Need help identifying a 318ti model

[radkins]

I am looking to buy a 95 318ti and I am trying to figure out if it is the base model with options, the Club Sport model, the Sport model, the Active model or what. I can not find much detailed info on the web, maybe I don't know where to look.

Here is what I know, it is a 1995, automatic, red, fog lights, power sunroof, leather wrapped steering wheel and e-brake boot, the outside mirrors are red also, the lower front and rear bumpers are black along with the side skirts, it does NOT have tilt wheel, it does NOT have cruise, it has 15" wheels (10 spoke type), and the seats are leather on the sides and cloth in the center with a funky "squiggly" pattern in the fabric. Any info on what 'type' of ti this is would be appreciated.

-Rob

[1996 328ti]

Does it say ///M on the side?
If it is a Club Sport it should also have M3 mirrors but it also sounds like someone swapped tires if it is a CS.

[radkins]

It does not say ///M anywhere on it that I can see. What is the difference between the standard mirrors and the M3 mirrors? Is that interior common or only available on certain models? (leather sides with cloth in the center with a funky "squiggly" pattern in the fabric)

[1996 328ti]

The M mirrors are a different shape and the glass is smaller. They are more streamlined. The M mirrors came standard on the 95 Club Sport.
It's odd that you have a black rear valance.

The previous owner may have made changes to the car.
Foglights should have been standard on the 95 Club Sport and all sports afterwards.

Below needs some work but this is what I have been able to compile over the years.
It is based on a stock car. Options can be added.

318ti [US]

All

All Compacts came standard with All Season Traction Control starting sometime in 1996. Engine-speed-sensitive power steering. Heated windshield washers and door mirrors. Body-colored bumpers and side skirts started in 199x. Rear window wiper. Anti-theft AM/FM stereo/cassette audio system, pre-wired for CD. 10x20 watt amplifier (at 10% total harmonic distortion) with 10-speaker sound system. Tachometer. Driver and passenger seat height adjustment. Split fold-down rear seats. Power windows with "one-touch" feature. Air conditioning with micro-filtered ventilation system. Cup holders and console valet. Anti-lock braking system (ABS). Driver’s and passenger’s front airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with differentiated deployment system to help prevent unnecessary passenger’s airbag deployment. Central locking system with switch in center console. Coded Driveaway Protection (prevents engine start when special key with constantly changing electronic code is not used) Automatic front belt tensioners. Crash sensor that automatically turns on hazard lights, interior lights and unlocks doors. BMW Scheduled Maintenance

Base
15" steel wheels with cover. All season tires. Cloth seats.

Active
The Active package included, electric sunroof, 15" sport alloy wheels with 205/60R all-season tires, leather steering wheel and shift knob, cruise control, on-board computer, remote keyless entry system and alarm, metallic paint.

Sport
In 1995 the Sport had the same 15" wheels and tires as the active and did not have body colored sideview mirrors. Only the 1995 Club Sport had 16" wheels which later became standard. Starting in 1996 the Sport packaged included, 16" sport alloy wheels with 225/50 ZR high-performance tires, leather steering wheel and shift knob, sport suspension, sport seats, sport cloth/leather upholstery, fog lights, M-technic body-colored bumpers and side skirts.

[radkins]

I am still unsure of the model. Here are some pics that might help...

http://members12.clubphoto.com/robert608676/2768531/guest.phtml

Thanks for all the info so far.
-Rob

[KIRASIR]

It's a 95 Sport.

Sport seats, sports springs/shocks. Possibly a Limited Slip Diff.

SL

I am still unsure of the model. Here are some pics that might help...

http://members12.clubphoto.com/robert608676/2768531/guest.phtml

Thanks for all the info so far.
-Rob

[radkins]

So it is a sport even without cruise or tilt?

[1996 328ti]

So it is a sport even without cruise or tilt?No 318ti had tilt. I don't think any E36s had tilt but they can be retrofitted.
The Active had cruise standard but do not know when that started. It could have been 95 or maybe 96.

[CirrusSR22]

I have a 96 sport and it doesn't have cruise control

[Zane-O]

Hi folks - thank you!

I finally found this information after looking for a few days (off and on).

Anyway, the link to the pictures given below doesn't work any more - anybody got a working link?


I am still unsure of the model. Here are some pics that might help...

http://members12.clubphoto.com/robert608676/2768531/guest.phtml

-Rob


Also, I'm trying to identify this car, which I might buy.
Q1: Is this a Sport edition? I don't know much and 'motorsport' may be different.

Q2: Would I expect this to have cruise control?

Thanks muchly!!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=54981956&permanent=0
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/99/18121599_full.jpg
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/9/18121609_full.jpg




Thanks



Zane-O
Hopefully a soon-to-be 318ti owner

[Tyler]

The silver ti is a sport model. It has the m-rech front/rear bumper and sideskirts and the M trim.

[bobbob1015]

I'm going to bring this thread back from the dead with a question.....

mine fits the description of the sport model but it doesn't have fog lights, alloy wheels,remote keyless entry system and alarm. Has me quite puzzled

[adamud]

More information would be helpful.

It sounds like an active or base model. If the whole car is painted, then its active. If it has black trim from the bottom of the door all the way around it will be base. Mines a sport and I didn't have keyless entry or alarm..

[bobbob1015]

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=19536

here's a link with some pictures

It has leather interior with heated seats leather shift knob

[adamud]

That would be the active package & congrats on the car!!

[bobbob1015]

nice and thanks!

Thanks for you help.

[aceyx]

Should have a sunroof, and OBC if it's active. May just be optioned out.

[thesk8nmidget]

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=19536

here's a link with some pictures

It has leather interior with heated seats leather shift knob

if you head over to mallards vin decoding thread he can give you all the options your car came with

[elchicano]

Now I'm confused I thought I had a base model before but now I'm not so sure. I have a 98 Ti it didn't come with fog lights, no sun roof, and no cruise control. But everything is painted on the car including the side skirts and it has a leather interior.

[rockinred318ti]

very confusing
i just bought a 98 hellrot
what about ///m aerodynamics, wheels, cruise, sport seats chrome shift knob
but no obc?
how do you tell if you have sport suspension?
im not clear on the difference between active and sport

[tiFreak]

an active wouldn't have a sport interior or the m body kit

[rockinred318ti]

thanks
so it can still be a sport without the obc?

[tiFreak]

thanks
so it can still be a sport without the obc?

yes, if the original owner didn't get the option, now that I think of it, you could get a sport interior in an active as an option, but not the m body kit

[rockinred318ti]

awesome thanks

anyone know how to tell if i have the sport suspension or should i just assume i do since i have the m sports package?

[Shellback]

Quick question regarding Sport models....It has the ///M badge on the side moldings, colored skirts, valance, etc. But, does the M model have the same exact suspension as the actual E36 M3?

[cooljess76]

Quick question regarding Sport models....It has the ///M badge on the side moldings, colored skirts, valance, etc. But, does the M model have the same exact suspension as the actual E36 M3?nope. It has "Mtechnik" ie; sport suspension, not "M3" suspension. The front struts aren't linked to the swaybar like the M3 and the rear suspension is completely different.

[Shellback]

Good info - thanks cool...
I'll start searching for M3 suspension swaps. I'm planning on getting a '98 Sport and swapping the suspension from a wrecked E36 M3.

