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Thread: Found an E36 M3 3.2 6 speed.

  1. #1
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    Found an E36 M3 3.2 6 speed.

    Apparently.... I have verbally committed to the deal with condition of being convinced it's a 300 bhp drive. I have been researching for days in verifying authenticity but seems like virtually impossible to tell the diff. Most of the stuffs are interchangable with the 325 engine. Yes the tell tale signs like plastic oil filter cover. Even if I can verify the cc being 3.2, I can't verify if the cams have been swapped out. So the only way seems to be dyno or drive it. With the vast diff in performance I would think I can distinguish if the car is able to pull a 5.4 sec compared to a 7 sec. Unless anyone here has got better advise. I'll still take it if worse case senario it's a 3.0 M engine. But I do worry i get a 328 engine or cams.

  2. #2
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    There are many ways to tell.

    First, check the VIN.
    Secondly, does it have 6 Throttle Bodies like an S54/E46 M3?
    if it's a real Euro 3.2 car, the doors are aluminum.
    The front rotors are 2-piece floating, but they could be swapped.
    The 3.2L Euro cars have a 210mm rear diff, so the rear subframe is different than any USDM E36.

    Those are the big giveaways.

    Oh, and almost nothing on the engine is either similar looking or interchangeable with a 325/328 engine.
    Last edited by markertoo; 11-08-2016 at 04:30 PM.
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by markertoo View Post
    There are many ways to tell.

    First, check the VIN.
    Secondly, does it have 6 Throttle Bodies like an S54/E46 M3?
    if it's a real Euro 3.2 car, the doors are aluminum.
    The front rotors are 2-piece floating, but they could be swapped.
    The 3.2L Euro cars have a 210mm rear diff, so the rear subframe is different than any USDM E36.

    Those are the big giveaways.

    Oh, and almost nothing on the engine is either similar looking or interchangeable with a 325/328 engine.
    Tks for the reply.Yes 6 throttles.front calipers have been robbed by the dealer.Does the rear diff give that reading?

    - - - Updated - - -

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/2q4vo275vh...90113.jpg?dl=0
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/bfjqwotxe8...91221.jpg?dl=0

  4. #4
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    Well, 6 ITBs means a 3L 286hp 5-speed car or a 3.2L 321hp 6-speed car.

    The brake calipers are exactly the same. The rotors are different. But again, an easy swap.

    Reading? I don't understand. All of the -95 E36 3.0L M3s had a small diff. 188mm was the size of the ring gear inside the housing. US 3.2L cars stayed with the small diff from 96-99. RoW 3.2L M3s came with a bigger rear differential gear. This necessitated a different housing and a different subframe.

    Does THAT help?

    In the 6 ITB engines, the 3L only had single VANOS, and the 3.2L cars had dual VANOS.
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  5. #5
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    I did notice that huge rear diff but I'm not familiar with the conventional ones. But it's a huge housing. Well The original calipers will be back in. I requested to buy back the trims too from the dealer. He took the steering, seats bumpers and wheels. I am pretty sure the transmition ass is off a 3.2l. It is a 6 speed manual afterall. As long as the car pushes hard I will just purchase it. I use to run a WRX STi. So i gather if I can feel that kindda G I'm in for a real deal. The 220bhp WRX inferior pull is distintive as well. Will get to try the car next week.

    - - - Updated - - -

    And also not all 3.2 came with aluminium doors it seems.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Serpent33 View Post
    And also not all 3.2 came with aluminium doors it seems.
    Which ones didn't?

    Not to be argumentative, but if you have such specific knowledge on the equipment and differences, why did you need to ask us on here?
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  7. #7
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    Thanks for ur reply. I took the car. It didnt come with aluminium doors and dealer said it didnt come with alu doors. Not that concerned with it though. I think I saw it on bmwregistry, it states aluminium doors with brackets, certain 3.2 versions i thinkn ECE or something. That is why I wrote "it seems". Not sure if this term mean differently to others but I do mean it could be, or I'm not certain. It comes with sunroof and I gather no reason to fuss over alu door skin since no weight reduction on the roof top. I guess this concludes. I'm taking the M3. Yes I posting this up to find out more and your imputs have been helpful. Thanks

  8. #8
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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by markertoo View Post
    Which ones didn't?

    Not to be argumentative, but if you have such specific knowledge on the equipment and differences, why did you need to ask us on here?
    You must be joking. He's right. Actually only few regular production M3's got the alu doors.
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  10. #10
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    From production dates June 95 onwards, aluminum doors were in production...
    The last of the 3.0l had these doors and the subsequent 3.2l had them..
    Last edited by 444YYY; 11-21-2016 at 01:46 PM.

  11. #11
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    looks like s50b32 head, dual vanos

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by digger View Post
    looks like s50b32 head, dual vanos
    Yep, that's exactly what it is.
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  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by digger View Post
    looks like s50b32 head, dual vanos
    I third this.

  14. #14
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    Come on guys!! Aluminum doors are "options".

    Please don't be misled just by reading something you have never seen in North America.

    Can't believe some people here are just so certain about what they are saying here.

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