1995 BMW 318i roof

400-2
BODY-GENERAL

4-door
Sedan

Coupe

-
saas3
.7""

351
/



37
.3
O



I
x
`-193



267

o
oa

'3281
model
"M3
model

Convertible

BODYASSEMBLY

55
ass
.e
iss
""
-
66
.9
-

Fig
.
2
.



E36
body
dimensíons
.

BODY
ASSEMBLY

29
.4

29
4

The
BMW
3
Series
chassis
is
a
unibodydesign
constructed
ofhigh
strength
steel
.
Attaching
parts,
suchas
the
front
fend-
ers,
rear
quarter
panels,
doors,
trunk
lid
and
hood
are
also
constructed
of
steel
.

706
.31108
.7"



I
38
.5
174
.5

174
.5

O



oo

196
.3/106
.7'
"



35_5



1.
.
55
.9,566
".

106
.3/196
.7""



i.
358
-1745-

55
9/56
3'/56
6"
-
J

0013099

Windows
bonded
flush
to
the
body
and
the
guided
flow
of
cooling
air
into
the
engine
compartment
provide
a
good
coeffi-
cient
of
drag(CD)
.
TheE36
cars
have
a
CD
of
approximately
0
.30for
the
sedan
and
coupe
models,
and
0
.35
for
the
con-
vertible
models
:

The
exterior
panels
are
corrosion-resistant
zinc
coated

steel
.
The
front
fenders
are
bolted
on
and
easily
replaceabie
.
The
body
styles
of
E36
cars
coveredby
this
manual
arethe



See410
Fenders,
Engine
Hood
.
4-door
sedan,
2-door
coupe
and
convertible
.
Body
dimen-
sions
vary
slightly
betweenmodels
.
See
Fig
.
2
.



The
front
and
rear
bumpers
use
an
aluminum
framework
with
an
overlaid
high-impact,
deformable
plastic
cover
.
This
Exterior
and
Aerodynamics



bumper
system
keeps
damage
to
a
minimum
in
head-on
colli-
sions
of
up
to
10
m
.p
.h
.
(15
km/h)
.
See
510
Exterior
Trim,
TheE36
can
be
immediatelyrecognized
asa
typical
BMW
.



Bumpers
.
With
its
traditionalstyling
features,
suchas
the
BMW
kidney
grille,
circular
headlights
behind
a
glass
cover
(for
reasons
of
streamliníng),
and
the
"kick"
in
the
rearmost
roof
pillar
(C-pil-
lar)
.

TheE36
convertible
is
an
all-season
vehicle
with
a
high
lev-
e¡offunctionality,
excellent
interior
comfort,
and
acoustic
re-

finement
.
Interior
materials
and
colors,
the
soft
top
and
the

light-alloy
wheelshave
been
carefully
matched
.

Various
versions
of
manual
and
automatic
soft
tops
have
been
used,
with
the
fully
automatic
convertible
roof
being
in-

stalled
beginning
in
the
1997
model
year
.

A
hard-top
in
body
color
with
heated
rear
window
is
avail-

ableas
an
option
for
the
cold
season
.

BODY-GENERAL
400-
3

Coupe
Models



The
convertible
body
structure
includes
many
passive
safe-

ty
refinements
over
its
fixed-top
counterparts
.
Some
of
the
en-

TheE36
coupe
is
similar
to
the4-door
sedan,
but
has
a



hancements
include
:

more
stretched
and
sleeker
appearance
.
Thus,
with
the
same

wheelbase
and
identicallength,
it
looks
different
but
still
famil-



"
More
rígíd
underbody
.

iar
.



"
Transverse
seat
members
.

