Highlights

Featured in Davide Cironi's Discovery/Paramount motoring show 'Dal Pollaio alla Pista' ; recovery, restoration, preparation and track testing all documented on video here
Refurbished bodywork, as well as renewed mechanicals and chassis
M20 engine stripped and rebuilt to approximately 2.4 litres by William Visconti of VS Motor, working together with Rettifica Giannini / Attilio Giannini for the specialist machining and precision engineering work
Uprated suspension, braking and drivetrain components throughout
Further refined after filming in collaboration with Davide Cironi
The vendor notes the car has effectively had two owners, them being the second

The Appeal

The E30-generation 3 Series is widely regarded as one of BMW's finest sports saloons, a car whose balance, mechanical simplicity and straight-six character have earned it a devoted following that endures to this day. The 320i, with its smooth M20 inline-six, captures the essence of what made the E30 so compelling, and this 1983 example brings a provenance that few can match.

This car was featured in Davide Cironi's Discovery/Paramount TV show 'Dal Pollaio alla Pista', with its entire journey from barn find to track-tested driver documented on video. Dal Pollaio alla Pista centers on Cironi recovering abandoned, neglected, or time-battered classic cars, and restoring them into high-performance track-ready machines, collaborating with workshops and restoration experts across Italy.

The guiding philosophy was to retain the BMW's naturally aspirated six-cylinder identity, no engine swap or forced induction, while deeply renewing the mechanicals and chassis. The M20 was completely stripped and rebuilt to approximately 2.4 litres by William Visconti of VS Motor, working together with Rettifica Giannini / Attilio Giannini for the specialist machining and precision engineering work. The suspension, braking and drivetrain were uprated throughout, and the bodywork was fully restored in its original factory colour, Opalgrün.

After the episode aired, the car remained in the family and was further refined in collaboration with Davide Cironi, addressing points raised during the final test. The vendor describes the result as a car that is precise and balanced without being a dedicated track machine, fuller and richer in torque than the standard 2.0-litre, yet faithful to the M20's character. Known issues include a fuel gauge that is not always accurate, an oil pressure sender that does not always read correctly, and a driver's window that is slightly sluggish on the way up.

Key Information

Mileage: 151,811 km (indicated)
Country of registration: Italy
Technical inspection status: current certificate held, we are told (expiry date not provided)
Technical specs: 2.4-litre six-cylinder petrol (rebuilt from 2.0-litre M20), five-speed manual transmission
Paperwork: owner's manual and registration documents present; restoration documented on video via Davide Cironi's 'Dal Pollaio alla Pista'

The Detail

Bodywork completely restored in BMW Opalgrün, the original factory colour
High-quality ABS M-Tech 1 body kit fitted
M20 engine completely stripped and rebuilt to approximately 2.4 litres using a BMW 323i longer-stroke crankshaft, CPS oversized pistons and steel connecting rods
Cylinders rebored, crankshaft machined and polished, rotating assembly balanced, new bearings throughout
Cylinder head overhauled with valve guides machined, intake ports matched, exhaust ports matched and polished; original camshafts retained
Bacci limited-slip differential (derived from E36) adapted to the E30 with bearings and reluctor ring
Original BMW gearbox retained
Bilstein B8 dampers with H&R springs; the previously fitted Eibach springs have also been retained and are available with the car
Front and rear axles completely rebuilt with new FRAP arms, track rod ends, drop links and all bushes replaced
Braking system renewed with Zimmermann discs, EBC Yellowstuff pads, HEL Performance braided lines, uprated master cylinder and overhauled callipers
Supersprint exhaust system from headers to tail pipe; centre section replaced with a straight-through pipe (original Supersprint centre section retained)
Uprated custom-made radiator with TBF Performance silicone hoses
The fuel tank was completely restored and the associated pipes were renewed
Cooling system runs Evans Waterless Coolant; water must not be added
Maxilite wheels in BBS-style design (7-inch width) with Yokohama Advan Neova 205 tyres
The vendor describes the BMW 320is Recaro seats as in very good condition
The original 320i interior has been retained and is available with the car
BMW M-Technik steering wheel conservatively restored by Marco Sarro
Odometer overhauled; instrument cluster intact and functioning with operational needles and illumination
The vendor reports the dashboard is well preserved
Fuel gauge not always accurate due to the float
Oil pressure sender reading not always correct
Driver's window slightly sluggish on the way up

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