BMW 3-Series (E36) 1992-1999

Book excerpt: The E36 was the embodiment of the luxury sports sedan, and the standard that other manufacturers strived to reach. And as such, the BMW 3 Series became wildly popular with BMW manufacturing 2.67 million E36 cars worldwide from 1992 to 1999. The new E36 featured a more aerodynamic design, potent dual overhead cam engine, multilink rear suspension, and a more luxurious interior than its predecessor. The E36 BMW seamlessly blended exhilarating performance with refined appointments and produced a comfortable yet aggressive driving machine that appealed to a wide audience. Although the stock BMW is a more-than-capable sports sedan, veteran author Jeffrey Zurschmeide delves into all the different methods for extracting more performance, so you can make your E36 even more potent. He explains how to upgrade handling and control through installation of aftermarket coil-over springs, bushings, sway bars, and larger brakes. Producing more power is also a priority, so he shows you how to install and set up a cold-air intake, ignition tuners, and exhaust system components. You are also guided through work on cylinder heads, cams, and pistons. In addition, you're shown the right way to install superchargers and turbo kits. If your 3 Series is making more power, then you need to get that power to the ground; guidance is provided for upgrading the transmission and limited-slip differentials. The BMW 3 Series has set the benchmark for performance and luxury. But even at this benchmark, these cars can be dramatically improved. Each major component group of the car can be modified or upgraded for more performance, so you can build a better car that's balanced and refined. If you want to make your E36 a quicker, better handling, and more capable driving machine, this book is your indispensable guide for making it a reality.