Key Specifications

Spec	Value
Production Years	1990-2000
Manufacturer	Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Assembly	Munich and Regensburg, Germany; Rosslyn, South Africa (RHD); Clayton, Victoria (CKD assembly, limited period)
Body Styles	4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible, 5-door Touring (wagon), 3-door compact (hatchback)
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Platform	BMW E36
Wheelbase	2,700 mm (sedan/coupe/convertible/Touring), 2,468 mm (compact)
Overall Length	4,433 mm (sedan), 4,433 mm (coupe), 4,210 mm (compact)
Overall Width	1,698 mm (standard), 1,710 mm (M3)
Overall Height	1,393 mm (sedan), 1,348 mm (coupe), 1,366 mm (M3 coupe)
Kerb Weight	1,250-1,400 kg (sedan), 1,290-1,460 kg (coupe), 1,490 kg (M3 coupe), 1,560 kg (convertible)
Fuel Tank Capacity	62 L
Boot Capacity	435 L (sedan), 320 L (coupe), 260 L (convertible), 420/1,150 L (Touring)
Drag Coefficient	0.29 (sedan), 0.31 (coupe), 0.32 (M3 coupe)
Weight Distribution	50.3:49.7 front:rear (325i), 50.0:50.0 (M3)

Engine Specifications

M43B18, 318i (1993-1998)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 4, SOHC, 8-valve
Displacement	1,796 cc
Bore x Stroke	84.0 mm x 81.0 mm
Compression Ratio	9.7:1
Power	85 kW @ 5,500 rpm
Torque	165 Nm @ 3,900 rpm
Fuel System	Bosch Motronic M1.7.2 injection
Ignition	Electronic distributorless
Valvetrain Drive	Timing chain
Oil Capacity	4.0 L (with filter)
Redline	6,500 rpm

M42B18, 318is (1992-1996)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 4, DOHC, 16-valve
Displacement	1,796 cc
Bore x Stroke	84.0 mm x 81.0 mm
Compression Ratio	10.0:1
Power	103 kW @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	175 Nm @ 4,500 rpm
Fuel System	Bosch Motronic M1.7 injection
Ignition	Electronic distributorless
Valvetrain Drive	Timing chain
Oil Capacity	4.0 L (with filter)
Redline	7,000 rpm

M50B20, 320i (1990-1995)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, DOHC, 24-valve
Displacement	1,991 cc
Bore x Stroke	80.0 mm x 66.0 mm
Compression Ratio	10.0:1
Power	110 kW @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	190 Nm @ 4,700 rpm
Fuel System	Bosch Motronic M3.1 injection
Ignition	Electronic, coil-per-plug
Valvetrain Drive	Timing chain (duplex)
VANOS	Yes (M50TU version, from 1992)
Oil Capacity	6.0 L (with filter)
Redline	6,500 rpm

M50B25, 325i (1990-1995)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, DOHC, 24-valve
Displacement	2,494 cc
Bore x Stroke	84.0 mm x 75.0 mm
Compression Ratio	10.0:1
Power	141 kW @ 5,900 rpm
Torque	245 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
Fuel System	Bosch Motronic M3.1 / M3.3.1 injection
Ignition	Electronic, coil-per-plug
Valvetrain Drive	Timing chain (duplex)
VANOS	Yes (M50TU version, from 1992)
Oil Capacity	6.5 L (with filter)
Recommended Oil	5W-30 or 5W-40 synthetic
Redline	6,500 rpm

M52B28, 328i (1995-1999)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, DOHC, 24-valve
Displacement	2,793 cc
Bore x Stroke	84.0 mm x 84.0 mm
Compression Ratio	10.2:1
Power	142 kW @ 5,300 rpm
Torque	280 Nm @ 3,950 rpm
Fuel System	Siemens MS41 injection
Ignition	Electronic, coil-per-plug
Valvetrain Drive	Timing chain (simplex)
VANOS	Yes (single VANOS, intake cam)
Bore Lining	Nikasil (early) / Alusil (late)
Oil Capacity	6.5 L (with filter)
Recommended Oil	5W-30 or 5W-40 synthetic
Redline	6,500 rpm

