The Tale Of Two E36 Body Types!

[Delmarco]

Okay...in the Members lounge I accidentally discovered that they are in fact alot of body design differences between the 1997-1999 E36 cars and all 1992-1996 E36 cars!

So far it's not just the side marker lights.
I've gotten a view of the front ends and noticed alot of visual differences in the grills and nose panels (see pictures). I suspect there may be more exterior style differences...I'm also curious in modifying my car towards the newer specs.

Anyone know of any external technical features that separate the post 1996 E36 cars from the older ones?

[B3M2W5i]

wow i never noticed that

[Kevin325i]

The front air dam and brake ducts are seperate on early e36s and one large vent (like the pictures you posted)

See my car for difference.

[e36_415]

Ive also wondered that my self 1992 325i production date 8/91

[Delmarco]

Originally posted by Kevin325i@Oct 29 2004, 11:00 PM
The front air dam and brake ducts are seperate on early e36s and one large vent (like the pictures you posted)

See my car for difference.

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You mean the grill area between the fog lights when you talk about brake ducts?

EDIT:
Actually I see what you mean but the lower bumper grill on my 1995 are identical to the 1997 ones and not like the earlier E36 so I guess this may have been another change before 1997.

I'm so looking forward to replacing my 95 grill and nose panel for the 97 ones...I'm looking forward to the change.

[Autotechnica]

The front bumpers are also different. The later model bumpers had a lot more lines running accross. Also, earlier models did not come with painted skirts and bumpers. Later models had either fully painted skirts and bumpers or half painted bumpers. They looked like 2 peice bumpers. The only real differences were the sidemarkers and the front grill as you mentioned already, everything else is the same.

Bry

[Delmarco]

Originally posted by Autotechnica@Oct 30 2004, 08:32 AM
The front bumpers are also different. The later model bumpers had a lot more lines running accross. Also, earlier models did not come with painted skirts and bumpers. Later models had either fully painted skirts and bumpers or half painted bumpers. They looked like 2 peice bumpers. The only real differences were the sidemarkers and the front grill as you mentioned already, everything else is the same.

Bry

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Thanks Bry!

[PR bimmer]

i own a 94 318i 4 dr. i had an accident a while back and my mechanic suggested an upgrade for the front. we changed it to a 97 3 siries plus added the m3 front bumper and the m3 moulding pkg. there are no problems fitting this kind of front end into your older bimmer. worked like a charm