What is the difference between the USA E36 M3 and the German E36 M3? 

Kinja'd!!! "My citroen won't start" (lucasboechat)
12/29/2014 at 13:23 • Filed to: None

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Both of them were imported here, and most of them are very low mileage and quite attainable, but the German examples are quite a bit more expensive. Why?


DISCUSSION (21)


Kinja'd!!! E. Julius > My citroen won't start
12/29/2014 at 13:25

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I'm no expert, but I believe the US engines are detuned compared to the German ones.


Kinja'd!!! Brodieman > My citroen won't start
12/29/2014 at 13:26

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It's a completely different engine.

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?…


Kinja'd!!! Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > My citroen won't start
12/29/2014 at 13:27

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The North American models had 240 HP.. the german models had 282 or 314 HP


Kinja'd!!! PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > My citroen won't start
12/29/2014 at 13:27

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Ok, where do you want me to start?

The US M3's had less power, a 5-speed transmission, and had slightly softer suspension, where the German M3's were properly sorted out, and drove with a much higher level of performance.


Kinja'd!!! EL_ULY > My citroen won't start
12/29/2014 at 13:28

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i had a 95 3.0 M3 and I think the Euro one had almost 50 hp more. Different intake and headers along with other bits. Not 100% sure on that tho.

EDIT: Big difference in the S50B30

Euro has kickass headers, what looks like dual VANOS, and ITBs

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Awww, I miss my 3 liter heater :]

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Kinja'd!!! MultiplaOrgasms > My citroen won't start
12/29/2014 at 13:29

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US one has S50B30US engine with 240hp which is actually just a bored out M50B25 with Vanos, while Euro ones had S50B30EU engine with 286hp and later the S50B32EU with 320hp. Also has watered down chassis compared to Euro E36.


Kinja'd!!! JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > My citroen won't start
12/29/2014 at 13:30

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The motors are very different. The S50 is a high-revving, racing-derived engine, whereas the U.S. version has what is basically a stroked M50B28. One has lots of torque and the other is half of a McLaren F1 engine. The suspension apparently is more advanced in the Euro cars. Both are very good performers, but given the chance I'd take the Euro despite the price difference.

I'd go so far as to call the Euro E36 M3 with the S50B32 the best-balanced M3 of all time. More analog than E46, more power than E30, and more subtle than any others.


Kinja'd!!! davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > My citroen won't start
12/29/2014 at 13:31

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Different engine (40 less hp), different suspension setup...

"Other notable differences between North American and their European counterparts were as follows: Floating rotors were standard on the Canadian and European cars, but absent from the American variations. As well, the differential and rear axles on the North American cars were of lighter duty builds than the Euro cars."


Kinja'd!!! RallyWrench > My citroen won't start
12/29/2014 at 13:34

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An additional 5 throttles, double VANOS, +45hp, lower & stiffer suspension, better (glass) headlights, etc etc. The US cars had lower gearing to make up for the power reduction.


Kinja'd!!! My citroen won't start > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
12/29/2014 at 13:35

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Ok, that is a major power difference.


Kinja'd!!! Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > My citroen won't start
12/29/2014 at 13:37

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Indeed, and there are other differences as well, but I see people here have covered that already :P


Kinja'd!!! My citroen won't start > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
12/29/2014 at 13:49

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The E36 is definitely my favorite M3. Nice to know all those things.


Kinja'd!!! My citroen won't start > EL_ULY
12/29/2014 at 13:50

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It looks really nice! How did it drive?


Kinja'd!!! EL_ULY > My citroen won't start
12/29/2014 at 14:17

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Very well. Mod list:

-AFE stage 2 intake with new 3.5 inch MAF (e39 540i)

-Remus exhaust

-UUC urethane bushings front and back

-UUC ( i think) thicker front and rear sway bars

-Bavauto coils

-X brace from convertible e36

-front and rear tower brace

-ebay drilled rotors from and rear

-XM Radio

-4300K HID

Not a single scratch on the paint :]


Kinja'd!!! Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
12/29/2014 at 14:37

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286hp for the 3.0, 321hp for the 3.2.


Kinja'd!!! Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Goshen, formerly Darkcode
12/29/2014 at 14:39

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I was trying to convert KW to HP in my head while slightly drunk :P I wasn't that far off though was I? :)


Kinja'd!!! Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
12/29/2014 at 14:41

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Which reminds me, we really should use kW here in Europe too. Let's go full metric for once.


Kinja'd!!! Louros > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
12/29/2014 at 16:53

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Cool, you've driven all 3 of those generations of M3?


Kinja'd!!! Dsscats > My citroen won't start
12/29/2014 at 17:07

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Different:

Engine (S50B30 in 1995 and S52B32 in the US spec models, S50B32 in Euro from 1996-1999)

Power levels

After 96, 5 speed VS 6 speed

I believe VANOS from 96 up

Years (92-99 for Euro vs 95-99 for US)


Kinja'd!!! JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Louros
12/29/2014 at 18:48

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Cool, you've been pedantic every time you reply to one of my comments? Well, here we go. Last time you smugly dismissed a comment of mine, it was because I'd driven two cars and stated my preference. Then, you used statistics in an attempt to disregard it. Here, I'm using what I've gathered from M3 literature to make a supposition and you question my firsthand experience. How would you like me to comment, honestly?


Kinja'd!!! Louros > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
12/30/2014 at 07:37

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Was just asking a simple question. Got my answer. Thanks.