Video: BMW 3 Series history. The third generation (E36).

Jason · 01-05-2015, 12:28 AM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

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COMMENTS

Here's a video from BMW looking back at the E36 3 Series, produced from 1990 to 2000.

RingMeister01 · 01-05-2015, 05:51 AM

My favorite generation!

davem3fan · 01-05-2015, 10:41 AM

The most bang for the buck, and beautiful to look at.
Already a future classic.

JamezE36 · 01-05-2015, 10:42 AM

I have a 1998 Technoviolet 323i and i absolutely adore it

Jadar · 01-05-2015, 10:55 AM

I'd Rock one for a daily driver

Diver · 01-05-2015, 10:58 AM

Nice video.

swagon · 01-05-2015, 11:00 AM

What is interesting, though, is that even in the 90s BMW was considering renaming the E36 Coupe to 4 Series. A year ago they finally did it.

Eddien123 · 01-05-2015, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagon

What is interesting, though, is that even in the 90s BMW was considering renaming the E36 Coupe to 4 Series. A year ago they finally did it.

When he mentioned the 4 series I don't think he was saying they were considering it. I think he was saying coupe designs eventually turned into the 4.

puma1552 · 01-05-2015, 11:28 AM

Had a used one of these for four years, the car I've kept the longest besides my first car which I've had for almost 16 years. Alpine white on gray cloth.

Unfortunately it was the biggest mechanical asshole I've ever owned despite service records from day 1, but it sure looked nice and drove nice when it didn't need anything. Obviously they look horribly dated and cheap today, but they sure looked good at the time and still don't look THAT bad.

The long haul · 01-05-2015, 01:09 PM

I don't think the E36 looks cheap at all. I think it's a very classic design and a car I've always lusted over.

GJR · 01-05-2015, 01:16 PM

Great looking cars. Very revolutionary design at the time- quite a departure styling wise from the E30.

Had a '92 325i with manual transmission that I happily put 100,000 miles on. Many quirky and repeated mechanical and trim issues, but drove great and made up for it in that way, especially the excellent steering feel which hasn't been duplicated to this day.

Some very cheaply constructed materials in the cabin though. The E36 was BMW's first try at recyclable plastics and some areas, like the door panels, headliner, and glove box felt like they were held together by luck, and in most cases were.

marcva · 01-05-2015, 11:58 PM

I'm happy with my E36 332i... Er... , US M3/4/5. Clean lines including the blocky nose. Fast enough, fun on the track and easy to fix.

DrivenByE30 · 01-06-2015, 12:03 AM

I have just let go of mine very recently ! :.(

Was forced to let her go, despite still having plenty of life ahead with some TLC, but I just didn't have the time and the mean to provide her with...

1996 328i 5MT 235,000 miles

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VMRWheels · 01-06-2015, 12:18 AM

Great vid, makes me miss my first car

E90M3JETS · 01-06-2015, 12:20 AM

E36 and E46 are classics. Time has shown BMW is no longer committed to produce the benchmark. Sad...

Fun of it · 01-06-2015, 01:02 AM

Neat post, thanks for hosting it. After driving an e46 M3 for 4 years, I dumped it when the opportunity came up to pick up a virgin, unmodified e36 M3, and haven't looked back. As a daily driver, it works great, light, nimble and quick. The simple lines and dakar paint triggers at least one thumbs up every week from other drivers, interesting for a car that has now just hit 20 years old.

SoCali E36 · 01-06-2015, 01:56 AM

This is why I love my 1997 M3 Sedan!

JoshB25 · 01-06-2015, 03:18 AM

oh god I miss mine more everyday!!!! Regret selling it!

Haydn31 · 01-06-2015, 08:55 AM

I put over 193,000 miles on my Arctic Silver 1998 328i. Great car, great steering, handling, engine, and a blast to drive. (My new 428i isn't bad, either.) Did have more than its share of issues. I think the last model year was 1998, not 2000, as stated in the introduction to the video.

