The third generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars is designated under the model code E36, and was produced by the German automaker BMW from 1990 to 2000. The initial models were of the four-door sedan body style, followed by the coupé, convertible, wagon ("Touring"), and eventually hatchback ("Compact").

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.

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 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 production version of the E36 was launched in October 1990, with press release in November and market launch in early 1991. The Touring (E36/3) did not go on sale until March 1995, with the Touring version of the previous generation having remained on sale until April 1994 alongside the E36 sedans and coupés. At first, the Touring was only offered in 320i and 328i versions; in July 1995 the 318 tds Touring arrived, followed by the 318i in September.

Body styles

The body styles of the range are:

• 4-door sedan, produced from 1990 to 1998.
• 2-door coupé, produced from 1990 to 1999.
• 2-door convertible, produced from 1993 to 1999. A 4-door Baur "Top Cabriolet" (TC4) conversion was also available.
• 5-door wagon (marketed as "Touring"), produced from November 1994 to 1999. 105,606 examples were built.
• 3-door hatchback (see BMW 3 Series Compact), produced from 1994 to 2000.

Design

All models are rear-wheel drive since the E36 was not produced with all-wheel drive (unlike its predecessor and successor). The E36 chassis was all new, using the "Z-axle" multilink suspension proven in the 1989 BMW Z1, and designed with rear toe-in to minimize the oversteering characteristics of the preceding generation. Unlike the other body styles, the hatchback (known as the "E36/5" or "BMW Compact") used a rear semi-trailing arm suspension based on the older E30 instead, in order to save space due to its truncated rear end.

The E36 was produced with the following transmissions:

• 5-speed manual (1994-1999 M3) Getrag 420G transmission
• 6-speed manual (1996-1999 M3- except for the United States)
• 4-speed automatic
• 5-speed automatic

Available safety equipment included a driver's airbag, passenger airbag (from 1993 production) and side impact airbags in later models, ABS braking and stability control ("ASC +T"). The dashboard was designed to accommodate the passenger side airbag from the beginning, which limited the size of the glove compartment. Available in the sedan and Touring, a rear seat with two integrated children's booster seats was a first for BMW.

Electronic climate control was also available on the E36. In North America, cars equipped with the "Winter Package" also have heated seats and side mirrors.

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. To retain a 50/50 weight distribution (on petrol models), versions fitted with the heavier, six-cylinder engines had the battery relocated to the trunk.

For the six-cylinder models, the E36 was launched with the then-new BMW M50 DOHC petrol engine. In late 1992 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.

Diesel

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. Diesel engines were only available in sedan, touring and compact body styles. The coupe and convertible only had petrol engines.

M3 model

The E36 M3 was launched in 1992 and was powered by the BMW S50 and BMW S52 straight-six engines rather than the four-cylinder units used in the E30. Unlike the predecessor, it was no longer a homologation special and was not developed expressly with competition in mind. It was produced in coupé, sedan, and convertible body styles.

Alpina models

E36-based Alpina production began in 1991 with the release of the Alpina B6 2.8/2, with an upgraded M50-derived engine. A Japanese market exclusive B6 2.8/2 wagon was produced between 1996 and 1998.

In 1993, the 2.8/2 was replaced by the B6 3.0, following the introduction of the 3 litre S50 engine that was used in the new M3 models. Alpina models were now offered in convertible and touring form as well, rather than just in coupe and sedan models. Again in 1996, Alpina introduced the B3 3.2, following the S50 engine's upgrade to 3.2 litres. With the new 3.2 models, Alpinas were now based on the 328i and its 2.8L engine, rather than 325i models.

In 1995, the B8 was released. The B8 4.6 was based on the 4 litre V8 from the E34 5-series, put in to a 328i-based shell. BMW V8s had coated bores which meant new blocks had to be cast by BMW specifically for Alpina V8s. Fitting the V8 into the engine bay required numerous adjustments to both the body and engine parts; and even then, it was still a tight fit. The B8 4.6 produced a claimed 333 horsepower and 470 Nm of torque. Production of the B8 4.6 ended in late 1998.

For a short time, Alpina produced the B8 4.0, making 313 horsepower and 410 Nm of torque. Only an estimated 5 models are known to exist, and they were all sold in Japan.

All Alpina models featured Alpina's distinctive 20 spoke rims, as well as optional striping. Alpina models also had special aerodynamic pieces, including an Alpina-branded front lip and rear spoiler. Changes to the interior were also present in Alpina models, including new blue instrument panels, wooden trim, new seats and steering wheel.

E36/5 Compact

The 3 Series Compact range of three-door hatchback models was 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 316i, 316g, 318ti, 323ti, and 318tds.

Z3 Roadster/Coupé

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 until 1995, and later the BMW M44 engine which was used in the 318is model sold in other countries.

Coupé:

• 318is (1992–1997) - Canada only for 1999 model year
• 323is (1998–1999)
• 325is (1992–1995)
• 328is (1996–1999)
• M3 (1994–1999) - Canada only for the 1994 model year, the US only for 1995 and 1996 model years

Convertible:

• 318i (1994–1997)
• 323i (1998–1999)
• 325i (1994-1995)
• 328i (1996–1999)
• M3 (1998–1999) - US only

Hatchback:

• 318ti (1995–1999)

Sedan:

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

European model range

The European model range had more variety than the North American and included diesel engines and the station wagon "Touring" body styles. The European market range had more low-range models than the North American, for example, the 316i and 318i had 8-valve SOHC engines. The M3 was also more expensive and had more horsepower than the North American version.

Sedan:

• 316i (1990-1998)
• 318i (1990-1998)
• 318is (1993-1998)
• 320i (1990-1998)
• 323i (1995-1998)
• 325i (1990-1995)
• 328i (1995-1998)
• M3 3.0 (1994-1995)
• M3 3.2 (1995-1997)
• 318tds (1994-1998)
• 325td (1991-1998)
• 325tds (1993-1998)

Coupé:

• 316i (1993-1999)
• 318is (1991-1999)
• 320i (1991-1998)
• 323i (1995-1999)
• 325i (1990-1995)
• 328i (1994-1999)
• M3 3.0 (1992-1995)
• M3 3.2 (1995-1998)

Convertible:

• 318i (1993-1999)
• 320i (1992-1999)
• 323i (1995-1999)
• 325i (1992-1995)
• 328i (1994-1999)
• M3 3.0 (1993-1995)
• M3 3.2 (1995-1999)

Touring:

• 316i (1996-1999)
• 318i (1995-1999)
• 320i (1994-1999)
• 323i (1995-1999)
• 328i (1994-1999)
• 318tds (1994-1999)
• 325tds (1994-1999)

Compact:

• 316i (1993-2000)
• 318ti (1994-2000)
• 323ti (1997-2000)
• 318tds (1994-2000)
• 316g (1995-2000)

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 (until 1991), Egypt, Mexico, and Thailand. 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

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, while Winkelhock won in 1995. Steve Soper won the Japanese Touring Car Championship in 1995 with a works BMW 318i.

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 diesel for the first time – a BMW E36 320d, aided by its diesel engine requiring fewer fuel stops than rivals.

References