BMW 3 in "Pretty in Pink" (2024)

AuthorMessage

Adrian

◊ 2006-04-07 22:13

This movie stars Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy and James Spader. Features a `84-`86 BMW E30 Coupe. I seem to think it's a 325 (sounds like a 6-cylinder, and seem to recall seeing 325 on the rear) - there's a chance it's a 318i. It's driven by one of the main characters (Blane - Andrew McCartney) - only used in three scenes. A few nice shots of car. No special driving performed.

ahight

◊ 2006-10-16 05:05

still can't tell if it's a 325 or 318.

benny

◊ 2006-10-16 18:40

It seems, by the trims, more a 325i than 318i.

Adrian

◊ 2006-11-02 22:45

It's NOT a 325i. The 325i did not come out until 1987 in the US. This leaves the 318i, 325, 325e, 325es - that's it. This car does not have the deep front-air-dam of the 325es, so we can eliminate it. As mentioned in my 1st comment, it sounds like a 6-cylinder, so that leaves the 325 or 325e.

Adrian

◊ 2006-11-03 17:30

Yes, this car could be an `85 325e. It could also be a `86 325 or `86 325e. The only way to tell them appart is by the badge or the interior - the e had a 3-spoke steering wheel, computer, and sport seats.

-- Last edit: 2006-11-06 18:32:11

ahight

◊ 2007-05-24 22:04

watching the movie again, i still can't tell. the one photo of the back parked behind the mustang I notice the muffler. i think the 318 was round and the 325 was oval. in the photo it looks oval. it's definitely pre '86. the only other way i remember telling the difference was i thought the 318 had a "fasten seatbelt" thing glued on top of the dash.

seats:

btw..why '85 and not '84?

-- Last edit: 2007-05-24 22:15:17

harrytipper

◊ 2009-10-18 23:56

Hey there!
It's a 318, i guess, because of the single round exhaust. i drive 325 e30 and it has two exhaust-pipes.
the sound of a six-cylinder isn't a hint, because in movies the sound of the scene exept voices is often made afterwards.
please apologize my bad english, i'm from germany.

Snyderman

◊ 2010-06-01 19:19

The car is either a late model 1984 325e, or an early model 1985. Based upon the early 1986 release date for the film, I would say that the car is a 1985, especially since I owned one that looked EXACTLY like this one. It was a 1985 model year (produced in October 1984), 6 cylinder with a single round exhaust. In mid 1985, U.S. Department of Transportation required all new vehicles to have a 3rd "high mounted" brake light. On the e30 models it was placed at the bottom of the rear windshield. This car does not have that, so it has to be pre-1986, and based upon the look of the interior it is an "e" model.

G-MANN

◊ 2016-07-25 22:28

I'm watching this in HD (Sky TV). The rear badge in the shot shown in the first thumbnail is 32#i, it's definitely not 318i.

-- Last edit: 2016-07-25 23:08:54

Sandie

◊ 2016-07-25 22:52

If you read the rest of the comments there's an explanation of what other models were available in the US:

Adrian wrote It's NOT a 325i. The 325i did not come out until 1987 in the US. This leaves the 318i, 325, 325e, 325es - that's it. This car does not have the deep front-air-dam of the 325es, so we can eliminate it. As mentioned in my 1st comment, it sounds like a 6-cylinder, so that leaves the 325 or 325e.

None of the possible options combine a 32x with an i or a 0 like character. Going by Nada Guides as a 2 door saloon it can be a 1984-85 325e or a 1986 325 assuming 318i (1984-85) is definitively ruled out. Movie was made from June-October 1985. Slightly too early for a 1986MY? There doesn't look to be a CHMSL in the rear view...

-- Last edit: 2016-07-25 22:53:16

G-MANN

◊ 2016-07-25 23:07

I did read the rest of the comments. I think it's a 325i and Adrian is wrong.

It's difficult to take close up photos of TV screens but here:

G-MANN

◊ 2016-07-25 23:19

I see it's now been entered as a 325i, it wasn't me who did it, just saying.

G-MANN

◊ 2016-07-25 23:29

PS. the year has been left as 1984, I don't know if it should be...

-- Last edit: 2016-07-25 23:30:13

Sandie

◊ 2016-07-25 23:33

It does look like 325i but...
http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars/1984/BMW
http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars/1985/BMW
http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars/1986/BMW

Even in Europe there wasn't a 325i until (I guess late) 1985. It was the 323i before then. Faked badge?

-- Last edit: 2016-07-25 23:35:05

G-MANN

◊ 2016-07-25 23:35

The second digit is definitely a 2, that's all I'm saying.

Sandie

◊ 2016-07-25 23:36

I agree, really until you posted that picture with what looked like a clear i I was prepared to name it 325e (based on the comments and lack of a CHMSL).

There's also this one: /vehicle_637354-BMW-325i-E30-1984.html

karoomay

◊ 2016-07-25 23:39

There's this one too: /vehicle_95823-BMW-325i-E30-1985.html

G-MANN

◊ 2016-07-25 23:44

Could it be a promotional car lent to the studio?

dsl

◊ 2016-07-26 00:19

325i was Oct 85 in UK at least.

1984318i

◊ 2018-04-16 23:55

I'm guessing that BMW changed the badge for them to promote the new 325i that was going to be coming out in very late 1986. That model simply wasn't available yet when this movie was filmed. That being said, this car more than likely is actually a 325e.

-- Last edit: 2018-04-17 00:05:01

graham0730

◊ 2020-01-15 23:04

My guess is that the car is an 84/85 318i and they removed the 318 and replaced it with the 325 part of the badge of a 84/85 325e. The 325i two door did not exist until 1989. the first year this car was badged 325i was 1987 and it was a 4 door only. the 2 door was a 325is also not until 1987

graham0730

◊ 2020-01-15 23:05

and there is no 3rd brake light so the car has to be a 1984 or 1985

graham0730

◊ 2020-01-15 23:06

if it is a 325e then it looks like there is an i next to the e

graham0730

◊ 2020-01-15 23:07

i saw this movie in March of 1986 when I was a senior in high school. Two years later in March of 1988 I purchased a 1984 318i

Furillo