In 1986, BMW would alter the course of history by creating one of the most recognizable monikers in the practical performance car space — the BMW M3. What started as a homologation effort to support the German marquee’s racing endeavors very soon turned into a monumental push to produce superb cars that were just as home on a race track as they were in the urban jungle.
Following the success of the original BMW E30 M3, BMW introduced the BMW E36 M3. This iteration of the M3 is often overlooked since it was bookended by two of the most iconic versions of the car — preceded by the E30 M3 and succeeded by the most famous of them all, the E46 M3.
The BMW E36 M3 also had to deal with some rather unfortunate circumstances in the North American market. To keep it relatively affordable, BMW North America decided to offer a detuned version of the E36 M3 in its market, which was a significant step-down in performance from what most international markets got to experience.
Still, the BMW E36 M3 had plenty going for it. So much so that it remains the second highest-selling BMW M3 ever made. This guide covers everything you need to know if you’re in the market for one — from how the US-spec car compares to the Euro-spec model to the common problems you should look out for before putting any money down.
BMW E36 M3 — Significance in the North American Market
Today, the BMW E30 M3 is a classic sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike. However, that wasn’t always the case. In fact, when it was first made available to the general public in the US market, it failed to sell. Hundreds of E30 M3s sat on dealership floors for months on end. For this reason, BMW North America was apprehensive about selling another M3.
It was only after BMW enthusiasts in America showed serious interest in the car and requested the company to import it that the BMW E36 M3 was officially brought to our shores. That said, there was one caveat to this decision. Erik Wensberg, North America’s M Brand Manager at the time, believed it made more sense to use a lower-performance engine on the US-spec BMW E36 M3. It would make the car significantly more affordable, translating to better sales figures.
Sure, the decision deprived the American audience of experiencing what the E36 M3 had to offer, but it made perfect sense in the long run. Sales figures were impressive, giving the company the incentive to continue selling the M3 in North America. The truth is, without the US-spec BMW E36 M3, it’s very possible that we would have never had access to all the iterations that followed.
BMW E36 M3 — US-spec vs. Euro-spec
The most notable difference between the North American and European iterations of the BMW E36 M3 was, unsurprisingly, the engine (detailed information further down in this article.) Additionally, the car sold here came with tweaked suspension and brake components and an optional ZF 5HP torque-converter automatic transmission.
Which Engine Does the BMW E36 M3 Have?
The BMW E36 M3 was the first M3 to feature a straight-six engine. The Euro-spec model was powered by the S50 engine, while the one that debuted in the North American market came with a lower-performance iteration called the S50B30US. It was replaced by the S52 engine, based on the standard BMW M52 engine, in 1996.
BMW S50B30US Engine
When the BMW E36 M3 made its American debut in 1995, it was introduced with the BMW S50B30US engine. While its name includes ‘S50’, this engine iteration didn’t have much in common with its high-performance European counterpart. The S50B30US was a redesigned version of the standard M50 engine, including a revised crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons.
Peak output figures for the 3.0L straight-six were rated at 240 hp at 6,000 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. In comparison, the S50B30 sold in European and other international markets during the same period produced 286 hp at 7,000 rpm and 236 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm.
BMW S52 Engine
In 1996, BMW introduced a facelift for the BMW E36 M3, which included the update of the engine across all markets; the 3.0L engine gave way to a larger 3.2L unit. In Europe, the S50B30 gave way to the S50B32; in North America, the S50B30US was replaced by the S52B32. Nearly all examples of the E36 M3 that you’ll find on our shores are powered by this motor.
Displacing 3,152 ccs, the BMW S52 engine is a higher-spec version of the standard BMW M52 engine. It shares the same cast iron engine block and cylinder head but features a different bore and stroke. Ultimately, the S52 engine is a re-stroked and re-bored M52 with more aggressive cam profiles.
While peak power remained identical to the S50B30US at 240 hp at 6,000 rpm, peak torque increased to 236 lb-ft at 3,800 rpm. Meanwhile, the S50B32 in Europe produced significantly more power and torque with an impressive 321 hp at 7,400 rpm and 258 lb-ft at 3,250 rpm.
BMW E36 M3 Special Editions
Over its seven-year run from 1992 to 1993, the BMW E36 M3 was made available in several special editions. There was the M3 GT in Europe, M3 Evolution Imola Individual in the UK, M3-R in Australia, M3 GTR in Germany, a Canadian Special Edition, and most notably, the M3 Lightweight for the US market.
M3 Lightweight
The BMW M3 Lightweight was developed as a homologation special to allow the car to go racing in the United States. It was introduced in 1995, devoid of most creature comforts (as you’d expect from a racing car.) There was no radio, air-con, leather seats, and sunroof. Additionally, BMW used aluminum on the doors to save weight, removed the insulation under the bonnet, used only carpet on the boot floor, and added thinner underbody insulation. These weight-cutting measures resulted in the M3 Lightweight weighing 200 lbs (91 kg) less than the standard M3.
BMW also removed the top speed limiter and introduced a differential with a shorter ratio. The manufacturer also borrowed parts from the European M3, including shorter suspension springs and a dual-pickup oil pump. Other changes over the standard US M3 included a front strut bar, spacer blocks for a taller rear wing, an adjustable front splitter, and a lower cross-brace.
BMW never released an official figure of how many M3 Lightweight examples were sold, but it is estimated that just 125 were made. They all featured an ‘Alpine White’ color, finished with BMW Motorsport livery, carbon fiber interior trim, and plenty of badges making clear that this was a BMW Motorsport product.
Is the BMW E36 M3 Reliable?
