Wheel Arch Differences: early vs Late e30

[nes85er]

Hi everyone,

I've never really noticed the wheel arch differences between the early and the late e30's that I have been reading about recently. Can someone on here show me pictures with the differences? Like a side by side comparison?

thanks in advance!

[DTM190]

Early boys have a higher arch, late boys lower, hope the pic makes sense

[E30_(1st Musk)_]

so you can make an early model even lower looking than a late model?

[AbsorbantNut]

so you can make an early model even lower looking than a late model?

I would say it would look more even from front to back with less tuck because the arches would be closer in height.

[nes85er]

Early boys have a higher arch, late boys lower, hope the pic makes sense

Hmmm interesting. I do notice the difference...but is it perhaps some optical illusion? Is there actual dimensions on this? Like difference in height from the corner if the hofmeister kink to the top of the wheel arch?

[skatingzooyork]

Hmmm interesting. I do notice the difference...but is it perhaps some optical illusion? Is there actual dimensions on this? Like difference in height from the corner if the hofmeister kink to the top of the wheel arch?

No optical illusion... Actual difference in rear fender edge; that's why early model 30s can fit bigger tires easier then a late model.

[Kershaw]

the rear of the arch also extends back further, by about an inch. if you take 88 bumper shrouds and put them on an 87 and earlier, it'll stick out into the wheel well.

[AbsorbantNut]

the rear of the arch also extends back further, by about an inch. if you take 88 bumper shrouds and put them on an 87 and earlier, it'll stick out into the wheel well.

Which is the reason why when you put plastics on a pre 88 that you need to trim the rear.

[nes85er]

Very interesting insights. Thanks everyone. Next time I'm at an e30 meet I would like to personally see the differences between the two arches. I never noticed the differences until I started reading about it on here. Cool stuff!

[makeshift]

REVIVAL OF THE FTTEST!!!

So this includes 4-doors too huh. I've been staring at the rear door's body lines in comparison to the rear wheel arches on each model for hours on end. At first I thought I could tell that the early models' body lines might compliment eachother better. But now it's all blurring together. Any other opinions on this?

[DJNikonn]

No opinion on that here, but are verts different?

[JasonC]

No opinion on that here, but are verts different?

All verts have low arches.

[Ether-D]

Here ya go. I have a vert and an early. Here's some pics.

87 325is:




92 325i cabrio:

[makeshift]

D with the measurements!

Awesome. I doubt bmw made different rear doors for late model 4 doors so I expect my hypotenuse to be correct.

I've been looking at a lot of 4 doors lately so I'll upload some pics to compare.