BMW 3 Series (E36)

The BMW E36 is the third generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars, and was produced from 1990 to 2000. The initial models were of the four-door sedan body style, followed by the coupe, convertible, wagon ("Touring") and hatchback ("Compact") body styles in later years.

BMW 3 Series (E36)
Overview
Production	1990–2000
Assembly	Germany: Munich, Regensburg South Africa: Rosslyn United States: Spartanburg
Body and chassis
Class	Compact executive car (D)
Body style	2-door coupé 2-door convertible 4-door sedan 5-door wagon
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Related	BMW Z3 BMW 3 Series Compact
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.6–1.9 L M40/M42/M43/M44 I4 2.0–3.2 L M50/M52/S50/S52 I6 Diesel- turbocharged: 1.7 L M41 I4 2.5 L M51 I6
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length	4,433 mm (174.5 in)[1]
Width	1,710 mm (67.3 in)[1]
Height	1,366–1,390 mm (53.8–54.7 in)[1]
Curb weight	1,315–1,395 kg (2,899–3,075 lb)[1]
Chronology
Predecessor	BMW 3 Series (E30)
Successor	BMW 3 Series (E46)

The E36 was the first 3 Series to be offered in a hatchback body style. It was also the first 3 Series to be available with a six-speed manual transmission (in the 1996 M3), a five-speed automatic transmission and a four-cylinder diesel engine. The multi-link rear suspension was also a significant upgrade as compared to the previous generations of the 3 Series. All-wheel drive was not available for the E36, unlike the previous (E30) and successive (E46) generations.

The E36 was named in Car and Driver magazine's 10Best list for every year it was on sale.[2]

The high performance E36 M3 is powered by the BMW S50 or BMW S52 straight-six engine (depending on country). The E36 M3 was introduced in 1992 and was available in coupé, sedan and convertible body styles.

Following the introduction of its successor, the E46 3 Series in 1998, the E36 began to be phased out and was eventually replaced in 1999.

Development and launch

Development of the E36 began in 1981[3] and the exterior design was heavily influenced by aerodynamics, specifically the overall wedge shape, headlight covers and smaller wing mirrors.[4] The lead designers were Pinky Lai[5] and Boyke Boyer.[6][7]

The production version of the E36 was launched in October 1990, with press release in November and market launch in early 1991.[8][8][9]

Body styles

The body styles of the range are:

• 4-door sedan, produced from 1990 to 1998.[10]
• 2-door coupé, produced from 1990 to 1999.[11]
• 2-door convertible, produced from 1993 to 1999.[12] A 4-door Baur "Top Cabriolet" conversion was also available.
• 5-door wagon (marketed as "Touring"), produced from 1994 to 1999.[13]
• 3-door hatchback (see BMW 3 Series Compact), produced from 1994 to 2000.[14][15]

• 
  E36 sedan
• 
  E36 coupe
• 
  E36 convertible

• 
  E36 Baur
• 
  E36 Touring
• 
  E36 Compact

Equipment

Interior

Safety equipment available included a driver's airbag, passenger airbag (from 1993 production)[16], ABS braking and stability control ("ASC +T").[17] Electronic climate control was also available on the E36.

Engines

Petrol

The four-cylinder petrol engines used in the E36 range were initially engines carried over from the previous generation 3 Series: the BMW M40 SOHC engine and the BMW M42 DOHC engine. In 1993, the M40 was replaced by the BMW M43 SOHC engine and the M42 was replaced in 1996 by the BMW M44 DOHC engine.

For the six-cylinder models, the E36 was launched with the then-new BMW M50 DOHC petrol engine. In 1993 the M50TU versions added single-VANOS (variable valve timing), which increased torque (peak power was unchanged). In 1995, the BMW M52 engine replaced the M50TU, resulting in the 328i model replacing the 325i and the addition of a new mid-range 323i model (powered by a 2.5 litre version of the M52).

In 1992, the 3.0 L BMW S50 engine debuted in the E36 M3. In 1995, its capacity was increased to 3.2 L.[18]

