Differences between early and late models

[nando]

My rear windows roll down :p

[2mAn]

Can someone clarify the differences between the fuel tanks?

[rturbo 930]

I dont think anyone cares about pop out windows and 26 year old headlights these days... condition is a better indicator of desireability than stuff like that. I never particularily wanted a 1989, a nice 90 or 91 is just as appealing.

Not to mention the pop out windows are a pain in the ass to open and close unless you've got a backseat passenger. I'd like to see someone come up with a power window conversion, like the E46 has.

Can someone clarify the differences between the fuel tanks?

As far as I know, the '88s have a bigger tank - 16 or 17 gallons, and all the other cars, both pre-88 and post-88, have 14-15 gallon tanks.

[nyChris]

Wait a second... Late model coupes don't have popout rear windows?

[Cabriolet]

from what i can remember:
sealed beams headlights 84-86 and 90-93
87-89 ellipsoid headlights
84-86 etas early wire harness all interchangeable
87 has its own harness and not easilly swapped.
84-87 small fuel tank 14gl, 2 fuel pumps also has pipe below driveshaft
88-93 16gl fuel tank, 1 in-tank pump
84-9/87 early cooling system, even on 325i
84-87 early seat rails and lower section of seat is different than 88+
84-87 early, larger arches, except verts.
87-93 all verts have lower rear arches
84-88 pop out rear windows
89-91 window trim is black not chrome and sealed rear windows
84-89 solid steering column, 1 piece knee bolster
90 vdo odo gears (as far as i have seen)
88-93 173 or better DME
84-87 early window regulators and glass
88-91 late windows
84-85 dont have cutouts for ski pass
90-93 have airbags and different dashes
87-4/91 verts have small tails and metal bumpers
88-93 have the same valence and fog lights
84-87 1 horn 88+ 2 horns
88-93 late shift-linkage
84-88 chrome on door guard trim

[Thizzelle]

89M3 is best of best

[camshaftgsxr]

early early models had different sidemarkers and front lips (84-85 i believe)

[TobyB]

Gas tanks, additional- (LHD car)

the late tank has a siphon system to transfer fuel from the driver's side to the passenger's. As noted above, 1 HP pump in- tank.

The early tank has a shallower driver's side, and an 'S' shaped pipe connecting the 2
under the driveshaft. Low pressure pump in tank, high pressure external 'pump
above the fuel filter, driver's side.

They interchange, if you transfer ALL the parts.

t

[rmdashrf]

89-91 window trim is black not chrome and sealed rear windows

I have had a '90 and '91 sedan, both had chrome window trim. I believe only coupes of these years had shadowline trim.

[rturbo 930]

I believe it was only the 91 318is that had shadowline trim.

[rzerob]

Pop outs are easy to switch over to. I wrote DIY.

[Cabriolet]

I have had a '90 and '91 sedan, both had chrome window trim. I believe only coupes of these years had shadowline trim.

that's the gutter rail and door trim. the actual window trim is black.

I believe it was only the 91 318is that had shadowline trim.

not talking about shadow trim.
late:

early

[rmdashrf]

that's the gutter rail and door trim. the actual window trim is black.

not talking about shadow trim.
late:

early

Ah gotcha. My bad.

[cabriodster87]

I don't know about sedans, but i know that the front windows between early/late are not interchangeable.

Isn't that because late mirror mount epoxied to inner surface?


edit: You meant front door windows, my bad.

[JinormusJ]

Got to give it up to Eric for the comprehensive list. Seems just about right