CAR OF 1990 BMW 3 SERIES (E36)

The second-generation BMW 3 Series went on sale towards the end of the year, featuring a new platform and more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension. The styling for the E36 was smoother, and far more aerodynamic than its E30 predecessor, and took many cues from the E34-generation 5 Series. Fourdoor saloons debuted, but a five-door estate, two-door convertible and generationdefining three-door hatch, the Compact, followed.

There was, of course, an M3 version of the E36 too, which arrived in 1992 and was considered to be a rather different animal to the E30 M3, with a straight-six S50 in place of the S14 four-pot. It arrived first as a coupé, with saloon and convertible variants following in 1994. A year later, power grew from 286bhp to 321bhp, ensuring a 0-60mph time which was only a smidge over five seconds – in Europe at least; you can see why the Americans don’t see what all the fuss is about when their E36 M3s were pegged back to ‘just’ 240bhp...