US-Spec E30 325i - ETK Build Data & Factory Sunroof Details

[yusuf325]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to connect with US-Spec E30 325i owners and enthusiasts who are familiar with ETK / VIN build data.

I have a factory-original 325i with a specific factory sunroof setup and option combination. As we know, US-spec models come with unique factory configurations and option packages. I want to compare ETK build sheets, option codes, and technical details regarding the factory sunroof setup on these North American models.

If you own a US-spec 325i or have deep knowledge of ETK factory build data, please reply here or send me a PM!

Thanks!

[yusuf325]

Almost all of these US-spec E30s actually have factory/dealer sunroofs installed in reality, yet the sunroof option codes do NOT show up in their ETK / VIN build sheets.



I know this is a common occurrence on North American models (often due to standardized US trim levels or standard fleet packages). I would love to hear from ETK experts and US owners about the underlying reason for this discrepancy in the factory data!

[Maybe Magpie]

I have an '88 325is with a power sunroof, here's my options list. It was produced December 1987 for model year '88, ETK code is 1123 (auto) originally but since I've 5-speed manual swapped it the ETK I actually use is 1113, the only difference between them is the transmission.

209 Limited Slip Differential (25%)
226 Sports Suspension Settings
281 Cross Spoke Alloy Wheel Style 5
324 Front and Rear Spoiler
401 Power sunroof
410 Electric windows
481 Recaro sports seats
530 A/C
540 Cruise Control
551 On-board Computer II
562 Map Reading Lights (Rear view mirror)
675 Rear Compartment Audio System
708 M Technic Leather Sport Steering Wheel II
832 Battery In Boot

I know for a fact the maplight mirror wasn't standard iS equipment, but I think everything else was.The iS package is broadly comparable to the EU 325i SE and UK's 325i Sport, though unlike the SE the iS package wasn't a distinct model in the ETK and it wasn't ala carte in terms of options. In the US I'm fairly certain everything in the IS package could be separately optioned on any regular 325i available at the same time (and a lot of stuff like the basketweaves and rear spoiler often were), but the 325iS package was coupe-only. We also didn't have access to many EU options (e.g. 15" basketweaves, aside from the different-offset 325iX-exclusive ones). To my understanding, the only E30 you could get a sunroof delete on in the US was the 1991 (one-year-only) 318is with the M42 (unlike the 325iS, no limited slip). I don't think any 325ises had manual sunroofs, but I've seen both early 318i cars, late 318i cars, mid-late 325i cars, and late 325i cars with crank sunroofs but as far as I know most 6-cylinder cars had power sunroofs. I don't know if you could get them on the 4-cylinders, though. I also don't know about the etas or M3s, unfortunately, and we didn't get touring models/wagons here. Obviously sunroofs are a moot point with the cabrios, given the whole no-roof thing.

Take all that with a grain of salt, this is anecdotal and a relatively modest sample size of experience. Hopefully this is helpful?

[yusuf325]

Thanks for sharing your options list and details! Just to clarify my point: I’m not asking whether 325i/is models came with sunroofs or how options were bundled in the US market, but specifically about the ETK / VIN build sheet discrepancy. As examples, here are three different 1989 US-spec E30 325i Sedans listed on Cars & Bids (https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rk6...bmw-325i-sedan , https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rMx...bmw-325i-sedan and https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KZj...bmw-325i-sedan) which all physically have manual (crank) sunroofs, yet their official BMW ETK / VIN build sheets do not list option code ⁠400⁠ (Manual Sunroof) or ⁠401⁠. My main question for the ETK experts here is: Since sunroofs were practically standard equipment on 6-cylinder US-spec models, did BMW log manual sunroofs as Standard Equipment (Serienausstattung - which doesn't appear as an SA option code in ETK) for certain production runs/models, or is this simply an omission in the factory build database? Has anyone else noticed their factory manual sunroof missing from their official VIN build sheet?

[Maybe Magpie]

Thanks for sharing your options list and details! Just to clarify my point: I’m not asking whether 325i/is models came with sunroofs or how options were bundled in the US market, but specifically about the ETK / VIN build sheet discrepancy. As examples, here are three different 1989 US-spec E30 325i Sedans listed on Cars & Bids (https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rk6...bmw-325i-sedan , https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rMx...bmw-325i-sedan and https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KZj...bmw-325i-sedan) which all physically have manual (crank) sunroofs, yet their official BMW ETK / VIN build sheets do not list option code ⁠400⁠ (Manual Sunroof) or ⁠401⁠. My main question for the ETK experts here is: Since sunroofs were practically standard equipment on 6-cylinder US-spec models, did BMW log manual sunroofs as Standard Equipment (Serienausstattung - which doesn't appear as an SA option code in ETK) for certain production runs/models, or is this simply an omission in the factory build database? Has anyone else noticed their factory manual sunroof missing from their official VIN build sheet?

When I called my BMW dealership for my full options list they told me that 401 was one of them, and one of the online ones say it was an option despite it being 100% standard on my car. To compare I ran the VINs of a few manual-sunroof examples from BAT through various decoders and they all turned up no 401 and no 400, so I'd put five bucks down that BMW just had manual sunroofs as part of the default US spec standard like you speculate.

[82eye]

Has anyone else noticed their factory manual sunroof missing from their official VIN build sheet?

those things are an absolute mess for north american vehicles. i doubt you'll ever find anything conclusive.

edit: a lot has to do with how foreign car mfgrs were forced into bundling accessory packages to avoid US tax. there's been a few discussions on the forums over it.

[Vincenze]

Don't all 325 US models come with sunroofs?
Only some 318 models came with slicktops.

[yusuf325]

What is the most reliable way to get definitive information on this? Is there an official source or archive to verify how these US-spec models left the factory

[yusuf325]

How can we get exact or official information regarding this issue, and is there a reliable source or archive to verify how these US-spec models left the factory? For instance, we can look into official archives or auction records like these example listings: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KZj...608&ref=pr_1_8 , https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rMx...4b&ref=pr_1_20 , https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rk6...4b&ref=pr_1_11 .

[Maybe Magpie]

What is the most reliable way to get definitive information on this? Is there an official source or archive to verify how these US-spec models left the factory

As said, to the best of my attempts to research here the default option seems to be that manual sunroofs aren't listed at all, only 401/power. Presumably the slicktop 318is cars have a no-sunroof option, but like other posters echoed the US ETKs aren't very consistent. Assume it had a manual sunroof from the factory if there isn't option 401 and it's not a 318is slicktop, period.

[TobyB]

post a picture of your girlfriend to prove that you are not a bot.

t
increasingly distrustful

[82eye]

finding anything definitive will likely prove futile due to the way all foreign cars were imported during the 80's thru 90's. during that era most imports were shipped with a plethora of different accessory packages all lumped as standard generic base cars.
all foreign mfgrs followed the same policy, it was the best way to get up scale models into the country while avoiding massive taxes that would be added if the car was built to order.

if you worked in a dealership during that period you would understand how it worked.

the group i worked for sold, toyota, nissan, and bmw during that time. we never sold anything to order ever.

[yusuf325]

Has anyone actually managed to get a definitive document or clear information from BMW Classic on this, or is everyone hitting the same dead end—especially considering the total confusion caused by some models explicitly having 'Sunroof' listed in their records/build sheets while others don't?

[82eye]

no one really gives a shit. it's the way it was. have fun with it though.

[TobyB]

no one really gives a shit. it's the way it was. have fun with it though.

Especially BMW. They are a different company than when I first started playing with their cars.

I can understand that, myself, in this dystopian era.

t
is a bot.