325i specs.. iS vs. SE

[deian]

Hi,

Just a few questions about the specifications of the 325i here, lets assume the later type 88 onwards.
SE's are cheaper by far right! What differences to the iS's have compared to the SE. Here is what I think...

Closer Ratio Sports Gearbox
Map Lights Under the RVMirror
Black Headlining
Limited Slip Diff
Different Suspension?? Can any one explain more?
M-Tec bodykit
M-Tec Leather Seat with front part titling down (whatever it's called)

I've had two SE's in the past, both had the better OBC, and Rear Blind, the manual one has LSD, the later one had EH Auto but no LSD. I liked the older one more, although the EH Auto box was fun. Whats the Sports Box like? I suppose the Sports has a different ratio diff too.

Did the E30's come with electric seats? Were they heated? How about Air-Con and Cruise Control? What would be the model with the ultimate spec?

I guess lots of things were optional on both models.

I want a 325i with everything you see. Which would be best to buy....

an SE and fit the rest of the iS parts?
or
an iS and fit the rest of the SE parts?

Baring in mind I will convert to M30 at some point.

Thanks a lot guys!

[E30Mark]

Firstly there is no such thing as a 325iS in the UK, the 325iS was a South African 2.7L model (very nice too!)

We had a 325i Sport, pedantic yes, but different to a 325iS...

No sports came as standard with a/c, cruise, leather, heated seats, they were all options.

The sports all came with cr gearbox, black headlining, lsd, mtech II, map lights and mtech suspension (approx 15mm lower all round, & stiffer than standard suspension)

It will be cheaper to find a decent SE and add the parts, as a 'sport' holds a premium price tag to start with. But then the SE will possibly have a lower resale value later on...

Just find the car with the best chassis to start with! if your going down the M30 route then why limit your starting choice to a 325i?

Good luck in your search!

[deian]

Very interesting. I didn't know the difference between the iS and i Sport. I do learn something new everyday. I know of the 320iS for Portugal and Itlay (which had a 192bhp S14 2.0 engine), very nice too. I intend to get a rip the car appart and restore it so I also agree, get an SE as they are cheaper, I won't plan to see it as an SE afterwards so resale values won't be an issue, if i go down the air con and cruise control route, then they won't be factors either as an M30 engine will be dropped in.

If your going down the M30 route then why limit your starting choice to a 325i?

What do you mean?

Thanks for your input. Helped a lot.

[E30Mark]

What i meant was you could also buy a 318i / 320i etc and convert that...

The 320i tend to be lot cheaper than the 325i to start with...

[deian]

oh i understand, well i'd like a spare 325 engine to tune up on the bench thanks