BMW E36
Encyclopedia
The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series
compact executive car
s produced by BMW
. It was introduced in late 1990 (as a 1991 model) for Europe and in late 1991 (as a 1992 model) for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series
and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series
in 2005, though E36 coupes were still produced for the 1999 model year. The E36 experienced enormous success in the market. It laid strong foundations for the success that the BMW E90
enjoyed in subsequent years.
Also known as the "dolphin shape", the E36 was sold from 1991 through 1999. All E36 saloons, coupes, and estates employed the "Z-axle" multilink suspension in the rear which had been proven in the Z1
. The hatchback body style, known as the E36/5 or BMW Compact, was identical to the regular E36 from front bumper to A-pillar. In order to save space due to its truncated rear end, the Compact used a rear semi-trailing arm suspension based on the older E30 (also found in the Z3
and M Coupe
), instead of the Z-Axle Multilink employed in all other E36's.
In the United States, the four-door E36 were on sale by fall 1991, while the E30 coupes were retained until well into 1992 when they were replaced by E36 coupes. The E36 convertible was delayed until 1994.
The hatchback body style, known as the BMW Compact
, was introduced in 1995 starting with the 318ti, being very popular in Europe but largely unsuccessful in North America. The "Touring" estate was sold in Europe from 1995, but was not available in the United States.
DOHC engines were used across the range (except in entry level models, see table below), with VANOS
variable valve timing introduced in 1993. The 2.5 L M50B25 used in the 325i models was replaced in 1996 with the 2.8 L M52B28, creating the 328 line. Another 2.5 L I6 engine, the M52B25, was reintroduced for 1998 but badged as the 323i rather than 325i.
, a three-door hatchback
. This platform is often referred to as the E36/5. In the United States
/Canada
market the car was sold as the 318ti and was equipped with a 1.8L I4, 139 bhp M42B18
engine and was priced at USD23,000 in 1995. In 1996 the 1.8 liter engine was replaced with 1.9L M44B19
putting out 142 bhp and 133 ft.lbf of torque. Ostensibly due to slow US sales of the E36/5 Compact, the E46
Compact was not sold in the United States.
A modified version of the E36 platform designated as E36/7 was used for the BMW Z3
roadster in 1996-2002. The modification for the BMW Z3
Coupe was designated as E36/8.
Even though the BMW factory was producing its own E36 convertibles, the Baur
"Top Cabriolet" conversion was still available, possibly out of respect for the long association of the two firms.
was won by a diesel for the first time - a BMW E36 320d, aided by its diesel engine
requiring fewer fuel stops than rivals.
BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. Successor to the BMW New Class, it has been produced in five different generations and in no less than five different body styles. It is BMW's best-selling model, accounting for around 30% of the...
compact executive car
Compact executive car
Compact executive car is a car classification term applied to premium cars smaller than executive cars. In European classification, compact executive cars are part of the D-segment. In North American terms, close equivalents are compact premium car, compact luxury car, entry-level luxury car and...
s produced by BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
. It was introduced in late 1990 (as a 1991 model) for Europe and in late 1991 (as a 1992 model) for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series
BMW E30
The BMW E30 was a compact executive car produced by BMW. It was replaced by the BMW E36 in 1990. BMW continued to produce the cabriolet E30 well into 1993. The Touring remained in production until 1994 when the E36 touring replaced it...
and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series
BMW E90
The saloon model was the first model sold of the 5th generation BMW 3 series. Debuting in the US in 2006, the E90 came in two trims, the 325i/xi and 330i/xi models...
in 2005, though E36 coupes were still produced for the 1999 model year. The E36 experienced enormous success in the market. It laid strong foundations for the success that the BMW E90
BMW E90
The saloon model was the first model sold of the 5th generation BMW 3 series. Debuting in the US in 2006, the E90 came in two trims, the 325i/xi and 330i/xi models...
enjoyed in subsequent years.
Also known as the "dolphin shape", the E36 was sold from 1991 through 1999. All E36 saloons, coupes, and estates employed the "Z-axle" multilink suspension in the rear which had been proven in the Z1
BMW Z1
The BMW Z1 was a two-seat roadster developed by BMW and produced from March 1989 to June 1991. The Z1 featured doors which dropped down into the door sills. A total of 8,000 cars were produced.-History:...
