Difference between pre-88 and post

[Alanbdot]

So I'm new to the BMW scene and I was just looking for a little bit of help. Common sense would tell me that this has probably been asked before but I tried searching for it and couldn't find what I wanted.

A lot of people seem to agree that the E30's from 88 to 91 are more sought after than the pre 88's. I was just wondering if anyone could tell me why they are so much more desirable. Links to good pictures that show the difference or just a list of the major difference would be awesome. Thanks for all your help guys.

Alan

[Charlie]

A lot of people seem to agree that the E30's from 88 to 91 are more sought after than the pre 88's. I was just wondering if anyone could tell me why they are so much more desirable. Links to good pictures that show the difference or just a list of the major difference would be awesome. Thanks for all your help guys.

Alan

Smaller bumpers on the 89-91 cars. '89s didn't have an airbag and had the more desireable Elipsoid headlamps vs sealed beams.

That's your 5 dollar tour.

-Charlie

[Pussy30]

Lower fender archs are another difference but not really desireable, also different tails.

[VinniE30]

Early ones had a transfer pump in addition to a fuel pump.

[Kershaw]

coolant system is different. reservoir changed sides.

[mamzak]

Pre 88 is all Bronzit, or light Blue. Late models are always Red, Black, or Dark Green.

[Edev]

Lower fender archs are another difference but not really desireable, also different tails.

So everyone wants reverse rake with late models? Early models FTMFW!

Plus, IMO, the smaller tails (aka early model) look better than the fat ugly tail lights of the late model.

[lolcantturn]

The only discretion is 1988. 1988 BMW's built in 1987 have a 153 DME, late tails, IS valance, but diving boards. 88 is a confusing year.

[StereoInstaller1]

All you really need to know is: fender arches (early is better) bumpers (every fucking whore on R3V gets plastics) and taillights (both suck ass, but the style line is better on lates).

Aside from that, early cars are immune to the shitty airbags, which is good because their only purpose is to provide a better underdash panel for the E30.

Oh: the absolute best looking front valence is the '87 iS airdam, kicks the crap out of all others, factory or aftermarket, and looks like doggie diarrhea mounted to plastic bumpers.

[quikveedb2]

A lot of people seem to agree that the E30's from 88 to 91 are more sought after than the pre 88's. I was just wondering if anyone could tell me why they are so much more desirable.

Who says?!?!

Lower fender archs are another difference but not really desireable, also different tails.

I like the way early tails look (they stayed that way on the e30 M3 for the whole production run, iirc), and early fenders look much better, reverse rake fml.

Pre 88 is all Bronzit, or light Blue. Late models are always Red, Black, or Dark Green.

That's funny, my '87 is zinno. Guess again.

So everyone wants reverse rake with late models? Early models FTMFW!

Plus, IMO, the smaller tails (aka early model) look better than the fat ugly tail lights of the late model.

+abajillion. Early tails, early fenders, and euro bumpers > plastic bumpers, all day long.

[kway]

A lot of people seem to agree that the E30's from 88 to 91 are more sought after than the pre 88's.

News to me. I've had six e30s (still have three) and only one has been a late car. Then again, I love m10 318s... meh, disregard.

[rThor432]

Pre 88 is all Bronzit, or light Blue. Late models are always Red, Black, or Dark Green.

Yeah like the other people said you are completely wrong.

There are lots of other differences, even between '83-85 cars and '86-87 which all had big bumpers in the US. It would fill a few pages to really list all of the differences-- search and read up.