Highlights
- Incredible 21,000-mile E36
- Extremely high spec with lots of options
- Stored from new in underground car park
- The vendor remarks that it even smells like new!
The Appeal
Sometimes, it’s the story that makes a car. And while the BMW ‘E36’ generation of 3-Series is a fine machine in its own right, the core to this one’s appeal lies in its condition and its incredible backstory.
The car was supplied new in 1994 by BMW Park Lane and was owned for most of its life by a Saudi family who had a property in Mayfair, London, and visited for the summer months. The car was housed in a private underground car park in the capital’s exclusive Park Lane, Mayfair, only a short distance from the BMW showroom where it was originally supplied. The car was used for only a few weeks a year during the summer months when the family were in the UK.
When they sold their London property, the family gifted the car to the maintenance contractor of the car park as a thank you for keeping an eye on the car for them for over a quarter of a century. 25-plus years in which the car – a 318i SE with almost every conceivable factory option – covered less than 21,500 miles.
Despite its light usage, this beautiful E36 has an impressive 12 stamps in its original BMW Service Booklet, from a combination of BMW Main Dealers, as well as a renowned London-based German specialist garage in more recent times, where no expense was spared regardless of the minimal mileage covered each year.
This is almost a 'box-fresh' E36, undoubtedly one of the very best examples remaining. Not only is it low mileage, but it has an impeccable maintenance record, is in remarkable condition, and sports a very high specification, along with an alluring colour combination of Metallic Arctic Grey and Oyster leather.
This is almost a 'box-fresh' E36, undoubtedly one of the very best examples remaining. Not only is it low mileage, but it has an impeccable maintenance record, is in remarkable condition, and sports a very high specification, along with an alluring colour combination of Metallic Arctic Grey and Oyster leather.
It’s a marvellous thing – one for the true collector or connoisseur to put away and keep.
The History and Paperwork
- Stored from new in an underground car park in Mayfair, London
- Supplied new by BMW Park Lane in January 1994
- 12 service stamps from main dealers and an independent German car specialist
- Proven genuine low mileage
- Just 3,000 miles covered in past 16 years
- MOT August 2024
- Original BMW book pack and wallet
- Owners’ manual present
- Four sets of keys with original owner’s ‘Harrods’ key ring
- Original BMW Park Lane dealer sticker and number plates
The Condition
- Arctic Grey Metallic
- Optional 15-inch alloy wheels (with no marks or damage present)
- Front fog lamps
- Nearly new Goodyear tyres all-round
- Never welded
- Unbroken factory underseal
- One tiny rub to o/s/f bumper corner rubber infill
- Tiny scuffs on mirror caps
- One very small dent on underside of boot lid
- Superb condition throughout with no notable damage or corrosion
- Under bonnet inspection lamp
- Incredible interior specification
- Rare ‘Oyster’ leather
- Desirable three-spoke BMW sports factory option steering wheel
- Full “Electric Pack” (Tilt/Sliding sunroof, 4x electric windows, electric mirrors)
- Onboard computer
- Air conditioning
- Original toolkit
- Period Sony radio-cassette
- Genuine BMW accessory floor mats
- Complete and unused first aid kit
- Folding rear seats
- Original BMW glovebox torch
- Immaculate door cards and headlining
- ‘New car’ smell
- Immaculate throughout
- Heated Electric Mirrors
- Vendor informs us that the passage side window can sometimes be a bit sticky and slow to open
The Mechanics
- 1.8-litre, OHC 4cyl engine
- Switchable auto gearbox with 'Sports', 'Economy', and 'Manual' modes
- Impeccably maintained
- Ultra-low-mileage car
- Drives perfectly, reportedly without fault
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
