Positioning:
Performance-oriented luxury sports sedan, highly sought after by enthusiasts.
Competitors:
Porsche 911 (993 generation), Chevrolet Corvette (C4), Nissan 300ZX (Z32), Toyota Supra (Mk IV)
Performance Focus:
Renowned for its handling, powerful inline-six engine, and driver-centric experience.
Manual Value Proposition:
Essential resource for maintaining the performance and longevity of a classic performance vehicle.
Primary Focus:
Full Service and Repair
Scope:
Maintenance, Diagnostics, Repair, Rebuild, Refurbish, Restoration
Estimated Pages:
Comprehensive (Exact number varies by edition, typically 1000+ pages for full manuals)
Type:
Factory Service Manual / Workshop Manual
Format:
Digital (PDF) / Printed (depending on specific product offering)
Powertrain:
Engine (S50B30/S50B32), Cooling System, Fuel System, Exhaust System, Transmission (Manual & Automatic), Drivetrain (Rear Wheel Drive, Limited Slip Differential)
Chassis:
Suspension (Front & Rear), Steering System, Braking System (ABS), Wheels and Tires
Electrical:
Engine Control Unit (ECU), Ignition System, Lighting System, Instrumentation, Body Electrics, Diagnostics (OBD-I/OBD-II)
Body And Interior:
Body Panels, Doors, Hood, Trunk, Bumpers, Interior Trim, Seats, HVAC System, Body Sealing
Maintenance:
Oil Change, Filter Replacement, Spark Plug Replacement, Coolant Flush, Brake Fluid Flush, Belt Inspection/Replacement, Routine Checks
Diagnostics:
Troubleshooting Guides, Fault Code Interpretation, Component Testing Procedures, Wiring Diagrams Analysis
Repair:
Engine Overhaul, Transmission Rebuild, Suspension Component Replacement, Brake System Repair, Electrical Component Repair/Replacement, Body Panel Repair
Restoration:
Component Refurbishment, Reassembly Guides, Part Identification for Restoration Projects
Depth:
Expert Level (Detailed specifications, torque values, special tool requirements, diagnostic procedures)
PDF Quality:
High Resolution (Scanned or digital, with searchable text if available)
Print Options:
Printable pages, easy navigation for printing specific sections
Binding:
N/A (for digital), Professional binding (for print - e.g., spiral bound, perfect bound)
Paper:
N/A (for digital), High-quality paper stock suitable for workshop environments (for print)
Engine Code:
S50B30 (US Spec) / S50B32 (Euro Spec)
Engine Type:
Naturally Aspirated Inline 6-Cylinder, Dual Overhead Camshafts (DOHC), 24 Valves
Displacement:
3.0L (2990cc) for US / 3.2L (3201cc) for Euro
Horsepower Us Spec:
240 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque Us Spec:
225 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Horsepower Euro Spec:
321 hp @ 7400 rpm
Torque Euro Spec:
258 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Bosch Motronic Engine Management System, Multi-Point Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91+ Octane)
Length:
Approx. 174.5 inches (4432 mm)
Width:
Approx. 69.1 inches (1755 mm)
Height:
Approx. 53.7 inches (1364 mm)
Wheelbase:
Approx. 106.1 inches (2695 mm)
Curb Weight:
Approx. 3300-3400 lbs (1500-1550 kg)
Crash Testing:
NHTSA ratings from the era (specific M3 ratings might vary, E36 platform tested)
ABS:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) standard
Traction Control:
Automatic Stability Control (ASC+T) often optional/standard on later models
Airbags:
Driver and Passenger Frontal Airbags
Seatbelts:
Pretensioning Seatbelts
Audio System:
Premium sound systems available (e.g., Harman Kardon), cassette player standard, CD changer optional.
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control system.
Climate Control:
Automatic climate control available on some trims.
Diagnostics Port:
OBD-I compliant diagnostic connector (often 14-pin round connector, later models may have dual connectors).
Oil Change:
Every 5,000-7,500 miles or annually, depending on driving conditions.
Spark Plugs:
Replace every 30,000 miles (e.g., NGK BKR6EK - part number 7586 for the 3.0L).
Coolant Flush:
Every 2-3 years or 30,000 miles.
Engine Oil:
SAE 5W-30 or 5W-40 Synthetic (e.g., BMW Longlife-01 or API SN/ACEA A3/B4 rated)
Coolant:
BMW Blue Antifreeze/Coolant (G48) or equivalent G05 based coolant, 50/50 mix with distilled water.
Brake Fluid:
DOT 4 (e.g., Pentosin DOT 4 LV)
Transmission Fluid Manual:
BMW MTF-LT-2 or equivalent (e.g., Red Line D4 ATF for some applications).
Differential Fluid:
SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Oil (e.g., BMW Hypoid Gear Oil G2 or equivalent API GL-5).
Cooling System:
Plastic expansion tanks prone to cracking, water pump failure (plastic impeller).
Engine Mounts:
Hydraulic engine mounts can fail, leading to excessive vibration.
Vanos System:
Variable Valve Timing (VANOS) can develop leaks or fail, affecting performance and idle.
Subframe Mounts:
Rear subframe mounting points can crack due to stress, a common E36 issue.
Bmw Motorsport:
Direct lineage from BMW's successful motorsport division, enhancing performance and driving dynamics.
E36 Generation:
Part of the third generation of the BMW 3 Series (E36), known for its chassis refinement and improved handling over its predecessor.
M3 Development:
Developed by BMW M GmbH, featuring a more powerful engine, upgraded suspension, brakes, and aerodynamic enhancements.
Production Years:
1992-1999 (E36 generation M3)
Key Markets:
Europe (S50B30/B32 engines), North America (S50B30US engine, detuned for emissions).