S50B30, M3 3.0 (1992-1996)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, DOHC, 24-valve
Displacement	2,990 cc
Bore x Stroke	86.0 mm x 85.8 mm
Compression Ratio	10.8:1
Power	210 kW @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	320 Nm @ 3,600 rpm
Fuel System	Bosch Motronic M3.3 injection
Ignition	Electronic, coil-per-plug
Induction	6 individual throttle bodies
Valvetrain Drive	Timing chain (duplex)
VANOS	Yes (single VANOS, intake cam)
Valve Adjustment	Shim-under-bucket (manual)
Oil Capacity	6.5 L (with filter)
Recommended Oil	10W-60 synthetic
Redline	7,200 rpm

S50B32, M3 3.2 (1996-1999)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, DOHC, 24-valve
Displacement	3,201 cc
Bore x Stroke	86.4 mm x 91.0 mm
Compression Ratio	11.3:1
Power	236 kW @ 7,400 rpm
Torque	350 Nm @ 3,250 rpm
Fuel System	Siemens MSS50 injection
Ignition	Electronic, coil-per-plug
Induction	6 individual throttle bodies
Valvetrain Drive	Timing chain (duplex)
VANOS	Double-VANOS (intake and exhaust cams)
Valve Adjustment	Hydraulic lash adjusters (automatic)
Oil Capacity	6.5 L (with filter)
Recommended Oil	10W-60 synthetic
Redline	7,600 rpm

Transmission Options

Transmission	Type	Gears	Applications
Getrag S5D 250G	Manual	5-speed	318i, 318is
Getrag S5D 320Z	Manual	5-speed	320i, 325i, 328i
Getrag S5D 310Z	Manual	5-speed	M3 3.0
Getrag S6S 420G	Manual	6-speed	M3 3.2
ZF 4HP22	Automatic	4-speed	318i, 320i (early)
GM 4L30-E	Automatic	4-speed	325i (early)
ZF 5HP18	Automatic	5-speed	325i, 328i (late)
ZF 5HP19	Automatic	5-speed	M3 3.2 (SMG, Sequential M Gearbox)

Getrag S5D 320Z Gear Ratios (325i/328i)

Gear	Ratio
1st	4.23
2nd	2.52
3rd	1.66
4th	1.22
5th	1.00
Reverse	4.23

Getrag S6S 420G Gear Ratios (M3 3.2)

Gear	Ratio
1st	4.23
2nd	2.52
3rd	1.67
4th	1.23
5th	1.00
6th	0.83
Reverse	4.23

Final Drive Ratios

Model	Ratio	LSD
318i (manual)	4.10	No
320i (manual)	3.91	No
325i (manual)	3.46	Optional
325i (auto)	3.15	Optional
328i (manual)	3.15	Optional
328i (auto)	2.93	Optional
M3 3.0 (manual)	3.23	Yes (25%)
M3 3.2 (manual)	3.23	Yes (25%)

Suspension

Standard Models (Sedan, Coupe, Convertible, Touring)

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Independent, MacPherson strut	Independent, multi-link (Z-axle)
Springs	Coil	Coil
Dampers	Gas-pressurised telescopic	Gas-pressurised telescopic
Anti-roll Bar	Yes	Yes

M3

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Independent, MacPherson strut	Independent, multi-link (Z-axle)
Springs	Stiffer rate (model-specific)	Stiffer rate (model-specific)
Dampers	Sport-calibrated (Sachs)	Sport-calibrated (Sachs)
Anti-roll Bar	Thicker (26.5 mm)	Thicker (17.5 mm)
Ride Height	~15 mm lower than standard
Front Track	1,418 mm
Rear Track	1,434 mm

Compact (318ti/316ti)

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Independent, MacPherson strut	Semi-trailing arm (different from standard E36)
Springs	Coil	Coil
Anti-roll Bar	Yes	Yes

Brakes

Component	Front	Rear
Type (standard)	Ventilated disc	Solid disc
Diameter (318i)	276 mm	258 mm
Diameter (325i/328i)	286 mm	276 mm
Type (M3)	Ventilated disc (floating caliper)	Ventilated disc
Diameter (M3)	315 mm	313 mm
ABS	Standard (all models)
ASC (traction control)	Optional (standard on M3 3.2)

Steering

Spec	Value
Type	Rack and pinion
Power Assist	Hydraulic (speed-sensitive on some models)
Turns Lock-to-Lock	3.2 (standard), 3.0 (M3)
Turning Circle	10.5 m (standard), 11.0 m (M3)
Steering Ratio	17.9:1 (standard), 15.4:1 (M3)

Performance (approximate, period road tests)

