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

[bradnic]

Both my cars came with a 4.10 LSD, and one was a slicktop...so i guess the IS had nothing to do with whether you got an LSD or not.

check your options at bmwvin.com

[Wanganstyle]

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

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.

I know a thing or two about LSD more than the average bear. I manufacture my own Cnc billet LSD.

E30's Owned:

91 318is- original diff open
87 325e-original diff open; with hardy and beck 327S engine+ZF 320d 6mt. fitted 3,07 Torsen, 2,93 3 clutch 40%, 3,15 4 clutch 60%, 3,15 kaaz 1.5 way LSD, 3,23 stock LSD

Friend has:

90 318i- original diff LSD

Race cars built the units for and race myself :

ALMS LeMans 24v 87 325is - original diff open ; now on built wanganstyle circuit racing 2 way LSD unit #2

SE30 90 325is - original unit open; now on built wanganstyle SE30 cheating 2 way LSD unit.


The only car that is 100% assured LSD IS A WBS M car

Owned:
97 m3 coupe- original LSD left alone
97 m3 sedan -original LSD; fitted wanganstyle built 3,38+s54b32
98 m3 sedan auto -original LSD; fitted wanganstyle built 4,10 Torsen
98 m3 sedan coupe -original LSD; fitted wanganstyle 3,46 2 way 5 disc 80% locking unit.





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[reelizmpro]

Not to argue with u but building diffs and pointing out e36's you've owned has no relevence. When did you pick up your 325iS?

EDIT:
Found some proof...

"The only options available on the 325iS were metallic paint and automatic transmission." Which means...LSD came as standard equipment.

Look under drivetrain...



For those curious...it's the same thing for the eS as well. LSD was standard.



Someone probably swapped your LSD out with an open diff prior to your ownership. It was very common since most BMW owners at the time were oblivious to what an LSD even is.

[Wanganstyle]

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

[QUOTE=reelizmpro;3926640]



EDIT:
Found no proof...
/[QUOTE]

Nope. Both the lemons race e30's I race and the spec e30 of my team mate are original 325is (87/90) cars and original is differential units were extracted by us to replace with racing items.

Original units were both open diff. Sorry to bust your bubble; our team would have enjoyed greatly if your theory was true.

Plenty of is with open; sorry to get your panties all in a bunch.

My 1991 318is also had an open.

Differentials don't always get swapped out of e30's; they don't fail every day or often. The original unit in my 1992 e34 525i went 299k before the pinion bearings let out; same identical part numbers and bearings as a 325 e30.

even in a rear end collision the aluminum rear cover will go first.

I purchase and handle more LSD units than you have ever seen; call and ask the dismantles and they will tell you the same thing.

Not ever "is" model has a LSD. That is all

No personal interest or stake in this argument besides real FACTS.

I could care less about an is/I/e model; I would throw away all of those engines regardless and put something useful in there.

My grocery getter is the only designation of bmw that is assured a LSD; a original WBS //M car.



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[MR 325]

All E30 325iS cars came from the factory with a LSD. Period.

All E30 325eS cars came with LSD as well.

The 318iS was optional with LSD.

[Wanganstyle]

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

All E30 325iS cars came from the factory with a LSD. Period.

All E30 325eS cars came with LSD as well.

The 318iS was optional with LSD.

Wrong. Plenty of 325is e30's with original open diff. Make them magically appear if they all have them

I've bought more differentials and inspected more in cars than you have cylinder heads.

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[MR 325]

So your experience with 2 cars is what you base your knowledge off of?

Buying differentials has nothing to do with the factory options on the 325iS.

If we're comparing e-dicks I can tell you that I've owned, worked on, or driven at least 30 325iS cars and they all had an LSD. If we're basing our facts on personal experience it seems I have more info to back up my facts than you do.

[reelizmpro]

I'm not implying they went bad. I'm implying they were stolen (swapped with an open diff) because the typical E30 owners back then didn't know or care about an LSD and were clueless whereas enthusiasts were going crazy for them. The same way flashlights/various tools and full sized spares end up missing or swapped from many unsuspecting owners visiting the dealership. Or perhaps your cars weren't true factory 325iS', maybe it just had the decklid? I don't know.

