Need a little BMW clarification... - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

OPZ · 01-28-2009, 12:44 AM

I'm semi-car shopping right now, and can NOT for the life of me make sense these damn codings for BMW's. Right now I just know I'm looking between the E30/E36 model years...?

All I know is I'm in love with the older BMW coupe's...if anyone can tell me what model those are in the 3 series that would be great. I don't care what engine is in them really...it just had to have come in a manual.

Thanks guys! I've been trying to look this up...but ugh...I'm having just enough fun with my WRX search...when in the HELL did they get so rare?

SoStock92 · 02-24-2009, 11:52 AM

Hey there man

Are you looking for the 3 series with round headlights, or the 3 series with the squared headlights? Square headlights = E36, round = E30.

E30 is so much hotter than E36 in my opinion. But, they're harder to find in a clean condition.

The E30 ranges from ~1984 - 1991, with E30 Cabriolets going to 1992 I believe.

E30's were available with the M10 1.8 - 1.9 SOHC 8v 4 cylinder and M20 2.5 SOHC 12v 6 cylinder. The M20 also came as a 2.7L in the "325e" model, which makes more torque than the 2.5L M20, but less horsepower and cannot rev as high.

The E36 ranges from 1992 - 1999.

These came with M42/44 4 cylinder 1.8 - 1.9L DOHC 16v motors, an M50 2.5L DOHC 24v motor, an M52 2.8L DOHC 24v motor (328), an S50 3.0 DOHC 24v motor (1995 M3), and S52 3.2L DOHC 24v motor (1996/97+ M3). The 1992 325 with the M50 2.5L DOHC came without variable valve timing, but 1993 and later motors all had it.

OPZ · 02-24-2009, 12:36 PM

That is exactly what I was looking for, but I think I settled my heart on something AWD, but I'll keep this in mind. Thank you!

g00b86 · 02-25-2009, 04:45 AM

If you want AWD than an e30 325ix is your choice... m20b25 is a super strong motor and there are many turbo applications including home brews available. check over at r3vlimited.com and e30tech.com

SoStock92 · 02-25-2009, 09:13 AM

The only thing not so strong is the E30 iX drivetrain

Front axles don't last long it seems.

Hyper_545i · 02-25-2009, 09:34 AM

Hope this helps as well. I see you already got some replies.

E30 318i, 318is, 325, 325e, 325es, 325i, 325is, 325iC, 325ix, M3, Z1 84 - 91

E36 3 318i, 318is, 318ti, 325i, 325is, 325iC, 328i, 328is, 328iC, M3, Z3 92 - 99

g00b86 · 02-25-2009, 11:05 PM

ix axles aren't nec. the weak point its in the transfer case. They seem to be able to handle about 300 hp before they like to spew their guts... some people have had them fail with less than that. Atleast thats what i remember reading on e30tech.

SoStock92 · 02-26-2009, 01:35 AM

I have a friend up in Pottstown that seems to break them with stock power haha

MStempted · 03-24-2009, 07:42 PM

E30 M3 flat black, do it!

01-28-2009, 12:44 AM	#1
OPZ Tri-State Addict Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Butler, PA Member #5508 My Ride: 2012 VW GTI iTrader: (0)	Need a little BMW clarification... I'm semi-car shopping right now, and can NOT for the life of me make sense these damn codings for BMW's. Right now I just know I'm looking between the E30/E36 model years...? All I know is I'm in love with the older BMW coupe's...if anyone can tell me what model those are in the 3 series that would be great. I don't care what engine is in them really...it just had to have come in a manual. Thanks guys! I've been trying to look this up...but ugh...I'm having just enough fun with my WRX search...when in the HELL did they get so rare? __________________ 2012 VW GTI - Stage 1+

02-24-2009, 11:52 AM	#2
SoStock92 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Apr 2006 Member #1721 My Ride: 92 BMW 525, 95 BMW 525, 87 BMW 325, 95 BMW 530 iTrader: (0)	Hey there man Are you looking for the 3 series with round headlights, or the 3 series with the squared headlights? Square headlights = E36, round = E30. E30 is so much hotter than E36 in my opinion. But, they're harder to find in a clean condition. The E30 ranges from ~1984 - 1991, with E30 Cabriolets going to 1992 I believe. E30's were available with the M10 1.8 - 1.9 SOHC 8v 4 cylinder and M20 2.5 SOHC 12v 6 cylinder. The M20 also came as a 2.7L in the "325e" model, which makes more torque than the 2.5L M20, but less horsepower and cannot rev as high. The E36 ranges from 1992 - 1999. These came with M42/44 4 cylinder 1.8 - 1.9L DOHC 16v motors, an M50 2.5L DOHC 24v motor, an M52 2.8L DOHC 24v motor (328), an S50 3.0 DOHC 24v motor (1995 M3), and S52 3.2L DOHC 24v motor (1996/97+ M3). The 1992 325 with the M50 2.5L DOHC came without variable valve timing, but 1993 and later motors all had it. Last edited by SoStock92; 02-24-2009 at 11:55 AM.

02-24-2009, 12:36 PM	#3
OPZ Tri-State Addict Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Butler, PA Member #5508 My Ride: 2012 VW GTI iTrader: (0)	That is exactly what I was looking for, but I think I settled my heart on something AWD, but I'll keep this in mind. Thank you! __________________ 2012 VW GTI - Stage 1+

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02-25-2009, 04:45 AM	#4
g00b86 Tri-State Training Wheels Join Date: Dec 2008 Member #10532 My Ride: 03 SD IS300 5spd 02 E46 330xi 55 Belair 70 MC iTrader: (0)	If you want AWD than an e30 325ix is your choice... m20b25 is a super strong motor and there are many turbo applications including home brews available. check over at r3vlimited.com and e30tech.com

02-25-2009, 09:13 AM	#5
SoStock92 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Apr 2006 Member #1721 My Ride: 92 BMW 525, 95 BMW 525, 87 BMW 325, 95 BMW 530 iTrader: (0)	The only thing not so strong is the E30 iX drivetrain Front axles don't last long it seems.

02-25-2009, 09:34 AM	#6
Hyper_545i Tri-State Training Wheels Join Date: Nov 2008 Member #10243 iTrader: (0)	Hope this helps as well. I see you already got some replies. E30 318i, 318is, 325, 325e, 325es, 325i, 325is, 325iC, 325ix, M3, Z1 84 - 91 E36 3 318i, 318is, 318ti, 325i, 325is, 325iC, 328i, 328is, 328iC, M3, Z3 92 - 99

02-25-2009, 11:05 PM	#7
g00b86 Tri-State Training Wheels Join Date: Dec 2008 Member #10532 My Ride: 03 SD IS300 5spd 02 E46 330xi 55 Belair 70 MC iTrader: (0)	ix axles aren't nec. the weak point its in the transfer case. They seem to be able to handle about 300 hp before they like to spew their guts... some people have had them fail with less than that. Atleast thats what i remember reading on e30tech.

02-26-2009, 01:35 AM	#8
SoStock92 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Apr 2006 Member #1721 My Ride: 92 BMW 525, 95 BMW 525, 87 BMW 325, 95 BMW 530 iTrader: (0)	I have a friend up in Pottstown that seems to break them with stock power haha

03-24-2009, 07:42 PM	#9
MStempted Tri-State Training Wheels Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central Jersey Member #7302 My Ride: mazdaspeed 6 iTrader: (0)	E30 M3 flat black, do it!