beeeamer 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 g'day all. i'm looking at buying a 1997 323i, unfortunately i havent seen the car yet as it's just arrived in the country. so my question is, it appears 97 models can be either prefacelift or facelift models, so how do i tell them apart and what are the differences? the only thing that i can easily look at to see if it's the f/l model is the smaller, round auto shifter instead of the upside down L shaped shifter. i cant tell any difference between the nose cones... haha. what are the other differences comestically and mechanically? the salesguy reckon it's the double vanos engine if that helps... and last thing, pre-purchase inspection. should i go for AA or something more specialized? this place does p.p.i so could be better as they know what they're looking for? Kevin Burt LTD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
misgvous_1 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 different side indicators. different kidney grille are a couple Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 Nosepanel, kidney grilles, side marker indicators, engine (of course) magazine nets on back of front seats and another net on boot floor, shifter knob (as you mentioned) I think that's all... Here's a pic of my car before and after its "facelift" BEFORE AFTER Hope this helps... all 97's should be facelift cars anyway, 1996 is the year when some were and some weren't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 No E36 got a double VANOS engine. The exterior has been covered above - engine wise, facelift 6 cylinder engines will be M52 which have the oil cap towards the front of the car rather than towards the engine. They will only be available as 320, 323 or 328. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmw.maniac 1 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 Facelifts can have BOTH the L shaped and the round shifter knobs. Yes, both. The main difference is the heater control panel. If pre facelift, the heater control will be knobs that you physically turn, while all facelifts tend to have the digital heater control with buttons you push and a nice display that's usually prone to failure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
my_e36 43 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 and last thing, pre-purchase inspection. should i go for AA or something more specialized? this place does p.p.i so could be better as they know what they're looking for? Kevin Burt LTD Pre purcahse checks are best done by BMW dealer or specialists. Price difference is not much but specialist will know the BMWs more throughout than AA guys. Try our forum sponsors maybe? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beeeamer 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 thanks for the advice guys. i'm glad the gear knob was mentioned, because i'd seem some f/l models on trademe with L shaped knob and getting a bit confused my_e36, i'm based in CHCH and think the sponsor is an AKL company. i agree best to get checked out at a bmw dealer or specialist Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 (edited) Facelifts can have BOTH the L shaped and the round shifter knobs. Yes, both. The main difference is the heater control panel. If pre facelift, the heater control will be knobs that you physically turn, while all facelifts tend to have the digital heater control with buttons you push and a nice display that's usually prone to failure. True, have seen round shift handles on pre-facelifts - usually those close to the facelift year ie: 1996. But have never seen a facelift with a T handle (or as you guys say, L handle). To clarify, there are pre-facelifts with digital heater control panels. So not to be taken as a guide to whether the care is facelift or not. Facelifts generally have digital ones but it seems to also depend on the country of origin. For example 1996 E36s from Japan have digital, while some 1996 NZ New E36s have analog. Edited February 26, 2008 by Yuen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PBOY23 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 prefacelift look tuffer! grill is better Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braeden320 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 (edited) Nosepanel, kidney grilles, side marker indicators, engine (of course) magazine nets on back of front seats and another net on boot floor, shifter knob (as you mentioned) I think that's all... Here's a pic of my car before and after its "facelift" BEFORE AFTER Hope this helps... all 97's should be facelift cars anyway, 1996 is the year when some were and some weren't. My 1997 323 is pre-facelift Facelifts can have BOTH the L shaped and the round shifter knobs. Yes, both. The main difference is the heater control panel. If pre facelift, the heater control will be knobs that you physically turn, while all facelifts tend to have the digital heater control with buttons you push and a nice display that's usually prone to failure. my 97 pre facelift has digi controls. First of all welcome and congrats on the purchase. I own both pre facelift and facelift as shown in my sig.(blue is facelift red is pre) Have heaps more pics of both if you want to compare. edit: go to a BMW dealer for a decent prepurchase check - They are far better IMO Cheers Edited February 26, 2008 by braeden. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nobimmer 694 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 I dont see any difference in the 2... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braeden320 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 (edited) I dont see any difference in the 2... Different Grill is obvious, and Front Side Indicators(not sure if the ornage indicators mean pre tho) Edited February 26, 2008 by braeden. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 My 1997 323 is pre-facelift That's probably only what your registration sticker says though... what's your build date? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braeden320 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 That's probably only what your registration sticker says though... what's your build date? Unsure, Where do you find it. Probably a good point though Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
my_e36 43 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 Unsure, Where do you find it. Probably a good point though You can decode the build date from the VIN. www.realoem.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 dons very effective flame suit... post facelifts slightly less ugly than pre facelift.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PBOY23 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 facelift has way better front bumper Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 You can decode the build date from the VIN. www.realoem.com Also, build sheet is stapled to underside of rear seat squab. dons very effective flame suit... post facelifts slightly less ugly than pre facelift.... I'll just pretend you didn't say that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 I'll just pretend you didn't say that. Dont take any notice of me,E34 were the pinnacle of all things BMW IMHO Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 Braeden, are the side indicators on your E36 323 facelift or pre-facelift? Reason I ask is because the front grills aren't a good indicator of facelift or not, as people who have had fender benders change them, sometimes facelift people go for pre-facelift ones not knowing the difference. Either that, or maybe the car was registered in 1997 when it should have been a late 1996? AFAIK, 1997 should definitely be facelift. Facelift grills = more classy, car looks newer with more chrome, closer to E46 look. Pre-facelift grills = more aggressive. Just depends on which look you're going for, really. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
