Hey guys, we are going to discuss some differences between early model and late model E30's
Early Model 1984-1988(until June of 88)
- diving board bumpers
- 84mm front strut housings(only on the very early models)
- sensors mounted to a bracket on top of the valve cover (only on the very early models)
- timing reference sensors located on the transmission bell housing
- 3 pin O2 sensor wiring
- fog lights mounted to the bumper
- sealed beam headlights
- single pipe exhaust on the E and eta models
- smaller 50L gas tank
- smaller tail lights
- Drum brakes for the rear on very early models
- no abs on the very early models
- rectangular side markers (instead of square from the super early models)
Late Model 1988-1994
- Plastic bumpers
- 85mm front strut housings
- crank position sensor mounted on the front of the motor
- 4 pin O2 sensor wiring
- late model has more detail front and rear valance
- fog lights mounted to the lower valance
- the speaker fader is now integrated into the head unit
- the window circuit breaker is relocated from dash to the center console
- lower rear 1/4 panel to tire
- 3rd member light has a different shape and is mounted to the car, early model has it mounted to the rear shelf
- U.S. Ellipsoids headlights
- dual exhaust
- larger 55L gas tank
- larger tail light
- all with rear disc brakes
- all with abs brakes
- plastic front kick panels instead of carpeting
- overhauled cooling system, single outlet water pump, coolant tank relocated to the driver side
- larger intake manifold
- dual valve springs
- hotter cam
- better flowing head design, 885 head casting number
Options Available throughout the build years
- glass moon roof
- power sun roof
- leather wrapped mtech 1 steering wheel, small and large diameter
- Leather wrapped mtech 2 steering wheel, small and large diamter
- alcantara wrapped mtech 2 steering wheel, small diameter
- 14 inch BBS basket weave wheels in several colors.
- central locking
- metalic paint
- automatic transmission
- map light rear view mirror
- heated side mirrors
- 13 button obc
- premium speaker system with an amplifier mounted on the driver side in the trunk.
- sport seats
- a rear seat with a ski pass armrest
- headrest on the rear seats
- center console with cassette holders
- Husco center console armrest
- no lock euro glove box handle
- Euro analog clock replacing the digital clock
- headlight wipers
- IS front spoiler
- IS rear spoiler
- IS 2 piece side skirts
- Mtech 1 appearance package
- Mtech 2 appearance package
- headlight height adjusters(mostly euro only)
- limited slip differential
- aux oiling system
- fuel cooler(early eta cars)
- early es front valance
Here we have some pristine examples
Here is a nice example of a clean Mtech 1 converted early model with a 2.8 liter stroker M20
More picture can be found here.
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=90844
- Owner
- James Crivellone
- Photographer
Here we have a clean example of Concours winning late model e30
More picture can be found here.
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=2895772&postcount=105
- Owner
- John Parker
- Photographer
- Brad Bowen