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3 Series E36

BMW 3 Series E36 Coilovers

A 30-year-old E36 is still a good car to work on at home and set up to handle well. The E36 is rear-drive and easy to find, and racers have built a whole class around it. Below are the BMW E36 coilovers we carry, sedan to M3 to Compact, with BC Racing first.

Call 1-800-460-9106 and we will match the kit to your car.

Lowered blue BMW E36 M3 on coilovers inside an independent workshop in afternoon light

Animated illustration. It shows where coilovers sit on a car, not your exact kit. Depending on the car and the kit, coilovers can lean forward or back or stand straight up, and some cars use a separate spring and shock in the rear. Your ride height depends on the kit and how it is set up.

Which car do you have?

M31995 to 1999
Sedan, coupe, convertible1992 to 1999
Compact 318ti1995 to 1999

Four things to check first

Before you pick a kit, check these on the car in front of you. A few minutes with the badge, the build year and the trim can spare you a return. Write them down before you call us, and the call goes quicker.

The badge

Is it an M3, a regular 3 Series or a 318ti Compact? Check the kit name. BC's 1995 to 1999 kit and its Extreme Low kit cover both the 3 Series and the M3. Other kits fit one badge only. If you are not sure about Extreme Low, start with the standard kit.

The year and body

BC's 1992 to 1998 sedan kit and 1994 to 1999 coupe and convertible kit come in DS. Its 1995 to 1999 kit comes in all seven series.

The model

Bilstein lists each model by name, from the 318i to the 323is. For the M3, it has separate kits based on the inside diameter of the front coil spring.

The rear style

Fortune Auto's kits keep the rear spring and shock apart. Ksport sells the 3 Series with a standard or true rear (spring on the shock), and the M3 with a true rear.

BC Racing coilovers for the BMW E36

BC Racing on the E36, year by year

BC coilovers for the E36 come in seven series: BR, DS, ER, RM, HM, ZR and ZX. Which ones you can order depends on the kit. The 1995 to 1999 kit, M3 included, comes in all seven. The earlier sedan kit and the coupe and convertible kit come in DS, and the Compact comes in five. Free shipping on BC Racing kits in the continental US.

See all BC Racing coilovers Jump to the M3

BC's E36 options, series by series

Here is each series and the E36 kits BC sells it for.

BR: 1995 and up, Compact, Extreme Low

BR is BC's street coilover with a monotube (single-tube) damper. One 30-click knob sets compression and rebound together. On the E36 it is sold for the 1995 to 1999 kit, the Compact and the Extreme Low kit. If you are not sure how low to go, start with a standard-height kit.

DS: every BC E36 kit

DS has the same single 30-click knob, plus a digressive piston for firmer control. It is the only series sold for every BC E36 kit.

ER and RM: 1995 and up, and Compact

ER is an upright damper with a separate oil reservoir, and compression and rebound each have their own 30-click knob. RM is an upside-down (inverted) monotube made for MacPherson strut cars.

HM and ZR: 1995 to 1999 kit

HM is an inverted monotube with a separate oil reservoir. ZR has three separate knobs: 30 clicks for rebound, 15 clicks for low-speed compression and 12 clicks for high-speed compression. HM and ZR come with Swift Springs for most cars.

ZX: 1995 and up, and Compact

ZX is the series BC calls its "most track-tested." It is sold for the 1995 to 1999 kit and the Compact.

Mounts and springs

The 1995 to 1999 kit ships with on-center mounts, with off-center mounts on request. For Swift Springs on other series, use the Custom Build for BC Coilovers page.

Six more brands for the E36

Each brand builds its kits for this car its own way. If you want help choosing, call 1-800-460-9106.

KW has three kits: the 3 Series sedan, coupe, wagon and convertible without the M3, the M3 in all three bodies, and the Compact.

Fortune Auto

Fortune Auto hand-assembles its kits in Powhatan, Virginia. It builds kits for the 3 Series, the 318ti and the M3, each with the rear spring and shock mounted apart.

