Difference between SA Spec and German Spec E36 ///M3

[Theo D]

Howzit guys

Theres a thread on the vw club forum that says

- The German spec ///M3 made more power than the SA spec, this is due to the SA spec having a detuned ecu.( Poor fuel quality at the time or something)

- The German spec doesn't have a top speed limiter thus enabling the car to push on past 250 because their autobahn.

Is this true ?

Been looking for info regarding their differences and can't find anything. Except that the vaders are missing in the SA spec.

 

[calypso]

is it still April fools day?

 

[msm]

Lot's of Germiston specs floating around, imported specially for the SA market. Forget 250, these will do 350 downhill . The only real alternative to chipped 320d's

 

[Whacko]

That is unfortunately not an Aprils fool. The Euro spec is 236kw/321hp and the SA version 228kw. It is also not just ecu, different pistons bounce in the SA version thus reducing compression ratio to 10.5:1 from the Euro spec 11.3:1.
We apparantly have too low an octane fuel and other crap in the fuel due to the sub standard way that our fuel gets distributed.
About the limiter, I have had my Mcoupe up to +/-265 on speedo and still did not get the limiter activated. Not too sure if the speedo is over optimistic, but the ecu is supposed to retard the timing to limit the speed and as the fuel injection is cable and pedal, it could be bad for the motor?! Not too sure, but when I get a chance I'll push for the limiter and post the result.

---

Just to add, if you have the original service booklet have a look in there, and you will find a page with the SA specific ratings. I will post pic of mine.

 

[STREETRACER]

My service book doesnt even show my car! only 316I - 3.0L M3..

How does the South African-spec S50 B32 engine differ from that of the European-spec version?
Due to low-octane fuel requirements, the S50 B32 motors produced for South Africa utilize different pistons which result in a reduced compression ratio of 10.5:1. These engines produce 310 hp (DIN) at 7,400 rpm and 251 lb/ft of torque at 3,250 rpm.

How does the South African-produced E36 M3 sedan differ from the European-spec model?
The South African-spec E36 M3 sedans are essentially identical to the European-spec version but utilize a low-compression version of the S50 B32 engine designed for low-octane South African fuel that produces slightly less power and torque. In addition, SA-spec E36 M3 sedans were offered in a slightly different selection of exterior colors and were equipped with a large array of standard equipment, including: extended Nappa leather upholstery, forged M Double Spoke alloy wheels, M3 GT-style front "splitters", power sunroof, power front seats, rear sunshade, automatic climate control, cruise control and the on-board computer.

What changes were made to the European-spec E36 M3 3.2 during its producton?
The only major mechanical change during the production of the Euro-spec E36 M3 3.2 was the addition of the Sequential M Gearbox (SMG) option in 1997. In addition to SMG, various minor upgrades were introduced before production ended in late 1999 including:
-Restyled grille and side marker turn signals (9/96 production)
-Sculpted side valance panels (as already fitted to M3 coupe and M3 convertible) standard on M3 sedan (9/96 production)
-Three-spoke M steering wheel available (9/96 production)
-Byzanz metallic available (9/96-8/97 production, sedan only)
-Side impact airbags available on sedans (1/97 production)
-Side impact airbags available on coupes and convertibles (9/97 production)
-Illumination added to M shift knob (9/97 production)
-Imola Red (405) paint available (3/98 production)
-Titanium Silver metallic (354) available in place of Arctic Silver metallic (309) (3/98 production)
-Fern Green metallic (386) available in place of Boston Green metallic (275) (3/98 production)

How is the North American 3.2-liter M3 engine (S52) different from the 3.0-liter (S50 B30 USA)?
Unlke the Euro-spec S50 B32, the S52 powerplant is an evolution of the standard production M52 engine. However, it incorporates the following changes over its S50 B30 USA predecessor:
-Increased bore to 86.4mm (from 86.0mm) and increased stroke to 89.6mm (from 85.8mm) for a total displacement of 3,152cc (from 2,990cc)
-More finely balanced camshafts
-Valve lifters, springs and spring seats with reduced mass
-Revised intake and exhaust systems
-OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics, version II) compliance
-Horsepower unchanged at 240 hp (SAE) at 6,000 rpm
-Torque increased to 236 lb/ft at 3,800 rpm (up from 225 lb/ft at 4,250 rpm)
NOTE: E36 M3s equipped with the ZF five-speed automatic transmission are rated at 225 lb/ft of torque at 3,800rpm.

How many of each version were produced?
ECE coupe (LHD): 6,117 produced from 09/95 through 12/98
ECE coupe (RHD): 2,845 produced from 01/96 through 12/98
NA coupe (LHD): 11,793 produced from 03/96 through 04/99
ECE convertible (LHD): 1,763 produced from 02/96 through 08/99
ECE convertible (RHD): 2,107 produced from 02/96 through 07/99
USA convertible manual (LHD): 2,252 produced from 03/98 through 08/99
USA convertible automatic (LHD): 4,017 produced from 03/98 through 08/99
ECE sedan (LHD): 1,296 produced from 11/95 through 01/98
ECE sedan (RHD): 694 produced from 01/96 through 12/97
NA sedan manual (LHD): 4,574 produced from 09/96 through 05/98
USA sedan automatic (LHD): 4,036 produced from 09/96 through 05/98
SA sedan (RHD): 168 produced from Complete Knock Down (CKD) kits from 11/96 through 04/97, 532 produced as complete cars from 04/97 through 10/98

 

[Whacko]

Wikipedia:thumbsup:

 

[STREETRACER]

no BMW FAQ LOL..

