Differences between 88 and 89?

[99em1]

Besides the plastic bumpers, what are the other cosmetic differences? I thought I read somewhere about different rear fender arches, as well as different taillights etc.

Maybe I was wrong. Anyone know?

[White325is]

you was wrong.. Nothing is different other than bumpers.

[StereoInstaller1]

Besides the plastic bumpers, what are the other cosmetic differences? I thought I read somewhere about different rear fender arches, as well as different taillights etc.

Maybe I was wrong. Anyone know?

You are referring to the '87 and earlier cars, which have all of the above.

Next one you see, measure from the rear window to the lip of the fender.

Also, look under the rear bumper. Early cars have no valence to speak of.

[BillBrasky]

The tail lights are different. 88's have the old style tail lights with the square ends and vertical reverse lights. 89's have the angled ends and horizontal reverse lights like the ones in White325is' signature.

[White325is]

88's also have the large tails like my sig. only 87 and older had the small tails. Well other than the E30 verts and the E30 M3's.

[BillBrasky]

Oh, I guess that I was wrong. I was going by my '88 M3 having the old tail lights and my '89 325IX having the late model tail lights. Nevermind.

[StereoInstaller1]

See? Owning an M3 clouds your mind.

Give me yours, you will heal in time.

[stumble_t]

How about BMW switching from ellips to sealed beams? Or did that happen later? '90 maybe?

[dinanm3atl]

How about BMW switching from ellips to sealed beams? Or did that happen later? '90 maybe?

To my knowledge both the 88 and 89 had US Elips. While the early 84-87 had sealed or I have seen some random cars with Hella H4 headlights. Seems all 90-92 have sealed beam.

I am not an expert. I can confirm my 88 and 89 had US Elips and the 'late tails' and rear valence. Also both had late model rear fender arches.

[StereoInstaller1]

To my knowledge both the 88 and 89 had US Elips. While the early 84-87 had sealed or I have seen some random cars with Hella H4 headlights. Seems all 90-92 have sealed beam.

I am not an expert. I can confirm my 88 and 89 had US Elips and the 'late tails' and rear valence. Also both had the retarded late model rear fender arches.

I fixed your post for you.

Yer welcome

[Holland]

Don't the early 88's have pop out windows and the 89's have solid windows?

[dinanm3atl]

Don't the early 88's have pop out windows and the 89's have solid windows?

My 89 had pop out. It was a really early 89 car though.

[accident]

The 88s have shorter diving boards than the rest of the range, and the early style 3rd brake light. other than that they are identical to the 89+

My 88 has factory ellipsoids.