8 Ways American E36 M3 Buyers Got Completely Screwed Over
1. The US M3 engine was pathetic
Picture the scene: you’ve bought yourself a US-spec E36 M3. You lift the bonnet to admire your magnificent S50 B30 engine, but the only thing that stares back at you is regret.
You see, while the original displacements of both the US and European-spec S50 B30 engines were the same at 3.0 litres, the European versions featured individual throttle bodies and a continuously variable VANOS valve timing system. The American car, by contrast, was fitted with the more basic two-stage Vanos system found on the M50 engine, and didn’t get individual throttle bodies. The American engine’s compression ratio was also lower, all of which resulted in 240hp and 225lb ft compared to the European engine’s 286hp and 236lb ft.
Power figures in Europe were later raised to a mega 321hp with the introduction of the 3.2-litre S50 B32 engine, while the poor guys in America got screwed a second time, getting the same 240hp output as before despite getting a 3.2-litre version of the S52 engine. Torque was increased by 11lb ft, though, which is something at least…
2. Top speed was limited to 137mph
Any decent car with 240hp and a kerb weight of roughly 1440kg should be able to exceed 150mph. But not the US-spec E36 M3, because that was electronically limited to 137mph. Us Europeans got an M3 whose limiter kicked in at 155mph, and even ‘our’ 328i would do 147mph.
In terms of outright pace, the US car hit 60mph in 6.1 seconds throughout its life span, while the European version managed a best time of 5.5 seconds
3. US M3s didn’t get headlight washers
Next to the wonderful engine and intoxicating performance, one of the coolest things about the European E36 M3 was the option of its headlight washers that gloriously punched their way into the atmosphere to spray high pressure cleaning fluid onto the lights.
Unfortunately, US-spec cars never got this luxury to ensure that manufacturing costs were kept low. And hey, with a top speed of only 137mph, bugs would be able to dust themselves off after impact and continue on with their day anyway.
4. US M3s didn’t feature an oil temp gauge
While the European E36 M3 got an oil temperature gauge in the speedometer cluster, BMW in America decided to replace this with…a crappy fuel economy gauge. Because apparently American buyers of E36 M3s don’t give a damn about monitoring their car’s operating temperatures…yeah right, BMW!
And while we’re on the subject of instrument clusters, the European E36 M3 speedo boasted a top figure of 280kph, which translates to 174mph, while the speedo in the US car stopped dead at 260kph, or 162mph. Boo!
5. US buyers never got the six-speed manual
When the E36 M3 first came out, both the European and US-spec cars featured a five-speed manual gearbox. However, in 1996, when both E36 versions were upgraded to 3.2 litres, the European M3 received a six-speed manual gearbox too, while the American cars were left in the dark ages with the same five speeder as before. Interestingly, though, and to suit the American driver, a five speed automatic gearbox was later offered on the US car, further cementing the fact this was no proper M3.
6. Floating rotors were never an option
When it came to the car’s brakes, US-spec M3s featured solid rotors, which did the job well enough, but when compared to the two-piece floating rotors on the European cars, the difference was noticeable.
For starters, the hub was made out of aluminium, which meant that unsprung weight on each corner was reduced. Then there are the benefits that come with floating rotors, including better cooling, less fade, less chance of warping and the fact that they help keep heat away from wheel bearings.
7. The rear diff wasn’t as strong
Higher mileage E36 M3s in the US are more likely to suffer from failed differentials due to the fact that they were smaller than those found in European cars. This meant that their bearings were more likely to shatter and flanges would break more easily when the diff got hot. Nice one, BMW.
8. The headlight lenses were crappy plastic
Further cost-cutting measures for the US-market E36 M3 meant that the car’s headlight lenses were made out of plastic which were easily pitted by stone chips. They also featured a more simple reflector construction than the glass ellipsoid headlights fitted to European M3s. For that reason, it’s fairly common for owners of US cars to swap out the headlights with the European units.
Bearing all of this in mind, it’s clear to see that US buyers got screwed over. Nevertheless, the E36 M3 is a a retro timepiece (no matter what engine you got) that’s going up in value.
So to all of you owners out there, look after the old girl, get those spots of rust sorted, glue back the interior plastics and fix the sagging glove compartment door. Because these cars are getting increasingly rare, so it’s on us to make sure they never go extinct!
Comments
Almost every one of these problems are solved with an LS swap. #Murica
↑ this. And people say LS swaps suck lol
Example: who needs better brakes when you can just take the wall with you
No. Just no.
One of the reasons I wouldn’t buy a European car in America
As I wouldn’t buy an American car in Europe
American cars sold in Europe aren’t tampered with though, apart from added front license plates.
American cars get a free pass in Europe. I could buy a Dodge Challenger in the UK from a UK dealership, have it imported in about two weeks and on the road in another week after that. The only change needed? Amber rear turn signals and a rear fog light. Costs pennies.
Still better than Alex’s lemon 😂
Hey I still love my E36 M3 even if it doesn’t have the right engine… or floating rotors… or glass headlights… or a six speed…or an oil temp gauge… or a oh god I wish we got euro spec M3’s…
But hey at least mine run’s better than Alex’s! Take that!
Runs better than mine? Show me a video of your M3 doing 159mph then I’ll believe you ;)
I don’t get the “make it cheap” thing… why do that?
Performance cars in America like the mustang, while being less refined, are drastically less expensive. BMW still needs to be somewhat competitive
As someone who is planning on swapping a S52 (USDM E36 M3) in to an E30, the power difference continues to confuse and anger me. However, in an E30 that weights 2400 lbs. 240 hp is good enough for me.
Take an m52b28 and m50 intake you get around 220hp for cheap. You can go nuts on that engine and end up similar to the us s52
Simple solution. The entire world sticks to one side of the road. Then we can import it because it’s more than 15 years old
No wonder why the ZHP is faster than the E36 M3
If not because of BMWCCA, we would’nt have an E36 M3, worse, an E46 M3 (the first true M3 we ever had)
WHY DON’T WE GET ALL THE EUROPEAN STUFF, AND PUT IT IN THE AMERICAN STUFF!