Segment:
Compact Executive Sedan / Luxury Sedan
Target Audience:
Owners seeking to perform DIY maintenance and repairs, independent repair shops
Key Competitors:
Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Lexus ES, Infiniti G20
Vehicle Attributes:
Sporty handling, premium interior, advanced engineering for its time
Manual Value Proposition:
Empowers owners to maintain and repair their vehicle with confidence, reducing dealership costs
Primary Coverage:
Full Service Repair and Maintenance
Secondary Coverage:
Diagnostics, Troubleshooting, Rebuilding, Refurbishing, Restoration
Estimated Page Count:
1000+
Type:
Factory-Authorized Service Manual / Repair Manual
Format:
Digital (likely PDF or similar, based on description)
Engine:
Engine mechanical, fuel injection, ignition, cooling, lubrication, emissions control
Transmission:
Manual and automatic transmission repair, fluid services, drivetrain components
Brakes:
Hydraulic system, ABS, brake pad/rotor replacement, caliper service
Suspension:
Front and rear suspension components, shock absorbers, springs, alignment specifications
Steering:
Power steering system, steering rack, tie rods, linkages
Electrical:
Wiring diagrams, lighting, battery, alternator, starter, fuses, relays, ECU diagnostics
Body:
Body panel removal/installation, doors, hinges, locks, interior trim, glass
HVAC:
Air conditioning system, heater core, blower motor, climate control operation
Diagnostics:
Troubleshooting guides, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), OBD-II system information
Maintenance:
Oil changes, filter replacements, spark plug service, fluid checks and flushes
Repair:
Engine component replacement, transmission rebuild, brake caliper overhaul, electrical component repair
Troubleshooting:
Step-by-step diagnostic procedures for common and complex issues
Rebuilding:
Detailed instructions for engine and transmission rebuilds
Depth:
Comprehensive, covering everything from routine maintenance to full engine and transmission overhauls
Detail Level:
Factory-level detail with torque specifications, clearances, and assembly procedures
Engine Options Common:
2.5L Inline-6 (M50/M52 variants), 2.8L Inline-6 (M52 variants), potentially 4-cylinder (M43 variants)
Engine Code Example:
M52B25, M52B28
Horsepower Range Typical:
150 hp (4-cyl) to 193 hp (2.5L) to 210 hp (2.8L)
Torque Range Typical:
170 lb-ft (4-cyl) to 225 lb-ft (2.8L)
Fuel Injection:
Bosch Motronic (e.g., Motronic 5.2)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91 octane or higher recommended)
Transmission Type Standard:
5-speed Manual Transmission (Getrag or ZF)
Transmission Type Optional:
4-speed Automatic Transmission (ZF 4HP22 or 4HP24)
Drivetrain:
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
Manual Transmission Fluid:
BMW Manual Transmission Fluid LT-3 (e.g., 83 22 9 407 305) or equivalent GL-4/GL-5 gear oil
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
ATF Dexron III (e.g., Esso LT 71141 or ZF Lifeguardfluid5)
Body Styles Available:
4-door Sedan
Wheelbase Typical:
approx. 107.1 inches (2720 mm)
Length Typical:
approx. 179.4 inches (4557 mm)
Width Typical:
approx. 69.1 inches (1755 mm)
Height Typical:
approx. 55.9 inches (1420 mm)
Curb Weight Range Typical:
3100-3400 lbs (approx. 1400-1550 kg)
Wheel Bolt Pattern:
5x120mm
Wheel Offset Typical:
ET35-ET47
Tire Size Typical:
205/60R15, 225/55R15, 225/50R16
NHTSA Front Impact Rating:
4-star (for similar period BMWs)
IIHS Side Impact Rating:
Good (for similar period BMWs)
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Traction Control:
Optional Automatic Stability Control (ASC) or ASC+T
Airbags:
Driver and front passenger airbags
Seatbelts:
3-point inertia-reel seatbelts with pre-tensioners
Chassis Design:
Reinforced safety cell, crumple zones
Audio System Typical:
BMW Business CD or Professional CD with premium speaker options
Navigation System Availability:
Optional, early generation navigation systems (e.g., MFD)
Cruise Control:
Standard or optional electronic cruise control
Cellular Integration:
Optional cellular phone integration/preparation
Oil Change Interval Typical:
Every 7,500 - 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first (using synthetic oil)
Spark Plug Replacement Typical:
Every 60,000 - 100,000 miles (depending on plug type: copper vs. platinum/iridium)
Coolant Flush Interval Typical:
Every 2-3 years or 30,000 miles
Engine Oil Specification:
SAE 5W-30 or 5W-40 Synthetic (API SH/SJ or higher, ACEA A3/B3 or higher)
Engine Oil Capacity Typical:
6.5 quarts (6.1 liters) for 6-cylinder engines
Coolant Type:
BMW Blue Antifreeze/Coolant (G48 ethylene glycol based) or equivalent
Common Problems Engine:
Oil pan gasket leaks, VANOS unit issues (e.g., rattle, performance loss), cooling system component failures (water pump, thermostat, expansion tank)
Common Problems Suspension:
Worn control arm bushings, front strut mount wear, rear subframe mounting fatigue
Common Problems Electrical:
Instrument cluster pixel failure, ABS sensor failure, door lock actuator failure
Oil Filter Example:
Mann-Filter HU 719/6
Air Filter Example:
Mahle LX 87/2
Brand Focus:
Performance, luxury, engineering excellence
E36 Generation Period:
1990-1999 (Sedan variants primarily 1991-1998)
Positioning Within Bmw Lineup:
Entry-level luxury sedan, successor to the E30 3 Series Sedan
Manufacturing Locations:
Germany (e.g., Dingolfing, Munich), South Africa, Austria, USA
