Determining Fuel Tank Size on '87 Convertible - 55 liter versus 63 liter

[loudog8486]

My fuel tank is cracked and leaking so I need to replace it. I have been reading in the E30 Restoration Bible by Andrew Everett that the 1987 Convertible model had 2 different fuel tank sizes that year.

55 liter is Pre-September 1987
63 liter is Post-September 1987

How would I determine which category my car falls into?

Thanks!

[roguetoaster]

That information is incorrect, and has been covered before here. Short answer, if you have the little metal crossover pipe at the bottom of the tank you should have a 55L. You can put either in any E30 if you move some things on some models.

[nando]

AFAIK only 4 cyl cars ever got the smaller tank here. There may be oddball models in europe, but there's no 'year' cutoff for the tank size.

[roguetoaster]

AFAIK only 4 cyl cars ever got the smaller tank here. There may be oddball models in europe, but there's no 'year' cutoff for the tank size.

Which includes the M3 in case that's not clear.

[wodcutr]

I have a fairly new fuel tank I removed from an 87 vert I parted a while back. Pm me if interested in it! Also post 9/87 would be considered an 88.

[ForcedFirebird]

AFAIK only 4 cyl cars ever got the smaller tank here. There may be oddball models in europe, but there's no 'year' cutoff for the tank size.

We did. Goes by production date. Basically if you have an external pressure pump and internal lift pump, then you have the small tank. We have upgraded many cars to the later style for clients (specially the endurance race cars).

[nando]

You are correct, I have learned something new about E30s today, that I did not know before. Who thought that was possible?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BB13-USA-01-1987-E30-BMW-325i&diagId=16_0218

9/87 is the cutoff.

[agent]

Yep, my '87iS (11/86 build) has the small tank.