Guide: BMW E36 M3 3.2 Evolution
Background
The E36 M3 was launched at the Paris Motor Show in October 1992 and proved a massive commercial success.
Whereas the E30-based M3 had been a hardcore homologation special of limited appeal to mainstream buyers, the E36 M3 offered BMW’s renowned German refinement with supercar levels of performance.
Between 1992 and 1995, nearly 29,000 E36 M3s were delivered compared to nearly 18,000 E30 M3s over the duration of its five-year production run.
However, by 1995 the E36 M3 was still in its infancy and, in September of that year, an improved Evolution variant was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. At its heart was an advanced new engine enlarged from three to 3.2-litres. Additionally, a six-speed Getrag gearbox replaced the outgoing five-speed ZF unit.
The uprated drivetrain resulted in notable performance gains but cosmetically, the Evolution was little changed.
Like its predecessors, these Evolution variants were assembled on the regular 3-series production line at Regensburg near Munich; the BMW Motorsport plant in Garching was simply unable to cope with the vast number of orders that flowed in.
As before, Coupe, Convertible and Saloon body styles would ultimately be offered. The Coupe arrived first followed by the Convertible and Saloon two months later.
Engine & Gearbox
Since the original E36 M3 was launched, BMW Motorsport had collaborated with McLaren to produce a six-litre V12 engine for the British firm’s F1 road car. The programme had also morphed into a successful GT racing endeavour.
Many of the lessons learned with the McLaren F1 were applied to the M3 Evolution’s Type S50 B32 engine which brimmed with advanced features.
Perhaps the most notable was Double Vanos that continuously varied the valve timing on both the inlet camshaft and exhaust.
New DME MSS50 engine management was developed in conjunction with Siemens. It was the most advanced engine management system yet seen in a BMW and could execute up to 20 million commands per second.
Other upgrades included bigger inlet valves, lightweight pistons, graphite-coated con-rods, an improved dual mass flywheel, a modified vibration damper, a supplementary oil pump to counter oil surge when cornering and a new exhaust manifold.
As before, this latest B32 iteration of the S50 motor featured a cast iron block with ported and polished DOHC 24-valve light alloy head.
It was bored from 86mm to 86.4mm and stroked from 85.8mm to 91mm for an overall displacement of 3210cc (a gain of 211cc).
The compression ratio was increased from 10.8:1 to 11.3:1.
Peak output was 321bhp at 7400rpm (up from 286bhp at 7000rpm). The torque rating was now 258lb-ft at 3250rpm (up from 236lb-ft at 3600rpm).
The S50 B32 motor was the first BMW production engine to garner over 100bhp per litre.
The six-speed Getrag gearbox was derived from the E34 M5 unit; sixth was effectively an overdrive top to comply with new drive-by noise regulations. Transmission was via a single plate Sachs clutch and limited-slip differential.
Chassis
To complement the modified engine and gearbox, BMW equipped the M3 Evolution with a host of additional mechanical upgrades.
The suspension geometry was revised with stiffer springs and shocks plus increased front wheel caster to reduce oversteer. Stronger wheel hubs were fitted and the front-anti-roll bar was linked to the struts to save weight.
A quicker rack gave more responsive steering.
New Teves MkIV ABS was developed specially for the Evolution. Floating brake calipers were sourced from the E34 M5.
The previously optional 8.5-inch wide rear wheels were made standard while the fronts stayed at 7.5-inches. Wheels were switched to the new 17-inch M Double Spoke II design.
Otherwise, the familiar underpinnings from the three-litre E36 M3 were retained.
Each M3 started life as a standard E36 bodyshell. Suspension was via a MacPherson strut arrangement at the front and a multi-link ‘Z-axle’ at the rear.
Compared to regular E36 3-series, M3s came with progressive-rate springs, stiffer dampers and 30mm lower ride height. Reinforced spring mounting points were installed along with modified track arms, reinforced front stub axles, thicker anti-roll bars and rear wheel bearings from the 850i.
