Member
New here to this forum, just bought a bmw 1998 e36 328is and i wanted to know how i can tell the difference between a 328i and a 328is, and what parts are different as well. thank you
Member
Well the obvious the IS model is a 2 door coupe, and most coupes are 2mm lower than sedan models.
Member
Tail lights, corner lights and mirrors are different as are inside door handles besides the obvious.
Gave away my BMWs, driving a VW and an Audi now.
Member
The "is" is a Coupe. The "i" is the sedan.
Member
aren't the hoods and trunks different aswell?
someone verify this for me?
86 Rx-7 GXL(sold)
98 Eclipse(sold)
97 328is(gone)
06 Mustang GT(gone)
12 Mustang GT
LETS GO RANGERS!
Member
Yes, the coupes have longer hoods and wider trunks.Originally Posted by loser635
As mentioned above, is's are coupes and i's are sedans.
Last edited by 013137; 02-12-2011 at 11:01 PM.
Member
Not necessarily true. The only thing that would make a non-M E36 lower would be if it was equipped with the sport package, which was an option on the sedans and the coupes. I see many more non-sport coupes than I see with the sport package.
And I think the drop is closer to 10mm, since 2mm (.078in) is virtually non-perceptible.
Last edited by ZeGerman; 02-12-2011 at 11:11 PM.
1998 BMW 328is 5spd
1966 Pontiac GTO
2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5i 5-door
Member
Sorry I meant 20mm and yes that is with the sport package equipped.
The Funny Guy
The roofline of the coupe is lower.
Also, BMW decided to inject the 328is with heaps of steriods and awesome.
Member
Heh... Oh yeah, and that.
1998 BMW 328is 5spd
1966 Pontiac GTO
2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5i 5-door
Member
The i=sedan and is=coupe thing is only a North American market thing. In Europe an i=sedan/coupe/convertible, is=sport package.
Member
It would be quicker to list the things that are the same instead of the things that are different.
I love my coupe and it has non-sport suspension but it seems like it sits lower than my 318 sedan used to. At least it feels like it when I'm getting in and out.
Member
mmmmmmm not so much.
328i = more room for the ladies
Member
Here in Europe the is cars got an LSD.
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That's probably just because independent of the suspension, coupes have a lower roof line.
1998 BMW 328is 5spd
1966 Pontiac GTO
2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5i 5-door
Member
I have to find my spec sheet from the dealership, but the 328is I have includes the sport package, and on the spec sheet it says it has the M-sport suspension and some other goodies from the factory
1996 328is Sport package
S52 cams/M50 manifold
Conforti CF Intake
Conforti Tune
3.91 LSD
Member
How are the tail lights different between the i and is?
3M finder vents = 100hp a piece
The Funny Guy
Sedan's lights are taller
Member
Again, in the US, the "is" designation only means that the car is a coupe. It does not necessarily mean that it has the sport package. Some have it - some don't. Same as the sedans.
Asking the difference between the 'i" and the "is" is the same as asking what the differences between the sedan and coupe are.
Last edited by ZeGerman; 02-13-2011 at 12:21 PM.
1998 BMW 328is 5spd
1966 Pontiac GTO
2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5i 5-door
Member
I know what the "is" designation is for, I wasn't trying to say the "is" had the sport package because of the "s", but it may have appeared that way
1996 328is Sport package
S52 cams/M50 manifold
Conforti CF Intake
Conforti Tune
3.91 LSD
Member
Not all e36 badged as 328i from the factory are sedans.. My 328i is a convertible, which is a 2 door.
Member
What is the easiest way to tell if my is has the sport package?
Member
shouldnt it be a 328ic then?Not all e36 badged as 328i from the factory are sedans.. My 328i is a convertible, which is a 2 door.
Member
Yup he just doesn't realize his "c" fell off yet.
Member
In the us as far as i know
I = sedan
IS=coupe (sport susp. and non spot susp.)
IC=convertible ( sport susp. and non sport susp.)
I've had coupes (IS's) with and with out sport suspensions.) you can tell right away because they sit a little lower.
and i had a 328i sedan that came with sport suspension. it sat lower and had the 16" wheels that most of sport suspension cars came with
1998 328is avus on black "dieing see some positive manifold presure"
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