Re: ///M3 --> 325IS?

[John Firestone <john.firestone@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Frank Massaro writes:
>
> jjensen@domain.elided (John Jensen) writes:
>> 
>> Also, what makes up the 'S' of the 325IS? (sorry, I've been an ///M3
>> guy...)
>> 
>
> Simple....It only has two doors....It's a coupe...therefore sporty....
> 
> Seriously, All US E36 coupes are badged 'is'.
> 
> I find this unusual considering you could order an E36 'is' coupe without a
> 'sport package'.  The sport package was an option on 'is' models.
> 

It all seems like pretty good marketing to me.

Over here a car gets an 's' suffix if it has its own sports engine
(usually 4-valve).  A sports package is a thoughtful addition but not
necessary. By this criterion, the 318is is the only coupe with an 's'
in Europe as the four-door sedan, the touring and the cabrio models
have a lower output, 2-valve engine. In the U.S., either all the
4-cylinder E36 3ers (coupe, four-door, convertible) should have an 's'
because of their engines or none of them should. The rest with an 's'
are wannabe-s.  Heh, if four cylinders weren't enough, you should have
gotten an M3. :)

- -John
'96 318is (not quite an M3 but it does have its 's')
john.firestone@domain.elided

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