Offered as the ultimate version of BMW's workhorse 3 series, the M3 has been a high performance staple offering since the model's 1986 inception from the iconic E30 version right through to the latest 2022 G80 incarnation.
Often regarded as one of the best all-round performance cars ever produced, the classic BMW E36 M3 dishes out real-world thrills in a functional and useable package. It's a car that has weathered the passing of time with ease and can still hold its head up high with sporting figures and credentials that will still upset a whole parking lot full of younger contenders.
Hailing from a time when cars were boxier, lighter, and less tech heavy, the M3 was a benchmark-setting powerhouse on wheels. Blazingly fast and capable of demolishing your favorite road with razor sharp prowess, here are 10 things everyone forgot about the BMW E36 M3.
10 The Original
Released in 1986, the E30 M3 drew a new line in the sand. Here was an aggressively styled 4-seater coupe that would happily potter to the local supermarket before sticking its middle finger up at supercars of the time on the way home.
The ultimate Sport Evolution models, often called Evolution III, threw out 238 hp from a stroked 2.5-liter four cylinder S14 engine. Only available in red or black, only 600 cars were made and would happily blast to 60 mph in 6 seconds.
9 3.0 E36 M3
The E30 replacement was a much bigger car and was the first M3 to use a straight-6 engine. In year one guise, the engine was a 3.0-liter S50 unit that produced 282 hp at 7,000 rpm and would hit 60 mph in a respectable 5.8 seconds.
The quarter mile would pass in 15 seconds, with the driver being able to call on the M3's superb handling when the roads got twisty. Far more luxuriously appointed than its predecessor, the 3.0 liter M3 gained a devoted following.
8 Body Styles & One Off Compact
With a 3 bodyshell line-up, the M3 catered for all. Whether it be the wind in the hair thrills of the convertible, the sleek and stylish coupe or the family friendly sedan, the M3 would slot in and satisfy the needs of any enthusiastic owner.
A one-off prototype, the M3 Compact made use of the updated 3.2 liter 321 hp engine and was dreamt up to inspire a younger generation of buyers to take the plunge and experience high performance BMW thrills. Lighter and tighter, the M3 compact was said to hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.
7 The M3 GT
A special edition European offering, the M3 GT was equipped with a S50B30 3.0 liter engine making 295 hp thanks to the newly developed VANOS camshaft control unit. Performance was commendable, with 0-60 passing in 5.9 seconds.
Only offered in British Racing Green, the bodywork featured white indicator lenses, aluminium doors, unique spoiler and splitters, aerodynamic mirrors whilst internally the Amaretta sports seats with Mexico Green Nappa leather were truly sumptuous.
6 The 3.2 Evolution
Following a facelift, the M3 received the new S50 B32 engine that featured Double VANOS valve timing, bigger inlet valves, graphite-coated conrods, new exhaust manifold and an increase in displacement to 3.2 liters. Power jumped to a meatier 321 hp.
Able to dispatch the 0-60 mph sprint in 5.2 seconds, the Evolution's 258 lb-ft of torque would happily wiggle the tail in the first three gears and thanks to an updated 6 speed box cruising at highway speeds now yielded a higher mpg.
5 North American Models
Having been on sale in other countries for three years, the United States had to wait until 1995 to receive an official M3 of their very own. The car was downgraded to feature less complex brakes, an optional 5-speed automatic gearbox and a different engine.
Utilizing the S50B30US 3.0 liter straight-six, power fell to 240 hp, with torque coming in at 225 lb ft, 0-60 was covered in 6.3 seconds. Changes came as BMW believed the full fat European version would be too expensive for the US market.
4 Advanced Engineering
Having collaborated with McLaren to create a 6-liter V12 engine for the F1 road car, BMW decided to cut the engine in half to create a technologically advanced 3.0 liter straight six that presented huge potential.
The first engine in BMW's armoury to offer over 100 hp per liter, the S50B32 was a performance power house. Aided by a Siemens ECU, the engine management system could execute up to 20 million commands per second.
3 The GTR And M3-R
Built to compete in the German GT Cup Touring Car series, the GTR features a wide and aggressive bodykit, racing rear wing, stripped out interior and is powered by a modified 3.2-liter engine producing 370 hp with additional tuning stages offering up to 410 hp.
Only sold to those in possession of a CAMS racing license, the Australian, the M3-R was the brawniest factory produced 3.0-liter M3. Engine modifications boosted power to an Evo beating 322 hp, 5.6 seconds would see 60 mph appear on the speedo, with the quarter mile passing in 13 seconds.
2 The Mercedes Rival
Natural rivals from the get-go, Mercedes-Benz countered BMW's M3 by dropping a hulking great 4.3-liter 24 valve twin-spark V8 into its C-Class to create the AMG 43, a super cool sports sedan with M3-rivaling credentials.
The AMG-tuned aluminum engine produced more power than the BMW unit at 302 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque, but the 5 speed automatic gearbox blunted performance, with 60 mph coming up in 6.1 seconds.
1 The Replacement
The third generation E46 M3 brought with it smoother lines, quad tail pipes and a new S54B32 engine that retained its predecessor's 3.2-liter displacement but now boasted 343 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque.
Handling was sensational with the M3 reacting to driver inputs immediately whilst the 0-60 mph time dropped to 4.7 seconds. More refined and comfortable than the outgoing E36, the new E46 could be specified with an updated SMG-II paddle shift gearbox.