JoshB25 · 01-06-2015, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haydn31

I put over 193,000 miles on my Arctic Silver 1998 328i. Great car, great steering, handling, engine, and a blast to drive. (My new 428i isn't bad, either.) Did have more than its share of issues. I think the last model year was 1998, not 2000, as stated in the introduction to the video.

The european Compact model ran until 2000

swagon · 01-06-2015, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddien123

When he mentioned the 4 series I don't think he was saying they were considering it. I think he was saying coupe designs eventually turned into the 4.

That's what the text in front of an E36 Coupe in the BMW Museum says. I can provide a picture of it.

Maybe they added that line after the release of 4 Series, who knows...

Imola.ZHP · 01-06-2015, 06:58 PM

Enjoyed watching, thanks for sharing.

01-05-2015, 12:28 AM	#1
Jason Administrator 43717 Rep 21,325 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Video: BMW 3 Series history. The third generation (E36). BIMMERPOST NEWS Video: BMW 3 Series history. The third generation (E36). 25 COMMENTS Tweet Here's a video from BMW looking back at the E36 3 Series, produced from 1990 to 2000.
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01-05-2015, 05:51 AM	#2
RingMeister01 Croatian 893 Rep 3,613 Posts Drives: PORSCHE Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List '18 Panamera Turbo [0.00] '17 991.2 Carrera G ... [0.00]	My favorite generation! __________________ NARDO GREY '18 PANAMERA TURBO Ducati V4 S Corse (track only) Husqvarna FS450 (track only) Looking for an SUV
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01-05-2015, 10:41 AM	#3
davem3fan Captain 191 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 2011 E70 X5d Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Philly Metro iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 [0.00] 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d [0.00]	The most bang for the buck, and beautiful to look at. Already a future classic. __________________ Dave Flogaus CCA #123862 11 E70 X5d
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01-05-2015, 10:42 AM	#4
JamezE36 New Member 8 Rep 24 Posts Drives: Many a E36 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Aberdeen iTrader: (0)	I have a 1998 Technoviolet 323i and i absolutely adore it
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01-05-2015, 10:55 AM	#5
Jadar Dejan 1761 Rep 4,194 Posts Drives: 2018 Audi S3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Michigan Ave. iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW 335i [10.00] 2015 BMW 228i M Spo ... [0.00] 2013 Ford Focus (DD) [0.00] 2001 Alfa Romeo 156 [0.00]	I'd Rock one for a daily driver __________________ FBO-PS1 and stuff
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01-05-2015, 10:58 AM	#6
Diver Brigadier General 506 Rep 3,445 Posts Drives: Black '12 135i - Sold Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Nice video. __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com
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01-05-2015, 11:00 AM	#7
swagon Major General 13797 Rep 8,235 Posts Drives: F80 6MT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: . iTrader: (0)	What is interesting, though, is that even in the 90s BMW was considering renaming the E36 Coupe to 4 Series. A year ago they finally did it.
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01-05-2015, 11:28 AM	#9
puma1552 Banned 30 Rep 380 Posts Drives: '14 Mustang GT Premium Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Twin Cities iTrader: (0)	Had a used one of these for four years, the car I've kept the longest besides my first car which I've had for almost 16 years. Alpine white on gray cloth. Unfortunately it was the biggest mechanical asshole I've ever owned despite service records from day 1, but it sure looked nice and drove nice when it didn't need anything. Obviously they look horribly dated and cheap today, but they sure looked good at the time and still don't look THAT bad.
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01-05-2015, 01:09 PM	#10
The long haul Hi 92 Rep 280 Posts Drives: Maserati Ghibli, E92m, FTR Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Throughout the country iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 Jaguar XJ V8 SC [0.00] 2015 Ford F250 6.7 PSD [0.00]	I don't think the E36 looks cheap at all. I think it's a very classic design and a car I've always lusted over.
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01-05-2015, 01:16 PM	#11