"
Reinforced
windshield
frame
with
bonded
windshield,

The
2-door
variant
differs
from
the
4-door
sedan
by
a
3
.12



and
tubular
door
reinforcements
.

inch
(8
cm)
longer
front
end,
a
flatter
hood
line
with
air
slits,



"
Rollover
protection
system,
which
is
tripped
into
position

and
a
roof
almost
1
.2
inches
(3
cm)
shorter
.
Additional
differ-



in
a
fraction
of
second
.
This
is
available
as
optional

ences
include
wider
doors
with
frameless
Windows,
glass-



equipment
(standard
on
the
1998
328iC)
and
may
be
fit-

covered
door-posts
(B-pillars)
and
a
shorter
and
lower
lug-



ted
to
earlier
convertible
models
.
With
this
feature,
two

gage
compartment
lid
.



bars
fully
independent
of
each
other
come
up
behind

each
rear-seat
backrest
when
the
vehicle
is
in
danger
of

Convertible
Models



turning
over
.

A
convertible
body
normally
flexes
and
vibrates,
transfer-

ring
oscillations
to
the
luggage
compartment
.
In
the
E36
con-

vertible,
BMW
utilizes
a
special
battery
in
the
luggage
compartment,
in
conjunction
with
a
unique
battery
tray,
asa

vibration
dampening
system
to
counteract
thisoscillation
.

CAUTION
-

The
E36
convertible
requires
a
specialbattery
which
is
designed
for
constant
vibration
.

Information
for
the
convertible
top
and
its
related
mecha-

nisms
can
be
found
541
Convertible
Top
.

BODYASSEMBLY

Ambient
temperaturelclock

MÍM
Aa
.Mi}rm
-Mil"
IMua~naa~u~itacar
"
za
.~

Central
Body
Electronics

0013028

Fig
.
4
.



Different
versionsof
Multi-information
Display(MID)
installed
in
E36
cars
.

The
E36
cars
are
equipped
with
a
sophisticated
centralized

body
electric/electronics
plan
.
The
system
is
self-diagnostic

and
incorporates
many
functions
into
a
single
control
module
.

The
consolidation
of
several
systems
into
a
single
control

module
minimizes
power
requirements
and
the
incorporation

of
the
diagnostic
link
results
in
more
efficient
and
accurate

troubleshooting
.

Self-diagnostic
codes
are
accessible
electronically
through

the
data-link
connector
in
the
engine
compartment
.
See610

Electrical
Component
Locations
.

BODY-GENERAL
400-
5

Two
versions
of
central
body
electronics
are
used
depend-

ing
on
model
year
.

1992
and
1993
models
are
equipped
with
a
central
locking

module
(ZVM)
which
incorporates
control
of
the
following
sys-

tems
:

"Interiorlighting
"
Central
locking
with
double
lock
feature

"
Output
relays
for
powerwindows
and
sunroof

"
Electronic
power
protection

E36
cars
since
the
1994
model
year
are
equipped
with
ZKE

IV
.
This
is
an
electronic
comfort
and
convenience
system
that

includes
the
following
additional
features
:

"
One
touch
up/down
power
window
operation

"
Power
window
and
sunroof
closure
from
driver
or
pas-

sengerdoor
lock

"
Vehicle
locking
or
unlocking
from
the
trunk
lock
.

Other
features
of
the
system
are
discussed
in
515
Central

Locking
and
Anti-Theft
.

Electronic
Immobilization
System

Beginning
in
model
year
1994,
all
E36
vehicles
incorporate

adriveaway
protection
system
regardless
of
whether
the
vehi-

cle
is
equipped
with
a
BMW
Alarm
System
or
an
On-Board

computer
.
Two
types
of
factory
systems
were
installed,
de-
pending
on
vehicle
production
date
.

On
the
early
system
(model
year
1994
up
to
January
1995),

the
ignition
and
fuel
injection
functions
are
disabled
whenever

the
vehicle
is
locked
in
the
double
lock
mode
.
This
is
referred

lo
as
EWS
or
EWS
I
.

