Car Model History

Two-door rear-wheel-drive E36 performance coupe · 3.2-liter S52 DOHC inline-six (240 hp / 236 lb-ft)

1996 BMW M3 Coupe

BMW's preserved 1996 U.S. service roster identifies the M3 as a distinct E36 configuration.

1996 BMW 3 Series (E36, third generation) — 328i Touring wagon, front three-quarter view
Exact 1996 3 Series reference photograph; exact configuration not verified ·

Photo: “BMW 3-Series Touring (E36) 328i (1996)” by Charles from Port Chester, New York / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Factory configuration

What this model is

Trim
M3
Body style
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E36 performance coupe
Engine
3.2-liter S52 DOHC inline-six (240 hp / 236 lb-ft)
Transmission
5-speed manual or optional 5-speed automatic

The 1996 U.S. M3 uses the 3.2-liter S52 in the coupe body; sedan and convertible M3 bodies belong to later model years.

Configuration-specific ownership

Maintenance for this exact configuration

These items are filtered to the engine, transmission, trim, and model-year applicability recorded for this configuration. Broad Amazon category searches are suppressed here; shopping links appear only beside catalog-backed part numbers.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1996 BMW M3 Coupe. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
1
Factory intervals
0
Fitment-scoped
1
Exact references
1

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 air-cleaner element

    Exact reference available

    3.2-liter S52 DOHC inline-six (240 hp / 236 lb-ft) — K&N 33-2070

    K&N 33-2070

    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: 1996 · 3.2-liter S52 DOHC inline-six (240 hp / 236 lb-ft) · M3 · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW E36 six-cylinder/M3 replacement air-filter listing · 1996 BMW E36 six-cylinder gasoline application — 33-2070 · checked

    Verified ordering references

Sources

  1. BMW — 1996 U.S. factory service-manual model, chassis, and engine roster (Operation CHARM mirror)
  2. BMW of North America — U.S. M3 generation history and specifications

Other 1996 configurations

Filter all 1996 configurations →