Differences between early and late models

[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.

[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

[camshaftgsxr]

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

[Thizzelle]

89M3 is best of best

[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

[nyChris]

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

[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.

[2mAn]

Can someone clarify the differences between the fuel tanks?

[nando]

My rear windows roll down :p

[delatlanta1281]

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.

I love pop outs. Every time regnu or dilsnik pull up I'm all like you ain't got no pop outs.....
Also, if you own a pre88 metal bumper, you can use 88 shocks to tuck them instead of playing the lets back into a wall game...

[Stanley Rockafella]

Pop out windows?

yup, the 88 coupes had em

[TSI]

How could you possibly confirm that?

Production data from BMW factory :)

[325ix]

I like the 89 due to no airbag.

[nando]

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.

[mkcman17]

Yeah, definitely an '88. Cool fact: there are five 4dr 1988 E30s with that colour combo in North America (at least, five were made). I own one other.

How could you possibly confirm that?