1983 BMW 316 (E21) Manual

Highlights

• Handsome and charming classic 3 Series
• Excellent starter classic
• Presents well
• Low mileage
• Manual gearbox

Overview

There are few more positive indicators as to a car's popularity and indeed quality than that of longevity and the BMW 3 Series is a case in point. Breaking cover in 1975, it's still being made today and BMW's general ethos behind the model has remained remarkably consistent for the past 50 years. Simply put it has always been a well-designed and well-built compact executive car.

The first iteration of the 3 Series, the two-door coupe E21, was built as a replacement for the ageing (but still brilliant) 02 Series. Elegantly designed by Paul Bracq it exuded a much more modern aesthetic and was available with either a four or six-cylinder engine of varying capacities, both inline. It was a huge hit for BMW, ushering in, as it did, one of the German giant's most popular ranges and remains a beloved model for classic car enthusiasts to this day.

With a new monocoque bodyshell and suspension the E21 drove exceptionally well. It was quieter, more refined and smoother than its predecessor while also being subjectively more handsome and equipped with a greatly improved and more modern interior. In other words, it was a great little car.

This particular E21, currently residing in Faversham, is a rather handsome and wholly original 1983 316 resplendent in white. Equipped with the 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engine (capacity increased from 1.6-litres in 1980) it's a rather lovable and eminently usable example that would be equally at home as a daily driver or as a weekend toy to take to classic car shows, such is the inherent capability and charm of these early 3 Series models. It may have a few bumps and bruises but it is in decent shape throughout, has low mileage and presents honestly.

History and documentation

• 1983 model year
• V5C present and correct
• First registered 1 Sep 1983
• In current ownership since May 2018
• Original BMW owners manual
• Some receipts for repairs and replacement parts
• HPI clear
• 74,637 miles

Interior

• Original specification
• In good condition commensurate with age and mileage
• Small crack to the dashboard
• Drivers seat has some fraying to the fabric
• The vendor reports that everything works, including the sunroof
• Appears to be clean and tidy with no sign of water ingress
• Headlining is not sagging
• Boot area presents well
• Comes with matching spare wheel with tyre as well as a partial factory tool kit

Exterior

• Overall the car is in good condition with some light marks and scratches here and there
• All chrome trim looks to be in good shape
• All shut lines appear straight
• Originally Bronzit Beige Metallic but repainted white
• The vendor reports a slight crack in one of the rear lights
• Some slight damage to the offside rear due to a small collision in Dec 2021; the car was assessed by Admiral Insurance at the time who covered the repair
• Original BMW 13” steel wheels are in decent shape but some surface rust is beginning to show
• All tyres are Runway Enduro 726 and appear to be wearing well
• Another set of black BMW steel wheels is also included
• Underneath appears clean and tidy
• No signs of any major corrosion

Mechanical

• 89bhp 1.8-litre inline four-cylinder engine
• Five-speed manual gearbox
• Rear-wheel drive
• Engine bay appears to be in good condition but there does look to be a repair to the air intake hose
• The vendor informs us the car starts up fine and sounds good, if a little “grumbly”, and there are no mechanical issues to report

Summary

Usable, cool enough to take to shows and with scope to tweak and improve as you go this E21 BMW 316 would make an excellent first car for anyone looking to get into classic car ownership, but even if you're a veteran of the scene it would still make for a tidy little daily driver. Whatever your situation, you can't deny this cute '80s Beemer has bags of character and deserves to be driven for many more years to come.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Faversham, Kent.