The BMW 3 Series is one of the German marques most successful models, first launching in 1975. 

The 3rd generation E36 was unveiled in 1990 and the restyled 4 door saloon model brought numerous improvements over the outgoing E30 series. 

The E36 saloon on sale with Car and Classic is a low owner example that has covered just 1,500 miles a year over 31 years.

This 1991 BMW 320i saloon was ordered new for the current owners wife on the 31st May 1991, from the Coopers Bishopgate Ltd BMW dealership in London. 

The original order invoices, which are included in the history file, confirm that it cost £21,551 and was ordered with the following factory fitted extras: Metallic Paint, ABS, Anti-Theft, Rear Electric Windows, Non Smoking Option, Rear Head Restraints, Air conditioning and the Interior Lights package. Additional extras that were fitted by the dealership include a Pioneer tape player, cassette tape holder and velour floor mats. 

All of which makes this a very nicely specified 3 Series and a cut above the entry level model. 

The rest of the history file includes the original Owner Book Pack along with numerous invoices for maintenance over the years, which the seller states confirms the car has full service history from new.

The interior of this 320i looks very good in the photos and the Anthracite Grey cloth seats appear to be in very good shape. 

Thanks to the low miles over the past 31 years the driver's seat shows hardly any signs of wear, with none of the usual scuffing on the seat bolster. The rear seats also look great as well. 

The seller does say that there are a couple of areas where the headliner is starting to come loose but you have to really look for it to spot it. 

The rest of the interior appears very fresh indeed with the dashboard appearing to be free from cracks. The gauges and controls plus their decals all look new, as does the new retro Pioneer stereo and its equally retro cassette tape holder beside the handbrake. 

A nice touch of originality is the BMW supplied torch in the glovebox, which the seller says is still working. The addition of the factory fitted air conditioning is also a real plus for this car. 

And adding to its originality is the factory supplied toolkit in the boot and the first aid kit which is also present.

The Calypso Red Metallic paint is a colour that really suits the lines of the E36 saloon. 

The photos show it stills hold a shine after 31 year, but as to be expected for its age, there are blemishes and marks present. Being a London car it has picked up a number of parking bumps and rashes on the bumper corners, primarily to the front. 

The passenger wing mirror plastic is cracked and scuffed and there is also a chip in the windscreen which the seller believes has been there for 15 years. 

There is a small dent on the drivers side sill and an area of damage to the paint on the bonnet, which was caused by bird poop. 

However these cosmetic issues a relatively minor and could be sorted by a competent body shop or detailer. Remarkably the BMW still retains its dealer fitted number plates and the factory fitted wheel trims.

This BMW 320i hails from a time when the 2.0 litre engine under the bonnet was still a straight six. 

Long revered for its smoothness and satisfying sound, the BMW straight six is one of the finest inline six engines of all time. Which makes this E36, coupled with the 4 speed automatic, a relaxing cruiser with decent levels of torque. 

The seller states the car was last serviced in March this year at 46,250 and that it starts and drives well. He goes on to say that all the tyres were changed in the last 3 years, but adds that the spare does have a puncture. 

He also notes that the cars exterior light bulbs are the originals from 1991, with the exception of a replaced tailgate bulb. He does say that the headlight bulbs are now getting a little weak due to their age so could do with being replaced. 

The condenser for the aircon system also needs replacing and as a result the air-conditioning is not currently working. 

The 320i has a valid MOT until 9th March 2023, with an advisory for an oil leak, which the photos suggest is coming from the sump area.

BMW E36 saloons with low miles and owners are getting harder to find, especially 320i examples in this specification.

It has all the creature comforts that make it a very usable everyday car, one backed up by that silky smooth straight six.

With the cosmetics sorted this 1991 BMW 320i would be a great practical classic.


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