BMW E36 M3
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The BMW E36 M3 lasted from 1992 to 1999, making this one of the coolest cars from the 1990s, and only available in the ’90s. During that period, BMW made 71,242 of these models. While there had been previous M3s, the high-performance variation of the 3 Series, this was the first to use a straight-6 engine. The 2,990-cc powertrain was known as the S50 and generated 282 horsepower.
The E36 M3 first arrived just as a coupe, but by 1994, it also was available as a saloon or convertible. There was also a limited-edition M3 GT, a racing homologation special. Each of these units were in British Racing Green with a 3-liter engine for 291 horsepower; only 356 units were made.
For 1995, the saloon and coupes got an upgrade to a 321-horsepower 3.2-liter engine. They also get a 6-speed transmission, clear indicator lenses, and new wheels. The convertible got those changes a few months later in 1996. Experts at Car & Driver agreed that the E36 M3 was among the best handling vehicles, and it has always been a popular model among track enthusiasts and circuit racers.
Interestingly enough, the E36 M3 was not supposed to ever arrive in the United States, and when it did, it had a few changes. Although the engines had similar displacement, the American version had lower compression, a single-throttle body, and a version of VANOS that was not as advanced. It also got less exciting compared to European models due to American emissions regulations. The U.S. version had 240 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque with an electronically limited speed of 137 mph. In Europe, that was set to 155 mph, with the other figures being 286 horsepower and 336 pound-feet.
