Car Model History

Third generation · E36 · 1992–1998

1993BMW 3 Series

A larger, more modern 3 Series with multilink rear suspension. The first offered as sedan, coupe, convertible, Touring wagon, and the hatchback Compact; the E36 M3 brought six-cylinder M power.

Third generation · E36

1993 BMW 3 Series E30 coupe, front three-quarter view

Photo: “1993 BMW 3 Series E30 (51231833644).jpg” by Jones028 from Hong Kong / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Quick facts

Engines
3offered1.8L M42 DOHC inline-four → 2.5L M20 SOHC inline-six
Top output
189hp2.5L M50TU DOHC inline-six

Body stylesFour-door E36 sedan · Two-door E36 coupe · Two-door E30 convertible

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1993 BMW 3 Series model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Complete, source-verified lineup

Find your exact 1993 3 Series

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

5factory configurations
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified

We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for BMW's complete 1993 U.S. factory E30-convertible and E36 sedan/coupe service roster. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from BMW — 1993 U.S. factory service-manual model, chassis, and engine roster (Operation CHARM mirror).

5versions shown
Four-door rear-wheel-drive E36 sedan

BMW 318i E36 Sedan

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive E36 sedan
Engine
1.8-liter M42 DOHC inline-four (134 hp)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E36 coupe

BMW 318is E36 Coupe

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E36 coupe
Engine
1.8-liter M42 DOHC inline-four (134 hp)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door rear-wheel-drive E36 sedan

BMW 325i E36 Sedan

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive E36 sedan
Engine
2.5-liter M50TU DOHC inline-six (189 hp)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E36 coupe

BMW 325is E36 Coupe

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E36 coupe
Engine
2.5-liter M50TU DOHC inline-six (189 hp)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E30 convertible

BMW 325i E30 Convertible

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E30 convertible
Engine
2.5-liter M20 SOHC inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1993 model year

Overview

BMW's 1993 U.S. 3 Series roster paired four E36 models with one final-generation E30 carryover. The 134-hp M42 powered the 318i sedan and 318is coupe; the 189-hp M50TU powered the 325i sedan and 325is coupe. The 325i Convertible remained on the E30 chassis with the earlier 168-hp M20 engine, making its chassis and engine identity especially important for parts fitment.

Specifications

Engines
  • 1.8L M42 DOHC inline-four134 hp
  • 2.5L M50TU DOHC inline-six189 hp
  • 2.5L M20 SOHC inline-six168 hp
Body styles
Four-door E36 sedan, Two-door E36 coupe, Two-door E30 convertible

Year over year

What changed

  • The E36 range now paired 318i/325i sedans with separately named 318is/325is coupes.
  • The 325i and 325is used the updated M50TU six, while the carryover E30 325i Convertible retained the M20.
  • The M42-powered E30 318i Convertible was no longer listed in BMW's 1993 U.S. service roster.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • A five-configuration transition roster, not a generic single-model 325i year.
  • No U.S. M3, Touring wagon, Compact hatchback, or E36 convertible is assigned to 1993.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Use the VIN and chassis code before ordering: the E30 325i Convertible does not share body, suspension, cooling, or many driveline parts with the E36 325i/325is.
  • Distinguish M42 four-cylinder, M50TU six-cylinder, and M20 six-cylinder service parts rather than shopping by displacement or 3 Series name alone.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1993 3 Series on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1993 BMW 3 Series. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
9
Factory intervals
8
Fitment-scoped
9
Exact references
2

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1993 · M50TU 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E36) · United States · Exact 1993 325i sedan record; 318i, body-style variants, M3, and other E36 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12,000 km / 6 months · Maximum guideline; service sooner when the on-board indicator calls for it.

    Source: BMW — 1993 325i (E36) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Service Intervals/Equivalent Mileage — Oil Service maximum; Indicated Engine Oil Service · checked

  • Inspection I

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1993 · M50TU 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E36) · United States · Exact 1993 325i sedan record; 318i, body-style variants, M3, and other E36 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 15,000 mi / 24,000 km / 12 months · Maximum guideline; alternate with Oil Service and Inspection II as indicated.

    Source: BMW — 1993 325i (E36) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Service Intervals/Equivalent Mileage — Inspection I maximum · checked

    Inspection II

    Applies to: 1993 · M50TU 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E36) · United States · Exact 1993 325i sedan record; 318i, body-style variants, M3, and other E36 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · Maximum guideline; includes Inspection I plus the additional published tasks.