Ksport

Ksport lists the 323i, 325i and 328i with a standard or true rear, a 318ti kit, and a true rear kit for the M3.

Bilstein

Bilstein has B14 PSS, B12 Pro-Kit and B12 Sportline kits, listed by model, including the convertible and Compact. Its M3 kits are matched to the front spring size.

Feal

Feal lists kits for the 3 Series, the M3 and the Compact.

Solo-Werks

Solo-Werks makes kits for the coupe, sedan and convertible, and for the M3 in the same three bodies.

Street car, track car or race car

Street car

An E36 on worn factory struts can feel loose. A set of E36 coilovers and a mild drop bring back the sharp turn-in it had when new.

Kits to look at: Bilstein B12 or B14 PSS, BC Racing DS, Ksport, Solo-Werks

Track car

Weekend track cars need ride height, damping and alignment you can adjust. Kits with separate knobs for compression and rebound are built for that.

Kits to look at: BC Racing ER, ZR or ZX, KW, Fortune Auto, Feal

Race build

Racing classes write their own rules. Check the rule book first, then match the kit to what it allows.

Kits to look at: the kit your class allows; call us with the rules in hand

BMW E36 coilover kits, model by model

Pick a kit to see the price, the specs and every note on which cars it fits.

E36 M3 coilovers, coupe, sedan and convertible

Codes: E36 M3 (KW lists M3B, M3/B)

BC Racing coilover kit for the 1995 to 1999 BMW 3 Series and M3 — **BC Racing kit**The BC Racing coilover kit listed for the 1995 to 1999 BMW 3 Series and M3. Photo: BC Racing.

Shop note: For E36 M3 coilovers, Bilstein has separate kits by engine and by the inside diameter of the front coil spring: 116mm for the 1995 3.0, 106mm for the 1996 to 1999 3.2. BC Racing's 1995 to 1999 kit covers the M3 with on-center mounts as standard.

E36 3 Series coilovers, sedan, coupe and convertible

Codes: E36 (KW lists 3B, 3C)

Shop note: BC Racing makes three kits here. The 1992 to 1998 sedan kit and the 1994 to 1999 coupe and convertible kit come in DS. The 1995 to 1999 kit, M3 included, comes in all seven series.

E36 Compact 318ti coilovers

Codes: E36/5 Compact (BC and Fortune list E35/E36)

BC Racing coilover kit for the 1995 to 1999 BMW 3 Series Compact — **BC Racing kit**The BC Racing coilover kit listed for the 1995 to 1999 BMW 3 Series Compact. Photo: BC Racing.

Shop note: The Compact is a hatchback with its own kits. Regular 3 Series kits are not made for it.

The E36 range at a glance

Car	Years	What decides the kit	BC Racing series
M3	1995 to 1999	3.0 or 3.2 for Bilstein, mounts for BC	BR, DS, ER, RM, HM, ZR, ZX
Sedan, coupe, convertible	1992 to 1999	Year and body for BC, model for Bilstein, and rear style	BR, DS, ER, RM, HM, ZR, ZX
Compact 318ti	1995 to 1999	Compact-only kits	BR, DS, ER, RM, ZX

Before you buy: what E36 owners run into

Here is what E36 owners report most often in forums, recalls and service bulletins, and what each one means for your coilovers.

Rear shock mounts and shock tower fatigue

E36, 1992 to 1999 (sedan and coupe)

Rear shock mounts are a known wear item, with the inner rubber pulling down or tearing. A BMW specialist calls the rear tower metal thin and prone to fatigue, and an E36 track blog reports the mounts pushing up and bulging the body metal on cars with performance suspension. A stiffer BMW E36 coilover loads the towers more, so fix weak towers first.

Before you install: Inspect the rear tower metal from the trunk side for cracks or bulging, fit new rear mounts, and add reinforcement plates if the car will run stiff rates.

