2006 BMW 320si Very Rare Homologation Special

● Rare and desirable E90 3 series built to homologate the WTCC car

● Very special engine with carbon cam cover

● Six speed manual gearbox

● Extensive history and recent engine rebuild

● Great condition inside and out

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

Possibly the world’s least likely looking homologation special, it’s fair to say that BMW’s E90 320si hides its light under a bushel somewhat. For beneath its Clarke Kent executive saloon exterior beats the Kryptonite heart of a very specialised motorsport-derived engine.

How did this come about? Well, having won European touring car championships in 2005, BMW wanted to go global and enter the WTCC which meant that they had to build a road car to house the engine that they wanted to take racing. Work on the 2-litre four cylinder motor was expensive and extensive: the cylinder head was cast in the F1 engine plant, the bore and stroke were optimised to help it rev, Valvetronic was substituted for conventional overhead cams with bigger valves and the compression was increased from 10.5:1 to 11:1.

There was a carbon cam cover, shorter final drive and a 10kg weight saving. And a massive power increase of… 23hp. Still, the car went on to be very successful in motorsport, winning the 2006 WTCC with Andy Priaulx driving. On the road, they remained a specialist interest with BMW selling 500 in the UK but numbers have since diminished due to a problem with the aluminium cylinder liners which has claimed quite a few.

This car has, in fact, suffered from that very problem but the current owner has invested the time and money to fully rebuild the engine with steel liners, which should be more resilient. To the casual onlooker it’s just a 3 series saloon but the unique design of the lighter 18 inch alloys and MSport suspension are enough to alert a BMW connoisseur. Aside from its extensive maintenance, this example remains in good condition inside and out, too.

Kudos should go to the previous owner that used the car for family duties (comments relating to the child seat in the MOT history give the game away here) but we can’t help but think that this car deserves to be preserved in tribute to its racing cousins. Still, it’s very practical should you need it to be, and even if you do have a baby seat, those in the know will appreciate that you have something very special.

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

● Registered 10 May 2006

● Main dealer services shown by stamps in service book or invoices as follows: Aug 2007 @10,321 miles, Jun 2008 @16k miles, Jun 2009 @21k miles, Jun 2011 @37k miles, Aug 2012@ 46k miles, Apr 2021 @96,959 miles

● There are stamps from independent garages as follows: Aug 2013 @53k, Sep 2015 @59k miles, Aug 2017 @77k miles, Sep 2018 @83k miles, Nov 2020 @96k miles, Again at 96k miles, date unrecorded

● May 2021 main dealer invoice shows the following work: new rear disks and pads, chain tensioner piston, water pump, cam cover gasket, gearbox output shaft and selector shaft seals, 4 injectors, timing chain, guides and tensioner, total cost over £2,000

● New battery fitted Feb 2023

● Unfortunately the aluminium cylinder liners failed 2 months after the current owner purchased the car, and the engine has been completely rebuilt with steel liners, new clutch and many parts replaced, with supporting invoices

● Two keys

● Current MOT expires 25 Nov 2025

● HPI clear

● London ULEZ compliant

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

● Inside there’s little clue as to the specialised nature of this car but you do get all the usual attributes of an E90 saloon: it’s well appointed, comfortable and practical

● This is some wear as you’d expect for a car of this age and mileage but in general its in very good condition for its age

● The front sports seats are complemented by a sports steering wheel and gear shift which are covered with perforated leather

● There’s air conditioning and BMW professional audio and the owner reports that everything works as it should

● The boot is very tidy but does unfortunately show some staining to the floor which could perhaps be addressed with a thorough valet

● Overall, though, it’s very presentable and eminently usable

𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

● This car actively avoids shouting about its motorsport roots and, from a distance, resembles a regular E90 3 series

● Closer inspection reveals that the freshly refurbished wheels are a design unique to the si and they contrast nicely with the dark metallic blue paintwork

● The bodywork looks to be straight but there are a few areas where the paint is showing its age a little: some lacquer peel on the offside rear door and some minor scrapes around the corners

● Underneath looks to be clean with a little surface corrosion, as you’d expect

● In all, it’s in reasonable nick for its age and, with a little TLC, would no doubt come up very well

𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹

● Under the bonnet, your eye is immediately drawn to the carbon fibre cam cover

● Under it sits the 1997cc four cylinder engine which is rated at 170hp at 7000rpm

● Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six speed manual gearbox

● The engine has recently been rebuilt with steel cylinder liners, new pistons and rings and a new clutch was also installed

● It’s now said to start, go and stop without issue

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆

If you’re a keen follower of BMW’s motorsport endeavours, then you’ll no doubt be familiar with the significance of the letters ‘si’ following the 320 on the boot badge of this car. Many will be oblivious, but if you were to own this car then you’d have the knowledge that you were driving something (secretly) very special.

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 Laindon Basildon.