E36 BMW 3 Series 1992–1999

What it came with

Badges

• 318i (1992–1998): 1.8L four-cylinder (M42), 1.9L four-cylinder (M44), Rear-wheel drive¹
• 318is (1992–1997): 1.8L four-cylinder (M42), 1.9L four-cylinder (M44), Rear-wheel drive¹
• 318ti (1995–1999): 1.8L four-cylinder (M42), 1.9L four-cylinder (M44), Rear-wheel drive^2,3
• 325i (1992–1995): 2.5L inline-six (M50), Rear-wheel drive¹
• 325is (1992–1995): 2.5L inline-six (M50), Rear-wheel drive¹
• 328i (1996–1999): 2.8L inline-six (M52), Rear-wheel drive^1,4
• 328is (1996–1999): 2.8L inline-six (M52), Rear-wheel drive¹
• 323i (1998–1999): 2.5L inline-six (M52), Rear-wheel drive^1,3
• 323is (1998–1999): 2.5L inline-six (M52), Rear-wheel drive^1,3

• 1.8L four-cylinder (M42)^1,2

  138 hp · 1992–1995

• 1.9L four-cylinder (M44)^1,4

  1996–1999

• 2.5L inline-six (M50)¹

  1992–1995

• 2.8L inline-six (M52)^1,4

  190 hp · 1996–1999

• 2.5L inline-six (M52)^1,3

  168 hp · 1998–1999

Transmissions

5-speed manual², 4-speed automatic²

Drivetrains

Rear-wheel drive^1,5

Trims

Sedan¹, Coupe^1,6, Convertible (1994–1999)^1,7, Hatchback (318ti) (1995–1999)^1,2

Packages

Club Sport (318ti) (1995)^8,9, Sport Package (318ti) (1996)⁸, California Package (318ti) (1996)⁸

• Model codes: E36/5 for the 318ti hatchback¹
• Size: 174.5 in long on a 106.3 in wheelbase, for the 1995 325is coupe and the 1998 328is coupe alike^10,11
• Weight: 3,087 lb for the 1995 325is coupe and 3,142 lb for the 1998 328is coupe; about 2,700 lb for the 318ti^10,11,8
• Fuel economy: 17 mpg city and 26 highway by the EPA for the 1995 325is and the 1998 328is^10,11

Colors

• Alpine White III 1995–1998 ^10,11
• Cosmos Black Metallic 1995–1998 ^10,11
• Arctic Silver Metallic 1995–1998 ^10,11
• Avus Blue Pearl Metallic 1995–1998 ^10,11
• Bright Red 1995–1998 ^10,11
• Jet Black 1995 ¹⁰
• Diamond Black Metallic 1995 ¹⁰
• Aspen Silver Metallic 1995 ¹⁰
• Arctic Gray Metallic 1995 ¹⁰
• Cashmere Beige Metallic 1995 ¹⁰
• Oxford Green Metallic 1995 ¹⁰
• Dark Blue 1995 ¹⁰
• Montreal Blue Metallic 1995 ¹⁰
• Orient Blue Metallic Pearl 1995 ¹⁰
• Calypso Red Metallic 1995 ¹⁰
• Dakar Yellow 1995 ¹⁰
• Black II 1998 ¹¹
• Aegean Blue 1998 ¹¹
• Fern Green Pearl Metallic 1998 ¹¹
• Sierra Red Pearl Metallic 1998 ¹¹
• Imola Red 1998 ¹¹

Year by year

• 1992 New body with rounded corners and a longer wheelbase. A driver airbag joins the standard equipment.⁵
• 1993 Four-cylinder cars can now have an automatic. The sixes gain variable valve timing for more low-end torque.⁶
• 1994 Dual airbags on every 3 Series. A six-cylinder convertible arrives, and traction control becomes an option.⁷
• 1995 The 318ti hatchback joins the range, with a 138 hp 1.8-liter four.²
• 1996 A 2.8-liter six turns the 325 into the 328, and the 318's four grows to 1.9 liters. Automatic climate control is standard except on the 318ti.⁴
• 1997 No changes recorded.
• 1998 The four-cylinder coupe and convertible become the six-cylinder 323is and 323i. Side airbags are standard, and optional on the 318ti.³
• 1999 The coupe, convertible and 318ti carry on beside the new E46 sedan.¹²