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque
316i	1990-1994	M40B16 4-cylinder	73 kW (98 hp) at 5,500 rpm	141 N⋅m (104 lb⋅ft) at 4,250 rpm
	1993-1999	M43B16 4-cylinder	75 kW (101 hp) at 5,500 rpm	150 N⋅m (111 lb⋅ft) at 3,900 rpm
318i	1990-1993*	M40B18 4-cylinder	83 kW (111 hp) at 5,500 rpm	162 N⋅m (119 lb⋅ft) at 4,250 rpm
	1993-1998	M43B18 4-cylinder	85 kW (114 hp) at 5,500 rpm	168 N⋅m (124 lb⋅ft) at 3,900 rpm
318is 4-cylinder	1992-1995	M42B18 4-cylinder	103 kW (138 hp) at 6,000 rpm	175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm
	1996-1998	M44B19 4-cylinder		181 N⋅m (133 lb⋅ft) at 4,300 rpm
320i	1991-1994	M50B20 6-cylinder	110 kW (148 hp) at 5,900 rpm	190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft) at 4,700 rpm
	1994-1998	M52B20 6-cylinder		190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft) at 4,200 rpm
323i	1995-1998	M52B25 6-cylinder	125 kW (168 hp) at 5,500 rpm[19]	245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) at 3,950 rpm
325i	1991-1992	M50B25 6-cylinder	141 kW (189 hp) at 5,900 rpm	245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) at 4,700 rpm
	1993-1995	M50B25TU 6-cylinder		245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) at 4,200 rpm
328i	1995-1998	M52B28 6-cylinder	142 kW (190 hp) at 5,500 rpm	280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 3,950 rpm
M3 Euro spec	1992-1995	S50B30 6-cylinder	213 kW (286 hp) at 7,000 rpm	320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 3600 rpm
	1995-1998	S50B32 6-cylinder	236 kW (316 hp) at 7,400 rpm	350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) at 3250 rpm
M3 U.S. spec	1995	S50B30US 6-cylinder	179 kW (240 hp) at 6,000 rpm	305 N⋅m (225 lb⋅ft) at 4,250 rpm
	1996-1999	S52B32 6-cylinder		320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm

Diesel

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque
318tds	1994-2000	M41D17 4-cylinder	66 kW (89 hp) at 4,400 rpm	190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft) at 1,900 rpm
325td	1991-1996	M51D25UL 6-cylinder	85 kW (114 hp) at 4,400 rpm	222 N⋅m (164 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm
	1996-1998	M51D25TUUL 6-cylinder	85 kW (114 hp) at 4,800 rpm	230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm
325tds	1993-1996	M51D25OL 6-cylinder	105 kW (141 hp) at 4,800 rpm	260 N⋅m (192 lb⋅ft) at 2,200 rpm
	1996-1998	M51D25TUOL 6-cylinder	105 kW (141 hp) at 4,600 rpm	280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 2,200 rpm

Initially, the turbocharged straight-six BMW M51 engine was used in the E36 325td model. In 1993, the 325tds model was released, which added an intercooler to the M51. In 1994, the 318tds model was introduced, powered by the four-cylinder BMW M41 turbocharged and intercooled engine.

Drivetrain

The E36 was produced with the following transmissions:

• 5-speed manual
• 6-speed manual (1996-1999 M3- except for United States)
• 4-speed automatic
• 5-speed automatic

All models are rear-wheel drive, since the E36 was not produced with all-wheel drive (unlike its predecessor and successor).

Suspension

The sedan, coupé, convertible and Touring models use the "Z-axle" multilink suspension in the rear, which was introduced in the BMW Z1 roadster.

The hatchback ("Compact") models use a rear semi-trailing arm suspension based on the older E30 3 Series design. This was done in order to save space due to the truncated rear end of the hatchback.

M3 model

Main article: BMW M3

M3 coupe

The E36 M3 was launched in 1992 and is powered by the BMW S50 and BMW S52 straight-six engines. It was produced in coupé, sedan and convertible body styles.

Alpina models

Alpina B3 3.2

The Alpina B6 2.8, B3 3.0, B3 3.2, B8 4.0 and B8 4.6 models were based on the E36.[20] The B3 and B6 models were powered by straight-six engines, while the B8 models were powered by V8 engines.[21]

E36/5 Compact

Main article: BMW 3 Series Compact

3 Series Compact

The 3 Series Compact range of three-door hatchback models were introduced in 1993, based on a shortened version of the E36 platform. The model code for the hatchback body style is "E36/5" and the model range consisted of the 316i, 316g, 318ti, 323ti and 318tds.

Z3 Roadster/Coupe

Main article: BMW Z3

2002 BMW Z3 3.0i

A modified version of the E36 platform was used for the 1996-2002 Z3 roadster (model code E36/7) and coupé (model code E36/8).

North American model range

The North American model range consisted of the models listed below. The 318i models were powered by the BMW M42 engine, which was used in the 318is model sold in other countries.