. The hatchback body style, known as the E36/5 or BMW Compact, was identical to the regular E36 from front bumper to A-pillar. In order to save space due to its truncated rear end, the Compact used a rear semi-trailing arm suspension based on the older E30 (also found in the Z3
BMW Z3
The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the first new BMW model assembled in the United States. The Z3 was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie,...
and M Coupe
BMW M Coupe
The BMW M Coupe is a Shooting-brake styled high-performance automobile produced by BMW. As of February 2009, two generations of the M Coupe have been manufactured, one based on the E36/8 Z3 Coupe and the second off of the E86 Z4 Coupe. Both generations have a "sister" Convertible/Roadster model...
), instead of the Z-Axle Multilink employed in all other E36's.
In the United States, the four-door E36 were on sale by fall 1991, while the E30 coupes were retained until well into 1992 when they were replaced by E36 coupes. The E36 convertible was delayed until 1994.
The hatchback body style, known as the BMW Compact
BMW Compact
The BMW Compact is a compact car / small family car, basically a truncated liftback version of the BMW 3 Series, produced by the German automaker BMW between 1993 and 2004. From 1994, it was based on the BMW E36 platform, switching to the BMW E46 platform in 2001...
, was introduced in 1995 starting with the 318ti, being very popular in Europe but largely unsuccessful in North America. The "Touring" estate was sold in Europe from 1995, but was not available in the United States.
DOHC engines were used across the range (except in entry level models, see table below), with VANOS
VANOS
VANOS is an automobile variable valve timing technology developed by BMW in close collaboration with Continental Teves. VANOS varies the timing of the valves by moving the position of the camshafts in relation to the drive gear...
variable valve timing introduced in 1993. The 2.5 L M50B25 used in the 325i models was replaced in 1996 with the 2.8 L M52B28, creating the 328 line. Another 2.5 L I6 engine, the M52B25, was reintroduced for 1998 but badged as the 323i rather than 325i.
Saloons
Name | Volume | Engine | Valvetrain | Fuel | Output | Torque | Engine code | 0–100 km/h,s | Top speed | Years |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
316i | 1596 cc | 4cyl Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
SOHC 8V | Petrol | 100 PS @5500 rpm 102 PS @5500 rpm |
141 newton metre @4250 rpm 150 newton metre @3900 rpm |
M40B16 M43B16 |
13.1 12.7 |
191 km/h (118.7 mph) 195 km/h (121.2 mph) |
1990–1993 1993–1998 |
318i | 1796 cc | 4cyl | SOHC 8V | Petrol | 113 PS @5500 rpm 115 PS @5500 rpm |
162 newton metre @4250 rpm 168 newton metre @3900 rpm |
M40B18 M43B18 |
11.5 11.3 |
198 km/h (123 mph) 201 km/h (124.9 mph) |
1990–1993 1993–1998 |
318is | 1796 cc 1895 cc |
4cyl | DOHC 16V | Petrol | 140 PS @6000 rpm | 175 newton metre @4500 rpm 180 newton metre @4300 rpm |
M42B18 M44B19 |
10.2 | 213 km/h (132.4 mph) | 1992–1996 1996–1998 |
320i | 1991 cc | 6cyl Straight-6 The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase... |
DOHC 24V | Petrol | 150 PS @5900 rpm | 190 newton metre @4700 rpm 190 newton metre @4200 rpm |
M50B20 M52B20 |
10.0 9.9 |
214 km/h (133 mph) | 1991–1994 1994–1998 |
323i | 2494 cc | 6cyl | DOHC 24V | Petrol | 170 PS @5500 rpm | 245 newton metre @3950 rpm | M52B25 | 8.0 | 231 km/h (143.5 mph) | 1995–1998 |
