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=== M3 Pickup prototype ===
In 1986, BMW produced an "M3 Pickup" prototype [[pickup truck]], based on the convertible model. The M3 Pickup used the narrower body of regular E30 models and was originally powered by the 2.0-litre version of the S14 engine from the Italian-specification M3. It was used by BMW M as a transporter for roughly 26 years before it was officially retired in 2012.<ref name="press.bmwgroup.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0264196EN_US/30-years-of-the-bmw-m3-%E2%80%93-the-story-behind-the-legend|title=30 years of the BMW M3 – the story behind the legend.|website=www.press.bmwgroup.com|access-date=25 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="autoblog.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2016/09/27/bmw-m3-prototypes-pickups/|title=BMW actually built two M3-based pickup trucks|first=Joel|last=Patel|website=Autoblog|date=27 September 2016 |access-date=25 June 2017}}</ref>
=== Production volumes ===
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Following the introduction of the E36 M3, racing teams in the United States began pressuring BMW for a homologation version in order to compete in sports-car racing.<ref>{{cite web|title=The E36 M3 LTW CSL: A Rare M3, Just For The US|url=http://www.speedhunters.com/2019/03/the-e36-m3-ltw-csl-a-rare-m3-just-for-the-us/|website=www.speedhunters.com|access-date=26 April 2019|date=13 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=For Sale: 1995 BMW E36 M3 Lightweight|url=https://www.bmwblog.com/2016/08/07/sale-1995-bmw-m3-lightweight/|website=www.bmwblog.com|access-date=26 April 2019|language=en|date=8 August 2016}}</ref> As a result, the 'M3 Lightweight' was introduced in 1995. The cars came without a radio (although the speakers were installed and the car pre-wired for the radio), air conditioning, leather seats, tool kit or a [[sunroof]]. The doors have aluminium skins. There is no under bonnet insulation blanket, and the boot only has carpet on the floor. The under body insulation is thinner and there is special carpeting to lower weight. Overall the changes resulted in a weight {{convert|200|lb|kg|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} less than a regular M3. The wheels are 17 inches in diameter, with a width of 7.5 inches at the front and 8.5 inches at the rear. The tyres fitted were 235/40ZR17.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bmw-m.net/techdata/95m3ltw.htm|title=1995 M3 Lightweight Service Bulletin|publisher=BMW North America|access-date=12 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606150845/http://www.bmw-m.net/techdata/95m3ltw.htm|archive-date=6 June 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bmwoemwheels.com/en/rim-model/bmw/bmw-wheel-style-24|title=BMW M3 Style 24 wheels|access-date=25 June 2019}}</ref>
Powertrain changes included the removal of the top speed limiter and a shorter differential ratio (3.23 compared to 3.15). Suspension upgrades consisted of shorter springs from the European-specification M3. Before being sold, the M3 Lightweights were sent to Prototype Technology Group Racing in Virginia for final preparation, which included the front and rear Motorsport flag decals, and "trunk kit".<ref>{{cite web|title=1995 BMW M3 Lightweight|url=https://www.sportscarmarket.com/profile/1995-bmw-m3-lightweight|website=www.sportscarmarket.com|date=24 April 2017 |access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> In the boot there was a dual-pickup oil pump (from the European-specification M3), front strut bar, lower cross-brace, spacer blocks to raise the rear wing, and an adjustable front splitter.<ref name="forums.bimmerforums.com"/> Each owner was given a 1-page legal document to sign acknowledging that any installation of boot items voided the new car warranty.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
All M3 Lightweight cars were produced in the "Alpine White" exterior colour, with the Motorsports flag decals on the left front and right rear corners of the car. There is a fixed wing on the bootlid, some [[Carbon fiber reinforced polymer|carbon fibre]] interior trim, and the badges on the side moulding and dash read "BMW Motorsport International".
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=== Production ===
Production of the E36 M3 began in September 1992<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/september-1991/42/road-test-bmw-325-i|title = Road Test – BMW 325i| date=7 July 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=14|title=BMW M Registry – FAQ E36 M3 3.0}}</ref> and was discontinued in August 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=15|title = BMW M Registry – FAQ E36 M3 3.2}}</ref>
The majority of cars were produced at the BMW [[Regensburg]] factory in Germany; however, a small number of low compression right-hand drive cars were assembled at BMW's plant in [[Rosslyn, Gauteng|Rosslyn]], [[South Africa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=15#2|title=FAQ E36 M3 3.2|publisher=BMW M Registry|access-date=12 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616151345/http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=15|archive-date=16 June 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> In total, 46,525 coupés, 12,114 convertibles and 12,603 saloon were produced.<ref name=regE36>{{cite web|url=http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/10/16/the-history-of-bmw-m3/|title=The History Of BMW M3|date=16 October 2015|access-date=4 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227205202/http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/10/16/the-history-of-bmw-m3/|archive-date=27 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The saloon ceased production in December 1997, the coupé in late 1998, and the convertible in December 1999.<ref name="Kittler 2001 130"/>
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The boot floor cover was made of lightweight [[Fiberboard|fibre-board]] (not cardboard as infamously described on the [[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]] television show). The CSL discarded a large proportion of the M3's sound insulation, electric seats, navigation system, air conditioning, and stereo (the latter two were able to be re-added as no-cost options).<ref name="diseno" /><ref name="CSLperformance" /> The interior includes [[Fiberglass|fibreglass]] front racing [[bucket seat]]s,<ref name="cartorque" /> a fibreglass backing for the rear seats,<ref name="cartorque" /> and carbon fibre for the centre console, door panels, door trim, and head-liner.<ref name="usautoparts" /><ref name="cartorque" /> The steering wheel has just a single button which activates the M track mode, instead of the buttons for cruise control, stereo, and phone controls on the regular M3.<ref name="usautoparts" /> The CSL retained the 50:50 weight distribution of the regular M3.<ref name="cartorque" />
The wheels were increased in size to 19 inches. BMW took the unusual approach of supplying the CSL with [[Racing slick|semi-slick tyres]] (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup).<ref name="usautoparts" /><ref name="tirecite">{{cite web|url=http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/bmw/m3/bmw_m3_csl_auto_shows__1+type-news_by_make+mode-collection+id-259.html|title=BMW M3 CSL – Auto Shows|date=March 2003|publisher=Car and Driver|access-date=10 July 2009}}</ref> These tyres provided high grip levels once warmed up on a racetrack, but poor performance on wet roads and when below their operating temperature.<ref>{{cite web|title=The BMW M3 CSL Is Still a Dream Machine|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a27310847/bmw-e46-m3-csl-review/|website=Road & Track|access-date=5 May 2019|date=29 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=BMW E46 M3 CSL Review|url=https://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/feature-cars/1608/bmw-e46-m3-cls-review|website=www.tradeuniquecars.com.au|date=29 August 2016 |access-date=5 May 2019}}</ref> A warning label was included in the CSL to inform drivers about driving in cold or wet conditions. The brakes were upgraded with larger floating discs at the front and larger pistons at the rear.
The suspension system was revised with stiffer springs, upgraded shock absorbers and a quicker ratio for the steering rack (14.5:1 vs 15.4:1 on the regular M3).<ref name="cartorque"/><ref name="carpages">{{citation|title=The New M3 CSL|work=Car pages}}</ref> The [[electronic stability control]] was retuned and an "M track mode" was added, allowing higher thresholds before the system intervened.
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