engine.
- 1997-2007
- 29 engines
- conventional
- Case LB4

[Check with your number plate](https://bateriasonline.es/en/battery-finder-plate-or-vin) We show you only the batteries that fit your exact version.

## Recommended batteries for the BMW 3 Series E46

 For versions without Start-Stop
[Varta F17](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-f17)
conventional 80 Ah · 740 A (EN)
Case LB4 · 315 × 175 × 175 mm · + right
Recommended for 14 of 29 engines
[See price and specs Varta F17 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-f17)
 For versions without Start-Stop
[Varta E11](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-e11)
conventional 74 Ah · 680 A (EN)
Case L3 · 278 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Recommended for 15 of 29 engines
[See price and specs Varta E11 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-e11)
 Equivalent to the Varta E11
[Exide EA770](https://bateriasonline.es/en/exide-ea770)
conventional 77 Ah · 760 A (EN)
Case L3 · 278 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Same dimensions and terminal layout, the same or higher capacity and the same or better technology
[See price and specs Exide EA770 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/exide-ea770)

## BMW 3 Series E46 battery by engine

Each row groups the versions that share an engine. When an engine lists more than one battery, it is because the battery changes with the version or equipment: your number plate settles it.

| Engine | Power | Years | Fuel | Recommended battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316 CiM43 B16 (164E3), N45 B16 A | 77-85 kW (105-115 hp) | 2000-2006 | Petrol | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 316 iM43 B16 (164E3), M43 B19 (194E1), N40 B16 A, N42 B18 A, N45 B16 A, N46 B18 A | 77-85 kW (105-115 hp) | from 1998 | Petrol | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right Varta D59 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · LB2 · + right |
| 316 tiN40 B16 A, N42 B18 A, N45 B16 A, N46 B18 A | 77-85 kW (105-115 hp) | 2001-2005 | Petrol | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right Varta D59 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · LB2 · + right |
| 318 CiM43 B19 (194E1), N42 B20 A, N46 B20 A, N46 B20 C | 85-110 kW (116-150 hp) | 1999-2007 | Petrol | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 318 dM47 D20 (204D1), M47 D20 (204D4) | 85 kW (115-116 hp) | 2001-2005 | Diesel | Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 318 iM43 B19 (194E1), N42 B20 A, N46 B20 A, N46 B20 C | 85-105 kW (116-143 hp) | 1997-2005 | Petrol | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 318 tdM47 D20 (204D4) | 85 kW (115 hp) | 2003-2005 | Diesel | Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 318 tiN42 B20 A, N46 B20 A | 100-105 kW (136-143 hp) | 2001-2004 | Petrol | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 320 CdM47 D20 (204D4) | 110 kW (150 hp) | 2003-2007 | Diesel | Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 320 CiM52 B20 (206S4), M54 B22 (226S1) | 110-125 kW (150-170 hp) | 1999-2007 | Petrol | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 320 dM47 D20 (204D1), M47 D20 (204D4) | 95-110 kW (129-150 hp) | 1998-2005 | Diesel | Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 320 iM52 B20 (206S4), M54 B22 (226S1) | 110-125 kW (150-170 hp) | 1998-2005 | Petrol | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 320 tdM47 D20 (204D4) | 100-110 kW (136-150 hp) | 2001-2005 | Diesel | Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 323 CiM52 B25 (256S4) | 120-125 kW (163-170 hp) | 1999-2000 | Petrol | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 323 iM52 B25 (256S3), M52 B25 (256S4) | 120-125 kW (163-170 hp) | 1998-2000 | Petrol | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 325 CiM54 B25 (256S5) | 141 kW (192 hp) | 2000-2006 | Petrol | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 325 iM54 B25 (256S5) | 141 kW (192 hp) | 2000-2005 | Petrol | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right Varta E43 conventional · 72 Ah · 680 A · LB3 · + right |
| 325 tiM54 B25 (256S5) | 141 kW (192 hp) | 2001-2004 | Petrol | Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 325 xiM54 B25 (256S5) | 141 kW (192 hp) | 2000-2005 | Petrol | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right Varta E43 conventional · 72 Ah · 680 A · LB3 · + right |
| 328 CiM52 B28 (286S2) | 142 kW (193 hp) | 1998-2000 | Petrol | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 328 iM52 B28 (286S2) | 142 kW (193 hp) | 1998-2000 | Petrol | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 330 CdM57 D30 (306D2) | 150 kW (204 hp) | 2003-2007 | Diesel | Varta G3 conventional · 95 Ah · 800 A · L5 · + right |
| 330 CiM54 B30 (306S3) | 170 kW (231 hp) | 2000-2006 | Petrol | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 330 dM57 D30 (306D1), M57 D30 (306D2) | 135-150 kW (184-204 hp) | 1999-2005 | Diesel | Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 330 iM54 B30 (306S3) | 168-170 kW (228-231 hp) | 2000-2005 | Petrol | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 330 xdM57 D30 (306D1), M57 D30 (306D2) | 135-150 kW (184-204 hp) | 2000-2005 | Diesel | Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 330 xiM54 B30 (306S3) | 170 kW (231 hp) | 2000-2006 | Petrol | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| M3S54 B32 (326S4) | 252 kW (343 hp) | 2000-2006 | Petrol | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| M3 CSLS54 B32 (326S4) | 265 kW (360 hp) | 2003 | Petrol | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |

With Start-Stop: versions with automatic engine stop-start, or that leave the factory with an EFB or AGM battery. Ah = capacity; A = cold cranking current (EN standard); + right/+ left = side of the positive terminal. Under each engine you will find its engine codes, handy for identifying your version.

## What you should know about the BMW 3 Series E46

This page covers BMW 3 (E46), BMW 3 Coupe (E46), BMW 3 Touring (E46) and BMW 3 Compact (E46): 29 engines in the table, petrol (21) and diesel (8). No version has factory Start-Stop, so they all take a conventional battery, from 60 to 95 Ah depending on the engine. The usual case size is LB4 (315 × 175 × 175 mm).
- Model fact: the BMW 3 Series E46 mainly uses case sizes LB4 (315 × 175 × 175 mm), L3 (278 × 175 × 190 mm) and L2 (242 × 175 × 190 mm). A battery of a different size will not sit securely in the car’s battery tray.
- General tip: mid-size and executive saloons keep drawing power while parked (alarm, telematics, comfort systems). If the car goes weeks without being driven, a battery maintainer will extend the life of the battery.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which battery does the BMW 3 Series (E46, 1997-2007) take?

There are no Start-Stop versions of the BMW 3 Series (E46, 1997-2007), so it usually takes a battery like the Varta F17: conventional, 80 Ah and 740 A, in case size LB4. Other engines use the Varta E11 (conventional, 74 Ah and 680 A); the table shows the battery for each engine.

### What size battery does the BMW 3 Series take?

Depending on the engine, the BMW 3 Series E46 uses these case sizes: LB4 (315 × 175 × 175 mm), L3 (278 × 175 × 190 mm) and L2 (242 × 175 × 190 mm); dimensions are length × width × height. Also check that the positive terminal is on the same side as on your current battery.

### Does the Varta F17 fit the BMW 3 Series E46?

Yes, it is one of the recommended batteries for the BMW 3 Series E46 with the 318 Ci, 318 d, 318 td, 320 Cd, 320 d and 320 td engines (14 of the 29 engines in the table). For the others, check their row in the table or search by number plate.

### How do I find out exactly which battery my BMW 3 Series takes?

Enter your number plate or chassis number (VIN) in our battery finder: it identifies the exact engine and shows you only the compatible batteries. You can also check the label on your current battery: capacity (Ah), cold cranking (A, EN standard) and technology (AGM, EFB or conventional).

## Other BMW 3 Series generations

- [ BMW 3 Series (G20/G21) from 2018 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-3-series-battery#gen-bmw-3-g20)
- [ BMW 3 Series (F30/F31) 2011-2019 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-3-series-f30-battery)
- [ BMW 3 Series (E90/E91) 2004-2012 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-3-series-e90-battery)
- [ BMW 3 Series (E36) 1990-2000 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-3-series-battery#gen-bmw-3-e36)
- [ BMW 3 Series (E30) 1982-1994 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-3-series-battery#gen-bmw-3-e30)

## More information

- [BMW 3 Series battery: every generation](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-3-series-battery)
- [Car battery sizes: L1-L6, LB1-LB5, B and D (Asian) cases](https://bateriasonline.es/en/car-battery-sizes-l-lb-b-d-cases)
- [Varta A7 (formerly E39): what changed and equivalents](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-a7-e39-agm-battery-equivalents)
- [Varta, Bosch, Exide and Tudor car battery equivalents table](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-bosch-exide-tudor-car-battery-equivalents)
- [Car batteries](https://bateriasonline.es/en/car-batteries)
- [LB4 car batteries](https://bateriasonline.es/en/lb4-car-batteries)
- [What battery does my car need? Guide by model](https://bateriasonline.es/en/car-battery-by-model)

Updated: 1 November 2026 · Source: battery application data by engine (KType TecDoc), the same data our number plate search uses, plus the datasheet of each battery.

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*bateriasonline.es — Batteries and accessories · 2026-11-10*