1989 BMW 320i

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

• Beautiful example of the much sought after E30

• Just three owners from new

• Comprehensive service history

• Full mechanical refresh in summer 2023

• Turns heads wherever it goes

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

BMW’s E30 3 series has long been recognised as a classic worthy of preservation and restoration and yet many have succumbed to the ravages of ownership by those who can afford to buy but not to maintain them.

Every so often, though, comes an example that demonstrates the fortitude or the foresight of the owner in squirrelling away a prime example until the time is right for it to emerge into the sunlight for us to admire.

This is one such car. A 1989 facelift E30 320i with a manual gearbox in a great colour combination, it was owned and used regularly by two caring owners and then acquired by the seller in 2012 who has used it sparingly and kept it in a heated garage.

The 320i of 1989 was, let’s not forget, equipped with a 1990cc creamy straight six engine, which immediately elevates it above the contemporary competition and today makes for a compelling proposition in a classic saloon. Sure, it’s not the best for fuel consumption but with the limited miles that this car will cover, you’ll want to savour them.

And savour them you will with a manual five speed gearbox giving you a more involving experience than the slush box of the time and an interior that is so fresh that the seller describes it as smelling like new.

While there are plenty of E30s that have been turned into admirable drift cars, it’s refreshing to see one that has been so faithfully maintained to the standard specification and, with so few now left in this condition, it’s surely going to be a safe investment. The standing advice with classics is to buy the best you can and you’ll struggle to find better than this one.

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

• Registered new 1 July 1989 at BMW NEEP main dealer in Colchester

• The second owner purchased the car at 3 years old from Cotswold BMW in Cheltenham and kept the car for 20 years

• The current owner acquired the car in 2012, used it for 18 months and then stored it in a warm garage, starting it from time to time to keep the fluids moving and occasionally taking it to car shows

• The owner tells us that the original service booklet has 23 service stamps which, after the pre-delivery on 27th June 1989 show that the following services were carried out at Richard Cound Ltd, main BMW dealer: 13k, 20k, 26k, 33k, 40k, 43k, 45k

• Further it is reported that specialists looked after services at the following mileages: 51k, 55k, 62k, 67k, 72k, 76k, 78k, 79k, 80k, 80k, 80k, 80k

• The vendor reports that the summer of 2023 saw a considerable amount of expenditure, replacing the timing belt kit and water pump, front cam/crank seals, rear end seal, gaskets, aux belts, fuel hoses in the engine bay and at the rear end of the car, suspension all round, all four tyres, brakes, clutch kit along with new slave and master clutch cylinder, foot brake cylinder, brake flexi hoses all round, battery, bonnet insulation, viscous clutch fan, and the heater matrix heater control valve

• The car was also reportedly treated to a full service including having all the filters, spark plugs and all the fluids changed, and fresh oil, gear oil, diff oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, screen wash and antifreeze

• The owner is now downsizing his collection due to the increasing cost of storage and is reluctantly offering the car up for auction

• Documentation includes the original BMW leather folder containing the owner’s manual and service book pack and a ring binder containing invoices and old MOT certificates

• Taken for an MOT test every year by the current owner and the electronic record shows not so much as an advisory since 2012

• Current MOT expires 26 July 2024

• V5 present in the owner’s name

• HPI clear

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

• Specified with Anthracite cloth (code 0269 for the BMW nerds out there), the interior has to be seen to be believed and is a tribute to the build quality of BMWs of the era

• There are almost no signs of wear and the seller describes it as still smelling like new

• The dashboard shows no signs of sun damage and the door panels, headlining and carpets are all in pristine condition, while the original BMW grey overmats are also provided

• Refinements include a manual sunroof, a dealer-fitted Pioneer radio/ cassette player (complete with unfilled warranty card) and electric windows, and everything is said to be in perfect working order

• The glovebox-mounted rechargeable torch is still in place

• In the boot, the carpet is almost unmarked, the toolkit is complete and spare wheel (which looks to be the original item) under the floor looks like it’s never seen the road

• In all, despite BMW producing upwards of 250,000 E30s in 1989, you’re unlikely to see many others in this condition

𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

• Particularly when held up against some of BMW’s more recent styling decisions, the E30 saloon is a masterpiece

• The car has reportedly always been garaged from new and this is reflected in the condition of the exterior: the Zinnober Red paintwork, which is said to be original, is near immaculate and the panels are all straight

• Further evidence of its careful storage comes from the lights which show no signs of UV-induced fade

• The underside is remarkably clean and shows only minor surface corrosion, as far as we can see

• 14 inch BBS alloys look very smart on the car and, although there are a few minor kerb marks, the centre caps are in impressive condition

• The wheels are shod with brand new tyres

• In keeping with the period charm, the numberplates carry Cotswold BMW branding and the tax disc holder is a BMW item of the time

• Essentially, if you’re looking for an E30 in prime condition, you’ll struggle to find much better than this

𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹

• Under the bonnet, which carries fresh insulation, sits the 1990cc straight-six M20 engine

• Just like the rest of the car, the engine bay is in remarkably clean condition

• Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox

• The seller tells us that the engine starts well and sounds lovely and smooth

• Likewise, the gear shift is said to be smooth, and the drive is as close to the experience of driving a new one as you’re likely to get at this stage

• The exhaust note is also called out for special praise

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆

A great deal of credit must go to the owners of this car. Thanks to their careful stewardship, it really is in time-warp condition. Credit where it’s due also to BMW for building a car that wears its miles as well as this. Their combined efforts mean that you have the chance to own and enjoy a late eighties executive saloon almost as it would have been back then. While they don’t build ‘em like they used to, here’s your chance to step back in time.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Leicester, Leicestershire.