The BMW 316Ci is one of the less familiar models from the BMW 3 Series (E46). This was because the small four-cylinder coupé was only sold in certain markets, including Greece, the United Kingdom and Portugal. A special engine (N40) with less displacement (1.6 instead of 1.8 litres) was installed rather than the engine of the BMW 316i Sedan. This was primarily intended to counteract the higher displacement taxes levied in these countries. This power plant was essentially a modified N42 engine with shorter stroke and without VALVETRONIC. A revised version (N45) was fitted from 2003 onwards. Over a manufacturing period of almost seven years (December 1999 until May 2006), not even 4,000 units were produced. All of these coupés rolled off the assembly line at the Regensburg Plant.