BMW M3 E36 or BMW M3 E46?

1992–1999 vs 2000–2006 · Coupe/Sedan/Convertible vs Coupe/Convertible

In short

Length: M3 E36 4,433 mm, M3 E46 4,492 mm — a 6 cm difference.
Boot: M3 E36 435 l, M3 E46 410 l.
Lowest consumption: M3 E36 9.1 l/100 km, M3 E46 11.9 l/100 km.
Power: M3 E36 179–236 kW, M3 E46 245–265 kW.
Standard equipment: M3 E36 19 items (Standard), M3 E46 27 items (Standard).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

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

BMW M3 E462000–2006 · 6 engines · Standard, Individual, Competition Package, CSLSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	BMW M3 E361992–1999no listings	BMW M3 E462000–2006no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,433 mm	Length4,492 mm
Width	Width1,710 mm	Width1,780 mm
Height	Height1,335 mm–1,366 mm	Height1,365 mm–1,372 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,700 mm	Wheelbase2,731 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance115 mm–120 mm	Ground clearance110 mm–120 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume300 l–435 l	Trunk volume300 l–410 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,460 kg–1,635 kg	Curb weight1,385 kg–1,690 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank62 l–65 l	Fuel tank63 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1992–1999	Production years2000–2006
Body type	Body typeCoupe, Sedan, Convertible	Body typeCoupe, Convertible
Number of engines	Number of engines9	Number of engines6
Power	Power179–236 kW (243–321 hp)	Power245–265 kW (333–360 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)3.0–3.2	Displacement (l)3.2
Fuel	FuelPetrol	FuelPetrol
Gearbox	GearboxManual, Automatic	GearboxManual, Automatic
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel	DrivetrainRear-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption9.1 l/100 km · 3.0 GT	Lowest consumption11.9 l/100 km · 3.2 CSL
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h5.5 s · 3.2	Best 0–100 km/h4.9 s · 3.2 CSL
Top speed	Top speed250 km/h	Top speed250 km/h
Trim levelsStandard · Standard
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim19 · Standard	Items in the base trim27 · Standard
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim26 · Individual	Items in the top trim36 · Individual
Equipment · Comfort5 · 8
Air Conditioning	Air Conditioning✓	Air Conditioning—
Climate Control, 2-zone	Climate Control, 2-zone—	Climate Control, 2-zone✓
Rear Air Vents	Rear Air Vents—	Rear Air Vents✓
Cruise Control	Cruise Control—	Cruise Control✓
Front Power Windows	Front Power Windows✓	Front Power Windows✓
Power Steering	Power Steering✓	Power Steering✓
Multifunction Steering Wheel	Multifunction Steering Wheel—	Multifunction Steering Wheel✓
Power-adjustable mirrors	Power-adjustable mirrors✓	Power-adjustable mirrors✓
Sport suspension	Sport suspension✓	Sport suspension✓
Equipment · Interior4 · 3
Fabric	Fabric✓	Fabric—
Sport Seats	Sport Seats✓	Sport Seats✓
Leather Steering Wheel	Leather Steering Wheel✓	Leather Steering Wheel✓
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest✓	Front centre armrest✓
Equipment · Visibility & lights1 · 3
Xenon/Bi-xenon Headlights	Xenon/Bi-xenon Headlights—	Xenon/Bi-xenon Headlights✓
Fog Lights	Fog Lights✓	Fog Lights✓
Rain Sensor	Rain Sensor—	Rain Sensor✓
Equipment · Safety3 · 7
Driver's Airbag	Driver's Airbag✓	Driver's Airbag✓
Front Passenger Airbag	Front Passenger Airbag✓	Front Passenger Airbag✓
Front Side Airbags	Front Side Airbags—	Front Side Airbags✓
Traction Control	Traction Control—	Traction Control✓
Brake assist (BAS)	Brake assist (BAS)—	Brake assist (BAS)✓
ABS	ABS✓	ABS✓
Electronic Stability Control (ESP)	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)—	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)✓
Equipment · Anti-theft2 · 3
Alarm	Alarm—	Alarm✓
Central Locking	Central Locking✓	Central Locking✓
Immobilizer	Immobilizer✓	Immobilizer✓
Equipment · Exterior4 · 3
Alloy Wheels	Alloy Wheels✓	Alloy Wheels✓
R17 Wheels	R17 Wheels✓	R17 Wheels—
R18 Wheels	R18 Wheels—	R18 Wheels✓
Metallic Paint	Metallic Paint✓	Metallic Paint—
Compact spare wheel	Compact spare wheel✓	Compact spare wheel✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings0

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — BMW M3 E36 or BMW M3 E46?

Length: BMW M3 E46 4,492 mm, BMW M3 E36 4,433 mm (a 59 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,731 vs 2,700 mm. Boot: 410 vs 435 l.

Which uses less fuel — BMW M3 E36 or BMW M3 E46?

The most frugal BMW M3 E36 uses 9.1 l/100 km (3.0 GT); the most frugal BMW M3 E46 11.9 l/100 km (3.2 CSL).

Which is more powerful — BMW M3 E36 or BMW M3 E46?

The strongest BMW M3 E36 makes 236 kW (321 hp) (3.2); the strongest BMW M3 E46 265 kW (360 hp) (3.2 CSL).

Other comparisons

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