BMW M3 II (E36) photos

1992 — 1999 · sedan, coupe, convertible
37
photos
18
specifications
240–316
hp
5.5 s
best 0–100

About this generation

The smooth six-cylinder successor that expanded the M3 legacy into sedan and convertible body styles with daily usability.

Launching in 1992, the E36 M3 adopted a sleeker, more understated visual approach compared to its flared predecessor. Underneath its subtle body kit lay a glorious 3.0-liter (later 3.2-liter) naturally aspirated inline-six that delivered effortless, silky power across the rev band.

The E36 expanded the M3's appeal dramatically by introducing sedan and convertible variants alongside the coupe, paired with innovative chassis engineering like the Z-axle multi-link rear suspension. It set the template for daily-drivable high-performance cars.

Specifications

18 in 3 body styles

Coupe E36/2 8 specifications

4433 mm174.5 in
Length
1710 mm67.3 in
Width
1335 mm52.6 in
Height
2700 mm106.3 in
Wheelbase
405 l14.3 cu ft
Trunk
110 mm4.3 in
Ground clearance
Petrol
3.0 (US)
240hp(179 kW)
3.0 l 5-speed manual RWD
1994–1995
Torque
305 Nm (225 lb-ft)
Top speed
220 km/h (137 mph)
Displacement
2990 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S50B30US
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1438 kg (3170 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
3.0 (US)
240hp(179 kW)
3.0 l 5-speed automatic RWD
1994–1995
Torque
305 Nm (225 lb-ft)
Top speed
220 km/h (137 mph)
Displacement
2990 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S50B30US
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1475 kg (3252 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
3.2 (US)
240hp(179 kW)
3.2 l 5-speed manual RWD
1996–1999
Torque
320 Nm (236 lb-ft)
Top speed
220 km/h (137 mph)
Displacement
3152 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S52B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1438 kg (3170 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
3.2 (US)
240hp(179 kW)
3.2 l 5-speed automatic RWD
1996–1999
Torque
305 Nm (225 lb-ft)
Top speed
220 km/h (137 mph)
Displacement
3152 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S52B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1460 kg (3219 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
3.0
282hp(210 kW)
3.0 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 6.0 s
1992–1995
Torque
320 Nm (236 lb-ft)
Top speed
250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement
2990 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S50B30
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1460 kg (3219 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
3.0 GT
291hp(217 kW)
3.0 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 5.9 s
1994–1995
Torque
323 Nm (238 lb-ft)
Top speed
250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement
2990 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S50B30
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1460 kg (3219 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
3.2
316hp(236 kW)
3.2 l 6-speed manual RWD 0–100 5.5 s
1995–1999
Torque
350 Nm (258 lb-ft)
Top speed
250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement
3201 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S50B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1440 kg (3175 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
Fuel consumption
11.0 l/100 km (21 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂
268 g/km (NEDC)
3.2 SMG
316hp(236 kW)
3.2 l automated manual RWD 0–100 5.5 s
1996–1999
Torque
350 Nm (258 lb-ft)
Top speed
250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement
3201 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S50B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1445 kg (3186 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
Fuel consumption
11.0 l/100 km (21 mpg US) NEDC

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Convertible E36/2C 5 specifications

4433 mm174.5 in
Length
1710 mm67.3 in
Width
1340 mm52.8 in
Height
2700 mm106.3 in
Wheelbase
230 l8.1 cu ft
Trunk
110 mm4.3 in
Ground clearance
Petrol
3.2 (US)
240hp(179 kW)
3.2 l 5-speed manual RWD
1998–1999
Torque
320 Nm (236 lb-ft)
Top speed
220 km/h (137 mph)
Displacement
3152 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S52B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1550 kg (3417 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
3.2 (US)
240hp(179 kW)
3.2 l 5-speed automatic RWD
1998–1999
Torque
305 Nm (225 lb-ft)
Top speed
220 km/h (137 mph)
Displacement
3152 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S52B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1570 kg (3461 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
3.0
282hp(210 kW)
3.0 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 6.2 s
1994–1995
Torque
320 Nm (236 lb-ft)
Top speed
250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement
2990 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S50B30
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1560 kg (3439 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
3.2
316hp(236 kW)
3.2 l 6-speed manual RWD 0–100 5.6 s
1996–1999
Torque
350 Nm (258 lb-ft)
Top speed
250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement
3201 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S50B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1560 kg (3439 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
Fuel consumption
11.1 l/100 km (21 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂
269 g/km (NEDC)
3.2 SMG
316hp(236 kW)
3.2 l automated manual RWD 0–100 5.6 s
1996–1999
Torque
350 Nm (258 lb-ft)
Top speed
250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement
3201 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S50B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1565 kg (3450 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
Fuel consumption
11.1 l/100 km (21 mpg US) NEDC

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Sedan E36/4 5 specifications

4433 mm174.5 in
Length
1710 mm67.3 in
Width
1365 mm53.7 in
Height
2700 mm106.3 in
Wheelbase
435 l15.4 cu ft
Trunk
110 mm4.3 in
Ground clearance
Petrol
3.2 (US)
240hp(179 kW)
3.2 l 5-speed manual RWD
1996–1998
Torque
320 Nm (236 lb-ft)
Top speed
220 km/h (137 mph)
Displacement
3152 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S52B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1438 kg (3170 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
3.2 (US)
240hp(179 kW)
3.2 l 5-speed automatic RWD
1996–1998
Torque
320 Nm (236 lb-ft)
Top speed
220 km/h (137 mph)
Displacement
3152 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S52B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1465 kg (3230 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
3.0
282hp(210 kW)
3.0 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 6.0 s
1994–1995
Torque
320 Nm (236 lb-ft)
Top speed
250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement
2990 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S50B30
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1460 kg (3219 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
3.2
316hp(236 kW)
3.2 l 6-speed manual RWD 0–100 5.5 s
1995–1998
Torque
350 Nm (258 lb-ft)
Top speed
250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement
3201 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S50B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1470 kg (3241 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
Fuel consumption
11.0 l/100 km (21 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂
268 g/km (NEDC)
3.2 SMG
316hp(236 kW)
3.2 l automated manual RWD 0–100 5.5 s
1996–1998
Torque
350 Nm (258 lb-ft)
Top speed
250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement
3201 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
S50B32
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1475 kg (3252 lb)
Fuel tank
62 l (16.4 gal US)
Fuel consumption
11.0 l/100 km (21 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂
264 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard
Euro 2

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News

BMW news

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14.Sep.2026
Next-Gen BMW 3 Series: 443-HP M350 xDrive with Drift Mode
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08.Sep.2026
Next-Gen Electric BMW M3: Quad Motors and Simulated Performance Stages
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