E36 pre face lift vs facelift

[gazza]

hey gents

anyone got some information on the differences between the two?
could i upgrade my pre to a facelift?

 

[bimmer330]

on E36, no diff.
you can make your pre-face a face. just the kidneys that are diff.
you have to replace the kidneys and the metal part just above your bumper.

 

[zabbo]

.... and the thinner side indicators.

 

[james]

I think the kidneys, Grill and rear lights are different. Climate control as well. Just what I've picked-up from comparing mine with others.

 

[Jandre]

On the outside the following:

Side indicators on pre facelift had a black plastic surround. On the facelift version, it did not.

On the front bumper side, the pre facelift was a single colour, single piece. On the facelift they fitted a seperate, loose centre air intake. (Under the numberplate, between the fogs.)

Also on the facelift, the kidneys got a fatter chrome surround.

Then a running change, not really part of the facelift, they introduced climate control AC around end 1995 beginning 1996.

Run out e36 316i cars received the full monty (excluding mags). These included clears all round, and the broad side trims. Also they had a nicer interior. (Door panels had leather inserts.

 

[gazza]

well i got the electronic air con unit with climate control, but everything else is pre face.

anyone got an idea on the costing involved with upgrading?

 

[Raybimmer]

When was front end changed ? 328i came out end of 1995 with narrow chrome grill .
Grill surround with two kidneys about R1000 at scrapyard in East London , will be less in civilisation . ( Narrow kidney pirate part about R200 , wide not available here )
Running changes were plenty during e36 life :High level brake light in rear window , cubby hole lid and lock different , passenger side air vents differ , door panel inserts etc.
Rear lights IMHO were different on coupe and sedan , not sure of sedan difference .
Headlights ? check headlight lenses on Autostyle website , I saw facelift and pre quoted I thought they were same .

 

[osiris]

I just did the Kidney grill upgrade on my E36 convertable, it looks a million times better so much so that you cant even compare the two, in my opinion anyways.

Side indicators are definately different on the facelift and they look much better without the plastic surround, I would be interested to know if I can get those to fit on my pre face lift.

Rear lights on the Convertable seem to be the same, shape and size althought the BMW badge is smaller on face lift and there is a thin red brake light above it - looks pretty sweet to be honest.

With regards to the Kidney grill upgrade, the valance that the kidney grill actually fits into has not only got different shape holes for the kidney grille to fit into but the actual curves are smoother and more rounded on the face lift valance giving the car a more natural look instead of harsh lines which give the car a bit of a stumpy look to it.

Front headlights are the same on both facelift and prefacelift....They are also the same on 4 door and 2 door, however the front indicators on the 2 door are different to the 4 door.

---

Front kidney grills changed in 1997 as far as I know and went on till 1999. before that they were pre facelift.

 

[calypso]

I dunno, I had the option to update to the newer kidneys but I prefer the old ones. New were too soft for me.

 

[Jacques Motorem]

and don't forget front door airbags on the very last run out models.

 

[Jandre]

Hey Gazza

Here is your first bit of kit you need for the e36 facelift look you want.

http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Car...-BMW-E36-ORIG-FRONT-BUMPER-W0QQAdIdZ200005287

 

[james]

Mine was last runout. No side airbags.

 

[StK]

I dunno, I had the option to update to the newer kidneys but I prefer the old ones. New were too soft for me.

to fit the facelift grills you would need the facelift nosepanel too because the shape of the grills will not fit prefacelift...facelift grills are more like the E46 shape and also new wings because the side indicators don't fit the prefacelift wings either as they are thinner

 

[calypso]

I dunno, I had the option to update to the newer kidneys but I prefer the old ones. New were too soft for me.

to fit the facelift grills you would need the facelift nosepanel too because the shape of the grills will not fit prefacelift...facelift grills are more like the E46 shape and also new wings because the side indicators don't fit the prefacelift wings either as they are thinner

Yep i know that, new nosepiece and all. I just dont like the fatter kidneys. I do however prefer the smaller side markers.

 

[///MALCOLM]

Is the climate control unit and the manual AC control panel inter changeable? I got a pre face lift 325 with the old manual AC panel, but I do have a electronic climate control panel sitting at home, the shapes are the same, but haven't had time to see if the wiring is the same.

Is it a quick swap?

 

[osiris]

I would like to know this too, but im pretty sure it wont be an easy swap but if it is I would also like to do this swap.

Lets hear what other people have to say

 

[calypso]

Its doable, cant remember how quick it was though, a few other parts need to change too.

 

[osiris]

I just remembered something I used to own a 1996 E36 328i individual, pre facelift, and it had climate control, it had the nice door pannels with the leather inserts etc etc but it didnt have the new style kidneys and thin side indicators etc so I don't think the climate control is specific to facelift models at all.