BMW M3 - E36 Question....
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Soldato
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prive them, one is pretty quick, the other is very quick 
I couldent tell you, I have only been in an evo and I loved it! never had the pleasure of a normal e36 M3.
I couldent tell you, I have only been in an evo and I loved it! never had the pleasure of a normal e36 M3.
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take a magnet with you.Virdi said:
IIRC the evo E36 has aluminium doors and AFAIK bonnet too.
(aluminium isn't magnetic
)Well I just found this on the web:
The M3 E36 3.2 - although not officially designated - but often referred to as the M3 E36 EVO, has basically the same engine as the 3.0, but with a larger displacement (3201 ccm) and higher max. power output (321 hp DIN at 7400 rpm) and torque (350 Nm at 3250 rpm). It's production started in late 1995 and the most important changes besides the engine was the brake system. The 3.2 got the brakes from the M5 3.8 for even better deceleration than the already world-class original M3 brakes, as you will see in the test results below. Later, the so-called SMG transmission became available as an option. The SMG is a semi-automatic sequential gear-box
The M3 E36 3.2 - although not officially designated - but often referred to as the M3 E36 EVO, has basically the same engine as the 3.0, but with a larger displacement (3201 ccm) and higher max. power output (321 hp DIN at 7400 rpm) and torque (350 Nm at 3250 rpm). It's production started in late 1995 and the most important changes besides the engine was the brake system. The 3.2 got the brakes from the M5 3.8 for even better deceleration than the already world-class original M3 brakes, as you will see in the test results below. Later, the so-called SMG transmission became available as an option. The SMG is a semi-automatic sequential gear-box
The_Dark_Side said:take a magnet with you.
IIRC the evo E36 has aluminium doors and AFAIK bonnet too.
(aluminium isn't magnetic
Actually aluminium doors was very rare and only appeared on the M3 GT and very early Evos.
The 3.2 rarely produces its quoted 321BHP and the 3.0 frequently exceeds its quoted 287BHP, so they are in fact pretty close in performance.
Hi there
Driven both the E36 cars. The M3 I drove was a manual, it was a nice car that had great power which seemed to really come on past 4000rpm, the brakes were a little weak though.
The M3 EVO I drove actually felt a tad slower but the speedo did seem to climb faster. The acceleration was very linear and smooth hence why it no doubt felt a little slower, the brakes were a lot better. Plus it was the SMG version which I thought was fantastic and the AUTO mode was great for when doing lazy driving but the gear change in AUTO is very slow on those early E36 cars. However when your changing gears by just bashing the leaver back and forth the gear change is quick plus its a great system.
Driven both the E36 cars. The M3 I drove was a manual, it was a nice car that had great power which seemed to really come on past 4000rpm, the brakes were a little weak though.
The M3 EVO I drove actually felt a tad slower but the speedo did seem to climb faster. The acceleration was very linear and smooth hence why it no doubt felt a little slower, the brakes were a lot better. Plus it was the SMG version which I thought was fantastic and the AUTO mode was great for when doing lazy driving but the gear change in AUTO is very slow on those early E36 cars. However when your changing gears by just bashing the leaver back and forth the gear change is quick plus its a great system.
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really?Badgerpoo said:
I've tried a couple of evos and both of them had the aluminium doors fitted.
one was a '96 and I forget the MY of the other.
what constitutes an early car as I'm not exactly sure when production started?
The_Dark_Side said:
I believe it was around '96, as that was also when they were face lifted. I think the only reason some Evos had alu doors was that they were left over from production of the GT which was a homologation special.
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I've never even heard of the M3 GT.Badgerpoo said:
road car?
numbers produced?
specs?
From the BMW M Registry
What distinguishes the 3.2-liter E36 M3 cosmetically from the 3.0-liter version?
The E36 M3 3.2 can be identified from the 3.0-liter version by the following features:
-Black mesh front airdam insert in place of the body-color version
-M Double-Spoke II alloys in staggered 7.5x17-in. (front) and 8.5x17-in. (rear) sizes (not available on the European-spec convertible or sedan)
-Dakar Yellow II (337) offered in place of Dakar Yellow (267)
-Techno Violet metallic (299) offered in place of Daytona Violet metallic (266)
-Estoril Blue metallic (335) offered in place of Avus Blue metallic (276)
In addition, European-spec models are further enhanced by:
-Aluminum doors (coupe and convertible only)
-Clear turn signal lenses
-Third brake light in rear window or on rear spoiler
Note: All European-spec E36 M3 3.2 sedans share the mesh front airdam insert with the other M3 models but retain the less sculpted side valance panels. Like the 3.0-liter versions, both the European-spec sedan and convertible lack the black lower lip extension under the front airdam.
Hope this helps
What distinguishes the 3.2-liter E36 M3 cosmetically from the 3.0-liter version?
The E36 M3 3.2 can be identified from the 3.0-liter version by the following features:
-Black mesh front airdam insert in place of the body-color version
-M Double-Spoke II alloys in staggered 7.5x17-in. (front) and 8.5x17-in. (rear) sizes (not available on the European-spec convertible or sedan)
-Dakar Yellow II (337) offered in place of Dakar Yellow (267)
-Techno Violet metallic (299) offered in place of Daytona Violet metallic (266)
-Estoril Blue metallic (335) offered in place of Avus Blue metallic (276)
In addition, European-spec models are further enhanced by:
-Aluminum doors (coupe and convertible only)
-Clear turn signal lenses
-Third brake light in rear window or on rear spoiler
Note: All European-spec E36 M3 3.2 sedans share the mesh front airdam insert with the other M3 models but retain the less sculpted side valance panels. Like the 3.0-liter versions, both the European-spec sedan and convertible lack the black lower lip extension under the front airdam.
Hope this helps
Garrett said:
Saytan is correct, the Saloon was launched in early 1996 with the Convertible.
TDS said:
Also correct, the Coupe and Convertible had aluminium doors - saved 12kg on each side!.
As mentioned above, you can spot one if you look for: integral seat head restraints and matt black grille/air dam.