BMW 3 Series (E36)

Development of the E36 began in 1981[3] and the exterior design was heavily influenced by aerodynamics, specifically the overall wedge shape, headlight covers and smaller wing mirrors.[4] The lead designers were Pinky Lai[5] and Boyke Boyer.[6][7]

The production version of the E36 was launched in October 1990, with press release in November and market launch in early 1991.[8][8][9]

The body styles of the range are:

• 4-door sedan, produced from 1990 to 1998.[10]
• 2-door coupé, produced from 1990 to 1999.[11]
• 2-door convertible, produced from 1993 to 1999.[12] A 4-door Baur "Top Cabriolet" conversion was also available.
• 5-door wagon (marketed as "Touring"), produced from 1994 to 1999.[13]
• 3-door hatchback (see BMW 3 Series Compact), produced from 1994 to 2000.[14][15]

• 
  E36 sedan
• 
  E36 coupe
• 
  E36 convertible

• 
  E36 Baur
• 
  E36 Touring
• 
  E36 Compact

Interior

Safety equipment available included a driver's airbag, passenger airbag (from 1993 production)[16], ABS braking and stability control ("ASC +T").[17] Electronic climate control was also available on the E36.

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

All models are rear-wheel drive, since the E36 was not produced with all-wheel drive (unlike its predecessor and successor).

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.

M3 coupe

The E36 M3 was launched in 1992 and is powered by the BMW S50 and BMW S52 straight-six engines. It was produced in coupé, sedan and convertible body styles.

Alpina B3 3.2

The Alpina B6 2.8, B3 3.0, B3 3.2, B8 4.0 and B8 4.6 models were based on the E36.[20] The B3 and B6 models were powered by straight-six engines, while the B8 models were powered by V8 engines.[21]

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, 316g, 318ti, 323ti and 318tds.

2002 BMW Z3 3.0i

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).

The North American model range consisted of the models listed below. The 318i models were powered by the BMW M42 engine, which was used in the 318is model sold in other countries.

Coupe:

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

Convertible:

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

Hatchback:

• 318ti (1995–1999)

Sedan:

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

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[24] (until 1991), Egypt, Mexico and Thailand.[25][26][27]

An E36 competition car at the Melbourne circuit in Australia

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.[28] 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.[29][30]