GALLERY
The E36 was named in Car and Driver magazine's 10Best list for every year it was on sale.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.
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 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.
| 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 | 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 | 1991–1993 | M50B20 6-cylinder | 110 kW (148 hp) at 5,900 rpm | 190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft) at 4,700 rpm |
| 1993–1998 | 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 | 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 | 210 kW (282 hp) at 7,000 rpm | 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 3,600 rpm |
| 1995–1998 | S50B32 6-cylinder | 239 kW (321 hp) at 7,400 rpm | 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) at 3,250 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.
