Old BMWs. This should be a PM to neanderthal, but sometimes you guys surprise me

  • Thread starter Thread starter 1X83Z
  • 12 comments
  • 705 views
1

1X83Z

Premium
Messages
20,944
United States
usa
I need to know something:

1. Was the original 3-series (the ORIGINAL) sold as anything other than a coupe in the US?
2. Were multiple bodystyles of 2002 sold in the US?
3. Can someone name for me all the BMWs sold in the US before 1985?
4. Was E28 the first 5-series sold in the US?
5. What the **** is this?
28009rh.jpg


For the record I'm trying to photograph every BMW ever sold in the US in every bodystyle so any help with which ones I need would be appreciated.
 
Now, I'm in Canada, so things may be slightly different up here. But, I'll give it a shot.
1. I haven't seen anything other than a coupe in the 1st gen. 3 series.
2. I have no clue. I didn't even know there were multiple bodystyles for the 2002, period.
3. I know I can't list them all, but I'll list a few.
- 3.0 CS/CSL - 2002 - 3 series -5 series (I think) -7 series - Bavaria - 6 series -8 series? (unsure of model year) -Isetta? (was this even imported from BMW? I've seen one)
4. No clue.
5. The one thing I know of for sure: That car is a Bavaria. People down the street used to have one, 'till they moved. I assume it was a precursor to the 7 series, but I could be wrong.
 
1 - There was only the E21 320i for the US market, and I'm 99% sure they were all 2 doors "sedans"

2 - 2002 are very nice cars, there are 3 of them within a 1 mile radius from where I live. They were availible in sedan, coupe and cabriolet (few ones) in North America. No 2002 turbo was not sold in the US, but I have seen one here, I don't know if it was imported or bought here.

3 - Google is your friend... here :)

4 - the E12 was the first 5 series

5 - This look like a 3.0 S
 
M5Power
I need to know something:

1. Was the original 3-series (the ORIGINAL) sold as anything other than a coupe in the US?
2. Were multiple bodystyles of 2002 sold in the US?
3. Can someone name for me all the BMWs sold in the US before 1985?
4. Was E28 the first 5-series sold in the US?
5. What the **** is this?
28009rh.jpg


For the record I'm trying to photograph every BMW ever sold in the US in every bodystyle so any help with which ones I need would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

1) the E30 3 series was the first modern small bmw to have a sedan variant. the E30 debuted in 1983. so the answer is no, the E21 3 series (1977- 1982) DID NOT have a four door version. there were some cabrio/ targa versions made by bauer i believe

2) while the 2002 came in various body styles, all two door, (two convertibles that were never officially sold to the public, some targas, quite a few hatch/ notchbacks) none were ever officially imported to the states. only the standard 2 door sedan bodystyle was.

3) thats quite a list. how far back do you want to go?
this is what i would list;
503

507

1500 (four door version of 2002)
1800
2000

2000cs (early four cylinder version of E9)

1600-2 (later renamed as 1602. just a smaller engined version of the 2002)
1802
2002 (also referred to as E10 although BMW had no official chassis designations at the time)
2002tii (E10)

2800cs (also referred to as E9 although BMW had no real chassis designations at the time)
3.0CS (E9)
3.0CSi (E9)

2500
2800
3.0
3.0 Si
bavaria

518 (E12)
520 (E12)
520i (E12)
530 (E12)
530i (E12)

630i (E24)
63cs (E24)
635cs (E24)
635csi (E24)
M635csi (E24)

728 (E23)
728i (E23)
730 (E23)
730i (E23)
732 (E23)
733 (E23)
733i (E23)
735i (E23)
745i (turbo) (E23)

M1 (might be Z1, cant remember!)

318 (E21)
318i (E21)
320 (E21)
320i (E21)
no 323i's were officially imported although some came through grey imports and from servicement stationed in europe

524td (E24)
528e
528i
533i
535i
535is
M535i

318 (E30)
318i (E30)
325 (E30)
325i (E30)
325is (E30)
325
325e (E30)
325es (E30)
328e
328es
M3
two different 2.5 liter engines were offered by BMW. one was the eta engine (denoted "e") which was a low power- high torque engine designed for good acceleration and fuel economy. it had 5 main bearings whereas the normal BMW engiens had seven main bearings.

i might have missed some.

4) no, it was the E12 first sold in 1977 as a 520

5) that is the big body BMW that preceeded the 7 series. came as 2500, 2800, 3.0, 3.0si and bavaria models.


im sure there might have been some BMW 700s imported as well (small rear engined, two cylinder BMW motorcycle power sedan) and also the isetta. im not sure if they were offically imported by max hoffman though.
 
JP and neanderthal has covered everything nicely. 👍

FYI, neanderthal, the eta motor was 2.8 liters, despite the "325e" nomenclature. I had one.


M
 
neanderthal
this is what i would list;
503

507

1500 (four door version of 2002)
1800
2000

2000cs (early four cylinder version of E9)

1600-2 (later renamed as 1602. just a smaller engined version of the 2002)
1802
2002 (also referred to as E10 although BMW had no official chassis designations at the time)
2002tii (E10)

2800cs (also referred to as E9 although BMW had no real chassis designations at the time)
3.0CS (E9)
3.0CSi (E9)

2500
2800
3.0
3.0 Si
bavaria
Click to expand...

So you're telling me that the ones grouped together will share a bodystyle? So:

2800cs = 3.0cs = 3.0CSi = 2000cs
2500 = 2800 = 3.0 = 3.0Si = bavaria
2002 = 1802 = 2002tii = 1600-2 = 1500 = 1800 = 2000
503
507

Would that be right?

Also - why the hell can't I tell the difference between an E12 and E28 5-series? Images google turns up little on the E12.

The one pictured is a 2800, by the way.
 
Interesting. Reading this got me looking at wikipedia for info on the 2002, and I found this.

BMW_2002_Touring.jpg


It's a BMW 2002 Touring. It's not a full wagon, but it wasn't marketed as a hatchback. I never knew these even existed! And I assume these were only available in Europe too...
 
Wow... I never knew that. Guess ya learn something new everyday.

Can I ask a Question about an old, rare Mercedes in this thread?

A friend of my dad's has an old Mercedes under a tarp in one of his buildings. Thing is, it's only one of 500 made, and the only one in America. His dad was in Germany in 1962(I think) at the dealer the day the dealer got it. It was a special Homologation for a Rally car in 1962(?), and each dealership in Germany got one, I believe. So, his dad bought it new that day, brought it back to the states, Moved to Bucklin, MO (a town of 524) and drove it less than 10,000 miles. (The dad died in 1977) the car's spare tire has never touched the ground, and the tool kit has probably never been touched. And, it's a rare 43(ish?) year old, One owner Mercedes with less than 10,000 miles. I just cxan't put my finger on what it is. I've searched everywhere on google, and can't find a thing. I think it's either a 220 or 280 SE or SEb. Can someone help me out? I believe it's a four door if it helps.

Also, I have never seen the whole car. just the Rear left corner, so I could see the badge and wheel, bumper, etc ( the corner not covered by a tarp- that apparently falls off the car alot):scared:. I can't remember though. I'd call my dad's friend and ask what it is, but he hasn't touched the car in a long time and it's totally blocked off by old gas pumps.
 

Latest Posts

Back