325i | 2494 cc | 6cyl | DOHC 24V | Petrol | 192 PS @5900 rpm | 245 newton metre @4700 rpm 245 newton metre @4200 rpm |
M50B25 M50B25 |
8.0 7.5 |
233 km/h (144.8 mph) | 1991–1993 1993–1995 |
328i | 2793 cc | 6cyl | DOHC 24V | Petrol | 193 PS @5300 rpm | 280 newton metre @3950 rpm | M52B28 | 6.9 | 240 km/h (149.1 mph) | 1995–1998 |
M3 | 2990 cc 3201 cc |
6cyl | DOHC s24V | Petrol | 286 PS @7000 rpm 321 PS @7400 rpm |
320 newton metre @3600 rpm 350 newton metre @3250 rpm |
S50B30 S50B32 |
5.4 5.2 |
250 km/h (155.3 mph) | 1992–1995 1995–1998 |
318tds | 1665 cc | 4cyl | SOHC 8V | Diesel | 90 PS @4400 rpm | 190 newton metre @2000 rpm | M41D17 | 14.4 | 182 km/h (113.1 mph) | 1994–1998 |
325td | 2498 cc | 6cyl | SOHC 12V | Diesel | 115 PS @4800 rpm | 222 newton metre @1900 rpm 230 newton metre @1900 rpm |
M51D25 M51D25 |
12.0 | 198 km/h (123 mph) | 1991–1996 1996–1998 |
325tds | 2498 cc | 6cyl | SOHC 12V | Diesel | 143 PS @4800 rpm 143 PS @4600 rpm |
260 newton metre @2200 rpm 280 newton metre @2200 rpm |
M51D25 M51D25 |
10.4 | 214 km/h (133 mph) | 1993–1996 1996–1998 |
Coupes
Name | Volume | Engine | Valvetrain | Fuel | Output | Torque | Engine code | 0–100 km/h,s | Top speed | Years |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
316i | 1596 cc | 4cyl Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
SOHC 8V | Petrol | 102 PS @5500 rpm | 150 newton metre @3900 rpm | M43B16 | 11.3 | 201 km/h (124.9 mph) | 1993–1998 |
318is | 1796 cc 1895 cc |
4cyl | DOHC 16V Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... |
Petrol | 140 PS @6000 rpm | 175 newton metre @4500 rpm 180 newton metre @4300 rpm |
M42B18 M44B19 |
10.2 | 213 km/h (132.4 mph) | 1992–1996 1996–1999 |
320i | 1991 cc | 6cyl Straight-6 The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase... |
DOHC 24V | Petrol | 150 PS @5900 rpm | 190 newton metre @4700 rpm | M50B20 M52B20 |
10.0 9.9 |
214 km/h (133 mph) | 1992–1993 1993–1999 |
323i | 2494 cc | 6cyl | DOHC 24V | Petrol | 170 PS @5500 rpm | 245 newton metre @3950 rpm | M52B25 | 7.9 | 227 km/h (141.1 mph) | 1995–1999 |
325i | 2494 cc | 6cyl | DOHC 24V | Petrol | 192 PS @5900 rpm | 245 newton metre @4200 rpm | M50B25 | 7.5 | 233 km/h (144.8 mph) | 1992–1995 |
328i | 2793 cc | 6cyl | DOHC 24V | Petrol | 193 PS @5300 rpm | 280 newton metre @3950 rpm | M52B28 | 6.9 | 236 km/h (146.6 mph) | 1995–1999 |
M3 | 2990 cc 3201 cc |
6cyl | DOHC 24V | Petrol | 295 PS @7000 rpm 321 PS @7400 rpm |
323 newton metre @3900 rpm 350 newton metre @3250 rpm |
S50B30 S50B32 |
5.9 5.4 |
250 km/h (155.3 mph) | 1993–1995 1995–1999 |
Convertibles (Cabriolets)
Name | Volume | Engine | Valvetrain | Fuel | Output | Torque | Engine code | 0–100 km/h,s | Top speed | Years |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
318i | 1796 cc | 4cyl Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
SOHC 8V | Petrol | 115 PS @5500 rpm | 168 newton metre @3900 rpm | M43B18 | 11.5 | 194 km/h (120.5 mph) | 1994–1998 |
320i | 1991 cc | 6cyl Straight-6 The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase... |
DOHC 24V Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... |
Petrol | 150 PS @5900 rpm | 190 newton metre @4700 rpm | M50B20 | 10.6 | 211 km/h (131.1 mph) | 1993–1994 |
323i | 1991 cc | 6cyl | DOHC 24V | Petrol | 170 PS @5900 rpm | 190 newton metre @4200 rpm | M52B20 | 9.6 | 211 km/h (131.1 mph) | 1994–1998 |
