what model is this?
- Thread starter JTM
- Start date
According to my BMW NA parts number publication. The car was built for the 1986 model year. The "G" is the code for 1986. For all 1987 and later models the NHTSA requires that the VIN number be marked on specific parts of the car when manufactured. A label is placed on the engine, transmission, frt bumper, rr bumper, hood, decklid, L&R frt fender L&R frt door, L&R rr doors (if equipped), L&R rr quarter panel. Replacement of labels is not allowed. Replacement parts must be marked with the manufacturers trademark, the DOT and the letter R.
(i can dream cant i)VIN numbers don't lie if that is the true VIN number. Is it a salvage job or a recovered stolen vehicle? Strange things can happen with them. Like I said earlier the model year coding on the post is a 1986. The interpretation is from a BMW NA publication not an aftermarket book. Don't forget also the date of manufacture is on one of those door jam labels. It is also possible to get a history on the car from a BMW dealer as to where and when it was first sold.
Last edited:
yeah, well he hasnt e-mailed me back yet.. i think after i told him to look@ his door stickers (assuming he was innocent) he realised he had an 86 e not an 87 is and realised. crap... well he said the car overheats.. but he did not tell me if the oil is milky or if he loses fluid.. as it could just be the thermostat. ive already e-mailed him telling him the VIN says its an 86 325e, i wish i had a carfax on it.. but i cant reallya fford to buy a carfax report unless im actuallygoing to buythe car.. and after learning all this.. i wouldnt give him more than 500 bux for it (also i would have to drive 2.5 hours one way to pick it up)
It is possible that he was duped and is now trying to unload but I tend to doubt it. The local dealer parts dept should be able to tell you at no cost where and when the car was first sold. My first visit to a Nevada dealer for service had the original selling dealer on the service invoice indicating it was a New York car that I brought west.
Last edited:
if you can talk him down to $700, you could turn around and put it up on ebay and make a few hundred by selling it as whole for parts. you just need to make sure its an e or i... as an "ebay'er" myself, i would hunt the basted down and stab them three times if they got it wrong.
here is one that has 5 days left... hmmm, interesting. this one might go really cheap, no reserve. im gonna keep an eye on this one. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33716&item=2435617699
and this other one as a track car http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6007&item=2435493363
here is one that has 5 days left... hmmm, interesting. this one might go really cheap, no reserve. im gonna keep an eye on this one. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33716&item=2435617699
and this other one as a track car http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6007&item=2435493363
If the vin decoder is correct it would have to be an es but for some reason I still think its not an s. I think its an 84-85 eta with some s stuff on it. Im smelling BS. I still say $1000 is way high.
It should have an S on the diff tag if its an es, meaning it has posi. It should be a 2.93 also.
It should also have these seats but in leather:
Tweeter pods like these:
The mirrors should be body colored.
And an airdam on the front like this:
It should have an S on the diff tag if its an es, meaning it has posi. It should be a 2.93 also.
It should also have these seats but in leather:
Tweeter pods like these:
The mirrors should be body colored.
And an airdam on the front like this:
yeah... that car is a total mutt... listen to ryan guys
definitly an eta engine
definitly single tip (eta) exhaust
they guy definitly tried to make it LOOK like it's an iS, but only got like 1/2 way there... it's still definitly obvious it's not to the e30 veterans
the options don't mean much... u can mix & match just about anything from the dealer... for example, i have a bottom of the line '87 325, yet it has a limited slip differential because the original owner opted for it
definitly an eta engine
definitly single tip (eta) exhaust
they guy definitly tried to make it LOOK like it's an iS, but only got like 1/2 way there... it's still definitly obvious it's not to the e30 veterans
the options don't mean much... u can mix & match just about anything from the dealer... for example, i have a bottom of the line '87 325, yet it has a limited slip differential because the original owner opted for it
Last edited: