opinions on model year

[LimoBob]

about to become new to the E30 family. have an opportunity to purchase either an 88 325i convt, AT, or a 91 325ic convt, manual trans. mileage on both about the same 115-130k. assuming all things equal mechanically, any opinions on the model yrs would be much appreciated.
thanks.

[mcr_driver]

88 model year is diving boards but late model guts, the 91 could be a plastic bumper with late model guts. All in all I'd much rather go for the manual model over the automatic unless you need an auto for some odd reason.

[brent5631]

Go with the manual. And I like plastic bumper cars better also.

[Holland]

Both are convertibles. The 88 should have ellipsoidal headlamps and a non airbag wheel. The 91 will have inferior sealed beams. Bumper and facelift conversion for convertibles is late 91, so it's possible for the 91 to be a facelift car.

[LimoBob]

88 model year is diving boards but late model guts, the 91 could be a plastic bumper with late model guts. All in all I'd much rather go for the manual model over the automatic unless you need an auto for some odd reason.

thank you

[LimoBob]

Both are convertibles. The 88 should have ellipsoidal headlamps and a non airbag wheel. The 91 will have inferior sealed beams. Bumper and facelift conversion for convertibles is late 91, so it's possible for the 91 to be a facelift car.

thanks a bunch

[Raxe]

Manual late model for sure.

[nando]

Both are convertibles. The 88 should have ellipsoidal headlamps and a non airbag wheel. The 91 will have inferior sealed beams. Bumper and facelift conversion for convertibles is late 91, so it's possible for the 91 to be a facelift car.

25 year old elipsoids are hardly a reason to choose one car over another.

[750]

Check for rust. Then make your choice.

[Silverdogz]

Late model cars when they were built got a anti-rust treatment on the body panels. So on the late model there shouldn't be as much rust if any. My '89 325iS only has rust on the replacement early model hood. PO's fault.