new guy need shelp with 325's..(model differences)

[emilio]

Hey all...

i'm 17 and I'm really into cars. I saved my entire life savings for a car that I could learn on and work on, and right now I'm looking at one of these 325's. they are RWD, and well powered.

right now i drive a 1993 4 banger camry, if I bought one of these, it may or may not replace it as my driver to work and school. I will have to see if it is reliable enough and has good enough gas mileage. my savings is about 3500 i could get more, If the bimmer fit the description of my fun car as well as daily I would sell the camry, and I image I could get 3-4k from that.

But I have several questions that I have had trouble finding the answers too. Some of the answers may have already been posted on this board, but it was very hard to find all of it, so I apologize if this is the case.

my questions mainly involve the models, on recycler, I see the 325, 325ix, 325e, 325es, 325i, 325is.

the ix I have come to understand as being AWD, whereas the rest are RWD. I was not intending on buying one of these.

the e and "es" I have learned are more equipped , (more heavy), but with what are they equipped?

is the different between "e" and "es" and "i" and "is" is that the "s" stands for sport, as in 2 door?

I think the "i" series is what I want, but is there also just a base "325"?

also, at what mileage would it be good to buy one of these at? the demand for them doesn't seem high (along with the resale value), so I can't afford to buy something with high mileage that will breakdown on me, but I come to understand they are strong engines.

and what type of price range am I looking at? I would like to spend no more than 2000 on the car itself, for one that runs mechanically sound. Perhaps it is somewhat low, but I think it can be done.

lastly, I am an animal for knowledge...so feed me any links that pertain to these things please!

thanks!
and I am in the Los Angeles area if that may help at all...

[scott082]

try these out mate

http://www.bmwinfo.com

http://bmwheaven.bmwsport.net

http://www.bmwe30.net/

http://www.bmw1st.com/

the 325e would be cheapest on fuel as it is the economy version, it also has a lower rev limit than the other models. the 325is is a beautiful car so if you can afford one of them that would be my pick. and yes the s stands for sport. hope the links are helpful.

[emilio]

THanks for those links!

but is the only difference between the i and is, that the "is" is 2 door? or are there other differences?

and what year is more sought after of the "i" or "is"

[Aether]

That's corrent, the s in is stands only for two-door.
If I were buying one, I'd want an 88+ so that I'd get the projector headlights, which can support 9006/6ST bulbs (the blue-looking things old people complain about, but not HID). However, the 87 front air dam looks way cooler than the later years, and it may be easier to find a replacement headlight assembly than a replacement front spoiler.

Regardless, I'm sure you'll love a 325is.

[emilio]

did the 325i also come in a 2 door?

or is any 325i with a 2 door really a 325is?

sorry for the lame questions...but ive gotta get these things straightened out.



btw just out of curiousity, how do these bimmers respond to forced inductions such as supers and turbos?

[catalyst.]

325is = coupe - two doors

325i = sedan - 4 doors

engines are the same

only difference bassically body style..

[emilio]

alright thanks man!

what's a good mileage to buy one of these things at? I would not be putting a whole lot of miles on it...but I would need it to last me another 20k easily...

[spiff325is]

Correction. There are 2 Door 325i's. BUt the 325iS comes with better suspension and better seats made by Recaro, and OBC, and some other little things. It also comes with a better Differential.

the 325e has a 2.7L engine, but redlines at about 5thousand RPM's I believe. It has less HP then a 325iS but a lil more torque..so Ive read..

The 325iS redlines at 6500 and has a lot more RPM range to work with.

So if I were you, Id try and purchase a 325i or 325iS 88+ that is stick shift. be sure to read the Considering Buying an E30? thread. that can help a lot.

-Dan

[greenlightracer]

Originally posted by spiff325is@Jul 30 2004, 01:58 PM
Correction. There are 2 Door 325i's. BUt the 325iS comes with better suspension and better seats made by Recaro, and OBC, and some other little things. It also comes with a better Differential.

the 325e has a 2.7L engine, but redlines at about 5thousand RPM's I believe. It has less HP then a 325iS but a lil more torque..so Ive read..

The 325iS redlines at 6500 and has a lot more RPM range to work with.

So if I were you, Id try and purchase a 325i or 325iS 88+ that is stick shift. be sure to read the Considering Buying an E30? thread. that can help a lot.

-Dan

finally someone got it right... I have a 325i....two door.

[Xuon]

i thought there were 325i with sport package that would make them identical to the 325is

[The Machine]

Originally posted by spiff325is@Jul 30 2004, 01:58 PM
So if I were you, Id try and purchase a 325i or 325iS 88+ that is stick shift. be sure to read the Considering Buying an E30? thread. that can help a lot.

-Dan

I agree with Dan here.

[MrM3]

Welcome to bmw-forums emilio.

it takes time to learn the differences between models and years on the e30 becuase it isnt as simple as the model designations on the newer e36 and e46 chasis'. The 'i's started in 1987 with the 325i/325is/325iC. In that year a 325is was a two-door sport version of the 4-door 325i (there was no non-sport 2-door with the 'i' engine). That same system was used in 1988, however the e30 was in the middle of a mid-production face lift in 88 so you will notice exterior differences such as a different front valance+fogs, different (fatter) taillights, lower rear wheel arches, lower rear valance, and ellipsoid projector headlights. 1988 was also the first year of the 325ix. in 1989 the facelift was complete with the addition of shorter, more modern looking, plastic, body colored bumpers. Also in 1989 bmw started selling a 2-door 325i along with a 4-door 325i with the 325is being the 2-door sport version. everything remained the same in 1990 except that it was the first year for airbags, sealed beam headlights replaced the ellipsoid headlights, and late 1990 was the first time the cabrios saw the facelifted exterior. in 1991 the 325is was discontinued; however, you could get a 325i with the sport package which is the equivalent of a 325is.

the 'e's are a whole different story

[spiff325is]

Yes. What MrM3 said, that was just a longer more indepth version of what I said.

[Xuon]

were there any 325i with sport package in 1989??

[spiff325is]

yes, I have a 1989 325iS.