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Differences between early and late models

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

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  • JinormusJ
    replied
    For coupe and sedan 325i, 1989 was the final "most-desirable" year. It came with no airbag, elipsoid headlights, plastic bumpers, horizontal-style tailights, low rear-arches, late-model valences/lips, and pop-out rear windows. 1988 e30s had everything the the 1989 came equipped with except US aluminium bumpers. E30s further produced for the 1990 and 1991 model years were converted to airbag systems (as per new safety regulations at the time), were reverted to sealed windows and sealed beams as cost saving measures, but kept the late model revisions (taillights, valences, etc.)

    1988/1989 can be regarded as "early"-late-model while 1990/1991 are considered "late"-late-model. 1990/1991 don't come as fully equipped as 1988/1989; however, the 318iS was only produced in 1991 and was the only 318i offered as a coupe in 1991 (bar convertibles).

    ALL e30s 1987 and prior had sealed beams, high rear-arches, early model valences/lips, pop-out rear windows, vertical-style taillights, and US Aluminium bumpers.

    Convertibles continued the "early-model trend" until 1991 where convertibles produced for the late-1991, 1992, and 1993 years came with the updated late model systems and plastic bumpers. Only convertibles were produced in 1992/1993. The standard e30 coupe/sedan ceased production in 1991.

    Gas tanks were different early vs late aswell, but I don't remember the exact numbers that go along with that (13 gallon early/15.5 gallon late?)

    I think that about covers it for the American market
    Last edited by JinormusJ; 05-16-2014, 05:49 AM.

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  • 5ickride
    replied
    Pop out windows?

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  • MR 325
    replied
    Originally posted by Panici View Post
    Interesting!
    So these in-between models came from BMW this way. :o


    I did notice the facelift valance, and was very confused to see it under a metal bumper.
    Yes. The 88 had everything late model but still used diving board bumpers.

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  • Panici
    replied
    Interesting!
    So these in-between models came from BMW this way. :o


    I did notice the facelift valance, and was very confused to see it under a metal bumper.

    Leave a comment:


  • TSI
    replied
    Originally posted by Panici View Post
    Hey guys,
    Sorry for the n00b question.

    Up until yesterday, I thought I knew the difference between pre-facelift cars and the facelifted versions.

    Pre-facelift:
    Smaller tails
    Metal bumpers (North America diving boards)
    Higher rear arches

    Facelift:
    Larger tails
    Plastic bumpers
    Lower rear arches.


    That was until I saw an e30 up for sale with larger tails, lower rear arches, and Metal bumpers (diving boards)
    [see attached pics, also I'm not interested in buying this one, but was intrigued by the bumpers]

    Was this combination ever offered? Or is this a custom/collision shop special?

    Cheers!

    P.S - Are there any mechanical or structural differences between early and late?
    I know gas tanks are different, airbags on some cars.
    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.

    You'll notice the valances are also different, identical to the plastic-bumpered cars. Late models also have a different intake boot, headlights (interestingly, the 1990 had the shittier early-model sealed-beams). Obviously the plastic splash shields are also different.

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  • TobyB
    replied
    Oh, and don't ever look at a 'vert, period. They have their own... pattern...

    t

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  • jlevie
    replied
    Most likely that was an 88 (9/87-8/88 production). It is in between the early and late models.

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  • Panici
    started a topic Differences between early and late models

    Differences between early and late models

    Hey guys,
    Sorry for the n00b question.

    Up until yesterday, I thought I knew the difference between pre-facelift cars and the facelifted versions.

    Pre-facelift:
    Smaller tails
    Metal bumpers (North America diving boards)
    Higher rear arches

    Facelift:
    Larger tails
    Plastic bumpers
    Lower rear arches.


    That was until I saw an e30 up for sale with larger tails, lower rear arches, and Metal bumpers (diving boards)
    [see attached pics, also I'm not interested in buying this one, but was intrigued by the bumpers]

    Was this combination ever offered? Or is this a custom/collision shop special?

    Cheers!

    P.S - Are there any mechanical or structural differences between early and late?
    I know gas tanks are different, airbags on some cars.
    Attached Files
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