BMW M3 E36

The E36 is the BMW M3 generation our specification records cover for US model years 1995–1999. Across that run EPA certified 12 versions of it for sale in America, under 2 trim names. It was sold as a coupe, sedan and convertible.

Dimensions are the figures the panel above does not carry. The E36 measures 174.4 in · 4,430 mm long, sits on a wheelbase of 106.7 in · 2,710 mm and weighs 3,175 lb · 1,440 kg. Length and wheelbase come from Transport Canada, which measures every vehicle sold in North America; curb weight from the same source.

Set against the E30 that preceded it, the E36 is 3.1 inches longer at the shortest version and 309 lb · 140 kg heavier at the lightest. Both figures are taken from the lightest and shortest version we hold for each, so they compare like with like rather than setting a base car against a loaded one.

Every version we hold under this code is rear-wheel drive. That matters on the used market more than it looks: which axles are driven changes the weight, the service list and the price, and the badge does not always say which you are looking at.

Gaps are left as gaps. We do not hold curb weight for 7 of the 12 and horsepower for 5, because Transport Canada does not publish a weight for every model and EPA began recording certified output usefully only in the late 1990s. A dash on this site means the figure is not in a source we can name, never that it is roughly the same as the row above.