E36 M3 facelift??????

[jimmydee2007]

As im aware there was a facelift on the e36 m3's around 1994/95 time.

I know there was a change on the grill and headlights but i am unaware if there was any changes mechanically?

Can anyone help as am in the middle of trying to find my first M ?

[taffyracer]

The only change to the engine AFAIK is from the 3.0 to the 3.2, or the upgraded 3.0 in the GT

[JezF]

I believe that it was late 1996 eg. a few months into the production of the Evo. Very little changed, so I am led to believe, all cosmetic or equipment related.

I expect someone will now come along and tell me it was a completely different car - lol!

So, in other words, don't let it influence your buying decision.

You do need to decide whether to get an Evo or std M3, though and that's opening a whole can of worms and insurance issues etc etc.

Edited by JezF on Tuesday 20th November 15:32

[jimmydee2007]

i've settled on an evo as the insurance isn't too bad and not worried about the vanos as long as its been looked after it should be ok..... although i will have a little stash just incase!

[asbo]

JezF said:

I believe that it was late 1996 eg. a few months into the production of the Evo. Very little changed, so I am led to believe, all cosmetic or equipment related.

I expect someone will now come along and tell me it was a completely different car - lol!

So, in other words, don't let it influence your buying decision.

You do need to decide whether to get an Evo or std M3, though and that's opening a whole can of worms and insurance issues etc etc.

Edited by JezF on Tuesday 20th November 15:32

Generally, Evo's are newer, faster, handle better and are less rust prone. The 3.0l's are cheaper, but leggier and have a horrid steering rack.

Facelift did hapen in '96 and only the LHD Evo's were brought out before the facelift (effectively a different grill and white/red lenses on the M3) IIRC.

[Cliffv8]

think there was a update on 94/95 M3's not a face lift though under the bonnet stuff read it somewhere just can't remember where, think air con was made been an option

Edited by Cliffv8 on Tuesday 20th November 22:06

[Cliffv8]

Cliffv8 said:

think there was a update on 94/95 M3's not a face lift though under the bonnet stuff read it somewhere just can't remember where, think air con was made been an option

Edited by Cliffv8 on Tuesday 20th November 22:06

Quoted from here, knew I had a link somewhere http://www.bmwmregistry.com/index.php

What chnaged during the production of the European-spec E36 M3 3.0?
There were no major mechanical alterations to the E36 M3 3.0 during its production. However, the model did receive the following equipment changes:
-M tri-color stitching added to four-spoke airbag steering wheel (9/92 production)
-M-design four-spoke airbag steering wheel offered (9/93 production)
-Passenger-side airbag available (9/93 production)
-Light Silvergrey Nappa leather replaced by Light Grey Nappa leather (9/93 production)
-Alpine White II (218) replaced by Alpine White III (300) (12/93 production)
-Sterling Silver metallic (244) replaced by Arctic Silver metallic (309) (12/93 production)
-Diamond Black metallic (181) replaced by Cosmos Black metallic (303) (3/94 production)
-Violet Blue/Black extended Nappa leather added (3/94 production)
-Classic Red/Black extended Nappa leather added (3/94 production)
-Mugello Red (274) replaced by Bright Red (314) (9/94 production)
-Revised temperature controls for HVAC (9/94 production)


What changes were made to the European-spec E36 M3 3.2 during its producton?
The only major mechanical change during the production of the Euro-spec E36 M3 3.2 was the addition of the Sequential M Gearbox (SMG) option in 1997. In addition to SMG, various minor upgrades were introduced before production ended in late 1999 including:
-Restyled grille and side marker turn signals (9/96 production)
-Three-spoke M steering wheel available (9/96 production)
-Byzanz metallic available (9/96-8/97 production, sedan only)
-Side impact airbags available on sedans (1/97 production)
-Side impact airbags available on coupes and convertibles (9/97 production)
-Illumination added to M shift knob (9/97 production)
-Imola Red (405) paint available (3/98 production)
-Titanium Silver metallic (354) available in place of Arctic Silver metallic (309) (3/98 production)
-Fern Green metallic (386) available in place of Boston Green metallic (275) (3/98 production)
-Dark Beige leather upholstery available (9/98 production)
-In dash CD player available in some markets (9/98 production)

U.S.-spec available with a auto box, tut tut, can't you even drive fat lad?

Edited by Cliffv8 on Tuesday 20th November 22:31

[asbo]

^^



Has there ever been a more sacrilegious picture?

{faints}

[JezF]

Thanks Cliff, so it was as I said as I am sure my Evo is pre-facelift.

Evo's aren't really any faster from my experience - bit more torque, so arguably a bit more drivable and you get a higher 6th for motorway stuff.

Can't really comment about the steering rack, but I've certainly heard the Evo steering feel is better.

[Cliffv8]

JezF said:

Thanks Cliff, so it was as I said as I am sure my Evo is pre-facelift.

Evo's aren't really any faster from my experience - bit more torque, so arguably a bit more drivable and you get a higher 6th for motorway stuff.

Can't really comment about the steering rack, but I've certainly heard the Evo steering feel is better.

the steering rack is shocking when on a track, I've got a bit of a to do list, replace M3 rack with standard e36 rack
and need to do something with the anti roll bars they not very good the EVO's was updated along with front Wishbones and bushes, rear trailing arms and bushes and stiffer springs and dampers, whats worth doing and whats not I don't know but if I need to change something like a front wishbone I may as well change them for EVO ones shouldn't be a problem

[mpwr321bhp]

I think at either 1997 or R Reg Time they started using the More pronounced front kidneys, my P96 has the old ones, im also lead to believe they aren’t interchangeable as they front panel they sit in isn’t the some, don’t know how true this is, but have seen lots of companies selling the wider kidneys, but they are all chrome, a bit to bling for me.

Plus the fact once you’re in the car who cares about the grills lol.