The BMW E36 M3 that you can get your hands on in North America is a reasonably reliable car. That’s mainly because the US version didn’t come with the high-revving, high-maintenance S50 engine. The BMW S52 unit that powers most American E36 M3s is based on the BMW M52 engine. Its cast iron engine block is virtually indestructible and has been known to easily survive the test of time. With basic and timely maintenance and care, you shouldn’t run into any serious issues with the engine.
That, however, isn’t necessarily the case with the rest of the car. Certain aspects of the chassis, bodywork, and interiors on the E36 M3 were substandard in quality and, nearly 30 years after it was introduced, are bound to have degraded. However, most of these issues can be fixed for cheap, so it makes sense to prioritize the car’s mechanical state over its cosmetic condition.
The US engines are also notably more reliable than the ones sold in Europe. The BMW S50 was a higher-revving powertrain and cost a pretty penny to fix. In that sense, the American market does have something to celebrate. While we were devoid of the true capabilities of the E36 M3, the examples we had access to have withstood the last three decades much better than the cars in Europe. They’re also a lot more affordable to fix and keep running.
BMW E36 M3 Common Problems
The BMW S52 and S50B30US are high-performance engines, but they share a lot in common with the sturdy, standard counterparts they’re based on. Still, it’s worth remembering that these engines have likely been run harder, so some issues will pop up.
Water Pump Failure
Water pump-related issues have plagued multiple engines we’ve covered here on Bimmers.com. The water pump on the S52 engine and several other BMW engines from that era used a plastic impeller. Doing so is more efficient since plastic is lighter than metal and requires less energy to operate. On the flip side, it isn’t as durable and doesn’t last as long.
If the water pump on an E36 M3 has done over 100,000 miles, it’s a good time to have it looked at and replace the whole thing if necessary. A malfunctioning water pump will cause your engine to overheat, damaging its internal components. We also recommended swapping out the stock plastic impeller with an aftermarket metal unit that should last longer.
Cooling System Problems
Multiple BMW S50B30US and BMW S52 engine owners have had radiator-related problems on their BMW E36 M3s. Sometimes, these issues can leave your car unusable for weeks since replacement parts can be hard to come by.
The radiator housing and coolant expansion tank are plastic and have not fared well against the test of time. Over the years, they can fracture, resulting in a coolant leak and other problems.
Before you buy an E36 M3, ask the owner to let you give the car a cold start. The engine should start up normally, and the temperature should reach appropriate levels without too much of a delay. If you find that the engine temperature takes too long to regulate, or if it’s too high, there might be problems with the cooling system.
Valve Cover and Gasket Oil Leaks
Nearly every engine that has left a BMW plant over the recent past is troubled by issues related to the plastic valve cover and its rubber gasket. These parts are made from materials that will eventually deteriorate; however, several owners have reported that they’ve failed somewhat prematurely.
These components work through thousands of heat cycles, reaching extremely high temperatures. As a result, the valve cover and gasket eventually harden and crack, letting oil leak.
The good news is that an oil leak around the valve cover is easy to spot and inexpensive to fix. Check the engine cover and spark plug holes for signs of oil. Other symptoms include oil on the ground beneath the engine compartment, the smell of burning oil, or a thick white smoke from the tailpipe.
VANOS Failure
VANOS is BMW’s version of variable valve timing. While the Euro-spec S50 engine featured the technology on both the intake and exhaust cams, the S52 comes with it only on the intake side. The S52’s VANOS system uses oil pressure to activate the intake valves, which adjusts the cam phase. It is a remarkable system that enhances performance and fuel economy, but it also has its share of shortcomings.
The VANOS solenoids and the seals are the two most frequent reasons for VANOS-related failure. The Teflon seal ring and the supporting O-ring in the VANOS seals deteriorate with time. If the engine has logged more than 100,000 miles without replacing these components, it may be on you to change them.
Next, there are the VANOS solenoids. The solenoids that control the intake valves opening and closing have a history of failing prematurely. While the solenoids are inexpensive, replacing them will require you to disassemble the engine, and the labor charges associated with that can be pretty expensive.
Signs of a faulty VANOS system include a drop in performance, shaky idling, or a significant reduction in fuel efficiency. The only way to determine if these are VANOS-related issues is to scan your car for VANOS-related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC).
Interior and Exterior
Rust is one of the most important aspects to check for with the car’s exterior. The rear quarter panels on the E36 M3 have been known to show severe signs of corrosion. If this area of the car has rusted, much of the underbody and parts of the chassis have also likely been affected. Unless you’re willing to spend a lot of money and time restoring the car, it’s certainly not worth picking up such an example.
BMW sold 18,961 coupés, 7,760 sedans, and 6,211 convertibles of the BMW E36 M3 in the United States. While the prospect of driving with the roof down in a convertible M3 is rather enticing, it is, by far, the most problematic of the three body styles. Several owners have faced issues with the roof mechanism, and sourcing spares for the three electric motors that actuate it can be pretty cumbersome. If you have the option, we strongly urge that you stick to one of the hardtop iterations.
The E36 M3 has a rather barebones interior, but it seems that BMW never pegged longevity at the top of its priorities when putting the car together. Even a decently maintained example of the vehicle will have rattling door panels, sagging leather, and faulty switches. These can all be fixed depending on what parts you have access to.
Buy Genuine Parts for Your BMW E36 M3
Even today, BMW enthusiasts in America are still disappointed that they weren’t privy to the full-fledged E36 M3 experience. However, when you take the time to see that the ones sold in America are doing notably better than their European counterparts, it’s a compromise worth coming around to.
Acquiring an M3 is relatively easy. Keeping it in proper running order, not so much. Luckily, with Bimmers.com, your search for parts can be executed in a few seconds with just a couple of clicks. Just head to the shop section and enter the model and year of your M3 to see all the parts currently in stock for your car. We stock only genuine BMW or aftermarket parts, and you will never have to worry about reliability when shopping with us.
