Need BMW help again - E36 328iS

"TheBaron2112" (TheBaron2112) 03/08/2015 at 18:02 • Filed to: None

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So Oppo, I've run across an E36 328 that is defined as an "iS."

I'm not good with BMWs, so I don't know what the difference between the 328i and 328iS is. Any of you E36 guys here able to help me out on these differences?

E. Julius > TheBaron2112 03/08/2015 at 18:04

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I'm no expert, but I believe S is a sport package. Tighter suspension, maybe a little power boost or something. Before they just started calling everything M.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > TheBaron2112 03/08/2015 at 18:05

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Sport suspension maybe?

TopSirloin > TheBaron2112 03/08/2015 at 18:05

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That all depends on what your definition of iS is.

TheBaron2112 > TopSirloin 03/08/2015 at 18:06

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Funny. But I'm looking for the definition of iS. Mainly because googling this is hard for the exact reason you pointed out.

TopSirloin > TheBaron2112 03/08/2015 at 18:06

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iS = 2 door. i = 4 door.

bob and john > TheBaron2112 03/08/2015 at 18:07

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yea, i think thats what sport was before hand

TopSirloin > TheBaron2112 03/08/2015 at 18:08

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iS = 2 door, i = 4 door. It really iS that simple.

E. Julius > TopSirloin 03/08/2015 at 18:09

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I thought iC was the two door?

TopSirloin > E. Julius 03/08/2015 at 18:09

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iC is the 2-door convertible.

TheBaron2112 > TopSirloin 03/08/2015 at 18:09

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I don't know if that's entirely true.

TheBaron2112 > TopSirloin 03/08/2015 at 18:10

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Here's the ad.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/4922193843…

He lists it as a 328iS, but it's a convertible. So I'm trying to figure out what this thing is.

TopSirloin > E. Julius 03/08/2015 at 18:10

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There also may or may not be Sport Suspension.. depending on generation. I sometimes hate alphanumeric systems.

TopSirloin > TheBaron2112 03/08/2015 at 18:12

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It also just has 328i badges from what I can see. Certain generations the "S" after the "i" denotes sport suspension. The convertible should be the 328Ci..

E. Julius > TopSirloin 03/08/2015 at 18:14

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I swear I've seen coupes marked as iC.

TheBaron2112 > TopSirloin 03/08/2015 at 18:14

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Hmm. So a different badge maybe?

I shall get all the info I can on this.

TopSirloin > E. Julius 03/08/2015 at 18:16

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The problem is inconsistency. Something in their number/lettering system could mean something for e36's and something different for 346's.

E. Julius > TopSirloin 03/08/2015 at 18:17

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Ah ok, that makes sense.

TopSirloin > TheBaron2112 03/08/2015 at 18:20

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This is a 328iS

CallMeTURBO > TheBaron2112 03/08/2015 at 18:20

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he is correct

TopSirloin > TheBaron2112 03/08/2015 at 18:24

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This is all the various model specifics for E36 Convertibles. There isn't an "iS". Your seller is confused or fluffing his ad. In fact, the only E36's with an "S" throughout all model types (coupe, 4-door, convert. etc. ) is the 318iS.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

TheBaron2112 > TopSirloin 03/08/2015 at 18:26

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I looked at that, but I'm distrustful about that.

Trunk Impaired 318 > TheBaron2112 03/08/2015 at 18:28

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There seems to be a lot of confusion going on here so I'll try to clear up everything for everyone!

That is NOT a 328is. A 328is is just a 2 door E36 sedan, some have sport packages others do not. All will have a 328is badge.

That IS a 328ic. A 328ic is just a 2 door E36 convertible, there is no such thing as a 328ic badge, only a 328i one.

TheBaron2112 > Trunk Impaired 318 03/08/2015 at 18:34

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Thank you for this. This is perfect.

So NO convertible will have the sport package that the 328iS has? Is that correct?

TopSirloin > TheBaron2112 03/08/2015 at 18:36

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Sure.. I can see that - though I'd be more inclined to trust this chart than a Craigslist seller! Good luck. Maybe they'll back way off the price when you tell them the car they're selling doesn't exist!

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > TheBaron2112 03/08/2015 at 18:59

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No. An iS is a coupe, it means nothing else.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > E. Julius 03/08/2015 at 18:59

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Nope.

E. Julius > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 03/08/2015 at 19:00

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Ha shows what I know :P

Trunk Impaired 318 > TheBaron2112 03/08/2015 at 21:40

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The iS doesnt necessarily have a sport package, there are some that do but not all. As for the iC having a sport package Im not sure but they are so floppy anyway that it probably wouldnt make much of a difference

TotallyThatStupid > Trunk Impaired 318 03/09/2015 at 10:11

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You could have the following:

328i 4 door, with or without sport package (seats, suspension, etc.)
328i 2 door convertible, with or without sport package
328is 2 door coupe, with or without sport package

All will be badged as noted above.

TotallyThatStupid > CallMeTURBO 03/09/2015 at 10:11

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In E36 times he is correct except for convertibles.

Trunk Impaired 318 > TotallyThatStupid 03/09/2015 at 10:15

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Right, Ive just never seen a 328ic with a sport package so I didnt know if they could have them or not

TotallyThatStupid > Trunk Impaired 318 03/09/2015 at 10:19

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Was a standalone option back then in the E36 Golden Days. Interesting, since many of the ones I see have it (and an automatic, unfortunately - must have been a lease special circa 96-98).

Trunk Impaired 318 > TotallyThatStupid 03/09/2015 at 10:23

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That would make sense, and I cant say that Ive ever seen one with a manual either. I think the only E36 convertible that Ive seen with a manual was an M3 but even then most them have the auto.

finn's arm > E. Julius 03/09/2015 at 13:42

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E46's were marked as such.