Model	0-100 km/h	Quarter Mile	Top Speed
318i (manual)	11.0 s	~17.5 s	195 km/h
318is (manual)	9.3 s	~16.8 s	210 km/h
320i (manual)	8.8 s	~16.5 s	215 km/h
325i (manual)	7.0 s	~15.3 s	232 km/h
325i (auto)	8.2 s	~16.0 s	225 km/h
328i (manual)	6.7 s	~15.0 s	240 km/h
328i (auto)	7.6 s	~15.5 s	236 km/h
M3 3.0 (manual)	5.6 s	~14.0 s	250 km/h (limited)
M3 3.2 (manual)	5.3 s	~13.6 s	250 km/h (limited)

Fuel Economy (approximate, mixed driving)

Model	L/100 km
318i (manual)	8.5
318is (manual)	8.5
320i (manual)	9.5
325i (manual)	10.0
325i (auto)	10.5
328i (manual)	10.5
328i (auto)	11.0
M3 3.0 (manual)	11.5
M3 3.2 (manual)	12.0

Tyre Specifications

Model	Front	Rear
318i	185/65R15	185/65R15
320i	205/60R15	205/60R15
325i	205/60R15 or 225/50R16	205/60R15 or 225/50R16
328i	225/50R16 or 225/45R17	225/50R16 or 225/45R17
M3	225/40ZR17	245/35ZR17 (staggered) or 235/40ZR17 (square)

Wheel Specifications

Model	Size	Bolt Pattern	Centre Bore
318i	15" x 6.5"	5 x 120	72.6 mm
325i/328i	15" x 7" or 16" x 7"	5 x 120	72.6 mm
M3	17" x 7.5" (front) / 17" x 8.5" (rear)	5 x 120	72.6 mm

Electrical

Spec	Value
Battery	12V, 70-80 Ah
Alternator	80A (standard), 110A (M3 and optioned models)
Diagnostics	BMW proprietary 20-pin (pre-1996) / OBDII 16-pin (1996+)
Headlights	Halogen H7 (standard), Xenon HID (optional on late models)

Service Intervals

Service Item	Interval
Engine oil and filter	7,500 km or 12 months (standard) / 5,000-7,500 km (M3)
Spark plugs	40,000 km
Automatic transmission fluid	60,000 km
Manual transmission fluid	80,000 km
Coolant	48 months or 80,000 km
Brake fluid	24 months
Drive belt	80,000 km or inspect annually
Differential oil	80,000 km
VANOS seals	80,000-120,000 km (inspect and rebuild as needed)
Valve clearance (S50B30 only)	50,000 km

Engine Oil Specifications

Model	Grade	Capacity (with filter)	API Rating
318i (M43)	5W-30 semi-synthetic	4.0 L	SJ or higher
320i (M50B20)	5W-30 or 5W-40 synthetic	6.0 L	SJ or higher
325i (M50B25)	5W-30 or 5W-40 synthetic	6.5 L	SJ or higher
328i (M52B28)	5W-30 or 5W-40 synthetic	6.5 L	SJ or higher
M3 (S50)	10W-60 synthetic	6.5 L	SL or higher

Model Variants (Australian Market)

318i

Spec	Value
Engine	M43B18 (SOHC 4-cyl)
Power	85 kW
Standard Equipment	Air conditioning, ABS, power steering, central locking, driver airbag

320i

Spec	Value
Engine	M50B20 (DOHC 6-cyl)
Power	110 kW
Standard Equipment	As 318i plus alloy wheels

325i

Spec	Value
Engine	M50B25 (DOHC 6-cyl with VANOS)
Power	141 kW
Standard Equipment	As 320i plus sports suspension, fog lights, cruise control

328i

Spec	Value
Engine	M52B28 (DOHC 6-cyl with VANOS)
Power	142 kW
Standard Equipment	As 325i, effectively replaced the 325i from 1995

M3 Coupe/Sedan/Convertible

Spec	Value
Engine	S50B30 (1993-96) / S50B32 (1996-99)
Power	210 kW / 236 kW
Standard Equipment	ABS, ASC+T, limited-slip differential, sport suspension, M body kit, M sport seats, 17" alloy wheels, dual airbags
Transmission	5-speed manual (3.0) / 6-speed manual (3.2) / SMG sequential (3.2, optional)

Production Numbers (Worldwide, Approximate)

Model	Units
E36 Total (all variants)	~2,745,000
Sedan	~1,460,000
Coupe	~590,000
Convertible	~175,000
Touring	~160,000
Compact	~360,000
M3 (all body styles)	~72,000
M3 Coupe	~46,000
M3 Sedan	~12,000
M3 Convertible	~14,000