325i | 2494 cc | 6cyl | DOHC 24V | Petrol | 192 PS @5900 rpm | 245 newton metre @4200 rpm | M50B25 | 8.6 | 229 km/h (142.3 mph) | 1993–1995 |
328i | 2793 cc | 6cyl | DOHC 24V | Petrol | 193 PS @5300 rpm | 280 newton metre @3950 rpm | M52B28 | 7.7 | 230 km/h (142.9 mph) | 1995–1999 |
M3 | 3201 cc | 6cyl | DOHC 24V | Petrol | 321 PS @7400 rpm | 350 newton metre @3250 rpm | S50B32 | 5.6 | 250 km/h (155.3 mph) | 1996–1999 |
Touring (Wagons)
Name | Volume | Engine | Valvetrain | Fuel | Output | Torque | Engine code | 0–100 km/h,s | Top speed | Years | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
316i | 1596 cc | 4cyl Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
SOHC 8V | Petrol | 102 PS @5500 rpm | 150 newton metre @3900 rpm | M43B16 | 13.2 | 191 km/h (118.7 mph) | 1997–1999 | |
318i | 1796 cc | 4cyl | SOHC 8V | Petrol | 115 PS @5500 rpm | 168 newton metre @3900 rpm | M43B18 | 11.7 | 197 km/h (122.4 mph) | 1995–1999 | |
320i | 1991 cc | 6cyl Straight-6 The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase... |
DOHC 24V Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... |
Petrol | 150 PS @5900 rpm | 190 newton metre @4200 rpm | M52B20 | 10.2 | 212 km/h (131.7 mph) | 1995–1999 | |
323i | 2494 cc | 6cyl | DOHC 24V | Petrol | 170 PS @5500 rpm | 245 newton metre @3950 rpm | M52B25 | 8.3 | 223 km/h (138.6 mph) | 1996–1999 | |
328i | 2793 cc | 6cyl | DOHC 24V | Petrol | 193 PS @5300 rpm | 280 newton metre @3950 rpm | M52B28 | 7.0 | 230 km/h (142.9 mph) | 1995–1999 | |
318tds | 1665 cc | 4cyl | SOHC 8V | Diesel | 90 PS @4400 rpm | 190 newton metre @2000 rpm | M41D17 | 14.5 | 179 km/h (111.2 mph) | 1995–1999 | |
325tds | 2498 cc | 6cyl | SOHC 12V | Diesel | 143 PS @4800 rpm | 260 newton metre @2200 rpm | M51D25 | 10.5 | 206 km/h (128 mph) | 1995–1996 | |
325tds | 2498 cc | 6cyl | SOHC 12V | Diesel | 143 PS @4600 rpm | 280 newton metre @2200 rpm | M51D25 | 10.5 | 206 km/h (128 mph) | 1996–1999 |
Compact
Name | Volume | Engine | Valvetrain | Fuel | Output | Torque | Engine code | 0–100 km/h,s | Top speed | Years | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
316i | 1596 cc | 4cyl Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
SOHC 8V | Petrol | 102 PS @5500 rpm | 150 newton metre @3900 rpm | M43B16 | 12.3 | 188 km/h (116.8 mph) | 1994–1999 | |
316i | 1895 cc | 4cyl | SOHC 8V | Petrol | 105 PS @5300 rpm | 165 newton metre @2500 rpm | M43B19 | 11.9 | 190 km/h (118.1 mph) | 1999–2000 | |
318ti | 1796 cc | 4cyl | DOHC 16V Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... |
Petrol | 140 PS @6000 rpm | 175 newton metre @4500 rpm | M42B18 | 9.9 | 209 km/h (129.9 mph) | 1994–1995 | |
318ti | 1895 cc | 4cyl | DOHC 16V | Petrol | 140 PS @6000 rpm | 180 newton metre @4300 rpm | M44B19 | 9.9 | 209 km/h (129.9 mph) | 1995–1998 | |
323ti | 2494 cc | 6cyl Straight-6 The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase... |
DOHC 24V | Petrol | 170 PS @5500 rpm | 245 newton metre @3950 rpm | M52B25 | 7.8 | 230 km/h (142.9 mph) | 1997–2000 | |
318tds | 1665 cc | 4cyl | SOHC 8V | Diesel Diesel engine A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber... |
90 PS @4400 rpm | 190 newton metre @2000 rpm | M41D17 | 13.9 | 175 km/h (108.7 mph) | 1995–2000 |
Thailand
BMW E36 3-series out as full CBU imported car , popular models are 316i "Compact" 3-door and 318i saloon , In that time , BMW advertised that all BMW lineup are available with ABS brakes and driver side airbags , and E36 are only models that come with "Compact" modelsUS/Canada models
