BMW 3 Series E36 1991-2000 repair manuals

There are some good options for manuals for the E36 3-series, some from the UK and some from the USA. There are a few Haynes manual offerings from UK and USA, and a Chilton's and Robert Bentley manual both from the USA.

There was a number of engines available in Australia in the E36 3-series that were not available in the USA so you need to ensure that the manual you choose covers your vehicle.

The Haynes (UK) manual covers all of the models sold in Australia except for the M3.

The USA did not get the SOHC 4-cylinder engines (M40 and M43) or the 2.0-litre six-cylinder (M50B20) but the Chiltons, Haynes (USA) and Bentley Publication manuals cover all other models except for the M3.

If you are lucky enough to have an E36 you will unfortunately find that none of the aftermarket manuals covers your S52 3.0 or 3.2-litre engine. The US market got a very different engine for their M3 so US-sourced manuals are of no help.

We didn't get diesel models here, like the US, but if you have an import diesel model unfortunately none of the manuals will cover your engine.

Sedans and coupes are covered by all of the manuals but if you have a convertible the Robert Bentley manual is the only one with any coverage of the convertible top.

The Robert Bentley manuals are very highly regarded and are huge manuals with superior quality photos, illustrations and wiring diagrams than the other manuals on offer. These manuals were provided to BMW dealers in the USA.

BMW's own factory repair information is called TIS (Technical Information System) and is a computer-based system. It's fairly easy to find illegal copies of this but it is nowhere near as easy to follow as any of the aftermarket manuals.