Urgent 325is Identification Help needed!

[splintheter]

Guys,

Please lend me some advice urgently.

I was up until 2am reading pages and pages of info (mostly on e30clubsa)

Basically I am about to buy a 325is up in joburg, car is in need of massive TLC. To a cut a long story short I need to make sure it is a 325is.

What she has:

1) OEJ94*** vin number
2) 5 Stud wheels
3) plate behind drivers side head light that says 325/2s


Now based on that a lone she should be a 325is

BUT here is the confusion:

if it has an OEJ94 VIN then it should be a 325is Evo 2 (EvoHP) but then its tag should read 325/HP

Coisman ran the vin, and the Natis says it has a 2500cc engine.

So now I am bloody confused.

Build date according to BMW is 08/1991, so is there any chance that this is a Shadowline and not a 325is ?

 

[Kimeran]

You would be able to find all info on the E30club.
But if I remember correctly, even the 325iS HP has a 325/2s tag.
Also, if it was a build date of late 1991 then it would probably fall under a 1992 model.
Looking at all the info you provided, it all seems legit

 

[Dishen]

Howzit Bud

325is EVO II should read 325is Evo 2 (EvoHP)
Please check on the cluster whether its stamped VDO or motormeter?
Can you post pics of the engine bay( airflow meter)

You can call me on 0832005160

:thumbs:

 

[splintheter]

You would be able to find all info on the E30club.
But if I remember correctly, even the 325iS HP has a 325/2s tag.
Also, if it was a build date of late 1991 then it would probably fall under a 1992 model.
Looking at all the info you provided, it all seems legit

trust me I read every thread last night, till me head hurt. There is so much conflicting info.

Some say that the early EVOHP still had the 325/2s tag other say that it should have a 325/evohp tag

i think BMW SA just put these cars together from teh spare parts bin

 

[JayDrft]

As far as i recall - there was a magnet test to check if there are ally fenders and bonnets.

Thats one tell tale sign. If you say Cois says it was a 2500cc, it is most likely a shadowline....

Hope it helps.

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

OEJ or OEF vin usually signifies original iS. The tag 325/2S is also correct.
Maybe check if it has aluminium panels? no?

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From what I can recall, no sahdowlines came with the OEJ vin though

 

[splintheter]

Howzit Bud

325is EVO II should read 325is Evo 2 (EvoHP)
Please check on the cluster whether its stamped VDO or motormeter?
Can you post pics of the engine bay( airflow meter)

You can call me on 0832005160

:thumbs:

Hey Bud, Thanks

pic of engine i took last night

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

Gosh car needs some proper TLC.
AFM looks like the standard 325i one.
The iS shared the AFM with the 535i iirc, or was of similar size with an Alpina (orange) sticker on.

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Did you check the head actually?
If its a 2.5l it has 2.5/2.7 stamped on the head.

---

Think the part number ended in 808.

 

[Kimeran]

Yeah there is alot of conflicting info, but I also think all OEJ vin numbers were for the 325iS, no shadowline had OEJ vin.
You can't even test with the fenders as apparently some had alu fenders, some never :fishwack:

 

[splintheter]

Yeah there is alot of conflicting info, but I also think all OEJ vin numbers were for the 325iS, no shadowline had OEJ vin.
You can't even test with the fenders as apparently some had alu fenders, some never :fishwack:

yeh I read that too....

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

Another thing, that can be changed in time, only the iS had 5 hole suspension.
Shadowline was still 4 stud.

I am quite sure that's an original iS that I hope is very lenient on the sale price.

 

[splintheter]

Gosh car needs some proper TLC.
AFM looks like the standard 325i one.
The iS shared the AFM with the 535i iirc, or was of similar size with an Alpina (orange) sticker on.

---

Did you check the head actually?
If its a 2.5l it has 2.5/2.7 stamped on the head.

---

Think the part number ended in 808.

---

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Oh yes she does bud! its a project of note, but teh price I have agreed reflects that and makes it worthwhile, IF its a 325is

I didnt check the head bud, rookie error

so if it has a standard 325i airflow meter, does that mean its not a 325is, or just been replaced with crappy parts

---

Another thing, that can be changed in time, only the iS had 5 hole suspension.
Shadowline was still 4 stud.

I am quite sure that's an original iS that I hope is very lenient on the sale price.

Ok this is a helluva rookie error, but I have read the whole 5 hole suspension thing, where do you check that ?

R80k ? car also needs an entire spray

buy or walk away?

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

Either or. Difficult to say.
AFM's are finicky things and often need replacing or chucking away and going the management route.
Often the AFM was a source of distinction, but these days you can't be too sure.

You have my number, let me know if you want me to come through at some point.
I will be in Melrose a little later today.

 

[Kimeran]

By the looks of it, it seems to be a legit 325iS.
I wouldn't judge by the airflow meter, the previous owner doesn't seem to be someone finicky on fitting original parts judging by the condition of that motor.

 

[Boss Wit NOS]

Sounds like a Superboss and Big Boss story to me lol

 

[Kyle]

Is the head stamped 2.7?

 

[momo1]

Oh yes , I think headrest were another test.
shadowlines came with rear head rest if im not mistaken.
maybe its an Evo 1?

 

[BMW 325ci]

Picture of car?

 

[Dishen]

The airflow meter doesnt look like the alpina one, did you check whether the cluster is stamped VDO or motormeter.

+1 on the engine stamp, it should read 276e...........

did you find out year of manufacture?

 

[E30 Freak]

Shu where do I start

1) Evo 2 will not have ali doors, fenders & bonnet, Evo 1 will
2) An iS does not have head rests
3) Above engine no there another no. which will start with 27K....
4) The head itself is the same as the 325i so should be stamped 2.5/2.7, if it only says 2.7, it most probably an eta head
5) The airflow was definitely changed, but not even to a 535i replacement which is more similar
6) check under the panel on drivers side to see if it still has the original ECU, should also have an Alpina sticker on it
7) all panels from the tech 2 kit should be plastic & you can find part numbers in rear wheel well for the side pods & at the bottom of the spoiler
8) OAF is Evo 1, OEJ is Evo 2
9) My OAF vin Evo 1 said 325/2S
10) The OAF/OEJ vin numbers not ltd to iS models, but starts at a certain number (it is somewhere on e30clubsa)


I am no expert but that what I can recall from my car & prev searches. Hope it helps