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1993 BMW 318i Lux Convertible (E30)

At a Glance

Excellent History | Superbly Presented | ~£25,000 of Invoices

  • Mileage~138,044
  • TransmissionManual
  • Engine1.8L
  • LocationDevizes

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CURRENT BID£3,500
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AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£3,500

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Video #2

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy
Consigner and Editor

Four-seater practicality and classic elegance makes the BMW E30 Convertible a desirable modern classic.

The E30 3-Series was unique as a compact-premium model in many respects. Aside from the well-known use of RWD and top-notch build quality, the E30 maintained a prestigious image beyond its contemporaries. Launched in 1983, its status helped it to become the default choice for many of the burgeoning upwardly mobile climbers. A bastion of good taste and sophistication, the E30 became BMW’s best-selling model of the 80s, not just for its potential curtain-twitching envy, but for the satisfaction of knowing that you own a dependable and well-designed piece of machinery. This cultivated aspect of the E30 came from the reputation of the BMW badge, but also its built-in safety and driver appeal. In convertible form, its status never faded and aside from a few expensive alternatives, there were very few open-topped sporting cars that could offer so much. The Lux specification meant you’d have metallic paint, 6-speaker RDS audio and cross-spoke alloys, and these last edition convertibles had leather interiors and electric hoods as standard. Overlapping the next generation of 3-Series, the lucky few who bought the E30 convertibles tended to look after them.

This 1993 manual gearbox 318i Lux Convertible is finished in "Glacier Blue" with a leather interior. It has an impressive maintenance and service history, backed by ~£25,000 worth of invoices since the early 2000s. It was last serviced around just ~400 miles ago, has an MOT to April 2025, and comes with two keys and its full owner's wallet.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Spencer 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

The car handles beautifully and has been a pleasure to own.

Spencer is familiar with the charms of the 3 Series, having enjoyed his previous experience with the E36. After looking for a cherished E30, he came across this late model 1 year ago, and was impressed by its original specification and provenance. Valuing its engineering and handling, he hasn’t needed to do much to the car other than servicing and a new radiator for peace of mind. 

The imminent purchase of a camper van and the lack of space to keep both means this beautiful example is coming to sale with us. Spencer will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Spencer
Vehicle Owner

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EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Exterior

The E30's clean-cut lines and handsome proportions are highlighted by its superb presentation.

Wheels and Tyres

The optional 15” BBS cross-spoke alloys are in excellent condition. Nothing major to note, the centre caps that hide the wheel nuts look great too.

Fitted with 4 Continental tyres, they date from 2014 and have plenty of even tread as pictured.

Bodywork

The exterior presentation follows the same pleasing integrity and no significant signs of panel damage. The panels are flush with the body and even shut lines throughout. All of the doors open and close with ease. The car's structure is solid throughout. The engine bay, chassis rails, suspension mounts, wheel wells and boot floor are in good shape. We spotted a little deterioration on the bottom of the front offside sill edge.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-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 appealing "Glacier Blue" paint has a decent lustre and consistent colour coverage with a healthy shine. There are a handful of light marks noted across the car and a few touch-ups, the most obvious surface mark was spotted on the offside rear wing. There is also the odd stone chip on the bonnet edge, but none distracts from the overall positive finish.

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 high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good condtion, there are no significant signs of damage and all have good seals. The lights and lenses are in good condition.

The trim is well mounted and aside from the odd minor scuff on the bumper trim, all present neatly. The bumpers show minor signs of paint imperfections but offer a good fit.

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INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Interior

Elegantly sculptured and oozing with quality, the cabin still maintains an air of decadence.

Seats and Carpets

The leather seats are neatly presented, with mild age-related creases on the driver's side.

The carpets were in decent order, and all were damp-free. The boot is cleanly presented with evidence of careful use.

Dashboard

The dashboard has a handful of fractures on the top, a sadly common issue on the E30, but this is offset by the overall positive presentation of the facia, switches, controls and dials. All of which are above the expectation of a car of this age and mileage.

The door cards, headlining and interior trim complement the well-cared-for interior presentation. Its rear view mirror will be reattached.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The gear lever and factory option sport steering wheel are neatly presented which show a few minor marks on the rim, both items wrapped in black leather.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

Mechanics

The excellent maintenance history of this E30 serves as a benchmark for its dependability.

Engine and Gearbox

The car starts up without any drama, with no unwanted exhaust smoke and no warning flagged up on the dashboard. The car idled smoothly with no hiccups and we didn’t hear any unwanted noises from the engine.

The engine is cleanly presented with evidence of regular maintenance and has been fitted with a brace which helps the torsional rigidity. There was also no evidence of fluid leaks on the day. The gearbox operates perfectly, with no reported issues with its action or clutch. Watch the video to see the car in action.

Suspension and Brakes

The car drives smoothly, with nothing untoward to report. It absorbs road imperfections without any significant knocks or thuds. The BMW has been fitted with uprated Eibach Pro Kit springs, which improves the stance of the car as well as its road holding.

The car brakes with confidence, and the car feels reassuring when slowing down with no pulling at the wheels. No unwanted judders or squeals were heard during our visit.

