As BMW marks the fiftieth anniversary of the three Collection, BMWBLOG is exploring the mannequin’s storied historical past and contribution to the automaker’s success. We’ve already analyzed the primary and second generations—that’s, the E21 and the E30. The previous enabled BMW to deal with the auto trade’s security, environmental and gas crises of the Nineteen Seventies and Eighties, whereas the latter established the distinctive id of the three Collection by considerably widening its base. Each have been business successes.
That stated, at present we’re going to discuss concerning the third-generation 3 Collection, designated the E36. It was constructed between 1990 and 2000, with a complete output of two.7 million models. For reference, there have been 1.3 million E21s and a couple of.34 million E30s made. To not point out that simply because the E30’s platform was used for the limited-run Z1, the E36’s platform underpinned the Z3 sports activities automobile, which was mass-produced and featured within the James Bond: Goldeneye film.
Industrial Success Coupled with Important Acclaim
The E36 3 Collection was not solely a business success nevertheless it was additionally critically acclaimed. It acquired rave critiques from publications resembling Autocar, Highway & Monitor and Efficiency Automotive, and it was included on Automotive and Driver’s 10Best record yearly it was on sale. The automobile’s design was, after all, the very first thing that stood out. The E36 was extra aerodynamic and modern than its predecessors, leading to higher effectivity, efficiency and visible attraction. It was additionally the primary 3 Collection to be out there as a hatchback.
Other than that, the E36 featured upgraded powertrain choices. The entry-level 316i produced ‘solely’ round 100 horsepower, however the 325i and the 328i generated 190 horsepower. Compared, the E30 325i produced 168 horsepower and 164 pound-feet of torque, whereas the E21 323i produced 143 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque and will speed up from 0 to 60 mph in 9 seconds.
Moreover, the vary finally topped out with the M3, which was supplied as a sedan for the primary time. It was powered by the S50 and S52 inline-six engines, with the European-spec variant producing 321 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and the American-spec mannequin producing 240 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. With a 0 to 60 mph time of round 5.5 seconds, the E36 M3 was significantly sooner than the four-cylinder E30 M3 (6.5 seconds).
Notably, the Z3 M had comparable efficiency figures, delivering 315 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque.
Legacy – Overshadowed by the E30 and the E46?
Bear in mind, although, that the E36 M3 was not particularly developed as a homologation particular, due to this fact, it didn’t have the identical attract or stature because the E30 M3. As but, this doesn’t diminish the truth that it was a superb sports activities automobile — if something, the E36 platform was all the time effectively regarded for its dealing with, dynamics and sheer driving pleasure.
The one challenge is that, just like the E21, the E36 was eclipsed by its predecessor (E30) and successor (E46). Certainly, the E30 has a extra important heritage as a result of it expanded the three Collection vary by means of the extra sensible sedan physique fashion and the first-generation M3. In the meantime, the E46 clearly surpassed the E36 with extra superior know-how, engineering and efficiency.
Admittedly, the E36 additionally grew the three Collection portfolio (e.g., M3 Sedan or the three Collection Compact) and featured substantial mechanical enhancements, however that wasn’t fairly sufficient to earn the identical degree of recognition because the E30 or the E46. Nonetheless, we nonetheless imagine that the third-gen 3 Collection is a superb selection for these desirous to personal a traditional BMW and expertise the model’s historical past and legacy.
