BMW E36

The success of the E36 in addition to the "quality" and "fun to drive" aspects of the platform gave BMW a strong market identity and presence for many. 1988 was the final model year for the Fiero. Against other competititors, the E36 would repeatedly beat out the competition and won many awards from major car magazines. The 4-cylinder and more powerful V6 were standard fare and the car largely escaped recall issues. Sales for 3 Series coupes, sedans, and convertibles were at all time highs in North America and Europe. The chassis was never a Lotus design though - it was all Pontiac. Among most BMW enthusiasts, the E36 platform was among the most popular of BMW design of the past 20 years. The 1988 Fiero brought a new suspension design, thought by many to strikingly resemble the soon to be acquired Lotus Corp's.

A modified version of the E36 platform (sometimes called the E36/7) was used for the BMW Z3 roadster. Improved headlight motors appeared in 1987. Ostensibly due to slow US sales of the E36/5 Compact, the E46 Compact was not sold in the United States. The car was offered in blue but was otherwise externally unchanged from the preceding three models. In the United States market the car was sold as the 318ti and was equipped with a 1.8 L, 139 bhp M44B19 engine and was priced at USD23,000. The 4-cylinder's power rating increased to 98 hp (73 kW) with some major modifications which included a roller cam. This platform is often referred to as the E36/5. 1987 had minor modifications to the front fascia on the "base coupe" (the same nose also to be found the following year on the new Formula model), with the SE & GT models keeping the same "Aero" nose.

BMW made an entry level version of the E36 called the 3 Series Compact, a three-door hatchback. Models equipped with the 4-cylinder engine remained largely unchanged. Each model is followed by its particular engine. Also offered late in the production year, was a 5-speed Getrag transmission (coupled only to the V6 engines). . 1986 was the first year the fastback was offered. E36 is considered the performance benchmark in its class. Further on, the exterior design of the Indy Fiero would be incorporated into the production line as the new GT.

It laid strong foundation to the success BMW E46 experienced in subsequent years. The 4-cylinder engine (known as the "Iron Duke") was now paired with the Japanese designed Isuzu 5-speed (also produced at the Muncie, Indiana plant). E36 experienced enormous success in the market. The V6 was paired with a modified Muncie 4-speed transmission. The M3 was produced as an E36 from 1995-1999 in the US, and 1993-1999 in the European market. A Chevrolet 2.8 L 140 hp (104 kW) V6 engine was put into the car, satisfying most critics of the base power plant. It is the sucessor of the BMW E30 in 1992 but was officially replaced by the BMW E46 in 1999. In 1985, the problem with insufficient power was first addressed, much to the satisfaction of the general public.

The E36 automobile platform was the basis for the 1992 through 1999 BMW 3 Series models. Approximately 2,000 of these vehicles were sold. M3 (1995-1998; convertible and sedan added to lineup 1997) M50B30. The 1984 was the only year in which the Limited "Indy 500" edition, consisting of an Indianapolis 500-themed option package on SE-model vehicles, was offered. 328i, 328is, 328ic (1996-1998) M52B28. The car also proved uncomfortable for some drivers due to the lack of power steering. 325i, 325is, 325ic (1992-1995) M50B25. In an effort to sell the car as being economically sensible, GM equipped and sold the Fiero as a commuter car but the marketing build up leading to initial release indicated anything but a regular commuter car.

323i, 323is, 323ic (1996-1998) M52B25. The year was also critically condemned for producing underpowered commuter cars. 318ti (1996-1998) M44B19. 1984 was the first production year for the Pontiac Fiero, which began production in August 1983 for the 1984 model year. 318ti (1994-1996) M42B18.
. 318i, 318is, 318ic (1992-1995) M42B18. The Getrag is generally accepted to be the stronger one, but both are used without failure on high torque V8 engine swaps.

325ti (1996-1998) M52B25. Isuzu and Getrag-produced 5-speed transmissions were available, depending on model and equipment. 318ti (1996-1998) M44B19. The V6 on the 1985 model and part of the 1986 production year came with a 4-speed with a final drive ratio of 3.65. 318ti (1994-1996) M42B18. The 1984 production line saw two transmissions, a performance 4-speed with a final drive ratio of 4.10, and an economy 4-speed with a final drive ratio of 3.32. 318tds (1995-1998) M41D17. All 4-speed manual transmissions were built at the Muncie, Indiana Allison plant.

316ti (1994-1998) M43B16. Automatic Transmission Final Drive Ratios:. 328iT (1995-1998) M52B28. All automatic-equipped Fieros were equipped with the TH125 three-speed with torque converter lockup. 325tds (1995-1998) M51S. A large following of owners still exists with many web pages, groups, and clubs devoted to the car. 325iT (1996-1998) M52B25. The 1984 Fiero was the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500 for 1984, beating out the new 1984 Corvette for the honor.

320iT (1995-1998) M52B20. The Fiero 2M4 was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1984. 318tds (1995-1998) M41D17. Additionally, a multitude of different General Motors engines have been installed by enthusiasts, from the Quad-4 engine to the Chevrolet small-block V8. 318iT (1995-1998) M43B18. Due to an abundance of replacement parts available from other General Motors vehicles, there are many upgrades that can be done to improve performance and reliability of the cars. 316iT (1998) M43B16. The Fiero has a strong following of owners and customizers today.

M3 (1996-1998) S52B30. However, the vehicles left today have most certainly been serviced by GM during the recall. M3 (1994-1996) S50B30. They were purchased by GM by the ton, not by quality. 328ic (1995-1998) M52B28. The fires in the 2.5 L engine were due mostly to poorly made connecting rods. 320ic (1994-1998) M52B20. GM technicians blamed these borrowed parts for the engine fires (which was not entirely true) that resulted from a number of mechanical design flaws.

320ic (1993-1994) M50B20. For example, some of the front suspension was taken from the Chevrolet Chevette[1] (the rear being partially from the GM X-body cars). 318ic (1994-1998) M43B18. Budget constraints on Pontiac forced them to borrow parts from other product lines. M3 (1992-1995) S50. Officially, production ended due to insufficient profits. 328is (1995-1998) M52B28. By the end of production, the Fiero had received updated suspension and body styling, but kept a limited offering of engines—the use of turbochargers or the newer DOHC straight-4 engines never made it to production.

328i (1995-1998) M52B28. The sports car potential of this car was greatly reduced due to cost-cutting however, and came under fire from critics—its publicity did not match its initial performance. 325i (1992-1995) M50B25. The Fiero was modified slightly, borrowing many parts, into a performance vehicle. 323i (1995-1998) M52B25. The Fiero was also the first and only two seater Pontiac ever made, until the 2006 introduction of the Pontiac Solstice. 320i (1992-1998) M52B20. The public, however, had other ideas for the only mid-engined car ever mass produced in North America.

320i (1992) M50B20. Due to a "cool" reception by GM mangement and accountants, it was finally sold to GM as a fuel-efficient commuter car. 318is (1996-1998) M44B19. The Fiero was designed by Hulki Aldikacti as a Pontiac sports car. 318is (1992-1996) M42B18. . 316i (1993-1998) M43B16. The Pontiac Fiero was a mid-engine sports car built by the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors from 1984 to 1988.

M3 (1995-1998) S52B30. 1987-1988: 3.33. M3 (1994-1995) S50B30. 1984-1986: 3.06. 328i (1994-1998) M52B28. V6