1986 BMW E30 320i

Description

• Dry stored for a decade
• Verified mileage of only 67,450 miles
• Very original
• One owner from 1987 until 2021
• Service history
• Private plate included

Background

The classic BMW 3 series E30s are always popular and rightly so. Front engine, rear wheel drive and a beautifully balanced chassis make these cars an absolute delight to drive. Their reputation for being reliable, fast and fun, along with being built to a high German engineering standard, is fully deserved.

This one is a lovely looking car.

• New on 11 March 1986
• First registered as a BMW Dealer Demo vehicle. The next owner purchased it from the BMW Dealer on 29 May 1987
• He hung on to it until Sept 2021
• Whilst in his ownership, it was dry stored for nearly a decade during a period of illness
• During that time, as you’d expect, it has been properly looked after
• The “stacks and stacks” of invoices confirm that

History

If you haven’t already, take a few moments to go through the image gallery.

E30s are legend. But because of that, we often see them come to market with dozens of owners on the logbook and slightly worse for wear.

This BMW E30 320i for sale through our auction is not one of those.

• The same owner for 34 years
• Low mileage backed up by MOT and service records
• It has that BMW originality
• The torch is in the glove box
• The BMW tool kit is in the boot

It all looks very good indeed. If you’re in the market for a good E30, you’ve probably found one of the best around at the moment.

Our vendor bought it with his dad in September last year. He saw it. He knew it was ‘right’ and he had to have it. The plan was to keep it long term. Unfortunately a deposit for a house has scuppered that.

Documents

This BMW E30 320i has “stacks and stacks” of paperwork, to quote our vendor, Peter.

There is too much to list here. We’ve picked out some highlights for you and Peter is happy to dig out any particular ones for bidders. Just ask, it’s what we are here for.

• The original Dealer invoice showing the sale price of £10,745 starts the ball rolling
• The correct V5 is present, showing the BMW to have first been registered on 11 March 1986
• From May 1987 there was just one owner  until our vendor acquired the car on 16 Sept 2021
• We have a number of old MOT’s and of course the on-line records
• The on-line records show the 320i has done just 3,497 miles since 2006
• Records from the previous owner validate the mileage as does the overall condition
• Images of the Service Book and BMW Dealer Stamps are in the image gallery
• Much of the paperwork for servicing and maintenance in its early years is with Peter. He just hasn’t got around to the detailed cataloguing of it. He tells us he will tidy it up prior to sale.
• We’ve posted a few images in the gallery to help
• The cambelt has been replaced

The on-line MOT records show a failure notice was issued 10 August 2016 at 67, 243 miles, for ‘alleged corrosion’. Don’t panic. Eight days later on 18 August 2017 at 67,243 an MOT Pass certificate was issued. Our vendor tells us there is an invoice for the “corrosion” work for around £250.

Inside

We’re hesitant to use the phrase ‘time-warp’. Instead, can we just all agree this is one of the very best E30 interiors we’ve seen for yonks?

• The seats are in outstanding condition front and rear, with no marks, wear or damage
• The headlining looks as fresh as anything
• The carpets are excellent, as are the door cards
• Manual windows and sunroof, working exactly as they should
• The dash is great. These cars are prone to cracking dash-tops, but there’s absolutely no evidence of that
• All of the original dials and switchgear are in place, in correct working order, and with no warning lights illuminated
• The BMW issued torch is in the glovebox. We do love those touches. It might need batteries!
• The tool kit, which often gets lost or robbed, is in there. Another touch that shows someone has cared for the classic BMW
• An original Blaupunkt radio cassette is fitted and works perfectly
• The images show the boot space is in good order. Under the bonnet, we can see the sound deadening has had better days. That is pretty much standard in our opinion and is easily dealt with if the new owner felt they needed to.

Outside and underside

The quality of this car’s exterior is remarkable. It was a lovely sunny day for the photos, which means you can see the straightness and tidiness of this classic BMW E30 320i for sale. Look along the body sides, you can see that everything’s straight and free from ripples, with all the panels neatly aligned and sitting right.

The car sits on original ‘Bottle Cap’ alloy wheels, in very good condition

The paint work looks original and very good indeed. We could detect no obvious marks, scratches, or damage. It looks lovely.

We can see some very minor crusts on one of the edges of the wheel arches. That is us being picky to be honest and our honest vendor being, well, honest. Have a look for yourself, Peter has provided helpful images for bidders.

We can only imagine great efforts have also gone into looking after this BMW. All of the correct trim is present and in good order, even the boot lid spoiler. It is as it is in the images; complete, fresh and correct. The original wheels look in very good condition.

There are some images of the underside too. If you look closely you can see and judge the condition for yourself. It also looks like the BMW has had a new exhaust at some recent point too.

Engine and transmission

That 2.0-litre straight-six is as smooth as silk. All the service history shows that it’s been looked after over the years.

We always say to our vendor, provide an honest description, a few images and a video and we’ll do the rest.

Have a look at how honest that video is of the engine being started from cold.

It fires first time, purrs into life then settles quickly and quietly to a steady idle. This one is right.

Our view

Demand for the classic 3 Series is strong at the moment. The days when these were a regular sight as daily drivers are long gone. Values are strengthening as the market for 1980s and ’90s classics increases.

The six cylinder version is the real sweet spot of the E30 range. Great engine. Agile chassis. Interior quality and ride comfort is best in class. They are superbly practical too. The E30 is a very attractive proposition these days. The condition of this E30 should make it sit at the top of your list if you’re looking to own a classic 3 Series BMW.

Vehicle Location: Berkshire, RG12– it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor

Have a question about this vehicle? Please contact the Evoke team at auction@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices?

We’re different. But you know that. And we’re always honest. In a sector where no two classic cars are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’.

Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘cars are worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at auction@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to ring you back and discuss, it’s what we do.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

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