Remarkably, the E36 Coupe body was designed literally from a scratch and doesn't share any unified parts with the sedan and other modifications. Designers put out strength to make the coupe perfect in every interior and exterior nuance. This made the 2-door coupes significantly differ from other Bavarian cars in the E36 body. And, of course, it has nothing in common with the previous BMW E30.
The coupe's exterior can be evaluated by photos, but we should separately note its advanced aerodynamic characteristics and great ride comfort for the driver. Thanks to the enlarged dimensions (4325 mm in length, 1710 mm in width and 1370 mm in height), there is more room for the driver and occupants.
BMW 3-Series Coupe Driving Performance
Engines with 4 valves per cylinder are the visiting card of the model. The BMW Coupe 318is with the M42B18 engine and the 325i with the M50B25 were the first BMW E36 coupes to be launched. The first of the motors was the E30's M42 with certain modifications. It boasted 1.8L of total displacement, 140 hp and 180 Nm of torque. The top speed was 213 km/h, while the 0-100 km/h sprint took 10 seconds.
The second engine in the palette became iconic among BMW fans, and it is still enjoyed by E36 swappers. The M50B25 was based on 6 pots with a total displacement of 2.5L. Specifications of power output and dynamics were as follows:
- power output: 192 hp
- torsion torque 244 Nm
- top speed: 233 km/h
- 0-100 km/h acceleration: 8 sec (7,5 sec with Vanos)
By default, both engines were completed with manual transmission, with automatic one offered as an option. Worth noting, the latter led to a slight deterioration of dynamic characteristics.
Of course, the Bavarian company also produced some other modifications of the BMW E36 Coupe. From 1992, the range was amended with the 320i Coupe with the M50B20 motor (2.0L, 150 hp, 214 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 9.8 sec). The more modest version was the 316i M43B16 (102 hp, 195 km/h) with 2 valves per cylinder. The BMW 328i М52B28 boasted a striking torque (193 hp, 280 Nm, 237 km/h, 100 km/h in 7.3 sec). Here also belongs the model 323i Coupe M52B25 with 6 pots and 2.5L, which was rated the Engine of the Year in 1995 (170 hp, 245 Nm, 227 km/h, 100 km/h in 8 sec).
We shouldn't forget about the sportive M3 with a 321-hp racing engine, but it's a topic deserving a separate article.
How much costs a BMW E36 Coupe today? It depends on many factors: questions about purchasing a BMW E36, but the price of this modification will unmistakably be higher than of any other. Understandably, if you have decided on buying a E36, the 3-Series coupe is your optimal choice.