 

[Muney]

wut?

 

[calypso]

www.bmwmregistry.com

Everything you need to know is in there:

How does the South African-produced E36 M3 sedan differ from the European-spec model?
The South African-spec E36 M3 sedans are essentially identical to the European-spec version but utilize a low-compression version of the S50 B32 engine designed for low-octane South African fuel that produces slightly less power and torque (see Drivetrain below). In addition, SA-spec E36 M3 sedans were offered in a slightly different selection of exterior colors and were equipped with a large array of standard equipment, including: extended Nappa leather upholstery, forged M Double Spoke alloy wheels, M3 GT-style front "splitters", power sunroof, power front seats, rear sunshade, automatic climate control, cruise control and the on-board computer

How does the South African-spec S50 B32 engine differ from that of the European-spec version?
Due to low-octane fuel requirements, the S50 B32 motors produced for South Africa utilize different pistons which result in a reduced compression ratio of 10.5:1. These engines produce 310 hp (DIN) at 7,400 rpm and 251 lb/ft of torque at 3,250 rpm


The is no such thing as German Spec, it was a term made up in South Africa. You get Standard M3's and you get South African Built M3's, and American built ones.
The 3.0 liter ones have the same engines at the overseas ones, limiters have always been very soft on these cars. The 3.0 that set that land speed record in SA in 1993 did 272km/h, as far as i know the car was completly stock, so that meant no modifications to the ECU or limiter.

The 'German Spec' Vader seats, 'German Spec' lightwight wheels are just bog standard parts on the cars here. Ive had so many people say that their cars are German Spec this and German Spec that and very few actually understand what it means. And even fewer have cars that were actually built in Germany.

But the SA cars are great anyways, the factory did a great job of assembling them, and there were better standard specced then any of the other M3's around the world.

The E36 M3 is nearly 20 years old now, but it seems this topic will continue till infinity.

To further the confusion, I present to you, the 'German Spec' 316i
http://www.junkmail.co.za/v-kwazulu...CatQX0506QYRgnQX0003QYAdQXF110818QYEdQX200947

 

[Whacko]

@Calypso--

Well said:thumbsup:

 

[Theo D]

Thanx a lot for all your input guys. German spec 316i lol.

 

[George Smooth]

A quick clarification. The SA Spec cars came in as a semi knock down model. i.e assembled here and painted here. From the darth vador seats and on the vehicles where imported complete.
There where some mechanical differences between 3.0 models which had mostly to do with a upgrade in the exhaust manifold but where a normal upgrade and not relative to SA models or European.
When the four door M3 arrived in South Africa the German Spec term was dropped by BMW.

 

[Theo D]

Thanx.
Tell me abit about the exhaust manifold upgrade please ?

 

[George Smooth]

Thanx.
Tell me abit about the exhaust manifold upgrade please ?

As far as I can remember the manifold was slightly different. The cars that had the first generation exhaust are the 93's and the early 94's. I think it was more a reliability fix as there was no power difference between them.

 

[calypso]

Thanx.
Tell me abit about the exhaust manifold upgrade please ?

As far as I can remember the manifold was slightly different. The cars that had the first generation exhaust are the 93's and the early 94's. I think it was more a reliability fix as there was no power difference between them.

Part numbers are all the same on the manifold for the 3.0. But what you are saying does ring a bell. Isn't it the one port that blocked off for the emissions control charcoal filter. Because the SA ones didnt need it as emissions laws didnt exist.

 

[George Smooth]

Thanx.
Tell me abit about the exhaust manifold upgrade please ?

As far as I can remember the manifold was slightly different. The cars that had the first generation exhaust are the 93's and the early 94's. I think it was more a reliability fix as there was no power difference between them.

Part numbers are all the same on the manifold for the 3.0. But what you are saying does ring a bell. Isn't it the one port that blocked off for the emissions control charcoal filter. Because the SA ones didnt need it as emissions laws didnt exist.

I cannot recall. I know of a crashed 93 that I can go inspect and tell you guys my findings.

 

[E30 Freak]

Lets not talk about crashed M3's guys...that just downright depression.

They dropped like flies with all the young heavy-footed drivers getting their dirty paws on these beauties.

 

[Phumi]

Stupid question guys :mmm:
are these beauties governed & if so where can one get it ungoverned? :hammerhead:

 

[thireshan]

Stupid question guys :mmm:
are these beauties governed & if so where can one get it ungoverned? :hammerhead:

Send it to Parliament,No governance there :rollsmile:

 

[Xack]

Stupid question guys :mmm:
are these beauties governed & if so where can one get it ungoverned? :hammerhead:

Send it to Parliament,No governance there :rollsmile:

You realise u jus revived a a dead thread