BMW 3 Series (E36)

BMW 3 Series (E36)
Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Production	October 1990 – 2000
Assembly	Germany: Munich Germany: Regensburg Egypt: 6th of October City Mexico: Toluca 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/saloon 5-door wagon/estate
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 4-cyl 2.0–3.2 L M50/M52/S50/S52 6-cyl Diesel: 1.7 L M41 turbo 4-cyl 2.5 L M51 turbo 6-cyl
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,700 mm (106 in)
Length	4,433 mm (175 in)
Width	1,710 mm (67 in)
Height	1,366–1,390 mm (54–55 in)
Curb weight	1,315–1,395 kg (2,899–3,075 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	BMW 3 Series (E30)
Successor	BMW 3 Series (E46)

The BMW E36 is the third generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars, and was produced from October 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.

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 compared with previous generations of 3 Series.

Following the introduction of its successor, the E46 3 Series in 1998, the E36 began to be phased out.

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

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

Development and launch

Interior

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

The E36 production was launched in October 1990, with press release in November and market launch in early 1991.

Body styles

The body styles of the range are:

• 4-door sedan/saloon, sold from 1991 to 1998.
• 2-door coupé, sold from January 1992 to 1999.
• 2-door convertible, sold from 1993 to 1999. A Baur "Top Cabriolet" conversion was also available.
• 5-door wagon/estate (marketed as "Touring"), sold from 1994 to 1999.
• 3-door hatchback (see BMW 3 Series Compact), sold from 1993 to 2000.

• 
  E36 sedan
• 
  E36 coupe
• 
  E36 convertible
• 
  E36 Baur
• 
  E36 Touring
• 
  E36 Compact

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.

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

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 engines. 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).

The 1992 M3 introduced the 3.0 L BMW S50 engine. In 1995, its capacity was increased to 3.2 L and VANOS was added to the intake camshaft.

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque
316i	1990-1994	M40B16	73 kW (98 bhp) at 5,500 rpm	141 N⋅m (104 lb⋅ft) at 4,250 rpm
	1993-1999	M43B16	75 kW (101 bhp) at 5,500 rpm	150 N⋅m (111 lb⋅ft) at 3,900 rpm
318i	1990-1993*	M40B18	83 kW (111 bhp) at 5,500 rpm	162 N⋅m (119 lb⋅ft) at 4,250 rpm
	1993-1998	M43B18	85 kW (114 bhp) at 5,500 rpm	168 N⋅m (124 lb⋅ft) at 3,900 rpm
318is**	1992-1995	M42B18	103 kW (138 bhp) at 6,000 rpm	175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm
	1996-1998	M44B19		181 N⋅m (133 lb⋅ft) at 4,300 rpm
320i	1991-1994	M50B20	110 kW (148 hp) at 5,900 rpm	190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft) at 4,700 rpm
	1994-1998	M52B20		190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft) at 4,200 rpm
323i	1995-1998	M52B25	125 kW (168 hp) at 5,500 rpm	245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) at 3,950 rpm
325i	1991-1993	M50B25	141 kW (189 hp) at 5,900 rpm	245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) at 4,700 rpm
	1993-1995	M50B25TU		245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) at 4,200 rpm
328i	1995-1998	M52B28	142 kW (190 hp) at 5,500 rpm	280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 3,950 rpm
M3 Euro spec	1992-1995	S50B30	213 kW (286 hp) at 7,000 rpm	320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at3600 rpm
	1995-1998	S50B32	236 kW (316 hp) at 7,400 rpm	350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) at3250 rpm
M3 U.S. spec	1995	S50B30US	179 kW (240 hp) at 6,000 rpm	305 N⋅m (225 lb⋅ft) at4,250 rpm
	1996-1999	S52B32		320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm

* Sold as 316i in South Africa
** Sold as 318i (instead of the M40/M43-engine models) in United States and South Africa

Diesel

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

M3 model

M3 sedan

Main article: BMW M3

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

Hatchback ("Compact") body style

3 Series Compact

Main article: BMW 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, 318ti, 323ti and 318tds.

Z3 Roadster/Coupe

2002 BMW Z3 3.0i

Main article: BMW Z3

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).

Markets

Thailand

The BMW E36 3 Series was imported as a Complete knock-down car. Between 1995 and 1999, the Thai market lineup included an exclusive 2.4L version of the M52 engine with 135 kW (181 bhp).

United States and Canada

The North American model range consisted of:

• 318i, 318is, 318ic (1992–1995)
• 318ti (1994–1996)
• 318i, 318ti (1996–1998)
• 320i Canada only (1993-1995)
• 323i (1996–1998) Coupe and convertible models only.
• 323is, 323ic (1996–1999)
• 325i, 325is, 325ic (1992)
• 325i, 325is, 325ic (1993–1995) Coupe models sold as 325is.
• 328i (1996–1998)
• 328is, 328ic (1996–1999) Coupe models sold as 328is.
• M3 (1995-1998 coupe, 1997-1998 sedan, 1997-1998 convertible) US-specific M3 engines: S50B30US (1995) and S52B32 (1996–1998)

Diesel models were not sold in the United States.

Special models

318is Mtechnic

A sport version of the 318i in coupe form which was powered by the BMW M42 DOHC engine. The 318is had an Mtech bumper, skirt, 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, and a sportier interior.

325is Mtechnic

In 1993-1994 BMW North America produced 150 "325is Mtechnic" models. Bodyworks included the M3 front spoiler, side skirts, rear valence and rear-vision mirrors, and all were painted with BMW Alpine White III. The result was a model with the appearance of a 1995 M3, however without the higher performance engine. Handling upgrades included 17-inch BBS alloy wheels, M Tech suspension and a limited slip differential.

Motorsports

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. 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.