Description
** DEPOSIT TAKEN**
VIN Chassis No.: WBAACthe details below
First Registered: 25. 4. 1986
Long, long ago when the world was divided into two great empires of East and West, deep, deep in the heart of the Black Forest West German engineers were busily doing what they'd done since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. They were working diligently, efficiently and precisely to build the best technology they could. This BMW 318i is one of the results.
This particular 318i rolled off the production line in 1986, when Boris Becker was smashing serves at unparalleled speed across the baseline and Helmut Kohl was taking tea with Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan. Steel on most cars, not just BMWs, was thick and solid in those days, and has helped preserve this car in pristine state for a quarter century. Perfectly straight panels, fabulous driving balance to the car, and a design which would set the standard for premium automobiles for many years to come. The unmistakeable appearance of the BMW 3-series from this period defined an era.
These BMWs are highly prized nowadays for their premium build quality, and a solidity and balance it's hard to find elsewhere in cars from this period. Before everything became 'awesome', or 'epic', a common term for excellence was 'neat', and it said a lot about the central values which went into producing these cars. The inline 4-cylinder 1800cc engine runs beautifully smoothly, itself a masterpiece of engineering, but its neatness is unmistakeable - you can feel that power concentrated into a single cubic metre under the centre of the bonnet, not swishing through overblown inlets hither and thither or its torque splayed out across the front half of the car.
This 318i transmits its power to the rear wheels through a fine 5-speed gearbox which offers crisp, decisive changes and a clean drivechain, with just the right mix of comfort and seriousness in the suspension to accommodate sporty enjoyment or family convenience. First-rate suspension has long been a feature of BMW's output - the E30 3-Series featured double joint McPherson struts on the front suspension and semi-trailing arms and minibloc coil springs at the rear for remarkable roadholding and comfort.
The quietness of the drive is especially impressive, the car simply does as its told, promptly, correctly, reassuringly. The engine is uncomplaining through all speeds and feels like it will happily go on forever. So far it has covered just 43, 000 miles. There is no lag from worn bushings or fittings, this 318i runs exactly as intended.
An ambience of dutiful respomsiveness is present throughout the drive. You are the master, the car does as its told to the very best of its ability, every time. It only weighs a tonne or so - 1080kg to be exact - so torque is excellent, and the car is equally at home cruising through long sweeping bends or darting around corners town, it really is a satisfying drive.
The car's bodywork is immaculate, sharp corrosion-free arches, unmarked chromework, all vinyl and rubber in quite outstanding order. The neatness of design is continued inside, with a sharp, minimalist instrument cluster and dashboard. The slight tint to the windows adds to the cosy feel of the interior, which as the images show is in showroom condition. The bootspace is similarly spotless, and the smooth mechanism of the boot and the precise, reassuring thwack as it closes are in keeping with the rest of the car.
We at Craner Classics are particularly fond of 1980s BMWs, so our excitement at this one is clear to see. For motoring enthusiasts or even nostalgic drivers this magnificent feat of engineering will not disappoint. We expect demand for this car to be high, and urge interested parties to call rather than email for a quick response.
