BMW E36 M3
Officially named the ‘BMW Motorsport Gmbh’, it was established in 1972 as BMW’S motor racing division. The first development project for the new division was the BMW 3.0 CSL, which stood for Coupe, Sports and Lightweight. This was essentially a racing project that required the development of a minimum of 1000 homologation specials to be sold for road use. The road car was a high-performance variant of the 3.0 CS and, with highly visible aerodynamic aids, became affectionally known as the Batmobile. Due to the success of this vehicle in both race and road applications, the BMW M division team was increased in size and went on in 1978 to introduce the first M-badged vehicle, the M1. BMW’S M division has been involved in creating high-performance variants of nearly every model of BMW since its inception and is also credited with the development and production of the 106 hand-built 6.1-litre Mclaren F1 road-car engines. The E36 M3 slots into the M Division history as the ninth M-series car and the second M3, following on from the highly successful E30 M3 (1986-1991).
While there were 18,000 E30 M3s manufactured, the E36 M3 trumped this dramatically with a production run of 71,000 between 1992 and 1999.
The new generation M3 was a completely new platform designated E36, and, importantly, was also built-in righthand-drive form; the E30 M3 was lefthand-drive only. The base platform of the E36 was significantly larger and heavier than the outgoing E30, requiring the M division engineers to dig deeper in order to develop it with the performance that the public expected. The E36 M3 version was first released in coupe form in 1992; in 1994 a convertible and sedan were added to the line-up. In 1995, a mild facelift was made to the range and engine capacity was increased.
The E36 M3 followed the earlier E30 lead with the use of multiple throttle-bodies – six in this case. In conjunction with variable valve timing, this engine had incredible airflow characteristics and, consequently, super-fast throttle response and high rev range. Where the first M3 was a highly tuned four-cylinder 2.3- or 2.5-litre engine, the new generation E36
E36 M3
employed a much torquier 3.0-litre straight six-cylinder engine.
Visually, the E36 M3 is similar to the non-m3 versions with only subtle upgrades. Most obvious are those stunning side mirrors that are modern, aerodynamic and add a pure sporting look. More subtle changes included a more aggressive front and rear bumper, side skirts and, of course, the M3 badges. Some markets and versions had boot lid spoilers, while others did not. Overall, the look was of a sportier 3-Series model, rather than the track racer look of the earlier E30. The interior had sports seats, revised tacho and speedometer, traction control and other small luxury features over and above a non-m3 version.
Apart from the subtle variation in look, the actual changes to the running gear of the M3 versus a standard car are comprehensive, combining to create a well sorted driver-focused vehicle. Changes were made with upgrades to performance parts for the engine, wheels,
suspension, brakes, transmission, driveshaft and differential. The manual transmission had a shorter gear action and closer ratios in the lower gears. A revised suspension decreased body roll and reduced ride height in order to provide a controlled, yet compliant ride – like only the Germans could pull off at that point in time.
Perhaps the M division felt hampered with the design of the new E36 M3, as they didn’t get to pump up the guards and add wild wings and the like – so they compensated with the engine. The six-cylinder engine is pure kilowatt engineering at its best. The straight six is a double overhead cam design with BMW’S VANOS variable camshaft adjustment feature, which optimises the cam timing for high and low rpm and differing engine load. In conjunction with six individual throttlebodies, the engine is turbine-like smooth and can rev well beyond 7000rpm before hitting the limiter. At the time of release, the M3
engine in the E36 had the highest output per cubic litre of any normally aspirated engine: making almost 74.57kw per cubic litre. That’s higher than the then current Ferrari 348 and Lamborghini Diablo. That’s on a massproduced engine with all the reliability and warranty of the base non-m engines!
The original E30 M3 was designed as a roadgoing track version to meet race homologation requirements. Instead, the E36 was designed to be a daily driveable performance car for a much wider audience. This explains the multiple versions (coupe, sedan and convertible) and the more comfortable and sophisticated drive experience. However, it wouldn’t be the M Division if there weren’t some extra special versions, including the M3 GT, M3 Evolution, M3 Lightweight, Canadian Edition, M3-R and M3GTR, all of which were developed to suit differing applications. The majority of these were homologation versions aimed at specific classes of racing in different parts of the world.
For example, 15 M3-RS were sold in Australia in order to race in the Australian Super Production series in 1994. These cars were lightened and given additional power via more aggressive camshafts and a cold-air induction setup. This R version of the E36 M3 was the most powerful ever sold to the public with an output of 240kw – exceeding the magic figure of 74.57kw per litre for a naturally aspirated engine.
