Specifications
Highlights
• Highly Sought After Evolution Spec
• Perfect Color Combination
• One of The Highest Performance E36 M3 Variants Produced
EAG Impressions
The E36 represented a dramatic leap forward for the 3-Series, with its more aerodynamic design and sophisticated multilink rear suspension. While European customers enjoyed a full range of engine options from frugal four-cylinders to potent inline-sixes, U.S. buyers initially only received six-cylinder models. The disparity was most noticeable with the M3. European M3s boasted a sophisticated 3.0L (later 3.2L) inline-6, while U.S. models made do with a less powerful 3.0L engine derived from the 325i. This difference in specification would remain a point of contention among American BMW enthusiasts for years to come.
Overview
The story about the E36 M3 coming to the United States is one known by BMW fans everywhere. Not originally slated for our shores, thanks to a letter-writing campaign spearheaded by a few BMW NA employees and the BMW CCA, the company was convinced to bring its new M3 stateside - albeit with quite a few changes from the Euro model. Although it was a great car and sold remarkably well for BMW, there was always a slight inferiority complex surrounding the US-spec E36 M3. But now, thanks to the 25-year import laws, the Euro cars can be imported to North America so you can see what we have been missing out on for the last two and a half decades.
History
This Euro-spec 1995 BMW M3 Evolution is a late build (11/95) and finished in Techno Violet that shows 111,828 km (69,486 miles) from new. Although 1995 was the first year for the E36 in the United States, in September of that year, it underwent a Life Cycle Injection, becoming the E36 M3 Evolution. From the exterior, there aren’t many alterations between a pre or post Evolution car, but under the skin, quite a bit changed. Showing in remarkable condition throughout, the car sits on a set of DS2 wheels wrapped in a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. As a Euro car, this was factory fitted with glass headlight lenses and clear corners in the front that make for a beautiful, clean design and seen as a desirable upgrade on US-spec cars.
On the interior, the Vader seats are wrapped in black leather as isi the four spoke steering wheel with M-color stitching. Owing to that aforementioned time capsule-like quality, basically nothing on the interior has been changed from stock, retaining the original BMW AM/FM Cassette deck. This car was ordered with heated seats up front, and the desirable, simple manual climate control sits above the on-board computer in the center-stack.
Where the Evolution variant really makes a difference is under the hood. Originally powered by a 3.0-liter inline-6, the Evo’s displacement was bumped up to 3.2. With the Euro motor, this engine also had the individual throttle bodies that were so famously missing on the US-spec cars. What this meant for power was a remarkable 316 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque - an incredible 76 more horsepower than the US car. Also, the Evolution gained a 6th gear in the transmission for the first time in M3 history. Aside from some of the ultra-rare variants that BMW made, this is the ultimate way to enjoy an E36 M3.
Although there were significantly more E36 M3s produced than its older E30 stablemate, it seems to be far more difficult to source high-quality examples of the younger car. When simply a good example won’t do and you also want the highest performing Euro variant in an interesting color, your buying pool shrinks dramatically. This car checks all of those boxes and would be a stunning addition to any collection.
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Documentation
