325i to 325is conversion

[e30onBBSs]

I love the iS's. When someone asks "is it a 325i?" And you can say no it's an iS is really special to me. Knowing how it came from the factory, how the first owner was that dude with the sport seats and the LSD... That's awesome. If I hadn't got the 323 I would have def's waited for another iS now I know what I know about e30's

[reelizmpro]

Before people got swap happy, the 325iS was the most revered non M3 E30. Sure it's just a trim package but that doesn't mean it's not coveted. The difference in the end is that one was built that way by BMW from the factory and the other was homemade by someone who may or may not know all the differences, who may have cut corners, who may have broken all the tweeter clips or installed the premium speakers backwards or drilled the rear spoiler holes slightly too high or too far down. I always felt that it was worth it to wait for an "S" model car. They typically didn't cost that much more anyway. You may not see the big deal now but back in the day, they were highly coveted over the base models. These days we are starting to see more appreciation for the "iS mystique."

I always liked how the front/rear spoilers completely changed the look of the car.

[RCtheRed]

The only iS I'd even consider rare and a little below the M3 collectibility would be the 320iS.

[kway]

I really don't understand the iS fascination I've been seeing around here lately. As said above, it was really just a trim package. Later in production, it wasn't even called or badged "iS" but the package was available with all the same bits. Again reiterating what was said above, just buy any damn e30 and make your own iS.

[ELVA164]

The iS has a different VIN code, but it's just a trim package anyway. To be frank, the things are never going to be "collector cars" insomuch as the difference in the VIN is going to make a significant difference in resale. Just upgrade the car, call it an iS, and you're as close as BMW was.

[E30_Narek]

Thanks for the quick response! Yes it is a coupe, it would be an easy comversion, does the vin really differ between 325i's and 325is's? Because I took the vin and ran it through some decoder and it came up as 325i a few times and 325is a few times?
Thank you.
-Ben

I don't know how legit those decoder things are but whenever you register the car it will always be registered as a 325i, not an is.

[Benji Molina]

Thanks for the quick response! Yes it is a coupe, it would be an easy comversion, does the vin really differ between 325i's and 325is's? Because I took the vin and ran it through some decoder and it came up as 325i a few times and 325is a few times?
Thank you.
-Ben

[DesktopDave]

It'll always be a 325i according to the VIN. It's a coupe, right? Just change the trunk lid stickers, there isn't a significant difference between the two besides a few bolt-on parts. I think an iS package was just seats, maybe an LSD, thicker roll bars, stiffer struts & firmer springs. F&R spoilers too.

It's not like you're trying to make an M3 out of it, that's all wrong IMHO. But the (E30) M3 is a limited production car with significant differences. Ignore the GM muscle car "matching numbers" disease.

[Benji Molina]

Hello,
So a friend of mine is looking to sell his 325i but I have always wanted a 325is, I am wondering if I put all 325is parts on this car is it then a 325is or does the vin say that it is a 325i? What is there on the car that I cannot change to make it a 325is? The problem is that I care more about the rarity of the car than the performance.

Thank you and sorry for the dumb question
-Ben