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Sold

1990 BMW 325i (E30)

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£11,130

  • Mileage~107,071 on clock
  • TransmissionManual
  • Engine2.5L
  • LocationMilton Keynes

SOLD

1990 BMW 325i (E30)

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Video #2

Introduction

Glyn Parry
Professional Consigner

The 3 Series is BMW’s most popular range ever, managing to consistently fuse style, beauty and poise with a sense of purpose.

Initially introduced as the E21 in 1975 the 3 Series succeeded the popular and iconic 02 series. Not an easy act to follow but BMW got the formula right. Coming to market in 1982 the E30 proved very popular with the public and buyers couldn’t get enough. The design was new, innovative, and purposeful while staying loyal to BMW heritage. The 325i, a sporting, higher revving version of the M20 straight-six, was considered the choice of the standard production models. Never one to miss an opportunity, BMW combined the 2.5-litre engine with the full open-top cabriolet style in 1985 and created a compact, practical, high-quality car.

Coming to market with just 5 former owners, a whole host of previous mechanical updates, 4 new tyres, fewer than ~9,000 miles travelled in the last ~10 years, and a full service in February this year, the 325i E30 is a very desirable soft top BMW that's ready for its future owner to enjoy.

This listing was written from information supplied by Glyn after meeting Mika the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Video #2

Meet the owner

One of my favourite cars of all time - when I saw it on offer I knew I had to own it.

The current owner, Mika, hasn't owned the car very long, as is often the case, life has got in his way where a few bills from his existing car and a new job further away from home has caused this car to come back up for sale. Mika told us, "I love the E30 models, they are some of my favourite cars of all time, but, with the extra miles I have to do for work and outstanding jobs to do on my other car, I have to put the BMW back on the market again".

Its the kind of car that Mika would buy again and he'll be lining up his sights in future for another similar model, he went on to say, "Having owned similar cars to this in the past, its not a decision I wanted to make but I have to focus on my new job and making sure my main car is back up to speed again".

Should any further queries be needed on the car, Mika would be happy to answer these in the comments section below.

Mika
Vehicle Owner

Mika saved £1,980* when they
sold their BMW with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Exterior

This car looks great in its Schwarz Black finish - arguably the perfect colour for an E30.

Wheels and Tyres

The 15” cross spoke alloy wheels and BMW centre caps appear in good condition with just a few age-related marks. Our images in the gallery section show a close up view of the wheels for you to see the condition for yourselves.

The wheels are wrapped with iLink LGrip66 tyres with a tread spec of 205/55 to the front and rear, these have been recently replaced in July 2023 showing date codes of 2023. These look in excellent condition and appear to have a good amount of tread remaining.

Take a look through the gallery section to see more detail on the 325i.

Bodywork

Panels align well and we could see no visible distortion to these areas. Shut lines and panel gaps look good and both doors with the bonnet cover and boot opening and closing well, exactly what you would expect from BMW engineering. The manual hood opens and closes properly and overall looks in very good shape.

In past ownership, the leading edge of the rear arches were cut out due to previous corrosion, then re-welded and rust treated and smoothed back to standard.

We did note a slight raised mark on the bonnet which showed a little proud from the bodywork. There were a couple of pin dings on the door edges, likely to be from other car doors over its history, but nothing overly concerning here or difficult to correct.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our hi-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The Schwarz Black paint looks in good shape, particularly given this car is ~33 years old.

The paintwork appears to be an even and well matched colour, with no observed differences in finish.

The finish was good, although not perfect with a few marks observed looking around the car and there was also a slight note of lacquer overspray on the passenger door side. We also noted a sign of wear on the paint finish across the boot lid panel. However, with a little love and attention the BMW looks like it would shine up very well indeed.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these hi-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

All of the glass sections around the 325i showed well with windscreen, windows, mirrors and lenses all appearing in good condition with no cracks, chips or significant scratching that we observed on our visit, Mika having had a chip in the windscreen professionally repaired.

The window seals look good too and in line with the rest of the condition of the car. At the front end of the car, the indicator light covers have been replaced with clear lights giving a smart look to the front of the E30. Looking over the roof section, the soft top showed nicely and without major concern.

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INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Interior

A modern and ergonomic interior from the '90s - dials and switches all within the driver's reach and everything has its place and purpose.

Seats and Carpets

Comfortable and inviting, exterior matching black leather seating greet the driver and passengers.

Looking over the interior, the drivers seat does show with some wear to the bolster section where there is a small split to the leather. Seat backs and rear seats were in very good condition showing very little signs of wear or usage.

Carpet sections of the interior showed well and without concern. Looking underneath these areas, we saw a few signs of wear as underneath the mats there was a crack to the base carpet where the drivers heel would rest.

Over in the boot showed no concerns here.

Please see the interior gallery for more detailed images of the E30.

Dashboard

Clocks and dials showed nicely, the display on these sections showed in a really presentable way and there were no signs of fogging or any major marking here. Overall the dashboard looked good but there was a small crack towards the passenger side closest to the top storage section.

We did note the temperature gauge showed a slight flicker when out on the road in the car which may be worth noting by the future owner. Everything looked to be as it should, sitting nicely within the driver’s reach for ease of use. Our interior gallery section takes you over some closer images of the BMW's dashboard, so head over and see the cars interior in finer detail.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel looks in good condition with only minor wear noted as this has been upgraded to an 'M Tec 1' wheel in 2016. The black leather covered gear stick and the surround look in good shape too.

We've captured high-resolution photos for you to review and check over the condition of the interior in our gallery section.

VIEW ALL
'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

Mechanics

Under the bonnet is a 2.5L M20, straight-six engine bringing ~168BHP from factory, driving the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission; an ever popular combination.

Engine and Gearbox

The BMW performed without issue when running and out on the road and felt tight during the drive. Looking over the engine bay, there were a few signs of age but nothing that was a major concern here. The timing belt has been replaced at ~106,683 miles in March 2023.

The 5 speed gearbox worked through its paces without issue. We took the car on a drive around some local roads with the owner to get a better feel for what this vehicle is all about.

Out on the drive, we run through the gears and got an overview of how the car performs. Head over to the mechanical review video for an overview of the engine, here you can see the car start up from cold which turns over and idles without issue.

Suspension and Brakes

We noted no knocks, bangs or issue from the suspension when we were on the road in the car, and it gave us no concerns in its performance or handling. New Bilstein front and rear shocks were installed in 2021 which gives great handling performance and provides the kind of driving feel that has made the 325i a real driver favourite.

The brakes bring the car to a halt in a straight line with no juddering reported to come through the pedal and worked as expected. The stopping power and control felt good and worked as to be expected.

Please view the mechanical review video and photographs to see close-up and underside images from around the BMW.

The Drive

These E30's in convertible form were so popular when first released, and still draw a crowd now. The 2.5L straight-six M20 delivers ~168BHP resulting in a top end of ~135 MPH and 0-60 in ~7.8 seconds, making this beautiful convertible a great performer.

The car handles well going through the motions out on the road without complaint. The car is a relaxed and comfortable place to be with an inviting ride and balanced level of control.

Gear changes sounded slick and quiet with the steering precise and road-holding felt sure footed. Our On the Road video gives an overview of the car on some local roads and how it performs whilst driving.

Electrics and Other

An aftermarket Pioneer audio head unit is fitted in the car offering CD and MP3 functionality and upgraded speakers have also been fitted. At the front end of the car, the indicator light covers have been replaced with clear lights giving a smart look to the front of the E30.

A tracker system was installed in 2015 at a cost of over ~£500, although this wasn't verified as being currently functional. In the boot there was a spare wheel, a full toolkit which included the locking wheel nut and also the warning triangle and fire extinguisher.

The majority of the electronic functions on the E30 were all reported to be working as expected, although we did note the temperature gauge showed a flicker when out on the road and also the sensor for the washer fluid wasn't functioning correctly. The car had a replacement instrument cluster fitted in 2010, and so the clock is reading ~10,000 miles less than the true mileage of the car, this is all traceable by the MOT history.

VIEW ALL
Video #2

History and Paperwork

With a whole host of previous mechanical updates over its last ownership and fewer than ~9,000 miles travelled in the last ~10 years, the BMW 325i is more than ready for its next travels.

We cover off the full listing of service history over in our paperwork gallery which includes all the historic receipts and MOT certificates from the previous years of ownership. The 325i has recently benefitted from a full service in February 2023, four new tyres, timing belt and water pump replacement and new welding on the exhaust bracket. New Bilstein front and rear shocks were installed in 2021 which cost ~£390. A tracker system was installed in 2015 at a cost of over ~£500.

