Débuting at the Paris Show in 1992, the second generation E36 platform-based M3 was the first to feature a straight-six engine, initially displacing 2990cc before enlargement to 3201cc in 1995.

However, this larger power unit did not become available in the convertible model (which had been introduced in 1994) until 1996.

The 3.2-litre cars were marketed as Evolution models by BMW GB to distinguish them from the earlier three-litre models.

Produced at the Regensburg factory, a total of around 2,107 BK92 (right-hand drive European specification) convertibles were built between February, 1996, and July, 1999.

Recognised as being one of the best handling cars of that decade when tested by Car & Driver in 1997 and much praised for its benign handling and balance, the E36 was also one of the first mainly computer-designed BMW models.

Away from enthusiast meets, the once-commonplace E36 is now very scarcely encountered, but high-end performance variants like the M3 Evolution were always...