Car Model History

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

1997 BMW M3 Sedan

BMW's 1997 U.S. records identify the M3 Sedan as a separate E36 M3 body configuration.

1997 BMW 3 Series (E36, third generation) — 318i sedan, front three-quarter view
Exact 1997 3 Series reference photograph; exact configuration not verified ·

Photo: “1997 BMW 318i (E36) sedan” by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Factory configuration

What this model is

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

The M3 Convertible was not yet a U.S. configuration; do not backdate its 1998 introduction.

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 1997 BMW M3 Sedan. 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: 1997 · 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 · 1997 BMW E36 six-cylinder gasoline application — 33-2070 · checked

    Verified ordering references

Sources

  1. BMW — 1997 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 1997 configurations

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