Worn rear trailing arm bushings (RTABs)

E36, 1992 to 1999

Bimmerforums owners report fast inner rear tire wear and a loose rear end that steps out on hard upshifts, traced to worn RTABs. Clunks over bumps are another common sign. Worn RTABs let rear toe move under load, which no damper setting can fix and which spoils the alignment after the install.

Before you install: Check the RTABs for cracks and play before the install, and replace them before the car is aligned.

BMW E36 history

2.75 million cars and a US-only M3

BMW built the E36 from 1990 to 2000, and 2.75 million left the line. It brought a central control arm rear axle and, from 1994, the 3 Series Compact.

For the US, BMW built an M3 of its own. Here is how it went.

1995

The US M3 arrivesBMW brought out a US-spec M3 with the S50B30US engine and 240 hp. It had slightly softer springs and dampers than the European car.
1996

A 3.2 engine and a sedanThe S52B32US replaced the 3.0, still at 240 hp, and a US-spec four-door M3 sedan joined the coupe.
1998

An M3 convertibleBMW added a US-spec M3 convertible. US sales reached 35,843 cars by the end of production in August 1999.
2026

A record Spec3 gridNASA's E36 class drew its largest field yet, 16 cars, at Virginia International Raceway in March 2026.

Bilstein's M3 kits change at that same 1995 to 1996 point, based on front spring size. That is why the year matters when you order.

E36 questions

How do I find the right coilovers for my BMW E36?

Start with M3, regular 3 Series or Compact. Then check the year and body, since BC Racing's kits differ by year and body. Read the fit notes on the kit page, or call 1-800-460-9106.

Why does my 1993 sedan have fewer BC series than a 1997 coupe?

BC Racing's 1992 to 1998 sedan kit is sold in DS. Its 1995 to 1999 kit, which covers the M3 too, is sold in all seven series. Tell us your exact car and we will confirm which kit fits.

What are on-center and off-center mounts?

They are two styles of front upper mount, the part that holds the top of the strut to the car. BC Racing's 1995 to 1999 kit ships with on-center mounts, and off-center mounts are available on request. Call us to talk through which suits your build.

What BC series can I get for an E36?

All seven are sold for BC's 1995 to 1999 kit, M3 included. The 1992 to 1998 sedan kit and the 1994 to 1999 coupe and convertible kit come in DS. The Compact comes in BR, DS, ER, RM and ZX, and the Extreme Low kit in BR and DS.

I am building a Spec3 car. What should I buy?

Spec3 is a NASA class for the E36, and spec classes set their own suspension rules. Read the current rule book before you order, then call us with what it allows.

Do you have Z3 coilovers?

The Z3 takes its own kits, separate from the E36 3 Series. Call us and we will point you to them.

What warranty does BC give on an E36 kit?

BC Racing North America currently lists a two-year limited warranty on full kit orders, subject to its warranty terms. Each of the other brands sets its own warranty terms.

More BMW pages and guides

Coilover Kits by CarEvery other car we have a page for. Reading BMW Coilover Listings: Chassis Codes for the 3 Series and 5 SeriesSetup and ownership tips for the 3 Series E36. Coilovers: The Cornerstone of Every Drift SetupWhat a drift 3 Series E36 asks of its coilovers. How to Set Ride Height on CoiloversMeasure and set the drop on your 3 Series E36. After You Lower It: Alignment Timing, Driver-Assist Calibration and Headlight AimAlignment, driver-assist and headlight checks once the 3 Series E36 is lower. Setups by disciplineClub racing to street, side by side. BMW 3 Series E46 coiloversThe next 3 Series, M3 included. BMW coiloversEvery BMW we cover, all brands. BC Racing catalogEvery BC kit, all cars. BC Racing series explainedWhat each BC series does. Fortune Auto coiloversE36 kits with the rear spring and shock apart. How to install coiloversFor owners doing the job in their own garage.

Talk to our team

Phones are staffed Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern.

Call 1-800-460-9106