Looking for info on a very specific E36 option combo that I'm not even sure existed

[Fantastic Pete]

Hello everyone.

Quick intro first, I'm a lifelong gearhead and I'm looking to purchase my first BMW and have it be a nice project. I'm looking to do something very specific, and I have searched high and low for a very long time on this, but couldn't come up with any info.

In short, I'm looking for a 1994 or 1995 318is without a sunroof. I've been searching for a few months, but every one I find has a sunroof. So, my question is, was the 318is (in those model years specifically) available without a sunroof in the US market at all? From what I've come up with, they were available as such in Europe.

Further complicating this is that I'm looking for a 1994-1995 318is with "L" as the 11th character in the VIN (designating a model built in Spartanburg, SC). I was surprised to learn that for 3 model years, the E36 saw American production in a couple of variants, and the 318is was one of them.

So if anyone has any info on this, I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, if you happen to have a 318is like this and are looking to sell it, I'm interested (manual or auto is fine - I don't mind swapping to a manual in it).

Thank you.

[FiberFast]

I have never seen a "slicktop" 318 now that you mention it. They are fairly rare as thing go already, I dont even think I have seen a 325 slicktop but I think they exist. Only ones I have seen are 328's and M3.

[spyderg0d]

chances are about 0%
best bet is to just install a sunroof delete.
Just wondering, why made in america? I was under the impression they didnt begin manufacturing in america untill the e46.

[Fantastic Pete]

I have never seen a "slicktop" 318 now that you mention it. They are fairly rare as thing go already, I dont even think I have seen a 325 slicktop but I think they exist. Only ones I have seen are 328's and M3.

This is my experience, which seems odd as aside from the 318ti, the 318i/is was the lowest priced BMW and you would think it wouldn't have come with a standard sunroof when the more expensive models didn't.

chances are about 0%
best bet is to just install a sunroof delete.
Just wondering, why made in america? I was under the impression they didnt begin manufacturing in america untill the e46.

I thought about the sunroof delete, and that has its benefits, but I wonder about the inherent differences in structural integrity between a car that never came with a sunroof versus one that did (deleted or not).

As for why made in America? Partly because it is such a curiosity, and partly because I want to do a "made in America" project with this.

Though the E46 was never made in America. Some, not all, 1994-1996 E36s were, and also all the Z3s and first gen Z4s (and all the BMW SUVs).

[bluptgm3]

Shocking…even 328s were produced in Greer in 1996…
E36 3 Series (1994–1996; BMW Plant Spartanburg was not the sole producer of these 3 Series models)
318i Sedan (1994–1995)
318is Coupe (1994–1995)
328i Sedan (1996)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_..._United_States


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Fix.a.ZX]

Is this car meant to be a tribute to Donald Trump or wth??



Sent from my CAT S61

[Fix.a.ZX]

chances are about 0%
best bet is to just install a sunroof delete.
Just wondering, why made in america? I was under the impression they didnt begin manufacturing in america untill the e46.

I did just see a insurance auction recently here in BC for a 1994 318is individual Dakar yellow with no sunroof, Vader interior, rear ended.

Edit: found pic+info


Sent from my CAT S61

[Fantastic Pete]

Is that a Canadian model or US? Options might have been different between the two markets.

[Fix.a.ZX]

Is that a Canadian model or US? Options might have been different between the two markets.

Canadian, BC.

Sent from my CAT S61

[MINIz guy]

From what I know, the sunroof became an option in the '97 model year and up in the US market. That is why you can't find an OBD1 slicktop in the US.

[Fantastic Pete]

From what I know, the sunroof became an option in the '97 model year and up in the US market. That is why you can't find an OBD1 slicktop in the US.

Thank you. Do you have any documents relating to this? Like a dealer brochure or anything like that?

[MINIz guy]

I don't. Just what I've read through the years when I wanted a slicktop.

[Fantastic Pete]

Alright, thanks, I appreciate the info. I'll keep looking.