Hi everyone!



At the moment, i'm working on a little side project for fun. I want to compile a proper history of the X3 accent (or excel as its known in australia and holland), as much as I can. I'm aware alot of info is lost by manufacturers, and we won't be able to access pre-production info, so instead I'm aiming for a breakdown of all the models and trims available on a year-per-year basis. As I'm in Australia, the preliminary information I have compiled only applies to Australian models, but I imagine that similar models are made internationally and just re-badged locally. Here's what I have so far:



For reference, the model names were:

Base 3 door: sprint

Deluxe 3 door: GX

Base 4/5 door: LX

Deluxe 4/5 door: GLX



There were also special editions here and there, like 'classique' and 'vacationer', but they were pretty much just dealer specials with free a/c or similar... i don't have any info on them just yet.

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1994



production started late in 94, october iirc. uses 'triple swirl' wheel covers and mini grille for all models.















The GX trim featured seats with grey bolsters and 'grey shapes' lumbar.











all models came with the 1.5 sohc.







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1995



recall for headlights extinguishing when going from lo to hi beam. recall on rear axle carrier casting for some july cars. no model/trim changes afaik.

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1996



converted to dohc style crossmember and gearbox. this possibly conicided with the 'unicorn nose' facelift that brought 'penta swirl' wheel covers. sprint models retain the same interior after facelift.











unicorn gx gets black bolsters/black squares lumbar.





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1997



infamous recall issued: the welds between chassis rail and floor pan were cracking on the 94-96 models. 'dohc' facelift late in the year with six flower wheel covers. facelift cars still keep 'sprint' badging.











sprint interior changes to black squares seat trim.







GX gets black bolsters/grey squares lumbar seat trim.





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1998



all models receive 1.5 DOHC engine with 'classic' rocker cover. differentiated from sohc f/l models by 'twin cam' badging on rear hatch.









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1999



'5 star' wheel covers introduced. some models received the updated rocker cover from the upcoming LC 1.6 (or 1.5 dohc in australia), but it seems that there was no consistent application of the LC rocker cover, all models had a mix of LC and classic rockers.









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2000



still a mix of accent and classic rocker covers. production ends in october.

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so yeah, thats what I've got for now. I'll definitely be editing this thread with more information as I receive it, and there is more information yet to come. Stuff I'm already chasing up: the exact months of production changeovers, detailed mechanical info about changeovers, info on features and higher models and also some more info about recalls. I'll also be formatting this page a little better and finding nicer photos.



What I need your help with, my dear HA, is the American models. From what I can see, they were fairly synchronous with the Australian models in terms of exterior styling. Obviously the American models only got the 1.5 DOHC in the 97 GT, which also used a MAF from what I've heard? Did they use the classic or LC rocker? I don't really know much more than that, although I assume they would have similar trims to the Australian models with different badging. Can someone please shed some light on the matter?



So yeah, I'll be heading to some wrecker's yards this week to investigate which months the models changed over and maybe look at some VINs. I'm currently waiting on Hyundai to reply with info on recalls and more trim info. Enjoy!

 

wow i would love to buy me a rhd and bring it to the states....



nice write up

 

i dont think we got the 1.5 DOHC here in north america, i know it didn't hit canada for sure. but then again i hear it was a POS lol.

 

Yes the DHOC came to America!!!



wheel of steelds can you gate me some poarts I don't get here in Puerto Rico or in the states?

 

for sure. on the condition you sell me a beta shirt

 

I'll sell you has many as you want. How many you want 1, 2 3 dozens?

 

lol i have a 1.5 doch it came to the states... it wasnt nothing special it came in the gt's

 

that's quite interesting. you might see in the photo of the 98 with the classic rocker (its a better photo than the one with the LC rocker, but they're both the same), all australian 1.5 DOHCs used a MAP sensor, with coil packs mounted above the thermostat, beta style. also looks like alot of SOHC ISC gear too.



what are the trim levels in the states? i know the base is the L, then the deluxe was the GT in 97. what were the trims in other years?



juanra, just let me know what you want man. i can go to wreckers yards or whatever. i've actually got two DOHC 1.5s sitting in my garage at the mo, one from an LC with 30k miles and the other from an X3 with 130k miles. the X3 was having un-solved sensor issues though.

 

The trim I blive are L, GS, and GT in 95-97 and L GS and GSi in 98-99. The GT was discontinued in 97 and so was the DOHC.



wheel of steelds I'll PM you.

 

juanra is right and gsi were soch.... wich is interesting you would think they would keep a doch in them