Changes between the years

[themightyquinn]

I'm very close to purchasing an '88 325is M50 swap. It has the "diving board" bumpers, unfortunately, as it was manufactured in 11/1987.

Does anyone know of a definitive guide to what exactly changed between the model years and exactly when?

Are there only 2 types of e30 "changes"?

pre-facelift or post-facelift? And this happened in 1988...but obviously there was a manufacturing month cutoff, as this one I'm looking at is an '88 but built in '87.


Thanks a lot everyone. :D

[xwill112x]

tail lights

bumpers

options

thats all i can think of.

[GOOBER]

This topic has been covered numerous times. A car manufactured in late 1987 is considered a 1988 model year vehicle.

That said US spec cars with model years from 1984-1987 had the diving board style bumpers. The only changes there were 1986 and 1987 had the later style side markers used until 1992.

1988 is a one year only car. It had the later model front and rear valance but had the diving board bumpers. The swap with late model bumpers (1989-1991) is a direct bolt on for a 1988 model year car which is the car your thinking of buying. You will need the bumper shocks and bumper as well as different connectors for the turn signals.

[themightyquinn]

Thanks alot guys. I know it's a hot topic but I didn't find anything conclusive in a quick search.