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BMW M3 Cabriolet (E36) 1994-1999 Photos, engines & full specs

Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Roadster & Convertible
Production years: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999

BMW M3 Cabriolet (E36) 1994-1999 30 Photos
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BMW introduced the second generation of the M3 in 1992 but waited for another two years before unveiling the open-top version for it.

The German carmaker introduced the third generation of the 3 Series in 1990, and its fanbase waited for the M3 version for another two years. Unlike its predecessor, who sported an inline-four, the E36 M3 boasted a six-cylinder powerplant. Although the open-top version of the regular 3 Series appeared in 1993, the carmaker waited for 1994 to unveil the M3 convertible.

Sharing its front fascia with the M3 Coupe, the Convertible version featured a lower air-dam that featured a center air-intake flanked by the rectangular foglights mounted on the sides, on separate clusters. On the sides, the carmaker added the M-specific aerodynamic package that showed sculptured side skirts profiled to lower the drag. At the back, BMW installed a black diffuser under the rear bumper and placed the dual exhaust on the left side of the car. Unlike the E30 M3 Convertible, which looked radical compared to the regular E30 Convertible, the E36 was more subtle.

Inside, the car was fitted with a pair of high-bolstered bucket seats at the front, separated by the transmission tunnel and the gearbox. The curved dashboard featured an instrument cluster similar to the one installed on the lower-spec 3 Series versions. At the back, the carmaker installed a bench fit for two, and it even underlined that by offering just two headrests.

Under the hood, the 3.2-liter inline-six was paired to a five-speed manual, but that was changed starting with the 1995 model-year when BMW introduced a heavily modified facelift for the E36.

BMW M3 Cabriolet (E36) 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
  2 gasoline engines
  • 3.0L 5MT RWD (276 HP)
  • 3.2L 5MT RWD (321 HP)

BMW M3 Cabriolet (E36)
3.0L 5MT RWD (276 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 3.0L 5MT RWD (276 HP)
Cylinders:L6
Displacement:2990 cm3
Power:210 KW @ 7000 RPM
286 HP @ 7000 RPM
282 BHP @ 7000 RPM
Torque:236 lb-ft @ 3600 RPM
320 Nm @ 3600 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:155.3 mph (250 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):6.2 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:225/45 R17 (Front) - 245/40 R17 (Rear)
DIMENSIONS
Length:174.4 in (4430 mm)
Width:67.3 in (1709 mm)
Height:52.7 in (1339 mm)
Front/rear Track:55.9/56.7 in (1,420/1,440 mm)
Wheelbase:106.7 in (2710 mm)
Ground Clearance:4.3 in (109 mm)
Cargo Volume:8.1 cuFT (229 L)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3395 lbs (1540 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:4431 lbs (2010 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:25.8 mpg US (9.1 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:217 g/km

BMW M3 Cabriolet (E36)
3.2L 5MT RWD (321 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 3.2L 5MT RWD (321 HP)
Cylinders:L6
Displacement:3201 cm3
Power:236 KW @ 7400 RPM
321 HP @ 7400 RPM
316 BHP @ 7400 RPM
Torque:258 lb-ft @ 3250 RPM
350 Nm @ 3250 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:155.3 mph (250 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):5.6 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:225/45 R17 (Front) - 245/40 R17 (Rear)
DIMENSIONS
Length:174.4 in (4430 mm)
Width:67.3 in (1709 mm)
Height:52.7 in (1339 mm)
Front/rear Track:55.9/56.7 in (1,420/1,440 mm)
Wheelbase:106.7 in (2710 mm)
Ground Clearance:4.3 in (109 mm)
Cargo Volume:8.1 cuFT (229 L)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3439.2 lbs (1560 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:4365.1 lbs (1980 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:13.8 mpg US (17 L/100Km)
Highway:30.5 mpg US (7.7 L/100Km)
Combined:21.2 mpg US (11.1 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:264 g/km
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