{"id":94824,"date":"2023-10-19T18:11:22","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T01:11:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=94824"},"modified":"2025-05-20T18:47:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T01:47:42","slug":"top-6-bmw-m3s-in-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/top-6-bmw-m3s-in-history\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top 6 BMW M3s In History"},"content":{"rendered":"\nReading Time: <\/span> 6<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n

The M3 Series isn’t the first motorsports lineup from BMW, but it’s considered to be one of the most decorated in the automaker’s books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beginnings of the M3 Series<\/a> can be traced back to 1986 when BMW had no choice but to build a street-legal version of the special 3 series to abide by the FIA’s homologation rules and compete in certain racing series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, these vehicles remain beloved by drivers due to their lightweight construction and powerful drivetrains. But which ones are the best of the best? Check out this list of the top BMW<\/a> M3s in history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BMW M3 E36: The Second-Generation Pioneer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Produced from 1992 to 1999, the E36’s angular yet compact design made it look like an outlier in BMW’s M3 lineup. Image credit: BMW Press<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The BMW M3 E36 was more than the E30’s successor一it was a pioneer in its own right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced from 1992 to 1999, the E36’s angular yet compact design made it look like an outlier in BMW’s M3 lineup. It didn’t look like other race cars, but it packed quite a punch on the tracks thanks to variable camshaft adjustment technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Variable camshaft adjustment was first used on the E36, enabling the model to generate maximum torque under partial and full load ranges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The E36’s powerful naturally aspirated engine hid in a straight-line body that came with M-side mirrors and aprons at the front and rear. Size-wise, the E36 was three centimeters lower than the E30, optimizing its center of gravity and handling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A facelifted E36 rolled out in 1995, featuring white turn signal lenses and a retouched kidney grille design. Along with these came an S50B30 engine that made the E36 half a second faster than before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n