Performance Review: BMW 3 Series M3 E36 - [1993]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series M3 E36 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1993. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1994 McLaren F1 6.1 V12 and the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo.This particular BMW 3 Series has a 2990cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 3 Series shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 3 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1520 kgs (3351 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series M3 E36 in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 2990cc 24V St6 engine produces 286 bhp (213 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 236 lb-ft (319.9 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (236 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 3 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged (213.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 3 Series.

The BMW 3 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 188.1 bhp per ton and 155.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1993 3 Series competing with the 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged (213.1 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Subaru Impreza P1 - Classic (213.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 3 Series generating around 155.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (180.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2003 Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 (180.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.6 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series M3 E36 as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (5.40 secs) the or the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs). This BMW 3 Series M3 E36 is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the and the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 R DSG

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.26 secs @ 96.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 R DSG (14.20 secs), the 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.0 Turbo UK - Classic (14.20 secs), and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Passat 4.0 W8 4Motion (14.20 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1993 version of the BMW 3 Series M3 E36 has a maximum speed of 162mph.

Top Speed of the 1993 3 Series equals the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (173 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1993 BMW 3 Series M3 E36 then how about the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (173 mph), the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 5.2 V8 (173 mph), or the 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS PDK (173 mph).

Related Links:

1993 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison