Very rare 2006 BMW 320si

Highlights

• Sharp, modern styling
• Smart metallic grey paintwork
• Extensive invoices for parts and servicing
• 171 bhp @ 7,000 rpm
• Six-speed manual

Overview

If you like your BMWs to be descended from true motorsport models, then the 320si is certainly an appealing choice. BMW needed to produce a few thousand cars to satisfy the homologation rules allowing the 320si to compete in the FIA World Touring Car Championship. They didn’t produce many more than absolutely necessary, making this car a particularly rare beast.

It features various features designed to up the standard model’s competitiveness. The 320si came from the factory with a tweaked engine: wider bore, shorter stroke for extra revviness, larger overhead valves, aluminium alloy cylinder liners, an increased compression ratio, and a carbon fibre camshaft cover.

This amounts to an extra 23 bhp, which – when combined with the car’s 10kg weight saving, shorter final-drive ratio, and lowered, stiffened suspension – makes the car considerably sportier.

The example we see here is looking in very good shape for its age and mileage. The sharp crease lines in the body panels make it seem quite at home on today’s roads, and you’d easily forget that it was built in 2006. And the interior is a very pleasant place to be, with a restrained colour palette and plenty of creature comforts.

History and documentation

• Registered 30 Jun 2006
• Extensive collection of invoices for parts and servicing and old MOT certificates
• Dealer printout shows service visits to 2014 with the most significant entry being for an engine rebuild in 2013
• Two keys
• Current MOT 16 Apr 2025
• V5 present in owner’s name
• Only three registered former keepers
• Previous owner 2018-24
• HPI clear
• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• The interior of this 320si remains very smart for a car built in 2006
• The bucket seats feature plenty of lateral support
• The half-suede upholstery shows few signs of wear
• Only a little light wear to the driver’s seat bolster
• Electronic seat adjusters
• There is some wear to the step plate and door seal on the driver’s side
• Dark grey carpets throughout
• The door cards are a well presented
• Only a few scratches on the driver’s door handle
• The multi-function steering wheel has a little lacquer peel
• Cruise control
• Air conditioning reportedly working
• The dashboard is in very smart order
• Large, clear analogue instruments
• Original BMW Business stereo/CD player
• The stereo’s LCD display has lost a few pixels but the top half remains legible
• There is a small mark on the centre of the rear bench seat
• The rear ashtray needs a little persuasion to open
• Headlining clean and tidy
• The spacious boot is fully carpeted, clean and tidy
• Original first-aid kit still located in the boot
• Under the boot floor there is some extra storage — the original toolkit is said to remain with the car

Exterior

• This BMW’s styling is crisp and sharp, looking superb even in today’s traffic
• The Sparkling Graphite metallic grey paint is understated and smart
• There are some small chips and scratches throughout
• A little lacquer peel on the front bumper and some scrapes to the underside
• The body panels look good, with crisp lines and no obvious dents that we could see
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• All four tyres were replaced in Mar 2024
• There are a couple of scuffs and scrapes tot the wheel rims
• The original 320Si rear badge is no longer fitted but, is said to remain with the car
• There is some light clouding to the headlights
• Windscreen and windows in good condition
• Underneath, the car looks generally quite clean, from what we could see, aside from a a split in the exhaust backbox which could use a little welding, and which has led to the small amount of condensate on the floor in the pictures
• Chrome exhaust tip

Mechanical

• 1,997 cc four-cylinder petrol engine
• Produces 171 bhp and 147 lb ft
• Peak power is reached at 7,000 rpm
• Six-speed manual transmission
• Rear-wheel drive
• The engine bay looks very clean
• Service records show a significant engine rebuild in 2013
• Fabulous carbon fibre camshaft cover
• The only current MOT advisory is for ‘signs of anti-freeze in sump shield’
• The most recent parts invoice on file (Mar 2024) included a set of front brake discs, pads and sensors, and a windscreen washer fluid pump
• In Nov 2020, £1,965 was spent on parts and servicing, including a new SZL module (steering column sensor), electrical coding, some new brake pipes, V-belt
• There is a generic warning light showing on the dashboard, believed to be because ‘service’ indicator shows when the car is started
• The vendor reports that the car’s ride is reassuringly firm, and the exhaust provides a pleasant rumble to accompany you

Summary

Sporting pedigree, rarity value, and all-round great performance all combine to make this 320si a very tempting proposition. Those who are in the know will nod appreciatively as you pass by, but you can just as easily pass under the radar if you prefer. Truly a car for every occasion.

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 Cwmbran, South Wales.