The enormous ventilated brake discs had a 315mm diameter at the front and 313mm diameter at the rear. A larger than normal brake master cylinder was also fitted.
A 62-litre fuel tank was located underneath the rear seat.
Bodywork
Cosmetically, there were no badges to identify this latest M3 as different to its predecessor; the only tell-tale signs were clear instead of amber indicator lenses and a black instead of body coloured mesh grille underneath the front bumper.
Coupes and Convertibles now came with aluminium instead of steel doors.
Otherwise, the exterior of the 3.2-litre car was unchanged.
With the E36, BMW had created arguably the best looking entry level executive model on the market and, five years after its October 1990 launch, the car still looked remarkably fresh.
Interior
As per the bodywork, the cockpit only came in for a few mild tweaks.
A BMW Motorsport ‘M’ logo was added to the gear knob (instead of an ‘M’ stripe) and the Coupe now came with restyled cloth upholstery for the door trim and seat centres.
The rest of the cockpit architecture was imported from the previous model. Differences between the M3 and regular E36 3-series included a Motorsport-branded four-spoke airbag steering wheel, red instrument needles and an oil temperature read out instead of an economy gauge.
High-backed Vader seats were standard in the M3 Coupe.
Weight / Performance
As a result of the new aluminium doors, weight was 20kg less than before (1440kg for the Coupe).
Top speed was still electronically limited to 155mph but, with the limiter removed, the Evolution reputedly had a top speed of around 180mph.
The 0-62mph time dropped from 5.5 to 5.3 seconds.
Options
New options included digital climate control, a Harmon Kardon audio system and a one-touch sunroof. The Coupe could also now be ordered with the same burr wood inserts that had previously only been available on the Saloon.
Additionally, when leather upholstery was specified, it now extended to the door inserts.
Other optional extras included a rear spoiler, leather upholstery, air conditioning, metallic paint, heated front seats, cruise control, headlight wash / wipe and rear head rests. Electric front seats and electric rear windows could also be specified.
Production Begins
Coupe production started in September 1995. Right-hand drive versions followed in November which was the same month that BMW began to manufacture Convertibles and Saloons.
E36 M3 3.2 Evolution Convertible
Like its predecessor, this latest Convertible was produced without the extended front lip spoiler and Vader front seats that were fitted to the Coupe. The M Double Spoke wheels were of the first generation type and came with a polished finish.
Leather upholstery was standard.
Aluminium doors were fitted as per the Coupe.
E36 M3 3.2 Evolution Saloon
Equipment levels on the Saloon were much the same as before although this latest iteration now ran the Coupe’s firmer suspension settings whereas the original three-litre variant had been set up for a slightly more comfortable ride.
The Saloon came without the Coupe’s extended front lip spoiler and standard side sills were fitted instead of the sporty crossover type used on the Coupe and Convertible.
M Contour II wheels were used along with steel doors.
Standard equipment included Nappa leather, front and rear centre armrests and chrome interior door release catches. Burr walnut inserts were applied to the centre console, gear knob and door handles. Vader seats were optional.
Right-hand drive Convertibles and Saloons were produced from December 1995.
Production Changes
Over the next couple of years, a series of updates were phased in.
From September 1996, all M3s came with thicker, more rounded kidney grilles in line with the rest of the 3-series range. At the same time, a passenger airbag became standard along with a new three-spoke airbag steering wheel.
In January 1997, the option of side airbags was added to the Saloon (the Coupe and Convertible followed in September).
March 1997 saw the arrival of an optional Sequential M Gearbox (SMG).
SMG offered clutch-less sequential gear shifts for the six-speed ‘box (in addition to a full automatic mode). The driver changed up by pushing the gear lever forward and pulled back to change down. SMG had separate settings for Sport and Economy; a digital display housed at the bottom of the rev counter showed which gear and driving mode was selected.
