Performance Review: BMW 3 Series M3 GT E36 - [1995]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series M3 GT E36 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1995. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12 and the 1995 McLaren F1 LM 6.1 V12.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 1460 kgs (3218 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series M3 GT E36 in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 2990cc 24V St6 engine produces 291 bhp (216 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 238 lb-ft (322.6 Nm) @ 3900 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 2006 Audi A4 RS4 4.2 FSI Cabriolet (224.3 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 199.3 bhp per ton and 163.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1995 3 Series competing with the 2006 Audi A4 RS4 4.2 FSI Cabriolet (224.3 bhp per ton) or the 1995 Honda NSX R 3.0 V6 (224.3 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 163.0 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 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo (188.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo S-Tronic (187.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series M3 GT E36 as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs). This BMW 3 Series M3 GT E36 is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.99 secs @ 97.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (13.93 secs), the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (13.93 secs), and the 1992 BMW 5 Series M5 E34 (13.94 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1995 version of the BMW 3 Series M3 GT E36 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1995 3 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1995 BMW 3 Series M3 GT E36 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1995 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison