BMW M3 (1997)

“	The E36 M3 may be one of the most accessible enthusiast cars ever built. With a long production life that began in 1992 and ended in 1999, the E36 is proof of the phrase, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” While the model did see minor upgrades over the years, the car essentially remained the same. In total more than 70,000 units were produced, including the sedan and convertible. Under the hood was a high-revving inline six-cylinder and a five speed (in U.S. models). The E36 M3 was touted as an unassuming car that could be daily driven by the masses yet still deliver exciting performance for enthusiasts.	”
— Official description ^[1]

The 1997 BMW M3 - abbreviated as BMW M3 '97 or BMW E36 M3^[2] - is a RWD sports car by BMW featured in Forza Motorsport 2 and all subsequent main series titles except for Forza Horizon.

It is featured as the first Midnight Battle rival in Forza Horizon 3.

Synopsis

The E36 codenamed M3 is the second model generation of the BMW M3 that replaces the 1991 BMW M3 (E30). Compared to its predecessor, which was only offered as a two-door sedan, the E36 M3 was offered in three body styles that included sedan, coupé and convertible to cater to a larger demographic. All models were replaced by the E46 in 2000.

The E36 M3 entered the United States in 1995, following the 325is M-Design that debuted in 1994 to test market demand for a high-performance sports car,^[3] although the North American M3 had a less powerful engine than European models. The Forza series features the European market model.

Drivetrain

The European market M3 sports a 3.2 litre inline-six engine codenamed S50B32, a heavily upgraded variant of the M50 engine from regular production models. The S50 was bored out to 3.2 litres and equipped with individual throttle plates, continuously variable valve timing (VANOS), lightweight pistons and other detail optimizations. The result is a power output of 321 hp (239 kW) and 258 ft·lb (350 N·m) of torque.

Platform

Handling and ride performance were improved by reinforced front axle components and a multi-link suspension at the rear. The E36 M3 was also upgraded to four-wheel vented disc brakes to offset its weight increase of 653 lb (296 kg).^[4] It is also one of few BMW M cars with a 50/50 weight distribution.^[5]

Variants

Horizon Edition

The Horizon Edition is an upgraded variant featuring a Drift Skills boost, and an S1 900 upgrade preset including a supercharged 6.2L V8 (510 hp) engine swap and Rocket Bunny body kit. Its base Performance Index is rated at A 775.

Unlock

It is unlockable as a Horizon Wheelspin prize or from a successful Auction House bid.

Performance

The Horizon Edition combines strong handling attributes with equally impressive straight-line performance. Based on a 50/50 weight distributed chassis and featuring a sharper steering angle than the standard M3, it offers very forgiving drifting capabilities that makes it especially suitable for drift beginners.

It is also up to par with most S1 cars in terms of speed due to being able to hit 236 mph (380 km/h) as top speed, far higher than what its speed statistic of 7.6 would suggest.

Forza Edition

The Forza Edition is the Forza Motorsport 7 rendition of the Horizon Edition variant with a 20% credits bonus as a primary boost and an additional 20% credits bonus for every third Good Drift.

Although its visual appearance has been largely carried over from the Horizon Edition, it has no engine swap preset and offers performance homologated to B 524 instead.

Unlock

It is rewarded to the player for completing the Evolution Championship.

Statistics

Speed 5.1	Acceleration 3.9	Braking 4.1	Handling 4.2	Base Rarity 4.7	C 489
Rarity (North America) ?		Rarity (Europe) ?		Rarity (Asia) 4.7
NA: missing data EU: missing data AS: Reach level 17 to unlock this car for purchase in the dealership					? CR 31,000 CR 31,000 CR


Top Speed: missing data			Body Style: Coupé
Acceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): missing data			0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): missing data
Braking 60-0 mph (97-0 km/h): missing data			100-0 mph (161-0 km/h): missing data
Lateral G's 60 mph (97 km/h): missing data			120 mph (193 km/h): missing data

Speed 6.6	Handling 5.2	Acceleration 5.2	Launch 6.3	Braking 5.1	C 410
Unlock: Purchase from the car dealer				Price: 12,000 CR


Top Speed: missing data			Body Style: Coupé
Acceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): missing data			0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): missing data
Braking 60-0 mph (97-0 km/h): missing data			100-0 mph (161-0 km/h): missing data
Lateral G's 60 mph (97 km/h): missing data			120 mph (193 km/h): missing data

Speed 7.0	Handling 4.9	Acceleration 6.9	Launch 7.2	Braking 4.9	B 468
Unlock: Purchase from the car dealer				Price: 10,000 CR


Top Speed: 175.7 mph (282.7 km/h)			Body Style: Sports Car
Acceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 5.300 secs.			0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 12.200 secs.
Braking 60-0 mph (97-0 km/h): 126.7 ft (38.6 m)			100-0 mph (161-0 km/h): 345.5 ft (105.3 m)
Lateral G's 60 mph (97 km/h): 0.88 g			120 mph (193 km/h): 0.85 g

Speed 6.7	Handling 4.4	Acceleration 7.4	Launch 8.1	Braking 4.5	C 464
Unlock: Purchase from the car dealer				Price: 30,000 CR


Top Speed: missing data			Body Family: Iconic Sports
Acceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): missing data			0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): missing data
Braking 60-0 mph (97-0 km/h): missing data			100-0 mph (161-0 km/h): missing data
Lateral G's 60 mph (97 km/h): missing data			120 mph (193 km/h): missing data

Speed 6.7	Handling 4.6	Acceleration 7.3	Braking 4.5		C 486
Unlock: Purchase from the car dealer				Price: 30,000 CR


Top Speed: 173.8 mph (279.6 km/h)			Division: Modern Sport Legends
Acceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 5.377 secs.			0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 12.272 secs.
Braking 60-0 mph (97-0 km/h): 105.0 ft (32 m)			100-0 mph (161-0 km/h): 278.4 ft (84.9 m)
Lateral G's 60 mph (97 km/h): 1.10 g			120 mph (193 km/h): 1.06 g

Speed 6.7	Handling 4.6	Acceleration 7.3	Braking 4.5		C 486
Unlock: Purchase from the car dealer				Price: 90,000 CR

Collection Tier: 2 - Uncommon (+160)

Top Speed: 174.5 mph (280.8 km/h)			Division: Early Sport Touring
Acceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 5.300 secs.			0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 12.200 secs.
Braking 60-0 mph (97-0 km/h): 139.1 ft (42.4 m)			100-0 mph (161-0 km/h): 347.9 ft (106 m)
Lateral G's 60 mph (97 km/h): 1.09 g			120 mph (193 km/h): 1.05 g
1/4 Mile: 13.700 secs.

Speed 6.7	Handling 6.1	Acceleration 7.4	Launch 7.6	Braking 7.2	B 675
Unlock: Purchase from the Autoshow				Price: 10,000 CR


Top Speed: 173.2 mph (278.7 km/h)			Championship: Retro Saloons
Acceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 5.300 secs.			0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 12.200 secs.
Braking 60-0 mph (97-0 km/h): 146.8 ft (44.7 m)			100-0 mph (161-0 km/h): 360.9 ft (110 m)
Lateral G's 60 mph (97 km/h): 0.84 g			120 mph (193 km/h): 0.86 g

Speed 6.7	Handling 6.1	Acceleration 7.4	Launch 7.7	Braking 6.2	B 654
Unlock: Win the Midnight Battle: 1997 BMW M3 event				Price: 35,000 CR or ? T


Top Speed: 173.9 mph (279.8 km/h)			Championship: Retro Saloons
Acceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 5.317 secs.			0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 12.218 secs.
Braking 60-0 mph (97-0 km/h): 160.7 ft (49 m)			100-0 mph (161-0 km/h): 395.9 ft (120.7 m)
Lateral G's 60 mph (97 km/h): 0.83 g			120 mph (193 km/h): 0.85 g

Speed 7.1	Handling 5.9	Acceleration 6.3	Launch 8.0	Braking 5.5	B 694
Unlock: Purchase from the Autoshow				Price: 35,000 CR

Rarity: Common

Top Speed: 173.7 mph (279.5 km/h)			Championship: Retro Saloons
Acceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 5.300 secs.			0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 12.200 secs.
Braking 60-0 mph (97-0 km/h): 168.2 ft (51.3 m)			100-0 mph (161-0 km/h): 403.8 ft (123.1 m)
Lateral G's 60 mph (97 km/h): 0.86 g			120 mph (193 km/h): 0.88 g

Upgrade Preset

Speed 7.1	Handling 7.2	Acceleration 7.2	Launch 8.9	Braking 7.6	A 765
Unlock: Upgrade Shop				Price: ? CR

Rarity: Common

Top Speed: 173.9 mph (279.8 km/h)			Championship: Retro Saloons
Acceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 4.617 secs.			0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 11.284 secs.
Braking 60-0 mph (97-0 km/h): 145.1 ft (44.2 m)			100-0 mph (161-0 km/h): 327.5 ft (99.8 m)
Lateral G's 60 mph (97 km/h): 1.12 g			120 mph (193 km/h): 1.14 g

Horizon Edition

Speed 6.7	Handling 7.3	Acceleration 7.5	Launch 8.4	Braking 8.3	A 775
Unlock: Horizon Wheelspin reward

Horizon Edition: Drift Skills Boost

Top Speed: 173.9 mph (279.8 km/h)			Championship: Retro Saloons
Acceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 5.317 secs.			0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 12.218 secs.
Braking 60-0 mph (97-0 km/h): 160.7 ft (49 m)			100-0 mph (161-0 km/h): 395.9 ft (120.7 m)
Lateral G's 60 mph (97 km/h): 0.83 g			120 mph (193 km/h): 0.85 g

Speed 7.6	Handling 7.7	Acceleration 8.9	Launch 8.5	Braking 9.3	S1 900
Unlock: Horizon Wheelspin reward

Horizon Edition: Drift Skills Boost

Top Speed: 236.3 mph (380.2 km/h)			Championship: Retro Saloons
Acceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 4.685 secs.			0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 7.858 secs.
Braking 60-0 mph (97-0 km/h): 133.0 ft (40.5 m)			100-0 mph (161-0 km/h): 315.6 ft (96.2 m)
Lateral G's 60 mph (97 km/h): 1.04 g			120 mph (193 km/h): 1.06 g

Forza Edition

Speed 6.6	Handling 5.0	Acceleration 7.4	Braking 4.9		B 524
Unlock: Complete the Evolution Championship				Value: 255,000 CR

Collection Tier: 5 - Legendary (+250)
Forza Edition: 20% CR and +20% CR for 3 Good Drifts Boost

Top Speed: 170.9 mph (275 km/h)			Division: Early Sport Touring
Acceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 5.339 secs.			0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 12.125 secs.
Braking 60-0 mph (97-0 km/h): 138.7 ft (42.3 m)			100-0 mph (161-0 km/h): 350.1 ft (106.7 m)
Lateral G's 60 mph (97 km/h): 1.14 g			120 mph (193 km/h): 1.12 g
1/4 Mile: 13.718 secs.

Conversions

	Conversion - Engine
	V8 - M3 E92
	5.7L V8 2.6L I6 - TT 5.2L V10
	2.6L I6 - TT 5.7L V8 5.2L V10
	2.6L I6 - TT 6.2L V8 (415 hp) 5.2L V10
	2.6L I6 - TT 6.2L V8 (455 hp) 4.5L V8
	2.6L I6 - TT 6.2L V8 (415 hp)
	2.6L I6 - TT 4.0L V8

	Conversion - Drivetrain
	AWD Drivetrain
	AWD Drivetrain
	AWD Drivetrain
	AWD
	AWD Drivetrain
	AWD Drivetrain
	AWD

	Conversion - Aspiration
	Single Turbo
	Single Turbo
	Single Turbo
	Single Turbo
	Single Turbo
	Single Turbo
	Single Turbo

	Conversion - Wide Bodykit
	Widebody Kit
	Rocket Bunny
	Rocket Bunny

	Conversion - Preset
	'97 BMW M3
	'97 BMW M3

Trivia

The 3.2L I6 (321 hp) engine swap originates from this car.
Its hood and trunk cannot be opened in Forzavista mode.
It appears with clear turn signal housings in every title up to Forza Motorsport 4.