Author Topic: Are 325 and 318 body parts interchangeable? (Read 5151 times)

nigel · « **on:** July 04, 2009, 02:15:42 PM »

I've been looking for new front end bits (fenders, hood, rad. support, bumper support) for my 318is, and found some much cheaper ones listed for the 325i. As far as I can tell, they're the same, but the web site's customer service said they have a different contour. Just wondering if anyone has any experience/ certain knowledge about it.
thanks

HATER-PROOF · « **Reply #1 on:** July 04, 2009, 11:32:49 PM »

In my spare time or days off, you could find me in the graveyard of BMW's in Vilsek Germany. A walmart(super)size area of BMW's and I will say this"If your car has two doors, depending on what part you are looking for, make sure the parts from the car you're trying to get parts off of has two doors. I know this may sound stupid, but I'm the one that has made the mistakes of getting the wrong part for my 94 318is(HATER-PROOF). My car is my heart--so make sure you do your research before you spend your hard earned money. Goodluck

HATER-PROOF · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2009, 01:10:36 AM »

Nigel-My thoughts were kinda on a vacation, so I will make it easy and say that E36 fits E36. Yes they all fit(but the compact E36 rear bumper will not fit a coupe).

DesktopDave · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2009, 10:05:37 AM »

If you're talking about an e30, they have to be the same generation...either for the diving board cars or for the facelift cars. There are hybids though...and if you're desperate I'd assume you could make them fit regardless.

I'm not sure about the e36s. I heard that the compact uses a sedan hood, for instance. So YMMV. Definitely check twice before you buy once.

nigel · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2009, 08:32:03 AM »

sorry, forgot to say that it's an e30...
sorry to be so nooby, but what is the difference between generations? is the chrome vs rubber bumper a telltale sign?
hater-proof - you're damn lucky you live in germany - the boneyard here has 10 bmws on a good day.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2009, 11:22:28 AM »

Yeah, the 'diving board' alu bumpers/large turn signals/front apron are the differences. Coupe & sedan switched over sometime in '88 production IIRC, so the MY >'89's are the facelift models.

I think doors, trunk, sunroof & hood panels are universal between early & late models...someone correct me if I'm wrong. There are trim differences inside the doors but most of the big bits seem a straight swap. Back in the 90s I recall a few people facelifting early models at body shops.

nigel · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2009, 10:45:38 PM »

I've found that the part numbers for all e30 fenders are the same - early or late production. Even the bits behind the bumper and the radiator support are the same. Now it's just a matter of finding some cheap ones that aren't beat to hell.
thanks for the help guys

HATER-PROOF · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2009, 01:34:35 AM »

" you're damn lucky you live in germany" --Maaaan!!, If I were a ca-billionare, I would invite everyone in the site with their bimmers and just drive from Germany to Austria to Switzerland all on me!!! But we would have to stop at the BMW museum in munchen-or munich and gather the history of how it all started and why.