BMW World - BMW M3 Parts

The third-generation E46 M3 is here!

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Or, click here for great M3 pictures!

Introduced in Europe at the 1992 Paris Auto Show, replacing the E30 M3, the original E36 M3 featured a six cylinder engine with 286 hp and a top speed of 250 km/h. The engine was designated the S50. The M3 convertible and sedan appeared in 1994.

In 1995 the Euro M3 received a small face lift, a new S52 engine with 321 hp, and a six speed transmission.

"The M3 engine does not develop it's power ... it is simply present in an overwhelming quantity at any time. "
AutoZeitung 1992

The E36 M3 for North America was first produced as a 1995 model with the S50 US B30 engine. Horsepower output is 240 at 6,000 rpm, while the torque peak of 236 lbs/ft occurs at 3,800 rpm. The car can go from 0 to 60 in 5.9 seconds, with a quarter-mile in 14.3 seconds at 98 miles per hour.

A number of special edition E36 M3's were also created, like the M3 lightweight, produced for the North American market, and pictured at the top of the page.

Specifications

US Model Coupe

Engine Code:

M50 B30

Cylinders:

24 valve in-line 6 (single VANOS)

Capacity:

3.0L

Power:

240hp @ 6000

Torque:

225lb @ 4250

Weight:

3175lb

Maximum Speed:

128 (Electronically Limited/Manual)

Acceleration:

0-60mph in 5.7 sec

Fuel Consumption:

20/28 mpg city/highway

Front Wheels/Tires:

7.5x17 Alloy

235/40 ZR17

Rear Wheels/Tires:

7.5x17 Alloy

235/40 ZR17

Engine Management System:

Bosch Motronic 3.3.1

Euro Coupe

Engine Code:

S50 B30

Cylinders:

24 valve in-line 6 (double VANOS)

Capacity:

3.0L

Power:

286hp @ 7000

Torque:

236lb @ 3600

Weight:

3219lb

Front Wheels/Tires:

7.5x17 Alloy

235/40 ZR17

Rear Wheels/Tires:

7.5x17 Alloy

235/40 ZR17

Engine Management System:

Bosch Motronic 3.3

The M3 sedan went out of production in 1997, while the coupe and convertible models were available until 1999. The E36 M3 was replaced by the E46 M3.
Like the E30 M3, BMW Motorsport engineers continued to upgrade the E36 M3 during the course of the 8 year run, including such goodies as the Sequential M Gearbox (SMG) on later models in selected markets.

Featured Sites

The Unofficial BMW M3 Homepage was created and is maintained by a German BMW-M fan.

Roundel Articles:

Project BMW M3 from European Car Magazine:

Jeff Tarr is campaigning a BMW M3 in the Speedvision World Challenge race series. Check out his racing page.

E36 M Power is a discussion group for owners of BMW (euro) M3 and also for (euro) M-Roadster/Coupe.

BMW M3 in German and English. Has E46 M3 specs, tuning, data sheet, galleries and links.

///M Car Drivers Association has upgrade (repair) information. Includes info on upgrading the DME chip, bleeding the brakes, removing the seat, replacing the microfilter and more.

The Unofficial BMW M3 Home Page features the M Projects Gallery. Has info on E30, E36 and E46 M3's.

BOB Modified M3 has M3 pictures and the story of L3O BOB.

Bob's BMW M3 Page has information on the M3 and pictures.

Dean's E36 M3 has info on his stereo setup and some performance mods.

James 1998 BMW M3 has M3 info and some pictures.

Turbo BMW M3 Homepage is the home of the Turbo M3 with a 2000 watt stereo system. See pictures of this car and many others in the M photo gallery.

BMW ///M3 E36 Coupé has facts and pictures. Has info on E36 models with a great engine type table.

Toby Finley's BMW Page from an M3 owner.

BMW's and other cars in French.

The BMW M3 Page has some pictures.

BMW Enthusiast Page has some pictures.

BMW M3 in Swedish. Has pictures and tech info.

Página do Miguel Cabrita BMW M3 from Portugal.