- 318i, 318is, 318ic (1992–1995) M42B18
- 318ti (1994–1996) M42B18
- 318i, 318ti (1996–1998) M44B19
- 320i (1994) M52B20
- 323i, 323is, 323ic (1996–1998) M52B25
- 325i, 325is, 325ic (1992) M50B25
- 325i, 325is, 325ic (1993–1995) M50TUB25
- 328i, 328is, 328ic (1996–1998) M52B28
- M3 (1995-1999 coupe, 1997-1998 sedan, 1998-1999 convertible) S50B30US (1995) and S52B32 (1996–1999)
Other platform applications
BMW made an entry level version of the E36 called the BMW CompactBMW Compact
The BMW Compact is a compact car / small family car, basically a truncated liftback version of the BMW 3 Series, produced by the German automaker BMW between 1993 and 2004. From 1994, it was based on the BMW E36 platform, switching to the BMW E46 platform in 2001...
, a three-door hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
. This platform is often referred to as the E36/5. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
/Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
market the car was sold as the 318ti and was equipped with a 1.8L I4, 139 bhp M42B18
BMW M42
The BMW M42 is a DOHC 16-valve I4 piston engine first built for the E30 318is and 318i 1991 year model. The engine block is based on the BMW M40, used on the 318i, but had distinctive features such as double overhead cams driven by a timing chain, hydraulic valve lifters, and an increased 10:1...
engine and was priced at USD23,000 in 1995. In 1996 the 1.8 liter engine was replaced with 1.9L M44B19
BMW M44
The BMW M44 is a DOHC 16-valve I4 piston engine. It replaced BMW's previous multi-valve four-cylinder, the BMW M42 and was related to the lesser 8-valve BMW M43...
putting out 142 bhp and 133 ft.lbf of torque. Ostensibly due to slow US sales of the E36/5 Compact, the E46
BMW E46
The BMW E46 is the fourth generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW, produced from 1998 when it succeeded the BMW E36 until it was replaced by the BMW E90 in 2005....
Compact was not sold in the United States.
A modified version of the E36 platform designated as E36/7 was used for the BMW Z3
BMW Z3
The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the first new BMW model assembled in the United States. The Z3 was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie,...
roadster in 1996-2002. The modification for the BMW Z3
BMW Z3
The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the first new BMW model assembled in the United States. The Z3 was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie,...
Coupe was designated as E36/8.
Even though the BMW factory was producing its own E36 convertibles, the Baur
Karosserie Baur
Baur is a Karosserie or coachbuilder in Stuttgart, Germany, which has been building BMW convertibles since the 1930s. Currently, they are the body and assembly works for IVM Automotive, a member the Ed Group...
"Top Cabriolet" conversion was still available, possibly out of respect for the long association of the two firms.
Motorsports
The 1998 24 Hours Nürburgring24 Hours Nürburgring
The 24 Hours Nürburgring is a touring car and GT endurance racing event on the Nürburgring Nordschleife . With a lap length of over , it allows the participation of more than 200 cars, and over 700 drivers.-Overview:...
was won by a diesel for the first time - a BMW E36 320d, aided by its diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
requiring fewer fuel stops than rivals.