Expect to replace most of the cooling system at about 60,000 miles.Seals on the solenoid that operate the system will wear and fail. This is the first M3 to use the VANOS variable valve timing technology.Plentiful and reasonably reliable, the E36 M3 is usually the most affordable of all M3s. A five-speed automatic also debuted in 1996, but the automatic adds over a second to the zero-to-60 time. In 1996, BMW bumped displacement to 3.2 liters to increase torque, but the 240-hp number remained unchanged. A four-door M3 arrived in 1996, and a convertible debuted for 1997.
Enthusiasts were skeptical of the lower-performance engine, but the American M3 was still capable of hitting 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. While Europeans received a high-revving S50 3.0-liter inline-six with 286 horsepower, Americans got a 240-hp 3.0-liter version of the engine in the 325i. The M3 GT Is the Best E36 You Might Not Know AboutĪmericans had to wait until the 1995 model year for the E36 M3, and when it arrived, it had a less exotic engine than the rest of the world enjoyed. No, the Evo 2 wasn’t exported to America either. It inherited the larger, 2.5-liter engine from the "Sport Evolution" model, but the Evo 2 further pushed its output to 238 horsepower. 1990 – The "Sport Evolution II" model was produced featuring thinner window glass, adjustable spoilers, bigger wheels and tires, and lightweight body work.However, they are now among the most valued M3s. None were exported to the United States by BMW. 1988 - BMW produced only 786 M3 convertibles in the E30 generation.These cars are easily identified by their valve covers, which feature three painted stripes of the BMW M livery. The engine was massage with increased compression, a revised air intake, and tweaked engine management software. 1988 – The M3 "Evolution II" appeared in Europe with revised spoilers and bigger wheels and tires.
This is not widely considered to be unique model by enthusiasts, though BMW officially labels it as such after building roughly 500 examples. Power ratings did not rise on the road cars, but the engine changes were needed to keep pace in racing.