As the E30 3 Series established itself as a full line including compact coupes, sedans and convertibles. The 3 Series quickly became the envy of the the industry with likes of the Cadillac Cimarron and Audio 4000 Quattro were nothing more than cheap imitations. BMW was now faced with replacing a perfect specimen, anything short of that would hail big time sales danger.

The E36 brethren to the E30 was a jump forward in body styling with different proportions and styling breaking out of the details established by the 2002, this was an all new machine.

BMW E36 Sedan

• 316i (1990-1993) M40B16



• 316i (1993-1998) M43B16


• 318i (1990-1993) M40B18


• 318i (1993-1998) M43B18


• 318iS (1992-1996) M42B18


• 318iS (1996-1998) M44B19



• 318tds (1994-1998) M41D17


• 320i (1991-1994) M50B20


• 320i (1994-1998) M52B20


• 323i (1995-1998) M52B25


• 325i (1991-1995) M50B25



• 325td (1991-1998) M51D25


• 325tds (1993-1998) M51S


• 328i (1994-1998) M52B28


• M3 (1994-1995) S50B30


• M3 Evo (1995-1998) S52B30

BMW e36 Coupes

• 316i (1993-1998) M43B16


• 318is (1992-1996) M42B18


• 318is (1996-1998) M44B19



• 320i (1992) M50B20


• 320i (1992-1998) M52B20


• 323is (1995-1999) M52B25


• 325i (1992-1995) M50B25


• 328i (1995-1998) M52B28



• 328is (1995-1999) M52B28


• M3 (1992-1995) S50

BMW e36 Compacts

• 316ti (1994-1998) M43B16


• 318tds (1995-1998) M41D17


• 318ti (1994-1996) M42B18



• 318ti (1996-1998) M44B19


• 323ti (1996-1998) M52B25

Among most BMW enthusiasts, the E36 platform was among the most popular of BMW design of the past 20 years. Sales for 3 Series coupes, sedans, and convertibles were at all time highs in North America and Europe. Against other competititors, the E36 would repeatedly beat out the competition and won many awards from major car magazines. The success of the E36 in addition to the "quality" and "fun to drive" aspects of the platform gave BMW a strong market identity and presence for many.