Coupe:

• 318is (1992–1999) - Canada only for 1999 model year
• 323is (1998–1999)
• 325is (1992–1995)
• 328is (1996–1999)
• M3 (1994–1999) - Canada only for 1994 model year, US only for 1995 and 1996 model years

Convertible:

• 318i (1994–1999)
• 323i (1998–1999)
• 325i (1994–1995)
• 328i (1996–1999)
• M3 (1998–1999) - US only

Hatchback:

• 318ti (1995–1999)

Sedan:

• 318i (1992–1998)
• 320i (1993–1995) - Canada only
• 325i (1992–1995)
• 328i (1996–1998)
• M3 (1997–1998)

Special models

325is M Technic

Between 1993 and 1994, 150 "325is M Technic" models were produced on special order from BMW North America. Aesthetic modifications included the M3 front spoiler, side skirts, rear valence and wing mirrors, and all of the cars were painted in BMW Alpine White III color. The result was a model with the appearance of a 1995 M3, however without the higher performance engine.[22][23] Handling upgrades included 17-inch BBS alloy wheels, M Tech suspension and a limited slip differential.

Production

The E36 was produced in Munich, Germany; Regensburg, Germany; Rosslyn, South Africa; and Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States.

Local assembly of complete knock-down (CKD) kits was used for cars sold in Uruguay[24] (until 1991), Egypt, Mexico, and Thailand.[25][26][27] The E36 was also built as CKD kits in the Philippines starting from 1994 up until 1997, where production halted due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

Motorsports

An E36 competition car at the Melbourne circuit in Australia

Joachim Winkelhock competed in the British Touring Car Championship with the 318i and 320i from 1993 to 1995, winning the title in 1993. In the same year, Johnny Cecotto won the German ADAC GT Cup driving an E36 M3.[28] Cecotto won the Super Tourenwagen Cup for BMW in 1994 and 1998, Winkelhock in 1998.

Geoff Brabham and his younger brother David Brabham won the 1997 AMP Bathurst 1000 at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, Australia driving a Super Touring BMW 320i for BMW Motorsport Australia.

The 1998 24 Hours Nürburgring was won by a diesel for the first time - a BMW E36 320d, aided by its diesel engine requiring fewer fuel stops than rivals.[29][30]

References

1. "The BMW 3 Series Coupés" (PDF). BMW. 1996. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
2. "1998 10Best Cars - 10Best Cars". Retrieved 6 January 2017.
3. "3 Series - E36 (1990 - 1999)". www.bmwheaven.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
4. "BMW 3 Series history. The third generation (E36)". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
5. "Interview with automotive designer Pinky Lai". www.designboom.com. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
6. "BMW car designers throughout history". www.bmwism.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
7. Caspers, Markus (2017). Designing Motion: Automotive Designers 1890 to 1990. Birkhäuser. p. 79. ISBN 9783035607840. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
8. https://www.welt.de/motor/news/article168283979/Tradition-30-Jahre-BMW-3er-Touring.html
9. "1975 The history of the BMW 3 Series". www.topspeed.com.
10. "BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36)". bmw-grouparchiv.de. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
11. "BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36)". bmw-grouparchiv.de. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
12. "BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36)". bmw-grouparchiv.de. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
13. "BMW 3 Series touring (E36)". bmw-grouparchiv.de. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
14. "BMW 3 Series compact (E36)". bmw-grouparchiv.de. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
15. "3'E36 Compact 318i model selection". www.realoem.com. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
16. https://consumerguide.com/used/1992-98-bmw-325i328i323i/
17. "Used BMW 318i review: 1991-1998". www.carsguide.com.au. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
18. "FAQ E36 M3 3.0". www.bmwmregistry.com. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
19. Cobb, James G. (12 July 1998). "BEHIND THE WHEEL/BMW 323is; Last Hurrahs for a Star Performer". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
20. "3-series [E36]". www.alpina-archive.com. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
21. "BMW 3 Series E36". www.alpina-automobiles.com. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
22. "1994 BMW M-Design 325is Coupe". www.hemmings.com.
23. "1994 M-Technic 325is". www.home.comcast.net. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015.
24. "Uruguay". e12.de. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
25. Jacobs, A. J. (2015). The New Domestic Automakers in the United States and Canada: History, Impacts, and Prospects. Lexington Books. p. 259. ISBN 9780739188262. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
26. "BAMC Profile". www.bag-eg.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2010.
27. "SKD-Standort Mexiko". bmw-grouparchiv.de. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
28. "DriverDatabase". www.driverdb.com.
29. "BMW World - Nürburgring 24 Hours". www.usautoparts.net. Archived from the original on 11 April 2011.
30. "BMW motorsport press release". www.bmwsport.net. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011.