E36 Question - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Erik · 8th February 2003, 18:27

Hi again

I need some help again.

Can anyone tell me the difference between the chassis ( body) on an E36 M3 coupe and the normal E 36 coupe chassis used on 316-318 ----

I have been told that the M3 chassis is stronger and has aluminum doors.

Does anyone know this, or maybe can tip me off to a place where I can find some answers.

pride355 · 9th February 2003, 03:38

Erik,

Only 96 MY E36 M3 EVOs have alum. doors as well as 95 MY US Spec M3 LTW.

As for chassis, suspension parts are different. Sorry, can't help; don't know the name of the specific parts.

Erik · 9th February 2003, 08:14

Quote:

Originally posted by pride355
Erik,

Only 96 MY E36 M3 EVOs have alum. doors as well as 95 MY US Spec M3 LTW.

Ok thanks, but what does this mean, MY E36 M3 EVOs

Evo is just the name the English put on the car to separate the 3.2 from the 3.0, but the term My I dont get.

Are you sure that the 96 had aluminium doors, and not the rest.
97-98 ...

Erik

Mr Janne · 9th February 2003, 13:15

Quote:

Originally posted by Erik
Ok thanks, but what does this mean, MY E36 M3 EVOs

Evo is just the name the English put on the car to separate the 3.2 from the 3.0, but the term My I dont get.

Are you sure that the 96 had aluminium doors, and not the rest.
97-98 ...

Erik

MY probably means Model Year. I´m pretty sure that only the 96 had aluminium doors.

pride355 · 9th February 2003, 14:45

Quote:

Evo is just the name the English put on the car to separate the 3.2 from the 3.0, but the term My I dont get.

Are you sure that the 96 had aluminium doors, and not the rest.
97-98 ...
Erik [/b]

Sorry not to make it more clear. By MY I meant Model year. Only 96 model year cars have alu. doors. I'm 100% sure that 98 and 99 model M3s don't have alum. doors.

Only thing I'm not sure about is maybe the cars made end of 96 have alum. doors; but came out from the factory as 97 model. Because I saw a 97 model M3 with alum. doors; and don't know if they were retro fitted.

Also for the suspension components:
M3 has different front lower control arms as well as different bushings. Also rear A-arm is different. There are several structural supports, too.

Erik · 10th February 2003, 10:08

Hi

OK thanks lot ..

When you say structural changes, you mean in the body of the car right. Do you know where in the body ?

BTW:
I have changed suspension on both a E 36 M3 and same year 325 Coupe and noticed that the complete rear achsel was different and much more rigid on the M3 than on the 325.

pride355 · 10th February 2003, 12:40

Structural supports under the body; especially around the rear suspension components. Front should have more supports to. Even there is a difference in lower control arms between 3.0L and 3.2L M3s. (3.0L has more neutral setup where EVO has more understeer behaviour)

Whole rear suspension setup is different than other models. This is why 245/40/17 tires don't look the same on 320/328. Eventhough E36 M3 doesn't have flared arches, 245/40/17 tires fit but on 320/328 they rub, and look different

Erik · 10th February 2003, 13:49

Hi

I just got som info to you.

The 3.2 M3 had alu doors from 10/95 until 3/97 production.
The weight of the doors should be app 9.4 kg.

The reasson for the rubbing could be the rear achsel, or that the flares has been modified from factory. ??

Thanks a lot for all the help.

pride355 · 10th February 2003, 14:03

Quote:

Originally posted by Erik

The weight of the doors should be app 9.4 kg.

Yeap I know; approx. 9-10 kg lighter on each side. Alum. doors have different hinges, too.
96 models don't have side airbags, and from 98 they become standart feature on M3s. So weight difference should be approx. 25 kg in total.