The Drive

The E30 was known for its balanced handling, with enough edge if you wanted to push the RWD driving characteristics but it seems clear that the car has been in the hands of sympathetic owners over the years. We took the car out in near-perfect driving conditions, where the air was cool and clean and the weather was just right for a twilight spin.

On the road, the car behaved impeccably, with no issues noted with the steering, gear change, braking or ride. The 1.8-litre pulls smoothly, with no undulations or hesitancy. Its eager but balanced handling, modern-era ergonomics and practicality make it an ideal daily driver, more so with the roof rolled back. This temptation to use the car for the sake of it is probably greater than most classic cars from this era.

Electrics and Other

The roof operation was tested several times, and on each occasion, it worked without fault, with no strains from the motor and proved a decent flush fit. The hood was replaced in 2010, although the rear screen shows mild signs of wear. The well the hood sits in is solid.

Spencer will also supply an aftermarket dashboard cover, and to his knowledge all the electrics work at they should.

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Video #2

History and Paperwork

Coming with ~£25,000 worth of invoices, which includes an impressive service history, this car has been in current ownership for 1 year, and presents beautifully.

First delivered by Lloyd BMW of Cockermouth in July 1993, the car comes with a stack of paperwork including maintenance and MOT certificates dating back to the early 2000s, tallying up to over ~£25,000. Much of the work relates to maintenance, sundries and brake/suspension, although over £1,500 has been spent on the hood and mechanics and £3,700 on welding. Munich Legends were responsible for much of the cars maintenance over a 10 year period from 2008. It comes with its original specification list, owner wallet pack containing its manuals, first aid kit and tool kit. It has a MOT to April 2025 and comes with two keys. 

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, 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 of 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 bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
09-04-2024 MOT 137,700
08-03-2024 Full service 137,668
18-04-2023 MOT 136,792
26-03-2021 MOT 135,848
28-08-2019 MOT 134,544
06-08-2018 MOT 133,437
06-08-2018 Munich Legends Full Service 133,437
09-08-2017 MOT 132,401
09-08-2017 Munich Legends Intrim Service 132,401
31-08-2016 Munich Legends Muffler 129,420
10-08-2016 MOT 129,094
10-08-2016 Water pump 129,094
01-04-2016 Munich Legends Intrim Service 128,101
26-08-2015 MOT 125,690
25-08-2015 Munich Legends Service 125,685
10-06-2015 Munich Legends Fuel tank
10-06-2015 Munich Legends Oil Service 125,138
31-07-2014 MOT 122,490
03-06-2014 Munich Legends Front Shocks 121,503
10-05-2014 Munich Legends Oil Service 121,134
31-07-2013 MOT 117,107
07-03-2013 Munich Legends Inspection II 116,187
08-08-2012 MOT 114,792
15-03-2012 Clutch
19-08-2011 MOT 112,039
16-08-2011 BMW Service 111,955
06-06-2011 Munich Legends Cat + Rear Silencer
24-09-2010 Munich Legends Service 107,558
16-08-2010 MOT 107,293
05-09-2009 Munich Legends Service 103,527
18-08-2009 MOT 103,087
23-05-2009 Munich Legends Idle Control Value
20-10-2008 Munich Legends Welding 100,227
28-08-2008 MOT 99,376
27-08-2008 All belts changed 99,376
16-10-2007 MOT 94,887
12-01-2007 BMW Service 90,130
11-09-2006 MOT 87,560
Service 82,144
28-09-2005 MOT 74,248
Service 73,928
14-04-2005 Clutch 68,067
07-10-2004 MOT 62,569
16-09-2004 Cambelt 61,540
06-10-2003 MOT 58,124
24-08-2002 MOT 54,862
21-12-2001 BMW Inspection II 49,700
02-08-2001 MOT 47,062
24-07-2000 MOT 38,874
08-11-1999 BMW Inspection I 37,310
15-06-1998 BMW Oil Service 32,045
04-02-1997 BMW Inspection II 27,416
06-04-1995 BMW Oil Service 20,587
15-09-1994 BMW Inspection I 15,762
17-03-1994 BMW Oil Service 6,869
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Key Details
  • Model318i Lux Convertible (E30)
  • Transmission5-Speed Manual
  • Reg. Date01-08-1993
  • CC1,796
  • Mileage~138,044
  • HistorySince early 2000s
  • ColourGlacier Blue
  • Interior ColourBlack
  • Interior TrimLeather
  • Chassis #WBABA52030EJ36378
  • Engine #06367741
  • Last Service08-03-2024
  • MOT17-04-2025
  • MOT ExemptNo
  • Road Tax ExemptNo
  • HPi ClearYes - all clear
  • Former Keepers8
  • Tyre BrandContinental
  • Tyre Age2014
  • # of Keys2
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned1 year
  • Key FeatureExcellent Service History and Presentation
  • Auction ID2173
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Video #2

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Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

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    Auction Ends Thu 17th Oct at 7.40pm
    Bidding History
    Previous Bids  3
    £3,500 bid by CORN006714.10.24 @ 21:52:43
    £3,000 bid by peterdoc07.10.24 @ 20:35:20
    £2,000 bid by leveldealer04.10.24 @ 18:45:37
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    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a E30 like this is £157 via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
    GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

    *Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Autumn 2024.

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