SMG did not become available on right-hand drive M3s until 1998.
From September 1997, the Coupe and Convertible reverted back to steel doors and all cars now came with an illuminated gear knob.
E36 M3 3.2 Evolution GT Individual
In late 1998, BMW UK commissioned a batch of 50 limited edition M3 Evolutions that were marketed as the GT Individual.
Unlike the original three-litre M3 GT produced in 1995 to homologate a series of engine and aerodynamic upgrades, the 3.2-litre GT Individual was simply a dressed up special edition to mark the end of production.
All 50 were mechanically standard right-hand drive cars built to an identical specification.
They came with Imola Red paint, an adjustable front splitter and rear spoiler. The garish two-tone upholstery featured anthracite bolsters with Imola Red seat centres and matching door inserts.
Standard equipment included a sports steering wheel, red stitching for the handbrake lever and steering wheel, side and passenger airbags, a Harmon Kardon sound system, an electric sunroof, electric seats and electric rear windows.
The M3 Evolution GT Individual was produced from late 1998 and most were registered in 1999.
Other Special Editions
There was also a UK Special Edition Convertible and an Australian market Anniversary Edition Convertible, but these were just high specification run out models with multiple options bundled in.
End of Production
Production of the 3.2-litre Saloon ended in January 1998 after 1990 had been completed. 964 were right-hand drive.
The Coupe was discontinued in December 1998. 8962 were built, 2845 of which were right-hand drive.
Convertible production carried on for almost another year (until September 1999). 3870 were built (2107 in right-hand drive).
BMW also built one E36 M3 Evolution Compact. Manufactured in 1996, it was produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Auto Motor und Sport magazine. Painted Bright Red, the M3 Evolution Compact featured a unique four pipe exhaust system.
USA Version
As had been the case with the original three-litre E36 M3, the 3.2-litre Evolutions destined for the USA were quite different beasts to their rest of the world counterparts.
The US variant was unveiled at the New York Motor Show and production started that same month (April 1996).
Whereas only the Coupe had originally been exported between January 1994 and January 1996, this latest iteration was ultimately built in all three body styles.
All US-bound examples featured the extended front lip, orange indicators and M Double Spoke II rims.
However, the full fat 321bhp Evolution engine was not legal for sale in the USA. Instead, these cars came with short-stroke Type S52 B32 power units derived from the standard M52 unit.
Displacement was taken out from 3152cc to 3201cc. Other enhancements included more finely balanced camshafts, valve lifters and springs plus spring seats with reduced mass. Revised intake and exhaust systems were also fitted.
The power output was unchanged from the US-spec three-litre M3 (240bhp at 6000rpm) but the torque rating went from 225lb-ft at 4250rpm to 236lb-ft at 3800rpm.
A lower final drive improved acceleration and ASC+T traction control was installed.
The floating calipers and six-speed gearbox were absent. Instead, the same five-speed manual ZF ‘box was carried over from the previous model.
Automatic transmission could be specified on US market Convertibles and Saloons, but not on the Coupe.
Technical upgrades made during the life of the US-market M3 3.2 were much the same as those for the rest of the world.
The American M3 Saloon went into production during September 1996.
USA Version Production Changes
In March 1997, electric seats became available independently of the Luxury Pack.
In September 1997, the Luxury Pack was dropped and some of its components (armrests and rear head rests) were made standard. At the same time, M Contour II wheels became a no-cost option.
From March 1998, the Convertible was offered at which time a three-spoke ‘M’ steering wheel was made standard across range.
End of USA Version Production
Production of the US-spec. Saloon ended in May 1998. 4574 manuals were built along with 4036 automatics.
The Coupe was discontinued in April 1999. 11,793 were built, all of which were manual.
The Convertible lasted until August 1999. 2252 were built with the manual gearbox and 4017 with automatic.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: BMW - https://www.bmw.com