Over previous ownership in 2016, the cam-belt has been replaced, ECU refurbished, new exhaust, security installation, new M Tec 1 steering wheel, clear front lenses, updated rear lenses, new speakers, several replacement interior parts. The wheels were also resprayed to silver, new fuel pump and the rear seat centre was re-trimmed. Additionally, as mentioned, the leading edge of the rear arches was cut out, re-welded and rust treated and smoothed back out.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and actioned a HPi check on the vehicle. Should any questions be required, Mika would be happy to answer any of these in the 'ask the owner' section.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house. This is an auction on behalf of a trade seller and normal auction rules apply, i.e. there is no warranty, no return policy and bids are binding with more info in our terms and conditions.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
02.02.2023 Service 106,683
28.01.2023 MOT 106,662
05.02.2022 MOT 106,009
10.01.2021 MOT 105,116
08.07.2019 MOT 104,183
13.07.2018 MOT 103,570
16.06.2017 MOT 102,838
17.06.2016 MOT 100,465
10.07.2015 MOT 98,574
29.10.2014 MOT 98,165
04.09.2013 MOT 98,154
05.10.2011 MOT 95,704
10.01.2011 MOT 94,464
02.12.2009 MOT 104,998
03.06.2008 MOT 101,048
12.03.2007 MOT 99,578
14.12.2005 MOT 98,647
27.10.2004 MOT 95,778
24.10.2002 MOT 89,401
30.10.2001 MOT 85,032
12.06.2000 MOT 79,442
02.11.1999 MOT 76,871
26.10.1998 MOT 71,799
12.06.1997 MOT 64,229
18.03.1996 MOT 56,946
09.10.1995 MOT 50,061
VIEW ALL
Key Details
  • Model325i (E30)
  • TransmissionManual
  • Reg. Date13.06.1990
  • CC2,494
  • Mileage~107,071 on clock
  • HistoryGood
  • ColourSchwarz Black
  • Interior ColourBlack
  • Interior TrimLeather
  • Chassis #WBABB12010EB95891
  • Engine #21754833
  • Last Service02.02.2023
  • MOTYes. Exp 04.02.2024
  • HPi ClearYes - All Clear
  • Former Keepers5
  • Tyre Age2023
  • # of Keys2
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Key FeatureDrivers' Example
  • Auction ID1599
VIEW ALL
VIEW ALL
Video #2

All Images

Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

All Videos








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Ask Questions
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10 Comments
Jam911
Jam911
1 year ago

Hi Mika
Can you tell me when the coolant was last changed please?
Also does the a/c work properly?
Thanks
James

Mika
Mika
Seller
  Jam911
1 year ago

Hi James,

No specific paperwork detail on the coolant. It looks pretty fresh in the reservoir though, so I’d wager a recent service, if not the most recent.

If the question is in relation to the temp gauge; I believe this to be the brass nut on the back of the cluster that needs nipping up. I haven’t had the time to remove and refit the cluster yet though.

Car is non-A/C like the overwhelming majority of UK E30s.

Thanks,

Mika

Jam911
Jam911
  Mika
1 year ago

Thanks for the speedy reply, is there a reserve on the car?

Mika
Mika
Seller
  Jam911
1 year ago

No worries at all.

There is a reserve, I’m not able to mention what this is though due Trade Classics’ T&Cs.

Thanks,
Mika

Jam911
Jam911
  Mika
1 year ago

I thought this might be the case. OK thank you….how many E30 cabs have you had in the past?

Mika
Mika
Seller
  Jam911
1 year ago

This has been my only Cabriolet.

I’ve had two saloons in the past, neither were the 325i though. By comparison, this has been a real treat to drive!

Jam911
Jam911
  Mika
1 year ago

Cool thanks

fairhurst76
fairhurst76
1 year ago

Hi

The mileage seems to drop between 2009 and 2011, do you know what happened?

Thanks, Lee

Mika
Mika
Seller
  fairhurst76
1 year ago

Hi Lee,

You’ll see this mentioned in the ‘Electronics and other’ section above.

The car had a replacement instrument cluster early 2010 as the tachometer failed. The car is on ~118k with MOT records to prove.

I suspect at the time, a replacement cluster was easier then a repair. Although that wouldn’t be the case now!

Thanks,

Mika

fairhurst76
fairhurst76
  Mika
1 year ago

Great, thank you, sorry I missed that.

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Vehicle Location

Milton Keynes

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