New to E30's - question about 325i SPORT

[JJ99]

Hi guys
Just a quickie. I'm a newbie looking to buy a 325i but have just seen an ad for a "1991 BMW 325i SE SPORT SPEC" which has 4 doors. According to this site, as of 1990 the 325i Sport was available in 2 doors only. So is this a 325iSE masquerading as a sport?
Also, I've seen some ads where the 325 has an MTEC kit (which looks really nice)....but did BMW ever fit these themselves in the factory, or are they all fitted by enthusiasts?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

JJ

[Jimbob]

No 4dr Sports I'm afraid buddy, and as for the M-tech Kit it was an optional extra at a cost of Ԛ£1400 I believe. Hope ya find what ya looking for and not some badged up heap o crap

[JJ99]

Thanks Jimbob. Twas as I thought. Can you or anyone else shed any light as to whether it's truly worth it to get the Sport? If there's a significant difference between the SE and the Sport then maybe I should be plumping for the latter over the former with an MTEC kit (factory-fitted or not)?

Thanks again.

[Simon]

As Jimbob says, the sport was only ever mad ein 2 door form, but don't limit yourself to just a proper sport, an SE can be just as good as a sport or better with the right options, the major options really are the LSD, sport seats, and close ratio gearbox, if the car has all of these then it could potentially be a good car, with the kit too, it's an extra bonus!

[JJ99]

the major options really are the LSD, sport seats, and close ratio gearbox, if the car has all of these then it could potentially be a good car, with the kit too, it's an extra bonus!

Thanks Simon. Just wondering then - how can I tell if an SE has the LSD and/or close ratio gearbox? Will it be on any paperwork? I can imagine asking the question of the seller (dumbly) and being told "yeah it's got that" - but not knowing how to tell if the seller's lying or not....Sorry for all the questions! Obviously I'm gonna be driving the thing but I've never driven anything other than a 320i so it'll be difficult to compare.

Cheers.

[Simon]

the major options really are the LSD, sport seats, and close ratio gearbox, if the car has all of these then it could potentially be a good car, with the kit too, it's an extra bonus!

Thanks Simon. Just wondering then - how can I tell if an SE has the LSD and/or close ratio gearbox? Will it be on any paperwork? I can imagine asking the question of the seller (dumbly) and being told "yeah it's got that" - but not knowing how to tell if the seller's lying or not....Sorry for all the questions! Obviously I'm gonna be driving the thing but I've never driven anything other than a 320i so it'll be difficult to compare.

Cheers.

Ring a local dealers, and quote the last 7 digits of the chassis number, they will tell you what the car was fitted with from new, to be sure that an LSD is fitted to the car in question, jack one side up with the handbrake off, if the wheel is easy to turn, then it's not an LSD, or if jacking the rear of the car, if one wheel turns the opposite direction to the other then again, it's not an LSD. There's no easy way to check for a close ratio box though

[JJ99]

Ok thanks mate.

[E30BeemerLad]

another way of telling if it is an LSD or not, without jacking the car is look for either a S or a Z stamped on the diff casing.

Personally, and absolutely no disrespect to anyone who has or hankers after one, I think the sport is over-praised/sought after and as a result, people asking Ԛ£5K+ for G plate examples with 150K on the clock really rattles my cage.

Personally speaking, you can get a decent SE or even a standard 2 dr with sensible mods such as lowered, decent alloys, MTec kit and have the same fun.

I may change my mind if I drive a sport as I imagine the close ratio box can make enthusiastic driving even more fun. Mine has the looks of a sport, modified so goes better and only cost me Ԛ£500! But I am luckier than lucky john mclucky from luckycastle in luckyshire