Why are some people so particular about buying an "is" car?

[bmwstephen]

I have experienced the opposite. I have been in the game over 20 years, grew up in a BMW shop, used to sell differentials to Jim Blanton, etc. I only ever saw LSD's in 325iS models. Now over time...things get swapped around. I would venture to say that either the LSD was swapped or the car wasn't a true 325iS to begin with.

I think it was only optional for the 318is no?

[reelizmpro]

Is model does not assure LSD. Often has open diff originally equipped

Personally had 3 open diff is models and LSD in only 1

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I have experienced the opposite. I have been in the game over 20 years, grew up in a BMW shop, used to sell differentials to Jim Blanton, etc. I only ever saw LSD's in 325iS models. Now over time...things get swapped around. I would venture to say that either the LSD was swapped or the car wasn't a true 325iS to begin with. Let's face it, it would be silly for BMW not to install an LSD in a "sports package" car. IIRC, it was standard as part of the Sport package.

[Cletonius]

I bought the iS because I wanted all the goodies the sport package gives. I got lucky in finding a relatively good condition unmolested car.

After having all the goodies I would be sad going to a crank roof and comfort seats. I like my leather sport interior and LSD.

[Wanganstyle]

I have a 4 door 1991 325i, but it has an IS vin, so would I get shit for putting a 325is badge on it?

Install 316i badge. Be pimpin


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[Ether-D]

Sport Seats. Comfort seats SUCK DICK.

If this were true, everyone would want comfort seats…

[PetrolHead951]

I have a 4 door 1991 325i, but it has an IS vin, so would I get shit for putting a 325is badge on it?

[Wanganstyle]

Why are some people so particular about buying an "is" car?

I've seen numerous WTB ads recently that are looking for a 325is, not a 325i. As far as I know, they are essentially the same car while an IS has a few body add ons, sport seats and an LSD (which was an option in the I anyways)

Are there truly any advantages to an IS car? Or are IS owners out there just riding the wave and charging a bit of a premium?

Is model does not assure LSD. Often has open diff originally equipped

Personally had 3 open diff is models and LSD in only 1

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[AgentSVT]

Four doors aren't any less or more valuable than 2 doors. A lot of people like the four doors, myself included. After owning a 2dr 325e car and going to a 325i 4 door, it's the bees knees. I can actually use the back seat with ease.

[SkiFree]

Personally, I think the difference between an i and an iS is much smaller and less significant than that of a 2002 and a 2002tii. It is what you listed, but also multiple differences inside the engine including a different cam. Most significantly though, the 2002 is a collector car and as such the tii label has value. The iS label may have value someday, but I seriously doubt it will ever approach the difference the 2002s see. I would find it hard to pay much of a premium for an iS just because it's an iS. I'd have no problem making my i just as good if not better. It's what I'm doing to my car now, which aside from no premium audio-which I don't care about-has or will have everything I'd want or need.

I do agree with the label of the Tii being worth more based on less production models and perceived value.
However mechanically speaking there are NO DIFFERENCES inside the engine between the 2002 and tii (Especially the 264’ cam. In fact, the same cam is found in all m10’s from its earliest incarnation up to when bmw reversed the distributor gear drive in the 1980 320i [the exceptions being the 1976 California SMOG 02’s which had slightly less duration on the exhaust lobes, or the optional 300’ sport cam {which ironically was not an option on the tii’s due to the limiting injection system}]). Yes there were different compression ratios, but none exclusive to the Tii.

The difference is a 100hp vs 130 hp stock motor. Kugelfischer fuel injection.... The only sent 7400 tii's to the United States over the course of three years. For comparison they made 10,000 split window corvettes in one year.

Which car is rare?

The production numbers and perceived values are what make the tii more valuable.
While the Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection did make more power, it was crude in nature and very limiting if you wanted to modify the car at all (and as I mentioned In fact if you look at the period 2002’s racers running the M10 they were either running large weber carbs, or HEAVILY reworked mechanical fuel injection setups that bore very little resemblance to its road-going cousin.)
Again, I can understand WHY the tii is more expensive, but in my personal opinion none of the reasons are substantial enough to warrant it.

[TimKninja]

Sport Seats. Comfort seats SUCK DICK.
LSD is nice. Tho Ive never owned an E30 without one.

I miss my 4 door tho.

[PJH]

In Europe, we never had a 325is. Only iS cars are the 320iS with an S14 engine and the 318is with the M42. A 318i doesn't have an M42 in europe (pfl was M10, NFL M40), that is why a 318is is sought after in Europe and a 318i is almost worth "nothing".
The 318is also has discs in the rear, 51mm struts, sport seats, black headliner, is front and rear spoiler, M-tech shiftknob and steeringwheel. The 318i didn't have that as standard.

[efficient]

Guess I should be happy that I got a top of the line eS model than just a regular e model lol.

[reelizmpro]

I guess it all boils down to preferences. Maybe those looking for iS' are thinking about it from an investment standpoint incase they are next to blow up. Or perhaps they don't want to fiddle with swapping/converting anything. I can't really blame em, why bother if you don't have to? Maybe someone doesn't want coilovers, race seats, custom wheels, custom stereo but factory Sport options instead. A car that was left alone and was one of the best available from the factory.

My first car was a fully loaded 85 325e, they didn't have premium sound then but that's no biggy. Those tweeter pods were a big deal back then. Anyway, when I drove my buddies 86 325 base model, I couldn't believe it had crank sunroof, no OBC, cloth comfort seats. Didn't have that something special that BMW was known for. Since then, it's been nothing but eS/iS, M3...M technic. Many i cars have been upgraded by now but back in the day the difference was huge. You were a baller if you had an 'S' model.

[GreasyE30]

Well I Was on the look out for an "I" because while in welding class at MtSac this cool Asian dude I talked to in there, drove a red later model dumped on Panasports reps. Red & Black errrrrthang. Any way, I asked what to look for in e30s & he said just get a 325i because of the nice engine & LSD.



But I got a great eta for $1500, down from $2300 that the guy wanted soooo..... I don't listen hahaha

[Red88]

I constantly ask myself the same question on 2002 vs 2002tii's.

The difference is a 100hp vs 130 hp stock motor. Kugelfischer fuel injection.... The only sent 7400 tii's to the United States over the course of three years. For comparison they made 10,000 split window corvettes in one year.

Which car is rare?