Owner claims it's a 325i, but VIN says 325is?

[albertogti117]

So I'm looking to buy my first E30 here pretty soon. The owner of the one I am looking at has the vehicle advertised as a 325i. But Autocheck says that the car is a 325i / 325iS. So does that mean it is indeed a 325is? It doesn't have the IS steering wheel or trunk lip, but it does have the front lip (I think?).

Also, he is asking around $2200. Does this sound like a fair deal? It has approx. 150,000 miles, hail damage on the hood, part of the fenders, roof and trunk lid (It's surprisingly not too bad), peeling clear coat on the hood, clean interior besides missing headliner and has cloth seats. Mechanically sound. It's a coupe by the way.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[TurboJake]

It's an I........
And no. Thats a 700ish dollar car. Takes a LOT of money to fix body.
But, I don't get paid to appraise cars. So take my opinion with a grain of salt

[Kershaw]

^ +2

[mr.vang]

"i" is 4 door, "is" is 2 door

[Bimmerista]

"i" is 4 door, "is" is 2 door

Huh...what? :loco: They very well made 2 door 'i' cars.

The car that the OP is describing most definitely sounds like a 'i' and when someone runs a VIN on an 'i' car, it will come back as i/iS, basically stating that it could be one or the other.

iS cars are typically easy to identify by the 13 button OBC, reading light on rear view mirror, sport seats, trunk lip spoiler, & basketweaves. But since these cars have been out of production for 20 years, its very well possible that previous owners have added these amenities.

[khalild]

Its a 325i. 325is has lsd, power sunroof, mtech steering wheel, and premium speakers.. if its missing those its not an is

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[mr.vang]

Huh...what? :loco: They very well made 2 door 'i' cars.

The car that the OP is describing most definitely sounds like a 'i' and when someone runs a VIN on an 'i' car, it will come back as i/iS, basically stating that it could be one or the other.

i though that's how bmw label their coupe and sedan.

[matthugie]

i though that's how bmw label their coupe and sedan.

Negative, at least not for the e30. They did make 325i coupes.

[M4DE30]

Sport Model

[bubbajan21]

i though that's how bmw label their coupe and sedan.

That is how BMW labeled E36's, but not E30's.

[TurboJake]

i though that's how bmw label their coupe and sedan.

No.
I have a 2door 325i
My woman has a 4door 325i

[RagtopE30]

Gentlemen I have a true iS and it has manual sunroof, 6 button OBC, and non-premium stereo. As for the OP's potential car, I would be concerned about not only the body damage but also the fact that it has been resprayed at some point. These cars didnt come with clear coat in my experience.

[dinanm3atl]

Its a 325i. 325is has lsd, power sunroof, mtech steering wheel, and premium speakers.. if its missing those its not an is

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Most of what you said is not true. LSD is an option on all E30s. It was never standard. Premium also is not standard on the iS. Neither is the power sunroof. Steering wheel is as are the sport seats, spoiler etc. It is an appearance package and some slightly stiffer shocks. Nothing more.

[MR 325]

Mind = blown.

[nomansland92]

^+1 that sounds about right. well i believe lsd's were standard in the ix but thats a different story.