BMW M3 E30 or BMW M3 E36?

1986–1991 vs 1992–1999 · Coupe/Convertible vs Coupe/Sedan/Convertible

In short

Length: M3 E30 4,345 mm, M3 E36 4,433 mm — a 9 cm difference.
Boot: M3 E30 400 l, M3 E36 435 l.
Lowest consumption: M3 E30 7.8 l/100 km, M3 E36 9.1 l/100 km.
Power: M3 E30 143–175 kW, M3 E36 179–236 kW.
Standard equipment: M3 E30 24 items (Standard), M3 E36 19 items (Standard).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

BMW M3 E301986–1991 · 6 engines · Standard, Evolution, Evolution II, Sport EvolutionSpecifications →Listings →

BMW M3 E361992–1999 · 9 engines · Standard, Individual, GT, EvolutionSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	BMW M3 E301986–1991no listings	BMW M3 E361992–1999no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,345 mm	Length4,433 mm
Width	Width1,680 mm	Width1,710 mm
Height	Height1,370 mm	Height1,335 mm–1,366 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,565 mm	Wheelbase2,700 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance115 mm–120 mm	Ground clearance115 mm–120 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume300 l–400 l	Trunk volume300 l–435 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,165 kg–1,300 kg	Curb weight1,460 kg–1,635 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank70 l	Fuel tank62 l–65 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1986–1991	Production years1992–1999
Body type	Body typeCoupe, Convertible	Body typeCoupe, Sedan, Convertible
Number of engines	Number of engines6	Number of engines9
Power	Power143–175 kW (194–238 hp)	Power179–236 kW (243–321 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)2.3–2.5	Displacement (l)3.0–3.2
Fuel	FuelPetrol	FuelPetrol
Gearbox	GearboxManual	GearboxManual, Automatic
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel	DrivetrainRear-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption7.8 l/100 km · 2.3 Evolution II	Lowest consumption9.1 l/100 km · 3.0 GT
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h6.5 s · 2.5 Sport Evolution	Best 0–100 km/h5.5 s · 3.2
Top speed	Top speed248 km/h	Top speed250 km/h
Trim levelsStandard · Standard
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim24 · Standard	Items in the base trim19 · Standard
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim26 · Evolution	Items in the top trim26 · Individual
Equipment · Comfort6 · 5
Air Conditioning	Air Conditioning✓	Air Conditioning✓
Steering Wheel Height Adjustment	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment✓	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment—
Front Power Windows	Front Power Windows✓	Front Power Windows✓
Power Steering	Power Steering✓	Power Steering✓
Power-adjustable mirrors	Power-adjustable mirrors✓	Power-adjustable mirrors✓
Sport suspension	Sport suspension✓	Sport suspension✓
Equipment · Interior6 · 4
Black Interior	Black Interior✓	Black Interior—
Fabric	Fabric✓	Fabric✓
Driver's Seat Height Adjustment	Driver's Seat Height Adjustment✓	Driver's Seat Height Adjustment—
Sport Seats	Sport Seats✓	Sport Seats✓
Leather Steering Wheel	Leather Steering Wheel—	Leather Steering Wheel✓
Folding Rear Seat	Folding Rear Seat✓	Folding Rear Seat—
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest✓	Front centre armrest✓
Equipment · Multimedia2 · 0
Audio System	Audio System✓	Audio System—
12V Socket	12V Socket✓	12V Socket—
Equipment · Visibility & lights3 · 1
Halogen Headlights	Halogen Headlights✓	Halogen Headlights—
Heated Side Mirrors	Heated Side Mirrors✓	Heated Side Mirrors—
Fog Lights	Fog Lights✓	Fog Lights✓
Equipment · Safety0 · 3
Driver's Airbag	Driver's Airbag—	Driver's Airbag✓
Front Passenger Airbag	Front Passenger Airbag—	Front Passenger Airbag✓
ABS	ABS—	ABS✓
Equipment · Anti-theft2 · 2
Central Locking	Central Locking✓	Central Locking✓
Immobilizer	Immobilizer✓	Immobilizer✓
Equipment · Exterior5 · 4
Alloy Wheels	Alloy Wheels✓	Alloy Wheels✓
R15 Wheels	R15 Wheels✓	R15 Wheels—
R17 Wheels	R17 Wheels—	R17 Wheels✓
Body Kit	Body Kit✓	Body Kit—
Metallic Paint	Metallic Paint✓	Metallic Paint✓
Full-size spare wheel	Full-size spare wheel✓	Full-size spare wheel—
Compact spare wheel	Compact spare wheel—	Compact spare wheel✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings0

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — BMW M3 E30 or BMW M3 E36?

Length: BMW M3 E36 4,433 mm, BMW M3 E30 4,345 mm (a 88 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,700 vs 2,565 mm. Boot: 435 vs 400 l.

Which uses less fuel — BMW M3 E30 or BMW M3 E36?

The most frugal BMW M3 E30 uses 7.8 l/100 km (2.3 Evolution II); the most frugal BMW M3 E36 9.1 l/100 km (3.0 GT).

Which is more powerful — BMW M3 E30 or BMW M3 E36?

The strongest BMW M3 E30 makes 175 kW (238 hp) (2.5 Sport Evolution); the strongest BMW M3 E36 236 kW (321 hp) (3.2).

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