BMW’s E30 Series was a throwback to the 1960s heyday of compact rear-wheel drive saloons. Well over two million E30s were produced between 1982 and 1994, in a variety of models, with a range of engines from 86hp diesels to the M3’s 286hp unit. It was the car’s sophistication that made it stand out from its rivals: Motor magazine praised the 323i’s ‘exceptional blend of refinement, smoothness and responsiveness’. 

In 1985 the popular 323i model was replaced with the 325i, and the convertible variant appeared in the UK in 1986. Buyers and motoring journalists alike loved the soft-top models, with the 325i’s Sport version lauded as the ‘fastest 4-seat convertible you can buy’ in 1986. 

Unmolested E30s are increasingly hard to find, and convertibles remain the sought-after variant, with a significant price premium. All of which adds to the appeal of this particular example, which is original throughout and in remarkable condition given its 100,000+ miles. 

The vendor bought the car in February 2022, from a south-coast dealer who described it as ‘the best [he’d] ever seen’. Sadly the imminent and unexpected arrival of a new car, and limited storage space, means that he has reluctantly decided to part with the car. 

The folder of paperwork indicates that it has long been cherished and the numerous invoices, dating back through the car’s history, show that any work necessary has been carried out fully and to high standards. There are invoices from 2019, 2020 and 2021 showing thorough servicing work. 

The printed MoT history suggests that the car has done a little more than 5,000 miles in the last ten years, reflecting the vendor’s belief that the car was stored and little used over this time. 

Open the doors and it’s immediately apparent that this has been a cherished car. Considering its mileage, it’s in remarkable condition. In line with the car’s reputation for refinement, the leather seats are comfortable and supportive, and the driving position and visibility are excellent. 

Closer inspection reveals one or two minor issues: the stitching at the top of the rear seats is coming adrift, there’s some wear on the seat bolster of the driver’s seat, and part of the surround of the rear ashtray has broken. But otherwise this is a really original interior that has clearly been looked after carefully by successive owners.

The footwells have been protected by BMW-branded overmats, but underneath these the carpets are in fine condition. 

In the boot, the liner is virtually unmarked and there is an original jack and wheelbrace. Remarkably, the toolbox mounted beneath the bonnet lid still has all the original tools and these look to have never been used.   

The car’s metallic blue paintwork looks great; there’s really very little to find fault with here. Similarly, the soft-top is in excellent condition, although raising and lowering it is a bit fiddly and best done by two people. Often with convertibles of this era, the compartment into which the soft-top folds can be a rust spot but there are no such issues here, it’s clean and unmarked.

The badges and brightwork are all in excellent condition.  All four wheels are unmarked, with no evidence of kerb damage or of corrosion, and the tyres all have plenty of tread left in them. 

As that file of paperwork suggests, the car is in mechanically excellent condition. It starts on first turn of the key, there’s no smoke from the exhaust and the engine note is perfect. The vendor assures us that it drives really well. Everything works as it should, including the electric windows (those on the rear were optional extras) and the radio aerial, although the radio itself is a modern replacement and not the original.  

Under the bonnet, everything is as clean and tidy as one would expect given the condition of the rest of the car, while looking underneath the car shows no sign of leaks or corrosion.  

This 325i is probably as good an example as you will find. It’s clearly been well cared for by successive owners, and its condition is way above what could reasonably be expected for a car of its age and mileage. It should offer the new owner many years of trouble-free, wind-in-the-hair motoring, and with summer on its way now is the time to snap it up.