How to tell whether 3.2L Euro M3 has Aluminum or Steel Doors

[m3f_Type H]

This is a tricky but important question!


Any guru to shine some light here because this is the most effective single mod to reduce weight w/o changing outer appearance.


Going carbon fibre is unsafe & illegal for street.


Sure M3 GT & M3 LTW/CSL (USA) have Al Doors.


I thought my Euro 3.2L Coupe had Al doors but the fridge magnet stuck to the doors like glue! I don't think the metallic paint has such high iron content?!


BMW car parts CD-ROM catalog insists my car must have had Al Doors although Steel Door is an option.


Another clue is that a Japanese BMW fan site mentioned that there are 2 versions of Euro 3.2L out there; those with Al Doors http://m3forum.com/ubb/smile.gif & those with Steel Doors http://m3forum.com/ubb/frown.gif


Are there tests/ways to ascertain the atomic composition of my car doors? Thanks a lot!

[m3f_Paparazzi]

Can you use a magnet?

[m3f_Type H]

Tried with my trusted fridge magnet,

my no-rust doors are steel thru & thru.

[m3f_Paparazzi]

No, get a horseshoe, "ACME" made, one of those used by the Coyote to catch the Roadrunner, type magnet! I don’t think the door is Stainless steel with high chromium content. Hack even the high quality exhaust pipes attract the magnet. If still not attract the “ACME” magnet, you got the Aluminum doors.

[m3f_neo]

i remember reading some where that its only the late 95 and all 96 spec cars,that were the only euro spec cars to be fitted with the ally doors aside from the M3 GT spec E36 models.

[m3f_eduardo go_61bf44b0e1]

The euro 3.2 has no alloy doors. Those were only found in the M3 GT. This car was only produced till late `95 only with 3.0 engine.

The diferences were alloy doors, no speed limiter, 295hp, special factory cams, special oil pan, special oil pump and diferent intake runners. So, left to say that your doors are steel.

Eduardo.

[m3f_Type H]

BMW AG confirmed that all BMW M3 3.2 ECE (Euro) specification vehicles w/o side airbags should be fitted with Aluminium doors unless the doors have been replaced at some point.


They verified this from my car's build specification & chassis number even though my doors obviously attract magnets. Some say because there's steel skin & reinforcement inside.


However, vehicles equipped with side airbags come with steel doors.

[m3f_eduardo go_61bf44b0e1]

Well, i don`t know nothing more about this subject. The information i gave you is what the BMW parts catalog shows. Alloy doors only for the GT. If you have steel doors i can tell you that alloys are twice expensive than yours.

Eduardo.