The E36 was the first 3 Series to be offered in a hatchback body style. It was also the first 3 Series to be available with a six-speed manual transmission (in the 1996 M3), a five-speed automatic transmission, and a four. Is the BMW E36 still a good buy in 2025? We break down the pros, cons, pricing, and reliability of this rising classic.
There are 51 BMW 3 Series. The E36 is 4.4 metres long, 1.7 metres wide and weighs between 1175. Hands down, it's one of the best 3 Series generations ever developed.
However, which E36 is right for you, and which is best overall? BMW 3 Series (E36): our verdict If the idea of a BMW from this era appeals to you then you won't be disappointed with this generation of 3 Series. Despite the best efforts of rivals - both premium and mainstream - nothing could really touch the E36's combination of comfort, quality and superb driving manners.
The BMW E36 was produced from 1990 to 2000, representing the third generation of BMW's 3 Series compact executive car lineup. During this 10-year production run, BMW manufactured over 2.4 million E36 units across various body styles including sedan, coupe, convertible, wagon, and compact variants. Complete timeline of BMW 3 Series (E36) Sedan models and generations, with photos, specs reference and production years.
Find BMW 3 Series (all) e36 offers for sale on AutoScout24. BMW E36 3 Series Sedan Specs Choose a BMW E36 3 Series Sedan version from the list below to get information about engine specs, horsepower, CO2 emissions, fuel consumption, dimensions, tires size, weight and many other facts. Notice also the plus sign to access the comparator tool where you can compare up to 3 cars at once side by side.