Whats the difference between a 325i and a 325i SPORT??

[e30325iauto]

Whats the difference between a 325i and a 325i SPORT??

I ask only as I'm in the process of buying a sport. Looked at two recently and one seemed to be a copy or replica. I'd like info on the differences and options available for a sport. Like interior choices, paint colours, years made.... Please only respond if you know what your talking about! Thankyou.

[leeparkes]

Sport has:

Tech-2 kit
sports seats
m-tech steering wheel
LSD
suspension
map light mirror
Black head lining

[Ziggy]

Pre or post facelift?

Facelift details are here: http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/325i_Sport

[Daryll]

Make sure the black head lining is the real mcoy and not just sprayed black. This is the hardest part on the standard 325i to change in the pursuit to turn it into a sport replica. It's grief changing the headlining, so ensure it is the real thing and hasn't been painted try and have a look in the corners/under the rubbbers etc.

[leeparkes]

close ratio box too,

BMW should be able to confirm if its a genuine sport

[Speedtouch]

Genuine Sport will have SPORT on the logbook (V5), though it's best to confirm this with a BMW dealer using the last 7 digits of the VIN to be sure before parting with your readies, as there were plenty of copies made, many in Birmingham...

[magpie]

i'd say lot's of goodies and a better gearbox.

[jaistanley]

Normally the biggest difference is the smug looking git behind the steering wheel...

[daimlerman]

'Sport's were a tarted up 2 door 325i,nothing more than a marketing gimmick by BMW(UK), Why they are so desirable thesse days is a mystery to me.Afterall,a 4 door makes a far more practial family car and is unlikely to have been driven to within an inch of it's life.You guessed right,I cannot afford a sport....

[capri_rob]

Tech 2 sports Made from '88 - '91 IIRC

As far as Colours - White, Red, Dolphin Grey, Lachs Silver, Diamond Black - thats about it for Tech 2's.

Options wise Leather was popular, Aircon, Auto Gearbox.

The main difference between a Sport and a standard 325i in similar condition/mileage/year will usually be at least £1000.

I'd still love one but I can't bring myself to pay Sport "tax" noted above.

[fuzzy]

....a couple of shiny trinkets and a few grand less in your pocket.

[mrLEE30]

as Daimlerman points out there is no such BMW model sold as a sport. when the E30 came out they offered the sport pack which included various parts such as different shocks, rims, gearbox, LSD, interior, etc etc they could be all or any compbination of the list. BMWUK pre-ticked some of the boxes for the yuppie buyers to con them into thinking they were getting a much better car, this they sold and registered as the sport, truth is ANY BMW could have been specced to ''sport'' level.

So dont be tempted to only look for a sport, all 2.5's have EXACTLY the same engine (depending on their manufacture date) i.e. the sport does not have a different engine. Personally i would choose a nice 325 2 door thats been looked after rather then a thrashed ''sport'' then you can happily buy the LSD, CR box, bodykit, whatever interior you desire, rims etc etc and have a better car.

[capri_rob]

mrLEE lights blue touch paper.............

[mrLEE30]

sorry meant to post... yeah man the sport has a faster engine and is a much better car

[psychochild187]

thought they had a slighty bigger exhaust mainfold too?

[capri_rob]

thought they had a slighty bigger exhaust mainfold too?

Not heard that one before - I thought as far as the oily bits went the only differences were the gearbox and diff ? Exhaust system front to back I thought was the same on a Sport as on a standard 325i

[mrLEE30]

no no no they were much faster

[Dezzy]

^^^ HA HA. They must be they are called sports.

[bss325i]

EVERYONE is to quick to jump one the "sports are nothing special" band wagon!

They are more desireable than a normal 325i so there for will ALWAYS comand a premium.

Deal with it for f*cks sake!

[Morat]

Let's be honest about this, the poster child for entire e30 range and the only real special is the M3. But having said that, I defy anyone to have a look at Hubble's car or Beardymatt's car and not be impressed. Personally, I'm never going to lust after a sport like I would an M3 but they are nice cars.

Me, I prefer a nice touring but as ever it's different strokes....

[Steve-E30]

Is it true they all come from the midlands anything else is a fake
On a sensible note ...
Sports will always demand good money and worth it in my opinion but there are some dogs out there .

[bss325i]

.....but there are some dogs out there .

Dressesd up as supposed "minters"!

[suchy]

Tech 2 sports Made from '88 - '91 IIRC

As far as Colours - White, Red, Dolphin Grey, Lachs Silver, Diamond Black - thats about it for Tech 2's.

And Granite Silver as Special Order Option only in it's final year of production

Yes they are no more than a dressed up 325 but they are more desirable and will always command a premium. It's a Sport end of. Indeed a fully spec'd 325se is a better prospect and you can add whatever else you desire to build a superior car for the same £ but it will always be a what it is....

