The Evolution of Style: How Has Your E9 Changed?

[Wobdog]

Just like fashion trends, the look of our E9s has evolved over time—styles shift, ideas change, and each car develops a personality of its own.

Over the years, my E9 has gone through a number of transformations, each reflecting a different chapter in its life and the influence of its three owners. From tinted windows and various fog lights to distinctive wheels, two-tone paint with red pin stripes, reflector deletes, lowering, grille changes, and the addition of euro mirrors—this car has worn many looks.

I’ve gathered a few photos that capture those changes through the years, and I’d love to see how your E9 has evolved too. Every one tells its own unique story[MW1]

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[MW1]

 

[bmw2800cs]

Front spoilers, 16 inch and bigger wheels ...

 

[Minivansomeren]

Just like fashion trends, the look of our E9s has evolved over time—styles shift, ideas change, and each car develops a personality of its own.

Over the years, my E9 has gone through a number of transformations, each reflecting a different chapter in its life and the influence of its three owners. From tinted windows and various fog lights to distinctive wheels, two-tone paint with red pin stripes, reflector deletes, lowering, grille changes, and the addition of euro mirrors—this car has worn many looks.

I’ve gathered a few photos that capture those changes through the years, and I’d love to see how your E9 has evolved too. Every one tells its own unique story[MW1]

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[MW1]

What’s the story with the Christmas lights? I really like the “dinner plate” wheels in the early photos. Not a classic look, but they compliment the silver paint very nicely!

I just got my car a few months ago and have some reversible visual/style tweaks planned - stay tuned!

 

[Wobdog]

What’s the story with the Christmas lights? I really like the “dinner plate” wheels in the early photos. Not a classic look, but they compliment the silver paint very nicely!

I just got my car a few months ago and have some reversible visual/style tweaks planned - stay tuned!

I was tempted to stick with the “dinner plate” Ronals and their Jetsons flair, but in the end, the timeless Alpinas felt right.

 

[adawil2002]

2011 Bone Stock
2016 to Present

 

[BarneyT]

the coupe had been sitting for around 25 years when we purchased…I see a few changes.

 

[Rek]

 

[Rek]

Mine has changed quite a bit.

 

[ScottAndrews]

Sadly, mine has not changed a bit since I bought it in 2006... I am planning on changing that!

 

[ScottAndrews]

Mine has changed quite a bit. View attachment 209900

Your "before" photo looks a lot like mine today! Hopefully I'll get to your level soon. Beautiful car BTW!

 

[JMinPDX]

See if you can spot the difference:

2015:

2021:

 

[Minivansomeren]

See if you can spot the difference:

Bumpers!!!! So much better

 

[Wobdog]

I was tempted to stick with the “dinner plate” Ronals and their Jetsons flair, but in the end, the timeless Alpinas felt right.

See if you can spot the difference:

2015:
View attachment 209914

2021:
View attachment 209915

New Steering wheel? In addtion to the bumper change

 

[JMinPDX]

New Steering wheel? In addtion to the bumper change

Ha! Good eyes. I didn't remember. Now that you mention it. First photo has a Euro CS bus wheel. Second photo has the stock 74 four spoke wheel.
Currently running 14" Moto-Lita.

 

[Rek]

Your "before" photo looks a lot like mine today! Hopefully I'll get to your level soon. Beautiful car BTW!

The design is good but it was put together in a rush after the bodywork was restored so it drives like a crate.

 

[Minivansomeren]

Ok, I’ve only had my coupe a few months but I’ve already gone through a couple style changes:

Original:

Test fitting some new wheels:

Added some color today:

Now I need to get the BBS wheels refinished and combine the two looks.

I really like how the gold wheels compliment the warmth of the Chamonix paint. The CSL stripes are a fun way to add a little color pop. Not sure how long I’ll keep them but I think the combination of stripes and gold BBS will give it a sort of “race car lite” vibe. I don’t love the look of the an air dam but I might run without my front bumper for a while to add to compliment the racey look.

 

[Minivansomeren]

Ok, finally got my BBS wheels done just in time for Arizona’s biggest car show. Here’s the “race car lite” look I mentioned:

And how it looked when I got it 6 months ago:

 

[Wobdog]

Ok, finally got my BBS wheels done just in time for Arizona’s biggest car show. Here’s the “race car lite” look I mentioned:

View attachment 215792
View attachment 215794

And how it looked when I got it 6 months ago:
View attachment 215793

WOW what a change. Love the stripe

 

[Ohmess]

Interior when acquired:

2016 with the five speed and Nardi:

Koenigs, Schrott harnesses and part of the color change:

Interior done, with alternative steering wheel and shift knob:

 

[lip277]

My changes are mostly subtle.... at least till you pop the hood....

Exterior wise....
The paint and bodywork were all redone to a very high standard (but in the original color and such).
The wheels were changed twice. When I first got the car, I changed from the 14" non original alloys to square 16" Alpina style set.
Then when the car was restored, Don installed a staggered set.... still 16" Alpina look though.

Interior....
The interior is mostly stock... though now to a much nicer quality and fitment....
The OE steering wheel was replaced by the PO to an M1 type (was the M1 wheel when I bough the car)... then Don changed it to the one you see in the later picture.
The dash wood was redone as well (by Bela). I had the center speaker removed (MUCH cleaner look IMO) but color and finish were to OE style.
I also had the clock removed and had a repurposed fuel/coolant gauge installed that now reads oil pressure and volts. Looks VERY OE, but isn't.
When I got the car, it had a 1980's era Pioneer stereo installed. I sourced and installed an original Blaupunkt Frankfurt stereo (modified to accept external input). The speakers were mounted facing fwd under the rear seat. For me, sound quality was not really a priority, but I wanted something to use on occasion...

Engine/chassis...
The PO installed Carl Nelson lowering springs. I kept those....
I had the later brakes installed in place of the 2800's disc/drum set.
I had the 4 speed removed and a 5 speed installed.
The 2.8L M30 was needing attention so I had Don build up an M90 (w/Megasquirt) that, when see it - looks like a 'regular' M30 CSi. But - one stab on the throttle and you know immediately it is NOT stock. LOL

Here are a few pics that were posted of the car when I bought it back in 2008 and a few I took when I got it back up to Seattle just after its restoration.
They show how the car has not really changed (in appearance) all that much - unless you know what the details are. And that is what I really appreciate on how this turned out.