Boston Green with colour-matched roof and rare factory hardtop
THE APPEAL
BMW is a company that likes to keep people waiting for the best, so it was no surprise that the BW E36 generation of 3-Series had been on sale for three years before the factory-finished convertible version arrived, replacing the beautiful but long-in-the-tooth E30.
Much like its predecessor, the E36 ragtop was a handsome-looking car and was offered in a variety of guises and engine sizes, from the entry level 318i up to the flagship 328i with its 2.8-litre straight-six. Roof down, it was fabulous. Roof-up, still pretty. And if you opted for the expensive factory hardtop, it was both striking to look at and remarkably refined. This one – a six-cylinder 320i SE - ticks all three boxes.
But there’s more to its appeal than that. Registered in 1996, N339 FJC has had just two previous owners, the first of whom took it to their holiday home in Spain, where it was kept until 2018. The car was used only a few times a year, hence the low mileage – even more remarkable when you delve into the history and discover that it was fitted with a brand-new replacement engine under warranty in early 1999 (at a Spanish main dealer), when it had covered 39,000 miles. It has covered less than 12,000 miles in the subsequent 24 years.
The car came back to the UK in 2018 and has been enthusiast-owned for the past four years, with much work undertaken to renew aged suspension components and minor cosmetic repairs, such as a replacement plastic screen for the rear window and a few minor trim parts. It’s otherwise 100% original, and absolutely wonderful.
It’s an unrepeatable car – the dry climate has preserved the bodywork beautifully, the low mileage and known history adding further to its appeal.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Genuine 50,526 miles from new
UK V5C
MOT January 2024
Two previous keepers
Original book pack and documents
Driven to Spain in 1998 and kept there for 20 years
Returned to UK in 2018 and enthusiast-owned by a mechanic
Stacks of invoices relating to recent parts, including air con repairs, suspension overhaul and multiple service items
Previous service invoices from the car’s life in Spain, including a receipt for a brand-new engine under BMW warranty, at 39,000 miles.
THE INTERIOR
Pistachio leather with matching dashboard, carpet and door cards, all in very good order
Spare interior trim panels included in sale
Climate control
Electric windows and roof
Very good rear seats, very slight patina to driver’s side
Factory mats
Cruise control
CD changer
Original toolkit and first aid kit
THE EXTERIOR
Stunning Boston Green Metallic
Contrasting green soft top
Rear screen recently replaced
SE-spec alloys with recent Uniroyal tyres all-round
Wheels in excellent order with no kerb marks or scuffs
Superb underneath – never welded nor driven on salted UK roads
Panels are all straight and dent-free
Excellent paint work with no chips, marks or scratches to speak of
No external corrosion at all
Clear, cloud-free, undamaged lamp lenses
THE MECHANICS
2.0-litre straight-six
Five-speed auto transmission
Fully serviced in late 2022
Recent service less than 400 miles ago
Complete suspension overhaul
Recent four-wheel tracking alignment
Drives faultlessly, with no known issues
SUMMARY
There are E36s… and there are E36s. This one is as good as they get – a truly gorgeous car, with a low mileage and a documented pedigree.
Two decades of being kept in a garage in Spain and used only a few times a year have done wonders to preserve the Boston Green bodywork, while a further four years in the care of an enthusiast have ensured it’s as well-sorted mechanically as it is on top. Then there’s the beguiling combination of those smart SE alloys and the green fabric roof. It’s lovely.
If you want an E36 to put away and keep as a long-term investment, or a truly pretty example to turn into a concours show car (it really won’t take much) then here it is – one of the best E36s cabrios left, perfect for the collector.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1996 BMW 320i SE Auto Cabriolet (E36)
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