[cooljess76]

Good info - thanks cool...
I'll start searching for M3 suspension swaps. I'm planning on getting a '98 Sport and swapping the suspension from a wrecked E36 M3.It's not worth it. For starters, the rear suspension is not compatible. As I said before, it's a completely different design. 318ti's and Z3's use an e30 style semi-trailing arm design while regular e36's have multi-link rear suspension. The only difference in the front is that M3's have extra tabs welded on the struts to connect the sway bar links. They also have an offset strut bearing, which can be reversed to add negative camber. Personally, I don't think it's that much better of a design. I mean you could purchase M3 front struts, strut bearings and sway bar links if you wanted to, but your handling won't improve by much if any. You definitely don't want to install M3 springs unless you have a 6cyl engine as the spring rates will be too high and the front of your car may actually sit higher and ride like crap. Some guy here recently installed M3 rear shocks and springs on his Ti and it looks stupid as hell! I bet it handles like sh!t too. Your best bet is to go with Koni adjustable or Bilstein sport shocks and struts with H&R or Eibach springs. Stay away from Bilstein HD and Touring Class struts as they are garbage. Bilstein HD's are stiff as hell and will raise your car, Bilstein Touring Class shocks are the same dual tube design as OEM struts and will likely fail prematurely if you install performance springs. When shopping for suspension kits, make sure that you purchase Ti specific parts as regular e36 kits simply won't fit/work correctly.

[cooljess76]

BTW, this is the guy that installed M3 shocks WITH LOWERING SPRINGS on the rear of his Ti and look how it sits:rolleyes:
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu86/squintz13/BTz7QCGkKGrHgoH-CoEjlLl2U9BKKLRf-1.jpg
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=27048

Notice that even with lowering springs it sits higher in the rear than stock Ti suspension, not to mention that the spring rates are way too high, the shocks are probably preloaded to their capacity just to fit them into the rear of the Ti and I guarantee the car handles like trash. M3/regular e36 suspension will work on the front of the Ti though, just make sure that the front springs are rated for a 4cyl engine, not a 6. As I mentioned before though, you're much better off buying parts/kits that are Ti specific to avoid any hassles and/or confusion.

[Donald.j]

Okay guys I ran vim options where little to none but the car has sunroof leather interior traction control system heated mirrors car is completely Hellrot so I thought base but it has the 15 inch alloys heated front so please help will upload pics of interior later tonight to help weed out the actual model thanks

[teetime4one]

OBC, Sunroof and CC?

[Donald.j]

Stereo removed cc yes and sunroof yes but does have black trim all the way around and no obc

[teetime4one]

It sounds like an active model.But, Active's have an OBC. I'm sure you know your car, yet lets take a look at it closer. Is there a button at the end of the turn signal arm? If you can push that in, the car has an OBC which is located on the clock display next to the stereo.
If not...I'm perplexed.

[Donald.j]

I added pics to gallery of interior it does not have this button so no obc but every other option it don't even have cup holders lol

[elchicano]

Pictures have not been uploaded in gallery. Do you have an arm rest? If you that's the reason for no cup holders.

[Donald.j]

No armrest

[zach1998]

Can someone help me ID the model of my son's new 1998 ti based on the information below? I'm guessing its the "Active" model. The owner called it a 318 ti Luxury Model. Thank you.

for vehicle identification number: WBACG8327WKC82977
Model description: 318TI
Market: USA
Type: CG83
E-Code: E36 (5)
Chassis: compact
Steering: links
Doors: 3
Engine: M44 - 1,90l (103kW)
Drive: Heckantrieb
Transmission: automatisch
Body Color: Arktissilber Metallic (309)
Upholstery: Kunstleder/schwarz (K5SW)
Production date: 24.10.1997
Assembled in: München


Code Sonderausstattung Optional Equipment
S214A
Automatische-Stabilitäts-Control (ASC+T) Automatic stability control (ASC+T)
S240A
Lenkrad Leder Airbag Leather steering wheel
S243A
Airbag Beifahrer Airbag for front passenger
S315A
Heckscheibenwischer Rear window wiper
S341A
Stossfänger komplett in Wagenfarbe Bumpers completely in body colour
S401A
Schiebehebedach elektrisch Lift-up-and-slide-back sunroof, electric
S441A
Raucherpaket Smoker package
S494A
Sitzheizung Fahrer/Beifahrer Seat heating driver/passenger
S498A
Kopfstützen im Fond mechanisch Headrests, rear, mechanically adjustable
S530A
Klimaanlage Air conditioning
S540A
Geschwindigkeitsregelung Cruise control
S550A
Bordcomputer On-board computer
S676A
HiFi Lautsprechersystem HiFi speaker system
S692A
CD-Wechsler I-Bus Vorbereitung Preparation, BMW 6-CD changer I-bus
S756A
BMW LA wheel, round spoke, Individual
S818A
Batteriehauptschalter Battery master switch
S925A
Versandschutzpaket Transport protection package
__________________

[wolferj-RIP]

Can someone help me ID the model of my son's new 1998 ti based on the information below? I'm guessing its the "Active" model. The owner called it a 318 ti Luxury Model. Thank you.

for vehicle identification number: WBACG8327WKC82977
Model description: 318TI
Market: USA
Type: CG83
E-Code: E36 (5)
Chassis: compact
Steering: links
Doors: 3
Engine: M44 - 1,90l (103kW)
Drive: Heckantrieb
Transmission: automatisch
Body Color: Arktissilber Metallic (309)
Upholstery: Kunstleder/schwarz (K5SW)
Production date: 24.10.1997
Assembled in: München


Code Sonderausstattung Optional Equipment
S214A
Automatische-Stabilitäts-Control (ASC+T) Automatic stability control (ASC+T)
S240A
Lenkrad Leder Airbag Leather steering wheel
S243A
Airbag Beifahrer Airbag for front passenger
S315A
Heckscheibenwischer Rear window wiper
S341A
Stossfänger komplett in Wagenfarbe Bumpers completely in body colour
S401A
Schiebehebedach elektrisch Lift-up-and-slide-back sunroof, electric
S441A
Raucherpaket Smoker package
S494A
Sitzheizung Fahrer/Beifahrer Seat heating driver/passenger
S498A
Kopfstützen im Fond mechanisch Headrests, rear, mechanically adjustable
S530A
Klimaanlage Air conditioning
S540A
Geschwindigkeitsregelung Cruise control
S550A
Bordcomputer On-board computer
S676A
HiFi Lautsprechersystem HiFi speaker system
S692A
CD-Wechsler I-Bus Vorbereitung Preparation, BMW 6-CD changer I-bus
S756A
BMW LA wheel, round spoke, Individual
S818A
Batteriehauptschalter Battery master switch
S925A
Versandschutzpaket Transport protection package
__________________

It's an "active" model with leather interior, as it came with Cruise control, OBC, and the 10 spoke alloy wheels.

[zach1998]

We've got a lot to learn about these cars. Hopefully it won't take our son too long to id stuff like this at a glance like you folks.

Much appreciated James!

[zach1998]

It's an "active" model with leather interior, as it came with Cruise control, OBC, and the 10 spoke alloy wheels.

Can someone post a pic of a original 10 spoke alloy wheel a 98 318ti would have come with from the factory? Thanks.

[wolferj-RIP]

Can someone post a pic of a original 10 spoke alloy wheel a 98 318ti would have come with from the factory? Thanks.

Go to this page (in German); http://felgenkatalog.auto-treff.com/

Style (Styling) 27's is what you are looking for, should be 2nd page.

[zach1998]

Go to this page (in German); http://felgenkatalog.auto-treff.com/

Style (Styling) 27's is what you are looking for, should be 2nd page.

Thanks again wolferj.

[wolferj-RIP]

Happy to help!

[zach1998]

Not sure where to post this so I'll give it a shot here... picking up the 318ti today. Guy say's car has been well maintained but no service records. Want to start from scratch. Which fluids etc. should be replaced/maintenance done to bring the car up to speed sort of speak?

[Little Green Car]

I'm confused. Is an active model the same as a sport? Does it have the sport suspension?

[1996 328ti]

I'm confused. Is an active model the same as a sport? Does it have the sport suspension?No.

[wxflyer]

Someone mentioned a VIN decoder...can anyone please provide a link?

Thanks...jw

Edit: found the sticky!