which shell?

[hawkwind]

Ive heard that earlier bodyshells are lighter? Ive got a D reg and a F reg is there any difference in weight between these? Also could anyone tell me the weight difference of the earlier shells to the later ones and what years they changed? cheers. J

[JimmyC]

Shells change in 87, it was the crossover year so some 87 cars have early shells some have late.

Early shells are lighter for a few reasons:

*Theres less metal work at the rear, and rear quarters
*Less Metal work in the front Valance
*Biggest Difference I thinnk will be the bumpers, the later pastic ones are massively heavier than early metal ones

Sorry no idea on the weight differnce though

[Geeman]

Weren't the later shells better rust-treated too...?

[E30BeemerLad]

not if my old car was anything to go by

[Splondike]

Shells change in 87, it was the crossover year so some 87 cars have early shells some have late.

Early shells are lighter for a few reasons:

*Theres less metal work at the rear, and rear quarters
*Less Metal work in the front Valance
*Biggest Difference I thinnk will be the bumpers, the later pastic ones are massively heavier than early metal ones

Sorry no idea on the weight differnce though

Is that accurate ? Later are plastic and heavier than the metal ?

Not saying you are wrong I am just surprised.

I thought early shells were only lighter as most of them have rusted to fcuk...

[Theo]

Try and get one without a sunroof as well, I had a perfect shell (except the wings) which I was ready to serve to some Kuhmo Seloc type, but had a slight accident whilst conducting some testing......

[march109]

Oh dear
There goes another 2 door manual, no wonder theres a premium for them!

[JimmyC]

Shells change in 87, it was the crossover year so some 87 cars have early shells some have late.

Early shells are lighter for a few reasons:

*Theres less metal work at the rear, and rear quarters
*Less Metal work in the front Valance
*Biggest Difference I thinnk will be the bumpers, the later pastic ones are massively heavier than early metal ones

Sorry no idea on the weight differnce though

Is that accurate ? Later are plastic and heavier than the metal ?

Not saying you are wrong I am just surprised.

I thought early shells were only lighter as most of them have rusted to ****...

Yep tis true, if you remove your plastic bumber you have all the safety bits inside (the white stuff). Late cars also have the rams that the bumpers mount to.

Early cars are just a thin metal bumber with a small light mount

Sorry for the lack of terms, I have taken so many apart I know what I mean just dont know what the terms are ;)

As for roofs I have 3 sunroof less roof skins in the workshop brand new if anyone wants one- massively cheaper than BMW prices ;)

[manu6]

Ont a 88 french magazine ( Sport Auto) they mention a difference of 60kgs .

[djs325]

Our experience with shells in Australia is an early model (read chrome bumper) 318i is approx 40kgs lighter than late model 318i (and that is no sunroof and all stripped). You could also probably increase the difference if you stripped all the sealer from the bottom and inside the wings.
...mm or just leave it a bit too long in the acid dip.

But remember the one guiding philosophy when it comes to a rusty shell: "Nothing's lighter than a hole!"

[hawkwind]

cheers guys....veering slightly offtopic does anyone know if the 316 uses the same diff and gearbox as a 318/320?

[tommype30cab]

316 and 318 boxes are the same mate. as for the 320 the actual gearboxes are the same but the bell housings are different cos the 320 is a 6pot. i believe you could get the box from a 320 and swap bell housings with a 1.6 or 1.8 box and it would fit fine. the way to tell is the 240 series getrag box is used in anythin up to 320 and the 260 series getrag boxes in 323s and 325s. as for diffs i have no idea soz. hope this helps mate.