- Refined and free-revving six-cylinder engines
- Excellent ride/handling balance
- Accurate steering has great feel
- Cramped rear seat
- M52 engine susceptible to VANOS failure
- M50 engine susceptible to overheating
Overview
Released in January 1992, the BMW E36 3-Series coupe was a compact executive coupe. Manufactured in Germany, the rear-wheel drive E36 3-Series coupe range initially consisted of the 325i, with the 318is following in mid-1992. In June 1995, the 325i was replaced by the 328i and, from June 1996, the 1.8-litre engine in the 318is was replaced with a 1.9-litre unit. Furthermore, the 328i was available in Executive and High-line variants from 1997.
Please note that the E36 M3 Coupe has been reviewed separately.
Dimensions
Compared to its E30 predecessor, the E36 3-Series coupe was 108 mm longer (at 4433 mm), 65 mm wider (1710 mm), 13 mm taller (1393 mm) and had a 130 mm longer wheelbase (2700 mm).
Suspension
Like the E36 3-Series sedan on which it was based, the E36 3-Series coupe had a single-joint spring strut front axle and ‘Z-axle’ multi-link rear suspension.
| Engine | Variant | Years | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 318is | 1.8-litre petrol I4 (M42B18) | N/A | 1992-96 | 5sp man. | 103 kW at 6000 rpm | 175 Nm at 4500 rpm |
| 1993-96 | 4sp auto | |||||
| 1.9-litre petrol I4 (M44 B19) | N/A | 1996-99 | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
103 kW at 6000 rpm | 180 Nm at 4300 rpm | |
| Sport | 1998-99 | |||||
| 325i | 2.5-litre petrol I6 (M50 B25) | N/A | 1992-95 | 5sp man., 5sp auto |
141 kW at 5900 rpm | 245 Nm at 4700 rpm |
| 328i | 2.8-litre petrol I6 (M52 B28) | N/A | 1995-96 | 5sp man., 5sp auto |
142 kW at 5300 rpm | 280 Nm at 3950 rpm |
| Executive, High-line |
1997-99 |
Safety equipment
Initially, standard safety equipment for the 318is was limited to ABS, while the 325i was further equipped with a driver’s airbag. From November 1993, however, the 318is was fitted with a driver’s airbag as standard and, from March 1995, a front passenger airbag was standard across the range. From 1997, the 328i was equipped with traction control.
Features
Standard features for the 318is included 15-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker stereo with a radio and cassette player, air conditioning, central locking, power windows and power mirrors. Beyond this, the 325i added contoured sports seats, cruise control, front fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and trip computer. From November 1995, however, climate control air conditioning was fitted as standard across the range.
Compared to the 325i, the 328i was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels and leather seats. In 1997, the newly introduced Executive added a CD player, cruise control and remote central locking, while High-line variants were further equipped with a ten speaker stereo.
318is Sport
In January 1998, the 318is Sport was released. Compared to the standard 318is, the 318is Sport featured contoured front sports seats, remote central locking and a sports body kit which included front and rear spoilers, side skirts and a rear apron.
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