GJR Private First Class 7 Rep 173 Posts Drives: 2003 530i Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA, USA iTrader: (7)	Great looking cars. Very revolutionary design at the time- quite a departure styling wise from the E30. Had a '92 325i with manual transmission that I happily put 100,000 miles on. Many quirky and repeated mechanical and trim issues, but drove great and made up for it in that way, especially the excellent steering feel which hasn't been duplicated to this day. Some very cheaply constructed materials in the cabin though. The E36 was BMW's first try at recyclable plastics and some areas, like the door panels, headliner, and glove box felt like they were held together by luck, and in most cases were. __________________
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01-05-2015, 11:58 PM	#12
marcva Captain 378 Rep 647 Posts Drives: E36 M345 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Vienna, Virginia, USA iTrader: (0)	I'm happy with my E36 332i... Er... , US M3/4/5. Clean lines including the blocky nose. Fast enough, fun on the track and easy to fix.
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01-06-2015, 12:03 AM	#13
DrivenByE30 Brigadier General 595 Rep 3,870 Posts Drives: '12 F30 Lux 335i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: OC - SoCal iTrader: (0)	I have just let go of mine very recently ! :.( Was forced to let her go, despite still having plenty of life ahead with some TLC, but I just didn't have the time and the mean to provide her with... 1996 328i 5MT 235,000 miles 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 __________________ all 3 are MT > F30 Luxury 335i 6MT- The dream driven... _..._4/12/12 ED trip MASSIVE photo thread here <<< Last edited by DrivenByE30; 01-06-2015 at 01:01 AM..
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01-06-2015, 12:18 AM	#14
VMRWheels General 2080 Rep 25,980 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 BMW F30 [0.00] 2014 BMW F22 [0.00] 2013 BMW F06 [0.00]	Great vid, makes me miss my first car __________________ VMR\|Wheels \| 714.442.7916 \| sales@velocitymotoring.com \| www.velocitymotoring.com \| facebook \| flickr \| Instagram
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01-06-2015, 12:20 AM	#15
E90M3JETS Banned 65 Rep 207 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (0)	E36 and E46 are classics. Time has shown BMW is no longer committed to produce the benchmark. Sad...
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01-06-2015, 01:02 AM	#16
Fun of it Private 0 Rep 89 Posts Drives: 1995 M3 Dakar Yellow Join Date: May 2013 Location: Kansas iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 BMW M3 [0.00]	Neat post, thanks for hosting it. After driving an e46 M3 for 4 years, I dumped it when the opportunity came up to pick up a virgin, unmodified e36 M3, and haven't looked back. As a daily driver, it works great, light, nimble and quick. The simple lines and dakar paint triggers at least one thumbs up every week from other drivers, interesting for a car that has now just hit 20 years old.
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01-06-2015, 01:56 AM	#17
SoCali E36 BMW Client Advisor 1097 Rep 3,538 Posts Drives: X5 40e/e36 M3 Sedan Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Where the road takes me... iTrader: (10)	This is why I love my 1997 M3 Sedan! __________________
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01-06-2015, 03:18 AM	#18
JoshB25 Captain 132 Rep 693 Posts Drives: F30 318d M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Worcester iTrader: (0)	oh god I miss mine more everyday!!!! Regret selling it!
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01-06-2015, 08:55 AM	#19
Haydn31 New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 428i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	I put over 193,000 miles on my Arctic Silver 1998 328i. Great car, great steering, handling, engine, and a blast to drive. (My new 428i isn't bad, either.) Did have more than its share of issues. I think the last model year was 1998, not 2000, as stated in the introduction to the video.
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01-06-2015, 06:58 PM	#22
Imola.ZHP Colonel 129 Rep 2,218 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW i3 BEV EE Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mud Island, TN iTrader: (0)	Enjoyed watching, thanks for sharing. __________________ - 2014 CPO i01 BEV Electronaut Edition Capparis White Tera World, '17- - 2015 CPO i01 BEV Laurel Grey Tera World, '17- - 2015 i01 REx Laurel Grey Tera World, '15-'17 - 2003 CPO 330i ZHP Imola Red Build 03/03/03, '06-'15
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