My panties aren't in a bunch...I just despise false information and I'm trying to get down to the facts. Everything that I've seen being in E30's (only) for 20+ years shows all 325iS came standard with LSD's. I think I've posted enough proof to support my claim. I will leave it at that.

[JinormusJ]

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

Thank you for clearing the confusion.

The fact of the matter is

325iS: LSD
325eS: LSD
318iS: LSD (optional)

I have NEVER seen or driven an m20 iS without LSD, and I've seen and have driven 20+. All Vins also corresponded to the correct BMW code denoting the "Sport Package", and lists the LSD as a mandatory option.

My iS had LSD
My buddy's 1989 325iS had LSD
Another friends 1990 325iS. Yup LSD.
I would continue, but you get the idea.

The only "S" model that ever had the option NOT to come with LSD was the 318iS. As Barry previously stated, if a 325iS/325eS is missing a LSD, it was either swapped, stolen/replaced, or the car is not an original door-stop/retail-tag iS.


And that's all I have to say about that

[reelizmpro]

^Also supported by another long time owner Fred Kim...

"Any model with an "s" suffix, such as 318is, 325es, and 325is, denotes the sport model, which only came in 2-door form. It can be easily recognized with its front spoiler with integrated foglights, rear decklid spoiler, and 14" BBS cross-spoke "basketweave" rims. It also featured a limited slip differential (optional on the 318is), bolstered sport seats, thicker swaybars, slightly stiffer shocks and front springs, and a leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel (except '90 on, which had a 4-spoke leather-wrapped airbag wheel). The 325es and 325is also came with an on board computer, power windows/mirrors/sunroof, central locking, and a premium sound stereo system. In 1991 there was no official 325is model, although all of the aforementioned items were still available as the Sport package."

Full 325eS/325iS articles among others can be found here...

http://www.strictlyeta.net/articles.html

[bmwstephen]

So your experience with 2 cars is what you base your knowledge off of?

Buying differentials has nothing to do with the factory options on the 325iS.

If we're comparing e-dicks I can tell you that I've owned, worked on, or driven at least 30 325iS cars and they all had an LSD. If we're basing our facts on personal experience it seems I have more info to back up my facts than you do.

He mad cause he thought he bought an IS

[Wanganstyle]

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

So your experience with 2 cars is what you base your knowledge off of?

Buying differentials has nothing to do with the factory options on the 325iS.

If we're comparing e-dicks I can tell you that I've owned, worked on, or driven at least 30 325iS cars and they all had an LSD. If we're basing our facts on personal experience it seems I have more info to back up my facts than you do.

First step of 325is acquisition; throw the engine/gearbox/diff in the trash.

Replace with useful parts like 24v engine and modern not expired diff/gearbox.

Bmw created only one model designation worth talking about; WBS m car.

E30 original LSD = waste of time to run; melted old shit.
E36m original LSD (10 years newer) = still a melted rotten shit.

Great stuff. Marvelous; applause.


The idea of spending some actual money on a diff and to something nice like an OS Giken or kaaz......wait- that would cost more than most r3v engines.

R3v loves things like g260/24v and s50 garbage engines because..........can't afford s54 or s52 and r3v can't afford to hire Illegals at Pnp to collect ZF gearboxes.









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[F34R]

Holy Crap

1991 325iC were worth as much as an M3 back in the day

They cost more.

1991 325iC $35,900
1991 M3 $35,900

1992 325iC $36,320

1993 325iC $36,320

[e30austin]

First step of 325is acquisition; throw the engine/gearbox/diff in the trash.

Replace with useful parts like 24v engine and modern not expired diff/gearbox.

Bmw created only one model designation worth talking about; WBS m car.

E30 original LSD = waste of time to run; melted old shit.
E36m original LSD (10 years newer) = still a melted rotten shit.

Great stuff. Marvelous; applause.

The idea of spending some actual money on a diff and to something nice like an OS Giken or kaaz......wait- that would cost more than most r3v engines.

R3v loves things like g260/24v and s50 garbage engines because..........can't afford s54 or s52 and r3v can't afford to hire Illegals at Pnp to collect ZF gearboxes.

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You remind me a lot of Stamar. I think you two would do well together.

[J.Rizo]

I understand wanting an IS badged car if your going to restore it and hoard it, but if your going to bastardize it who cares, get whatever and change it how you like.

I agree, that's the only reason anyone should really care.