Hey, I'm new here and pretty new to BMW cars (was a Honda guy) and I'm looking to buy a BMW as a first car. I don't have too much money so I'm looking at the older style 3 series like around 1992 or newer. I just have a few questions like what years do the 3 series have the same body style as the 1992? Are the 1990 and 1991 3 series the same body style? How reliable are these generations? Thank you.
Older 3 series general info.....
- Thread starter BigMike8
- Start date
Maybe this will help:
BMW Acronyms Translation
BMW Bayerischen Motoren Werke (or Bavarian Motor Works)
C Coupe
CS Coupe Sport
CSi Coupe
CSL Coupe Sport Lightweight
M Motorsport
S Sports or Special
Ti Touring International (twin Carb.)
Tii Touring International, Injected
X Four-wheel drive
SA Special Model
L Long wheelbase
i Fuel injection
BMW Engine Codes Translation
Z8 V8 M motor
S62 V8 4.9 liter M5 motor
S52 B32 Euro spec. 3.2 liter motor
S14 M3 4cyl. 16 valve
S38 New version M88/3 for M5 and M6
M102 745i turbo engine
M88/3 M1 street motor and early M6
M88/2 M1 Group 4 race motor
M88/1 M1 Group 4 race motor
M88 M1 24 valve DOHC motor
M70 12 cyl. motor
M60 V8 motor 3.0-4.0 liter
M52 B32 US spec. 3.2 liter M3 motor
M50 New small 6 cyl. 4 valve motor
M40 New 4 cyl. 4 valve motor
M30 Big 6 cyl. 2.8-3.5 liter
M21 Diesel motor
M20 Small 6 cyl. 2.0-2.7
M10 4 cyl. 1.6-2.0 liter motor
BMW Chassis Codes Translation
Z8 Z series V8 M motor 2001-current
E65 4th generation 7 series
E46 4th generation 3 series 1999-current
E39 4th generation 5 series 1996-current
E38 3rd generation 7 series 1995-2001
E36 3rd generation 3 series 1992-1999 (including Z3 series 1996-2000)
E34 3rd generation 5 series 1989-1995
E32 2nd generation 7 series 1988-1994
E31 8 series 1991-1997
E30 2nd generation 3 series 1984-1992
E28 2nd generation 5 series 1983-1988
E26 M1 1979-1980
E24 6 series 1977-1989
E23 1st generation 7 series 1978-1987
E21/5 1st generation 3 series 1.8 motor 1980-1983
E21 1st generation 3 series 2.0 motor 1977-1979
E12/6 1st generation 5 series 3.0 motor 1975-1978
E12/5 1st generation 5 series 2.8 motor 1979-1981
E12 1st generation 5 series 4cyl.
E10 2002 turbo 1973-1974
E9 2.5-3.0 CSi/L 1968-1976
E6 1600-2002 Tii 1967-1974
E3 2.5-3.3 Li
Type 121 2000-2000Tii
Type 118 1500-1800 Tii
Type 114 1602-2002 Tii
BMW Acronyms Translation
BMW Bayerischen Motoren Werke (or Bavarian Motor Works)
C Coupe
CS Coupe Sport
CSi Coupe
CSL Coupe Sport Lightweight
M Motorsport
S Sports or Special
Ti Touring International (twin Carb.)
Tii Touring International, Injected
X Four-wheel drive
SA Special Model
L Long wheelbase
i Fuel injection
BMW Engine Codes Translation
Z8 V8 M motor
S62 V8 4.9 liter M5 motor
S52 B32 Euro spec. 3.2 liter motor
S14 M3 4cyl. 16 valve
S38 New version M88/3 for M5 and M6
M102 745i turbo engine
M88/3 M1 street motor and early M6
M88/2 M1 Group 4 race motor
M88/1 M1 Group 4 race motor
M88 M1 24 valve DOHC motor
M70 12 cyl. motor
M60 V8 motor 3.0-4.0 liter
M52 B32 US spec. 3.2 liter M3 motor
M50 New small 6 cyl. 4 valve motor
M40 New 4 cyl. 4 valve motor
M30 Big 6 cyl. 2.8-3.5 liter
M21 Diesel motor
M20 Small 6 cyl. 2.0-2.7
M10 4 cyl. 1.6-2.0 liter motor
BMW Chassis Codes Translation
Z8 Z series V8 M motor 2001-current
E65 4th generation 7 series
E46 4th generation 3 series 1999-current
E39 4th generation 5 series 1996-current
E38 3rd generation 7 series 1995-2001
E36 3rd generation 3 series 1992-1999 (including Z3 series 1996-2000)
E34 3rd generation 5 series 1989-1995
E32 2nd generation 7 series 1988-1994
E31 8 series 1991-1997
E30 2nd generation 3 series 1984-1992
E28 2nd generation 5 series 1983-1988
E26 M1 1979-1980
E24 6 series 1977-1989
E23 1st generation 7 series 1978-1987
E21/5 1st generation 3 series 1.8 motor 1980-1983
E21 1st generation 3 series 2.0 motor 1977-1979
E12/6 1st generation 5 series 3.0 motor 1975-1978
E12/5 1st generation 5 series 2.8 motor 1979-1981
E12 1st generation 5 series 4cyl.
E10 2002 turbo 1973-1974
E9 2.5-3.0 CSi/L 1968-1976
E6 1600-2002 Tii 1967-1974
E3 2.5-3.3 Li
Type 121 2000-2000Tii
Type 118 1500-1800 Tii
Type 114 1602-2002 Tii
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Hey BigMike8,
You have made a good choice, I was also a Honda/Acura guy before and I have now fell in love with BMWs.
Ok if you dont have much money you are probably looking for 92+ 318 or 325. The 318 is oviouslly the lowest model but still a very good car, just has low horse power(138) with a 4 banger. The 325 is a nice upgrade from the 318, the horsepower jumps up to 189 and is a V6.
If you are concerned about money you should also be checking out your insurance costs for both the 318 and the 325. For most people the 325 is a significant increase in insurance prices(was for me). You will also get better gas milage with the 318.
As stated from the other guys, 3 series 92-98 have the same body stile.
NOT all 3 series come with a sunroof/moonroof.
I have found my car to very reliable. I dont belive there are any major issues with this generation.
Hope that helps.
Migey
You have made a good choice, I was also a Honda/Acura guy before and I have now fell in love with BMWs.
Ok if you dont have much money you are probably looking for 92+ 318 or 325. The 318 is oviouslly the lowest model but still a very good car, just has low horse power(138) with a 4 banger. The 325 is a nice upgrade from the 318, the horsepower jumps up to 189 and is a V6.
If you are concerned about money you should also be checking out your insurance costs for both the 318 and the 325. For most people the 325 is a significant increase in insurance prices(was for me). You will also get better gas milage with the 318.
As stated from the other guys, 3 series 92-98 have the same body stile.
NOT all 3 series come with a sunroof/moonroof.
I have found my car to very reliable. I dont belive there are any major issues with this generation.
Hope that helps.
Migey
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