BMW E36

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For the airport with the FAA airport code E36, see Georgetown Airport.

BMW E36

Manufacturer:	BMW
Production:	1991–2000
Predecessor:	BMW E30
Successor:	BMW E46
Class:	Entry-level luxury car / Compact executive car
Body style:	2-door coupé 2-door convertible 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Platform:	FR
Engine:	Otto- and diesel engines I4, I6 1.6-3.2 L, 73-236 kW
Related:	BMW M3 BMW Z3

318is Coupé

1995 316i Compact

1996 M3 Coupé

E36 convertible

E36 Wagon

Georgia State Patrol 318i

The E36 automobile platform was the basis for the 1991-1999 BMW 3 Series entry-level luxury car / compact executive car. It was the successor to the BMW E30 and was eventually replaced by the BMW E46 in 1999. However, because the E46 series 2-door coupes and convertibles were still being developed at the outset of its introduction, BMW continued to produce these models as E36 versions through the 1999 model year. The M3 was produced as an E36 from 1995-1999 in the US, and 1993-1999 in the European market.

The E36 was introduced in late 1990 (1991 model) for Europe and as a 1992 model for US and Canada.

E36 experienced enormous success in the market. It laid strong foundations for the success that the BMW E46 experienced in subsequent years. The E36 is considered the performance benchmark in its class.

1 Non-US Models
2 US/Canada Models
3 Other Platform Applications
4 Success
5 External links

[edit] Non-US Models

Each model is followed by its particular engine code.

[edit] Sedans

316i (1990-1993) M40B16
316i (1993-1998) M43B16
318i (1990-1993) M40B18
318i (1993-1998) M43B18
318iS (1992-1996) M42B18
318iS (1996-1998) M44B19
318tds (1994-1998) M41D17
320i (1991-1994) M50B20
320i (1994-1998) M52B20
323i (1995-1998) M52B25
325i (1991-1995) M50B25
325td (1991-1998) M51D25
325tds (1993-1998) M51S
328i (1994-1998) M52B28
M3 (1997-1998) S50B30
M3 Evo (1995-1998) S50B32

[edit] Coupes

316i (1993-1998) M43B16
318is (1992-1996) M42B18
318is (1996-1998) M44B19
320i (1992) M50B20
320i (1992-1998) M52B20
323is (1995-1999) M52B25
325is (1992-1995) M50B25
328i (1995-1998) M52B28
328is (1995-1999) M52B28
M3 (1992-1995) S50

[edit] Convertibles (Cabriolets)

318ic (1994-1998) M43B18
320ic (1993-1994) M50B20
320ic (1994-1998) M52B20
325ic (1993-1994) M50B25
328ic (1995-1998) M52B28
M3 (1994-1996) S50B30
M3 (1996-1998) S52B30

[edit] Touring (Wagons)

316iT (1998) M43B16
318iT (1995-1998) M43B18
318tds (1995-1998) M41D17
320iT (1995-1998) M52B20
325iT (1996-1998) M52B25
325tds (1995-1998) M51S
328iT (1995-1998) M52B28

[edit] Compact

316i (1994-1998) M43B16
318tds (1995-1998) M41D17
318ti (1994-1996) M42B18
318ti (1996-1998) M44B19
323ti (1996-1998) M52B25

[edit] US/Canada Models

318i, 318is, 318ic (1992-1995) M42B18
318ti (1994-1996) M42B18
318i, 318ti (1996-1998) M44B19
323i, 323is, 323ic (1996-1998) M52B25
325i, 325is, 325ic (1992-1995) M50B25
328i, 328is, 328ic (1996-1998) M52B28
M3 (1995-1999 coupe, 1997-1998 sedan, 1998-1999 convertible) S50B30US and S52 (1996-1999)

[edit] Other Platform Applications

BMW made an entry level version of the E36 called the BMW Compact, a three-door hatchback. This platform is often referred to as the E36/5. In the United States/Canada market the car was sold as the 318ti and was equipped with a 1.8 L, 139 bhp M44B19 engine and was priced at USD23,000. Ostensibly due to slow US sales of the E36/5 Compact, the E46 Compact was not sold in the United States.

A modified version of the E36 platform (sometimes called the E36/7) was used for the first generation BMW Z3 roadster in 1996.

Even though the BMW factory was producing its own E36 convertibles, the Baur "Top Cabriolet" conversion was still available, possibly out of respect for the long association of the two firms.

[edit] Success

Among BMW enthusiasts, the E36 platform is considered one of the best BMW designs of the past 20 years. Sales figures for 3 Series coupes, sedans, and convertibles were at all time highs in North America and Europe. Against other competititors, the E36 would repeatedly beat out the competition and won many awards from major car magazines. The success of the E36 in addition to the "quality" and "fun to drive" aspects of the platform gave BMW a strong market identity and presence for many. The car is however criticized by some for marking a huge departure from the previous E30 model, which was both considerably more compact and less heavy.