318is vs 318i

Post Sun Apr 14, 2013 6:19 pm

Many sellers may mistakenly pose their i as an is.
Apart from VIN, how can you differentiate between them?
Is battery location one, or is that just in the US.

Thanks

Post Sun Apr 14, 2013 6:23 pm

The engine is a big give away...

Post Sun Apr 14, 2013 10:03 pm

Disk brakes on all four wheels, checked fabric interior, black headlining, and only came in black, white, red, blue and silver paint.......................and the engine is a big give away.

Post Sun Apr 14, 2013 10:13 pm

318i and 318iS are very different cars. Different suspension, different brakes, different interior, and of course, different engine.
M40 engine wasn't used in the USA, so 318i over there is an iS, unless it's an old one with a M10.

Post Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:41 pm

In the UK 318iS, is the battery under the bonnet or in the boot?

The reason I want to know as many differences as I can is because it is possible for M40s to have been replaced with M42s, and for other 318iS specifications to have been mimicked.

I noticed many users in the trading part of the forum spotted a falsely advertised 318iS just by photos of the exterior. This made my curious as to how they did so.

So any more information would be appreciated.

Thanks

Post Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:45 pm

Battery in the front on both.
All iS have rear discs. An i will only have rear discs if it has ABS.

Post Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:54 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:Battery in the front on both.
All iS have rear discs. An i will only have rear discs if it has ABS.

Thanks. Is it in a different location in the USA?

Post Mon Apr 15, 2013 2:04 pm

ETK says that the battery positive cable is 3.5m long, so it looks like it might be.

Post Mon Apr 15, 2013 2:23 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:ETK says that the battery positive cable is 3.5m long, so it looks like it might be.

Thanks Brian that explains a fair bit.

Post Mon Apr 15, 2013 3:32 pm

SKmarque - are you over in the USA?

Post Mon Apr 15, 2013 3:37 pm

jmc330i wrote:SKmarque - are you over in the USA?

I'm in the UK

Post Mon Apr 15, 2013 4:12 pm

Cool. How come all the questions about the US spec cars?

SKmarque wrote: I noticed many users in the trading part of the forum spotted a falsely advertised 318iS just by photos of the exterior. This made my curious as to how they did so.

The only exterior differences I can think of between an i and iS is the lower front iS spoiler and the iS badge on the back, but you can see the interior is different through the window and there are some very clued up people on here!

The VIN plate (black plate in the engine bay above the driverside headlight) on my cars show 325i and 318i, Im not sure if the iS will have 318iS, but could be something to check.

Post Mon Apr 15, 2013 6:48 pm

If you can find out the VIN, entering the last seven digits into one of the online ETKs will identify the model. There are other online sites that will give the build options list from the VIN.

Post Mon Apr 15, 2013 10:17 pm

SKmarque wrote:
I noticed many users in the trading part of the forum spotted a falsely advertised 318iS just by photos of the exterior. This made my curious as to how they did so.

That particular car had chrome trim where an iS would have shadowline. Can't imagine anyone would replace shadowline trim on an iS with chrome.

But then there are some proper weirdos out there

Post Tue Apr 16, 2013 12:44 am

VIN plate does show 318is

Post Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:00 pm

Nick45 wrote:
SKmarque wrote:
I noticed many users in the trading part of the forum spotted a falsely advertised 318iS just by photos of the exterior. This made my curious as to how they did so.
That particular car had chrome trim where an iS would have shadowline. Can't imagine anyone would replace shadowline trim on an iS with chrome.

But then there are some proper weirdos out there

Haha. That's an interesting property, seeing as i dislike the chrome trim. More reasons to look for an iS.

Post Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:05 pm

jmc330i wrote:Cool. How come all the questions about the US spec cars?

SKmarque wrote: I noticed many users in the trading part of the forum spotted a falsely advertised 318iS just by photos of the exterior. This made my curious as to how they did so.
The only exterior differences I can think of between an i and iS is the lower front iS spoiler and the iS badge on the back, but you can see the interior is different through the window and there are some very clued up people on here!

The VIN plate (black plate in the engine bay above the driverside headlight) on my cars show 325i and 318i, Im not sure if the iS will have 318iS, but could be something to check.

Just curious, as i have read that the iS in Australia has the battery in the boot. I was trying to figure out whether it was the same in the UK, in the US, or whether that was a false peice of information.

But, of course, the Australian E30s must be different to the Euro versions.

Post Wed Apr 17, 2013 5:26 pm

DHFiS wrote:Disk brakes on all four wheels, checked fabric interior, black headlining, and only came in black, white, red, blue and silver paint.......................and the engine is a big give away.

I've seen a 1991 iS in estoril blue. Is this OEM or an aftermarket respray?

It looks similar to and may even be 'Neon Blue' (Colour code: 255). Is it possible this was also the original paintjob, or must it be a modification?

Post Wed Apr 17, 2013 6:22 pm

SKmarque wrote:
DHFiS wrote:Disk brakes on all four wheels, checked fabric interior, black headlining, and only came in black, white, red, blue and silver paint.......................and the engine is a big give away.
I've seen a 1991 iS in estoril blue. Is this OEM or an aftermarket respray?

It looks similar to and may even be 'Neon Blue' (Colour code: 255). Is it possible this was also the original paintjob, or must it be a modification?

Lazerblau was the factory option according to my info