BMW 3 Series third generation

Photo: OSX / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

The BMW 3 Series third generation (1991–1999): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 45 versions in the United States and Canada.

Model codes: E36 · Sold in: United States and Canada

Dimensions, weights and capacity

Specification	North America	Wikipedia
Dimensions
Length	–	4,430 mm
Width	–	1,710 mm
Height	–	1,370 mm
Wheelbase	–	2,700 mm
Weights and towing
Kerb weight	–	1,442 kg
Seats and space
Luggage space (EPA)	255–425 L EPA	–
Passenger space (EPA)	2,095–2,577 L EPA	–

Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: Wikipedia, US EPA fuel economy data. Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reliability and owner reports

Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)

836 complaints for model years 1992–1999. 93 crashes · 18 fires · 78 injuries · 6 deaths

Airbags 176
Engine 134
Electrical system 94
Transmission and drivetrain 71
Body and structure 50
Speed control 32

Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints

All 45 versions of the BMW 3 Series third generation

Show all 45 versions

United States 21 versions

Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Drive	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
1999–2000	2.5 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	20 MPG (11.8 L/100 km) EPA	276 g/km
1998–2000	2.5 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	21–22 MPG (10.7–11.2 L/100 km) EPA	251–263 g/km
1998–2000	2.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	20–21 MPG (11.2–11.8 L/100 km) EPA	263–276 g/km
1999–2000	2.8 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	20 MPG (11.8 L/100 km) EPA	276 g/km
1999	1.9 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	23 MPG (10.2 L/100 km) EPA	240 g/km
1999	1.9 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	24 MPG (9.8 L/100 km) EPA	230 g/km
1998–1999	2.5 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	20 MPG (11.8 L/100 km) EPA	276 g/km
1998–1999	2.8 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	19–20 MPG (11.8–12.4 L/100 km) EPA	276–291 g/km
1996–1998(FFS)	1.9 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	22–23 MPG (10.2–10.7 L/100 km) EPA	240–251 g/km
1996–1998(FFS)	1.9 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	23–24 MPG (9.8–10.2 L/100 km) EPA	230–240 g/km
1996–1997(FFS)	2.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1996–1997(FFS)	2.8 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	19–20 MPG (11.8–12.4 L/100 km) EPA	276–291 g/km
1993–1995(FFS)	1.8 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	21–22 MPG (10.7–11.2 L/100 km) EPA	251–263 g/km
1991–1995(FFS)	1.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	19–23 MPG (10.2–12.4 L/100 km) EPA	240–291 g/km
1993–1995(FFS)	2.5 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	20 MPG (11.8 L/100 km) EPA	276 g/km
1992–1995(FFS)	2.5 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	19–20 MPG (11.8–12.4 L/100 km) EPA	276–291 g/km
1991–1993(FFS) · (FFS) (MPFI)	2.5 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	18 MPG (13.1 L/100 km) EPA	307 g/km
1991–1992(FFS) (MPFI)	1.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	20–21 MPG (11.2–11.8 L/100 km) EPA	263–276 g/km
1992(FFS), 2LKUP	2.5 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	19 MPG (12.4 L/100 km) EPA	291 g/km
1991(FFS) (MPFI) · (FFS)	1.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1991(GUZZLER) (FFS), SIL	2.5 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	15 MPG (15.7 L/100 km) EPA	368 g/km

Canada 24 versions

Model years sold in Canada, from Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption ratings (5-cycle test).

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
1999–2000Compact	2.5 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	11.8 L/100 km 5-cycle	271 g/km
1999–2000Compact	2.5 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	11.2 L/100 km 5-cycle	258 g/km
1999–2000Compact	2.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	11.2 L/100 km 5-cycle	258 g/km
1996–1999Subcompact · Minicompact	1.9 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	10.4–10.5 L/100 km 5-cycle	239–242 g/km
1996–1999Minicompact	1.9 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	10.2–10.3 L/100 km 5-cycle	235–237 g/km
1996–1999Subcompact · Compact	1.9 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	9.9–10.1 L/100 km 5-cycle	228–232 g/km
1996–1999Compact	1.9 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	10.1–10.2 L/100 km 5-cycle	232–235 g/km
1998–1999Minicompact · Subcompact	2.5 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	11.9 L/100 km 5-cycle	274 g/km
1998–1999Minicompact · Subcompact	2.5 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	11.1 L/100 km 5-cycle	255 g/km
1999Minicompact	2.5 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	12.7 L/100 km 5-cycle	292 g/km
1999Minicompact	2.5 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	12.2 L/100 km 5-cycle	281 g/km
1999Minicompact · Subcompact	2.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	11.3 L/100 km 5-cycle	260 g/km
1999Compact	2.8 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	11.8 L/100 km 5-cycle	271 g/km
1999Minicompact · Subcompact	2.8 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	11.8 L/100 km 5-cycle	271 g/km
1996–1998Subcompact · Minicompact	2.8 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	11.7–12.2 L/100 km 5-cycle	269–281 g/km
1996–1998Subcompact · Minicompact	2.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	11.3–11.4 L/100 km 5-cycle	260–262 g/km
1995Subcompact · Minicompact	1.8 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	11.1 L/100 km 5-cycle	255 g/km
1995Subcompact · Compact	1.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	10.3 L/100 km 5-cycle	237 g/km
1995Minicompact	1.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	10.4 L/100 km 5-cycle	239 g/km
1995Compact	1.8 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	11.0 L/100 km 5-cycle	253 g/km
1995Subcompact	2.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	11.4 L/100 km 5-cycle	262 g/km
1995Subcompact	2.0 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	11.4 L/100 km 5-cycle	262 g/km
1995Subcompact · Minicompact	2.5 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	11.5 L/100 km 5-cycle	265 g/km
1995Subcompact · Minicompact	2.5 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	11.7 L/100 km 5-cycle	269 g/km

Similar models from other brands

Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.