    Source: BMW — 1993 325i (E36) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Service Intervals/Equivalent Mileage — Inspection II maximum · checked

  • Brake fluid

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1993 · M50TU 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E36) · United States · Exact 1993 325i sedan record; 318i, body-style variants, M3, and other E36 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 24 months · Replacement interval from vehicle production.

    Source: BMW — 1993 325i (E36) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service I — brake-fluid replacement note · checked

  • Automatic-transmission fluid, strainer, and gasket

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1993 · M50TU 2.5L inline-six · automatic · 325i (E36) · United States · Exact 1993 325i sedan record; 318i, body-style variants, M3, and other E36 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 15,000 mi / 24,000 km / 12 months · At Inspection I; maximum guideline and indicator may call sooner.

    Source: BMW — 1993 325i (E36) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service I — automatic-transmission fluid/strainer/gasket · checked

    Manual-transmission fluid

    Applies to: 1993 · M50TU 2.5L inline-six · manual · 325i (E36) · United States · Exact 1993 325i sedan record; 318i, body-style variants, M3, and other E36 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · At Inspection II; maximum guideline and indicator may call sooner.

    Source: BMW — 1993 325i (E36) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — manual-transmission fluid · checked

  • Main fuel filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1993 · M50TU 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E36) · United States · Exact 1993 325i sedan record; 318i, body-style variants, M3, and other E36 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · At Inspection II; maximum guideline and indicator may call sooner.

    Source: BMW — 1993 325i (E36) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — main fuel-filter replacement · checked

  • Engine air filter

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1993 · M50TU 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E36) · United States · Exact 1993 325i sedan record; 318i, body-style variants, M3, and other E36 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · At Inspection II; maximum guideline and indicator may call sooner.

    Source: BMW — 1993 325i (E36) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — air-filter replacement · checked

    1.8-liter M42 DOHC inline-four (134 hp) — K&N 33-2059

    K&N 33-2059

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1993 · 1.8-liter M42 DOHC inline-four (134 hp) · 318i · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 318i replacement air-filter catalog · 1993 BMW 318i/318is 1.8L gasoline, U.S. models — 33-2059 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    1.8-liter M42 DOHC inline-four (134 hp) — K&N 33-2059

    K&N 33-2059

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1993 · 1.8-liter M42 DOHC inline-four (134 hp) · 318is · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 318i replacement air-filter catalog · 1993 BMW 318i/318is 1.8L gasoline, U.S. models — 33-2059 · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1993 · M50TU 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E36) · United States · Exact 1993 325i sedan record; 318i, body-style variants, M3, and other E36 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · At Inspection II; maximum guideline and indicator may call sooner.

    Source: BMW — 1993 325i (E36) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — spark-plug replacement · checked

  • Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1993 · M50TU 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E36) · United States · Exact 1993 325i sedan record; 318i, body-style variants, M3, and other E36 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 24 months · BMW replacement recommendation in the Inspection II schedule.

    Source: BMW — 1993 325i (E36) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — coolant replacement note · checked

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1993 · United States

    2.5-liter M50TU DOHC inline-six (189 hp) — K&N HP-2009

    K&N HP-2009

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1993 · 2.5-liter M50TU DOHC inline-six (189 hp) · 325i · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 325i replacement oil-filter catalog · 1993 BMW 325i/325is 2.5L gasoline — HP-2009 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    2.5-liter M50TU DOHC inline-six (189 hp) — K&N HP-2009

    K&N HP-2009

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1993 · 2.5-liter M50TU DOHC inline-six (189 hp) · 325is · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 325i replacement oil-filter catalog · 1993 BMW 325i/325is 2.5L gasoline — HP-2009 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    2.5-liter M20 SOHC inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft) — K&N HP-2009

    K&N HP-2009

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1993 · 2.5-liter M20 SOHC inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft) · 325i Convertible · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 325i replacement oil-filter catalog · 1993 BMW 325i/325is 2.5L gasoline — HP-2009 · checked

    Verified ordering references

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. BMW — 1993 U.S. factory service-manual model, chassis, and engine roster (Operation CHARM mirror)

Other Third generation years

Explore the E36 generation →All Third generation · E36 years →

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