Beginning
in
January
1995,
the
driveaway
protection
sys-

tem
was
upgraded
to
a
more
sophisticated
system,
called

EWS
II
.
This
system
uses
a
wireless
communication
link
be-

tween
a
transponder
chip
in
the
ignition
keyand
the
ring
an-

tenna
surrounding
the
ignition
switch
.
The
EWS
II
control

module
blocksthe
starting
of
the
vehicle
unlessthe
correct

coded
ignition
key
is
used
.

For
further
information
about
drive
away
protection
sys-

tems,
see
515
Central
Locking
and
Anti-Theft
.

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

Fig
.
10
.
Panel
edge
trim
piece
trim
being
removed
.

Rear
side
trimpanel,
removing
and
install-

ing
(convertible
models)

To
remove
the
rearside
panel
in
convertible
models
it
is
necessary
to
:

"
Remove
rear
seat
cushion
and
rear
backrest
side
sec-
tion
.

"
Lower
side
window
;
open
convertible
roof
.

"
Leftside
:
Remove
convertible
top
lid
release
lever
trim
.

"
Remove
power
window
switch
and
disconnect
harness
connector
.

"
Remove
door
panel
inset
by
pulling
forward
.

"
Remove
corner
protector
rubber
trim
.

"
Pull
off
side
panel
after
removing
screw
fastener(s)
.
Dis-
engage
from
front
shoulder
belt
.

512-
8



DOOR
WINDOWS

NOTE-

To
achieve
an
accurate
window
adjustment
in
2-door
models
with
"close
with
door
shut"
feature,
simulate
a
closed
dooras
follows
:
On
early
cars,
manually
turn
the

latch
on
the
door
to
the
closed
position
.
See
Fig
.
16
.
On

latercars,
insert
a
wedge
of
wood
into
the
striker
on
the

body
to
close
the
striker
switch
.
Be
sure
to
open
thero-
tary
latch
(by
pulling
upon
the
door
handle)
or
remove
the
wedge
before
closing
the
door
.

0013066

Fig
.
16
.
To
manually
close
door
latch,
push
rotary
latch
in
direction
of
arrow
.

CAUTION-

Do
not
close
the
door
with
therotary
latch
in

closed
position,
orwith
a
wedge
in
the
striker
.

WINDOW
SERVICE,
2-DOOR
MODELS

A
Window
insertion
depth
at
A-pillar
B
B-pillar
preload
gap
(measure
gap
at
20
mm
from
top
of
door)
C
Window
insertion
depth
at
roof
line/window
parallelism
(make
measurement
at
3
.5
in
.
and
16
in
.
from
B-pillar
edge)

Fig
.
17
.
2-door
window
adjustment
positions
.

NOTE-

In"



some
models
covered
inthis
manual,
it
is
not
es-

sential
to
remove
the
side-impact
airbag
to
access
in-
terna¡
door
components
.
However,
the
procedure
is
recommended
for
safety
reasons
.

"
After
each
adjustment
step,
fully
lower
and
raise
win-
dow
and
check
adjustment
before
goingon
to
the
next

step
.

"
1f
parts
of
the
front
window
mechanism
were
replaced,

make
sure
initial
adjustments
are
in
the
center
of
their
travel
range
.
Once
the
glass
isinstalled,
position
glass
to
the
rear
guide
rail
as
shown
in
Fig
.
18
.

4
.
To
set
window
preload
B
(See
Fig
.
1
g
.):

0013076

When
making
adjustments
to
the
front
door
window,
see



"
Measure
up
20
mm
(0
.75
in
.)
from
topof
door
and

Fig
.
17
.



mark
position
on
glass
.

"
Close
door
just
until
top
of
glass
contacts
seal
.
1
.
On
cars
with
side-impact
airbags,
disconnect
negative



"
Measure
gap
between
glass
(at
20
mm
mark)
and
win-

(-)
cable
from
battery
.



dow
seal
.

"
If
adjustment
is
necessary,
move
bottom
of
window

CAUTION-



guide
inor
out
to
correct
.
See
Fig
.
20
.

Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery



"
If
further
adjustment
is
needed,
move
bottom
ofwin-

disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this



dow
in
or
out
by
sliding
guide
bracket
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
18
.

manual
on
page
viii
.

2
.
Remove
interior
door
panel
and
vapor
barrier
.
See
411



Preload
Gap

Doors
.



"
B
(Referto
Fig
.
1
g
.)

Coupe
......................
.
.
.8
mm
(0
.32
in
.)

3
.
Where
applicable,



remove
side-impact
airbag
from



Convertible
..................
.
..
3
mm
(0
.12
in
.)

door
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.

512-
1
0



DOOR
WINDOWS

0013078

Fig
.
22
.
Move
window
fore/aftatrear
guide
rail
top
mounting
bolts
(ar-

rows)
.

Insertion
Depth

"
A
(See
Fig
.
17
.)
.
..........
.1-1
.5
mm
(0
.04-0
.6
in
.)

6
.
To
set
Insertion
depth
C
(Refer
to
Fig
.
17
.)
:

"
Lower
window
slightly
.
Loosen
stop
at
window
regula-

tor
motor
.
See
Fig
.
23
.

Fig
.
23
.
Window
regulator
stop
(arrow)
.

WINDOW
SERVICE,
2-DOOR
MODELS

0013075

"
Raise
window
.
Loosen
rear
boltat
regulator
support

arm
(5mm
Allen
wrench)
.
See
Fig
.
24
.
Align
window

parallelto
roof
line
by
moving
support
arm
up
or
clown
.

Tighten
arm
bolt
.

"
Lower
window
and
remove
rubber
plugs
at
bottom
of

door
.
If
necessary,temporarily
reconnect
battery
ca-

ble
.

"
Adjust
front
and
rear
limit
stops
so
that
window
retracts

into
window
seal
as
specified
.
See
Fig
.
25
.

"
Raise
window
to
check
adjustment
.

"
Push
regulator
stop
fully
forward
and
tighten
bolt
.

"
Closedoor
and
check
window
operation
.

0013077

Fig
.
24
.
Use
5mm
Afen
socket
to
loosen
mounting
boltat
support
bracket(arrow)
and
slide
bracket
up
or
clown
to
adjust
win-
dow
position
at
roof
line
.
(Allen
bolt
head
faces
outside
of
door
.)

CAUTION
-

"
Recheck
preload
gap
B
(step
4)
.
Excessive
pre-
load
could
cause
window
to
shatter
.

"
The
fully
closed
window
must
not
contact
the
rain
gutter
when
opening
the
door
(in
the
event
the
"close
with
door
shut"
feature
is
faulty
or
the
bat-tery
is
dead)
.

7
.
Usenew
mounting
bolts
when
reinstalling
the
side-im-
pact
airbag
to
the
door
(where
applicable)
.
Reset
SRS
warning
light
and
clear
SRS
fault
memory
using
special

test
equipment
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.

8
.
Replace
door
panel,
rubber
door
plugs
and
outside
doormolding
.

9
.
Re-initialize
window
regulator
motors
as
described
ear-
lier
.

0013080
Fig
.
25
.
Reach
through
doorbottom
to
adjust
window
limit
stops
.
Rear
stop
beingadjusted
.

Rear
vent
window
or
vent
latch,

replacing
(2-door
modeis)

1
.
Remove
C-pillar
(rear
roof
pillar)
trim
.
See
Fig
.
26
.

0013069

Fig
.
26
.
C-pillar
trim
shown
removed
.
Peel
off
window
sealing
trím
and
then
unclip
pillar
trim
piece
.
Unplug
interior
light
socket
(ar-
row)
.

2
.
Remove
window
latch
screws
atC-pillar
.
See
Fig
.
27
.

DOOR
WINDows



512-11

0013070
Fig
.
27
.
Rear
vent
latch
screws
on
C-pillar
andon
window
(arrows)
.

3
.
Remove
front
seat
belt
sliding
anchor
trim
at
B-pillar
(door
post),
andremove
anchor
nut
.
See
Fig
.
28
.

Fig
.
28
.
B-pillar
seat
belt
anchor
trim
(arrow)
.

5
.
Remove
seat
belt
sliding
anchor
.
See
Fig
.
29
.

úulzoiz

4
.
PA
off
sliding
anchor
adjustíng
knob
.
Partially
pull

away
door
edge
and
vent
window
trimstrips
and
re-
move
top
B-pillar
plastic
trim
.

6
.
While
supporting
window,
remove
its
B-pillar
mounting
fasteners
.
See
Fig
.
30
.

7
.
Installation
is
reverseof
removal
.
Keep
in
mind
the
fol-

lowing
:

"
Plastic
sealing
washers
mustbe
installed
between
glass
and
body
on
forward
glass
mounting
studs
.
"
Reinstall
sealing
washers
on
both
sides
of
glass
at
rear

latch
attachment
.

WINDOW
SERVICE,
2-DOOR
MODELS

515-8



CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT

Central
Body
Electronics
(ZKE
IV)



Electronic
Immobilization
System
(EWS)

Beginning
withvehicles
produced
9193
(model
year
1994),



The
electronic
anti-theft
system
known
as
EWS
was
first
in-

the
centrallocking
system
was
integrated
with
sunroof
and



troduced
in
January
1994
.
The
early
version
of
the
system

window
closure
into
the
Central
Body
Electronics
(ZKE
IV)



uses
a
starting
inhibition
module
to
interrupt
the
ignition,
the

(generation
four)
system
.
The
control
module
for
this
system



fuel
injection
and
the
starter
motor
.
This
system
is
activated

ís
mounted
in
front
of
the
glove
compartment
.



and
deactivated
by
the
centrallockíng
system
.
The
control

module
for
the
system
is
installed
under
the
left
side
of
the

Inthis
system
two
microswítches
are
operated
viathe
door



dashboard
.

lock
cylinder
at
both
front
doors
.
Turning
the
key
approximate-

ly
45°
(position
1)
operates
the
door
locking
microswitch
and



Startingwith
modeis
built
since
January
1995,
E36
cars

activates
the
alarm
system
.
Holding
the
key
in
thatposition



come
equipped
with
a
sophisticated
coded
electronic
immobi

also
closes
any
open
windows
and
the
sunroof
.



lization
system
called
EWS
II
.
Foraschematic
of
the
system,

refer
to
Fig
.
21
.

Turning
the
key
approximately
45°
in
the
opposite
direction

through
position
0
actuates
theunlocking
microswitch
and
de-

activates
the
alarm
system
(position
2)
.
See
Fig
.
20
.
NOTE
-

The
EWS
11
system
is
also
sometimes
referred
to
as
the

Driveaway
Protection
System
or
the
electronic
immobi-
lization
system
.

On
EWS
II
equipped
cars,
the
ignition
key
is
embedded
with

a
computer
chip
and
permanently
encoded
.
A
primary
code
is

programmed
into
the
keyand
finto
the
vehicle
itself
.
A
second-

ary
code
is
changed
every
time
the
vehicle
is
started
.
If
thekey

code
and
EWS
II
control
module
code
do
notmatch,
the
en-

gine
management
control
module
and
the
starter
are
dis-

abled
.
EWS
II
ignition
keyscannot
be
duplicated
.

The
system
is
designed
to
have
up
to
ten
keys
and
only
an

authorized
BMW
dealer
can
provide
replacement
keys
.
j
NOTE-
0011762a



ft
is
possible
to
damage
the
electronic
circuítry
in
the
Fig
.
20
.
ZKE
IV
door
lock
cylinder
positions
.



key,
rendering
if
unusable
.
In
that
case,
a
new
key

shouldbe
purchased
and
initialized
byan
authorized
BMW
dealer
.

LOCKING
SYSTEM
AND
ELECTRONIC
IMM081LIZATION