Proudly boasting that their vehicles were ultimate driving machines, BMW reaffirmed this belief with the creation of the E36 M3. An eagerly anticipated follow-up to the original E30 M3, this more advanced version was faster, more powerful, and a veritable game-changer within its class.
Possessing a turn of speed that would make the highly regarded Mercedes-Benz 500E stop and take notice, the E36 M3 exploded onto the motoring scene to herald in a new era of affordable BMW performance cars. Along with the equally iconic E39 M5, the E36 M3 would remain a weapon of choice for those who wanted a comfortable, well-built car whose performance qualities would embarrass much pricier, more exotic sports cars.
A hard-charging monster, the BMW E36 M3 remains a blisteringly fast modern classic. It's a car that has aged gracefully, losing none of the panache that elevated it to greatness when first released. A true delight to drive hard, here are eight reasons why we love the E36 BMW M3, and two reasons why we wouldn't buy one.
10 A Very German Muscle Car
The BMW E36 has plenty of available power, in any gear. Never mind the somewhat formal body style, the E36 M3 is a full-blooded muscle car posing as an executive express. It's a rear-wheel-drive, tire-smoking maniac with a very German twist.
Sitting at the top of its model tree, the E36 M3 was fantastically finished. It came with a choice of luxurious trim options, the possibility of an experimental SMG gearbox, and mechanicals usually found on a racecar. It was very German, very BMW.
9 Pure Raw Performance
Apart from the usual presence of braking and stability aids, the BMW E36 M3 was as raw as you could get. It was just the driver, a huge dollop of horsepower, and a steering wheel. Provoking some rear-end, tail-out action was very simple.
Not burdened by a suite of overly cautious safety computers and without a selectable driver mode in sight, the E36 M3 remains a raw machine. It's a car for those who appreciate how simple life used to be, and how enjoyable driving was.
8 Start Of Something Special
The initial version of the E36 M3 came equipped with a 3.0-liter single VANOS straight-six engine. Silky smooth, it generated 282 hp and would romp to 60 mph in an impressive 5.7 seconds before topping out at 157 mph.
The North American M3 though, was a different beast altogether. It was fitted with a less powerful engine making 240 hp, but it would still hit 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. A highly capable car, it developed a huge fan base and remains a popular car today.
7 Old School Working Class Hero
Long before the BMW 3-Series became associated with business success, it was the quality car of choice for driving enthusiasts. Spacious, well-equipped, and without any form of stigma at the time, the E36 generation of the 3-Series was just an excellent all-around car.
What the E36 M3 did do, however, was turn that image on its head. Brutishly aggressive in its power delivery, and an affordable option for many working-class people, the M3 became the rapid transport option for many seeking a daily-driver with incredible performance.
6 The Usable Modern Classic
Choosing the sleek-looking coupe or sexy drop-top will still land you with a car that seats four adults. Both cars retain usable trunks and offer very little in the way of compromise when it comes to fulfilling their role as a daily driver.
Opting for the sedan will allow for far better rear passenger access, making it child seat friendly. Not overly adorned with exterior showy styling, the E36 M3 could easily pass as a sleeper, blending in with lesser-powered, body kit-equipped 3-series.
5 A Fantastic Evolution
Taking the model one step closer to becoming the perfect driving machine, BMW developed the M3 Evolution. Engine capacity grew to 3.2 liters, a second VANOS unit was added, and power climbed to a heady 317 hp.
The Evolution model was able to dash to 60 mph in as little as 5.2 seconds, as it charged on to an electronically limited 155 mph. Subtle styling changes and upgrades to interior trim specifications further made the Evolution a sought after vehicle.
4 Some Tasty Special Editions
Only available in British Racing Green, the UK version of the M3 GT came with the lower-powered 3.0-liter engine, but with notable improvements. Larger camshafts, aluminum doors, and stiffer suspension all added to the allure.
Even wilder was the GTR, a road legal version of the M3 race car. With close to 400 hp on tap from its heavily revised engine, the GTR would explode off the line to hit 60 mph in under 5 seconds whilst sticking to the road like it was on rails.
3 It Still Looks Sharp Today
Unlike many cars from the end of the last millennium, the E36 M3 still looks dashing today. Purposefully boxy with aggressive looks, fat wheels, and blistered arches, the E36 M3 will still turn heads as it lights up its rear tires.
Although lacking electronic gadgetry, the interior of the E36 M3 is still a nice place to spend time. Undistracted by gizmos, a driver can concentrate on just driving fast, with the car hooking up corner after corner with absolute ease.
2 We Wouldn't Buy One: They All Break, And Cost A fortune To Fix
There's no getting away from the fact that the E36 M3 was a highly strung car from the factory. The VANOS units fitted to the engine will fail, and cost a small fortune to repair or replace. Electrics have also been known to give issues, as does the convertible's roof.
Keeping an E36 M3 healthy costs serious money. All of the mechanical parts tend to be M3 model specific, it only likes expensive oil and will chew through brakes in no time. Rust has also been noted as a car killer on early models.
1 We Wouldn't Buy One: There's Been An Abuse Of Power
With the introduction of the E46 M3 replacement car, prices of used E36 M3s plummeted. This meant that cars were now snapped up by those more interested in cheap performance without any consideration for upkeep or maintenance.
So picking up a used M3 can be a minefield. What may seem like a well-maintained example on the surface could be hiding an abused mechanical past. Getting an E36 M3 back into shape would be a costly, drawn out process.