During the late 1980‘s and early 1990‘s Italy and Portugal levied a large luxury car tax on any vehicle over 2 litres. As a result, the E30 325 and the M3 were heavily penalised. This market peculiarity gave birth to a unique, rare and inspired car.

The 1990cc 320is was an elegant solution which gave an affordable but still very sporty alternative to the 325i and the M3. BMW produced a total of 3648 E30 320is between 9/ 1987 and 11/ 1990 of which only 2542 were in two door form (code name AK95).

Still with the benefit of the legendary Motorsport developed S14 engine under the bonnet, ratios selected via the famous close ratio Getrag 265 gearbox and the power delivered to tarmac through a limited slip differential, this compact package impressed the most enthusiastic of drivers. The shorter stroke S14 motor still produced an amazing 192 bhp, so close to cracking the 100bhp per litre mark and an impressive 155 N/ m of torque, admirable for this little free revving twin cam motor.

Within the E30 3-series range the 320is had to be the ultimate ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’, especially this example having had the M-Technic body kit deleted.

Built in July 1988 and ordered in Diamond Black with Anthracite cloth sports seats, electric front windows, air conditioning, BMW floor mats, outside temperature display and M-Sport suspension. Now having covered 152, 872 kilometres (94, 990 miles) in the hands of just three UK owner since 2003 having spent the previous 15 years in Italy.

Classic Heroes purchased the car in 2019 and carried out a very detailed, age related program of restoration work. Upon completion the car was sold to a customer who planned a couple of years of exciting European road trips, all of which got cancelled due to the dreaded Covid. During nearly all of that time the cars has remained with us in our storage facility and our care. Due to lack of use, it has now been decided by the current owner this immaculate 320is should find a new custodian.

Restoration:

My instruction to the workshop was simple. This car must want for nothing.

The bodyshell was stripped of all exterior trim and glass, taken back to bare metal and fully resprayed in the original Diamond Black. The underside was washed, inspected, new stone-chip product applied as required and finally protected with clear cavity wax. During reassembly any deteriorated trim was replaced alongside new weather seals, screen seals, badges and grills. The 15” wheels were refurbished and new tyres fitted.

The engine, gearbox and differential were removed. All oil seals replaced in both the diff and the gearbox. The engine was stripped and inspected. The cylinder head was stripped. Valve seats lapped in and the valve stem oil seals replaced. The engine was then reassembled with new crankshaft sprocket, timing chain, oil pump chain, all chain tensioners, guide rails, hydraulic tensioner, big end bearings and all new gaskets O rings and oil seals. Reassembled with new clutch, gear-lever bushes, clutch cylinders and clutch hose. New water pump, thermostat, alternator bushes, fuel hoses, coolant hoses, header tank cap, Inspection II service, engine mounts, gearbox mounts, belts, air condition rebuilt with new compressor, expansion valve and converted to R134a, brake calipers rebuilt, new brake pads and discs, new handbrake shoes, all new brake hoses, wiper blades, rear fuel hoses, all road springs, suspension bushes, roll bar links, rear exhaust box and rubbers, oil pressure relief valve and pressure switch. To complete this no expense spared restoration, it was decided to handover the car with some sympathetic, modernising. Headlights have been updated to LED and HID which transforms night time driving. The installation of the new Blaupunkt Bremen SQR46 DAB Bluetooth radio giving that modern level of connectivity we all now desire.

This 320is is presented to the lucky new owner completely future proofed and all the age-related maintenance carried out ensuring 100% turnkey motoring and usability.

The car will be supplied with all the original manuals, service book, service wallet, spare keys all tools and history file.