In 1995, the E36 got a 236kw edition of the classic straight six. Accompanying this engine upgrade was a six-speed manual gearbox. And, for the first time, a (six-speed) sequential manual gearbox (SMG) was offered. The SMG gearbox was essentially the same as the manual with steering mounted panels to select gears and an automated clutch system operated by an electro-hydraulic pump. Due to the increased kilowatts, acceleration times for the 3.2-litre decreased by around half a second for the zero to 100km/h sprint.
The M3 GT was a limited edition of the M3 further enhancing the performance of the standard model. Only 356 units were built from 1995, all sporting British Racing Green paintwork and all using the left-hand drive coupe body as its base. The engine was the 3.0 litre straight 6 and as per all US spec cars had a single throttle body rather than the multiple throttle bodies of the rest of world cars. However, on this GT model, the US engine was upgraded with a higher compression ratio, higher lift cams, some higher rated oil pump and revised ECU software with changes to the Variable Cam timing settings. Power was 295 hp reached at a high 7000 rpm and 323 Nm of torque at 3900 rpm, good enough to dispatch the 0-60mph acceleration run comfortably under 6 seconds. Apart from its stunning green paintwork, the GT model featured forged aluminium 17 inch wheels with low profile 40 series tyres. The interior is striking with Mexico green Nappa leather inserts on the sports seats and carbon interior trim pieces everywhere you look. This GT model also had some modest weight saving with the use of the aluminium door skins. The M3 GT was created as a homologation special to compete In the FAI GT and IMSA GT series, and from a road test its clear the road car is aligned with this focus. Out on the track for a local weekend track event, the GT version benefits from stiffer springs and an engine bay strut brace providing excellent feel, body control and turn in.
M3 GT
LEFT: Superbly elegant (And classically BMW M) five-spoke alloys, strut brace and British Racing Green are GT highlights.
The US market E36 M3 had a detuned engine compared to the Euro Spec and rest of the worlds production. Although also a 3.0 litre engine, the US spec M3 had a different engine platform than primarily intended to keep the cost of the US model down. In contrast the Euro Spec model was the complete deal in the engine department, and made an additional 46 horsepower from its higher ‘real M3’ specification. Increased compression ratio, a stunning set of 6 individual throttle bodies and a continuously variable cam system, as opposed to a 2 stage one in the US spec, elevated the Euro Spec M3 models to true greatness with gains felt both on the road and the track.
The Euro spec version was never sold in the US however a small run made it to Canada via an importation loophole. At the time, the Canadian Government allowed the importation of Norwegian Spec cars in low volumes. The product planning manager of BMW Canada ordered initially 45 of these Euro Spec M3’s and successfully sold them to the Canadian public. The yellow coupe in this stunning collection is one of these original and rare Euro Spec versions complete with all of the engine performance and sports handling featured the M Division had envisioned.
EURO SPEC M3
LEFT: The original E36 M3, launched in 1992, had 210kw and a five-speed gearbox; 1995 Evolution boasted 236 and six-speeder.
The ‘M3 Lightweight’ US only version was an exercise in ‘adding lightness’, the term made famous by Lotus Cars founder Colin Chapman, and applied to all models of their cars ever produced. For the LTW version, luxury items such as air-conditioning, sunroof, radio, alarm system and cruise control were all deleted. In addition, a thinner carpet was used and less insulation added throughout the entire vehicle, as well as aluminium door skins all contributing to reducing the weight to around 2900 lb (1350 kgs), a weight saving of 200 lbs (91 kgs) from the base M3. The model also featured lightweight aluminium wheels and a lowered ride height via stiffened springs.
The only performance change was to shorten the differential ratio to improve acceleration. Exact numbers of this model are unclear however it is widely estimated at around 125. The cars were all painted in ‘Alpine White’ with the BMW Motorsport flag decals draping across the front left and rear right of the car. The rear spoiler is elevated with side extensions and the decals cover a reasonable amount of the car creating a unique look that is immediately identifiable.
The M3 Lightweight was produced for the US market as a purer form of the M3, a car clearly designed to be a more focused sportscar. This model could be driven to the track, for a blast around your favourite circuit, on the weekend and not rattle your teeth out on the drive home.
M3 LTW ‘LIGHTWEIGHT’
LEFT: Unique-to-us ‘Lightweight’ was finished in Alpine White, had a slightly lowered ride height compared with standard E36 M3 and weighed 91kg less.