[djk]

Genuine Sport will have SPORT on the logbook (V5), though it's best to confirm this with a BMW dealer using the last 7 digits of the VIN to be sure before parting with your readies, as there were plenty of copies made, many in Birmingham...

Not true. As I say every time this comes up, what is written for model designation on the logbook is only what the numpty at the supplying dealership chose to write on the form at 1st registration.

The ONLY way to be sure is to contact a dealer with the VIN. End of.

[e30bmlover]

.....but there are some dogs out there .

Dressesd up as supposed "minters"!

they are all minters barry!

[SUMPCRACKER]

I would rather pay the money for a sport than go all over the country buying knackerd LSDs and sports seats for an SE.

After its done you will have spent the same money on fuel/postage/ diffs/ bodykits/ paint /ebay for the parts to replicate a sport and have an SE worth £1200 tops.

Better to buy a good sport, it will allways be worth what it cost you, if not more.

[csl]

^^^This man speaks the truth/sense!!

[Bavarian_Autotech]

as Daimlerman points out there is no such BMW model sold as a sport. when the E30 came out they offered the sport pack which included various parts such as different shocks, rims, gearbox, LSD, interior, etc etc they could be all or any compbination of the list. BMWUK pre-ticked some of the boxes for the yuppie buyers to con them into thinking they were getting a much better car, this they sold and registered as the sport, truth is ANY BMW could have been specced to ''sport'' level.

was the black headlining an option on a regular 325i ?

[BMWAlpinaC2]

Who the fuck said sports were nothing special?!

So dickheads go out there and buy 6k sports for no reson when they can get a standard 325i for 1k?

Sports are beasts.

C2 cabs are beastier

[jamie325isport]

thought they had a slighty bigger exhaust mainfold too?

Not heard that one before - I thought as far as the oily bits went the only differences were the gearbox and diff ? Exhaust system front to back I thought was the same on a Sport as on a standard 325i

Im not sure, when I first got my sport all those years ago it had a 2 piece exhaust system where as other non sport models Ive owned before and since all seem to come with a 3 piece system, maybe just because of the rear valance?

[bodger]

So dickheads go out there and buy 6k sports for no reson when they can get a standard 325i for 1k?

yes pretty much, why is a 325 sport a beast? its the same as a normal 325

[buzz6353]

exactly what DJK says there is nothing on my log book(v5) saying sport but it does mention it on the inside cover of the service book so Vin check needed

Also as Daryll says the headlining is a nightmare to change so look closely

another good idea would be to find a Zoner close to you on here that can go with you for a bit of reassurance

[mrLEE30]

was the black headlining an option on a regular 325i ?

you could spec the car with whatever was available to be specced with, you could have it pink and green if you wanted to pay enough money.

Yes i agree with people above in saying its not worth the bother to search around for the bits if you are that way inclined, some people enjoy this. But one thing stands firm, the 325sport and 325 are no different with the exception of certain add on bits (or relacement bits such as box/LSD/sport suspension). BMW UK only sodl them in certain colours (probably cause they were to most common and easiest to sell) so mainly black, sterling and dolphin (i am sure there are a few others) but if you wanted a Malchite green 325 and you wanted it to be a sport then you walked into the dealer and ticked all the boxes (including headlining) and the dealer deliveded a 325 with the full sport pack, it would not have been registered as ''sport'' but it would have the same bits.

my ''sport'' has a factory two tone kit, it is a Japan ''sport'' and it has all the UK sport bits plus AC/sunroof but it is the same as any other 325 bar the gearbox and diff - so all we are saying is dont get sucked into people claiming the sport is a better car, its the same car with bits added on.

mrlee

[suchy]

Yes it is the same car but it's a Sport that has a bit more kudos and worth a few more £'s.
You are paying for that kudos of it being an original UK Sport from new. And yes I know you can spec up an se to the same spec but it wont command the premium that an original does on resale. Personally I don't see the point of buying as se and replicating a Sport, likewise I don't see the point of paying top ££ for a Sport and then changing loads of bits!!! I do have a Sport that I paid keen money for a few years ago, but I bought it because I wanted a particular car and yes I have changed a few bits and pieces on it but nothing that cannot be put back to original. If I wanted a beast of a car with a engine swap, big brake conv, susp. change, etc. or a car to thrash around the 'Ring I would buy a poverty spec original car for cheap ££ and throw away all the standard stuff. Sports are just what they are, they're not anything special, they're not a poor man's M3, they are just desirable to some people who are willing to pay a ££ hike to own one. I'm very happy to own mine

[jamie325isport]

Personally the sport Vs standard 325i is getting a bit boring. If you own one well done you have some kudos points!! Lol wtf ever! I personally bought mine merely because it ticked the boxes for my needs couldnt give a toss about kudos. The cars I have owned are because I want them not how I look to someone else.

Resale value I couldnt give a sh*t as the chances are I will never sell it, and im unlikey to see anywhere near the amount of money I have put into it over the last 6/7 years. Like its been said there a 325i with a few bolt on bits, they arent that special!