ZA vs "German" spec e36 M3s, whats the hype about?

[freerider]

Hi guys, thought to shed some light on a very dim situation I would go to the people in the know.

The following is from Gerhard Nel, a very respected member of the BMW clubs Africa board. He has numerous dealings with BMW AG and currently works for BMW. So the below is not a thumb suck.

A recent advertisement of a E36 M3 with “German spec” triggered me to write the following letter. I’m not sure whether everybody knows what the “German spec” means and/or what the difference between the “German spec” and the “South African spec” M3’s are.



Many a time people refer to certain E36 M3’s as the “German spec” cars. By calling them “German spec” M3’s sound as if they are spec’d superior to our local built M3’s and I thought to clarify any mis-understanding.

The easiest way to explain it, is to rather highlight the features that the “South African spec” M3’s had over and above that of the “German spec” M3’s.



There were 748 South African spec M3’s built (assembled) from September 1993 until May 1994 in South Africa from Semi Knocked-Down kits (SKD). After the local built SKD M3’s were discontinued in May 1994, BMW SA started to import the German built M3 coupés from June 1994 until about mid 1995. Unfortunately I do not know how many German built M3’s were imported.



The South African built M3’s and German built M3’s were identical except for a few small cosmetic differences, which I list hereunder.



The South African built M3’s had the following features/standard options over and above the German spec cars:



Slightly altered version of the S50 B30 powerplant designed to run on leaded fuel (for South African conditions)
Slightly altered exterior colour palette (the use of specific local paint colours)
A higher level of standard equipment, i.e.:
Air-conditioning
Power sunroof
On-board computor
Hi-fi speakers
The forged M Double Spoke alloy wheels (the German spec M3’s were fitted with a different style wheel)
The use of regular (non M-Design) BMW sport seats in either M-cloth/Amaretta or extended Nappa leather.


The fully imported German built M3’s had the BMW AG exterior colours and they were equipped with the M-Design sport seats.



From the aforementioned information, it is evident that the “German spec” M3’s were lower spec’d than the 748 South African built M3’s – and on the contrary, the SA spec M3’s should rather be the ones attracting the enthusiasts’ attention, and not vice versa. Maybe the term “German spec M3” sounds great, but it has no additional value, rather less.



I trust that the aforementioned information will be of assistance and also clarifies the meaning of the broadly used term “German spec M3”.

 

[zabbo]

I just think it is the "Vader Seats" that make them so appealing :fencelook:

 

[Karthik]

I'd rather have a German spec still cause of it running on unleaded petrol ? Leaded petrol doesn't sound like its going to be there forever .

 

[Nick]

This is very handy, almost every e36 //M3 on the autotrader/gumtree is a "G-spec".


Now we can tell the diffence!

 

[griffen]

I am a bit lost, what does the SA spec have that the German spec doesnt have?

"Does the German Spec not have
Air-conditioning
Power sunroof
On-board computor
Hi-fi speakers"

--
"The forged M Double Spoke alloy wheels (the German spec M3’s were fitted with a different style wheel)"

And dont they have the exact same wheels? but the SA spec didnt have the wheel dish polished?

Also you can run the SA spec on unleaded. thats what I ran mine on, that and Edge 10-60 was its normal dietary requirements

I think the only appealing thing is the Vader Seats.

 

[SP33DYV]

This is very handy, almost every e36 //M3 on the autotrader/gumtree is a "G-spec".


Now we can tell the diffence!

+1^

So in fact the SA Spec M3's should attract more attention.

 

[ossie]

'Leaded Petrol' was phased out of South Africa and Africa about 6 years ago due to its toxic characteristics. So if your car is still mobile then theres no need to fear whether it is compatible with unleaded fuel because its already using it anyway...

 

[Ga-3M]

Gents I have owned both a "SA" Spec E36 M3 and a "German Spec" E36 M3. Both in immaculate original condition. With regards to the above, the specification level of the 2 was exactly the same, the SA spec didn't have a higher spec level than the G-Spec. The rims on both were the double spoke M rims we all know. The seats as stated on the SA spec were of the normal sport design and the G-Spec had the "Vadar" seats which are definately a lot better looking. The SA spec although altered slightly to run on leaded fuel is just as happy to run on unleaded fuel.:thumbs:

---

Rims on both came from the factory unpolished, they were exactly the same.

 

[griffen]

I agree
To my knowledge

+ 1 for Vader Seats - I have heard they are less comfortable for long journeys though
+ 1 for M wheels with high polished dish/lip etc

Imo the German Spec has the edge. But not enough to sway a purchase, get the one that is in the best condition.

Unless the colour thing is true and german spec doesnt come in Avus Blue?
Saw my ex yesterday, OMW what a stunner!

 

[freerider]

I am a bit lost, what does the SA spec have that the German spec doesnt have?

"Does the German Spec not have
Air-conditioning
Power sunroof
On-board computor
Hi-fi speakers"

--
"The forged M Double Spoke alloy wheels (the German spec M3’s were fitted with a different style wheel)"

And dont they have the exact same wheels? but the SA spec didnt have the wheel dish polished?

Also you can run the SA spec on unleaded. thats what I ran mine on, that and Edge 10-60 was its normal dietary requirements

I think the only appealing thing is the Vader Seats.

Those items were specced as standard equipment on the ZA models and not optional.

 

[griffen]

aaaah I see
So u could then get a german spec that isnt full house, I get it now.

What about colours?

 

[Ga-3M]

Those items were standard on both models in South Africa. BMW SA ordered all German Specs with these items included.

 

[calypso]

Nice post
Sent from HTC German spec using Tapatalk German Spec

 

[KamalM3]

dont make sense cos, i own a g spec with all of these....

Air-conditioning
Power sunroof
On-board computor
Hi-fi speakers(what are hi fi speakers?)

--
The forged M Double Spoke alloy wheels, the same....

 

[ClassicB]

Every "german spec" i have seen has all the equipment specified above.

Only difference that can be noted is the seats.

Im not sure about the high polished lips. Mine is polished but my friends is not.Both '95 models. But i believe they came unpolished from the factory!

 

[KamalM3]

Every "german spec" i have seen has all the equipment specified above.

Only difference that can be noted is the seats.

Im not sure about the high polished lips. Mine is polished but my friends is not.Both '95 models.

+1

 

[Fordkoppie]

I have never seen a G- spec in SA that doesnt have

Air-conditioning
Power sunroof
On-board computor
Hi-fi speakers"
forged M Double Spoke alloy wheels

In fact, the whole doorcard on the G-spec is leather covered while i have seen some SA spec cars with plastic doorcards and only the insert covered in leather.

Regarding the wheels - only the 4dr ones had the matt finish polished dishes with an M badge and were regular "Cast alloys" while the forged(light) wheels had the "BMW Motorsport" cast into them and were always painted. An untrained eye wont even notice the difference.

Regarding the s50b30, all of the ones destined for SA didn't have any cats and were identical irrespective if it came in G-spec or SA-spec. It was only later on with the b32 they started messing with the SA cars.

I'd still have the G-spec purely because of the seats. They are very comfortable and cool looking. So it would appear that this guy who wrote this letter knows just as much as most of the stealers

Having said all of this, i am also extremely annoyed by the hype of the G-spec over the SA ones since the differences are negligible

 

[Space86]

Its just the Vader seats that tell the difference...

 

[ClassicB]

For reference , my interior (taken in 2010):




I must add having sat in both, the South African built version with regular sport seats is way more comfortable!!

 

[dvst8]

IMHO, G-Spec or SA Spec, its still an M3 ! :inlove: