Did BMW ever produce an E36 M3 3.2 Compact?
BMW M GmbH only built one example of an E36/5 M3 Compact (hatchback) in honor of the 50th birthday of Auto Motor und Sport magazine in 1996. In addition to the S50 B32 engine and Getrag six-speed manual gearbox, this car featured a special quad-tip exhaust configuration that previewed the similar arrangement that would later appear on the E36/7 M roadster and E36/8 M coupe. It also included an M-tuned suspension, M3-spec brakes and 17-inch forged M Double Spoke alloy wheels. An M-Technic aero package, M aerodynamic rear-view mirrors and clear turn signal lenses dressed up the Bright Red (314) exterior, while the interior was treated to the M3 instrument panel, Recaro racing seats in black cloth with red four-point seatbelts, plus an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob. It is not known if this car still survives.
