Description
1989 E30 325i manual touring in Zinnoberrot with grey cloth sports seats, in great useable condition. V5 in my name, 2 keys, 12 months MOT, currently SORNed.
The car had been off the road for most of the 15 years prior to my purchase around 4 years ago. Prior and over this time it was well maintained with some really nice detailed service and repair records.
Since my ownership it has been looked after. It is super solid and mechanically sound, will 'drive anywhere'
Re corrosion underneath it is really good. Only the OSF wing is starting to struggle, it has had a blister below the side repeater since I owned it, and is corroding a bit at the base. I would be swapping it out for a new wing at some point if I kept it. Otherwise the car has had passenger footwell corner replaced to a high standard, and beyond this there is no other significant rust. I never use it in salt and rarely in the rain.
The car is also cosmetically imperfect in several areas, with a few dents here and there, many of which would be very much improved by PDR/ smart repair. Also, the NSF wing has perhaps been replaced, and the previous owner brush painted the wing mirrors. As you can see the car is perfect as a daily, useable classic, but could be resprayed to be made perfect for shows etc of course.
Looks wonderful in red, on original BBS alloys, including still un-stolen centre caps. Gets loads of thumbs-up.
Nice F-prefix original registration, probably worth something, but really suits the car.
Well maintained with lots of documented service history meaning mechanically excellent - starts always, no smoke or engine noises, plenty of go, with the smooth and tuneful straight 6 sound.
I am a car/ bike guy and I observe mechanical sympathy - always warmed up before using the revs, have kept on top of oil and filter services, documented in notes.
Shocks and springs were very tired and so replaced with basic Bilsteins and red H+R springs (although front springs are actually still generic red lowering springs, the H+R springs for the front are included and just need fitting). It sits slightly lower, without being silly. I had an advisory on subframe bushings at the last MOT but it rides really well already, and so that is on the to-do list for now.
Apart from suspension the car is unmodified with its original B20B25 inline 6, stock exhaust, original shifter, wheel etc. BMW branded battery.
Has had recent new front brake calipers with brake fluid replaced, and new in-tank fuel pump. Recent front tyres. Recent boot lift shocks.
Great mainly intact interior, with the following typical E30 issues:
-small wear to the drivers seat - which is not too far gone and could be fixed.
-slightly loose headlining behind the back seats only (should be re-glued, but the dog guard holds it up nicely)
-small dash crack, has not grown in my time with it
OEM sunroof works both ways (tilt up and open/ close) perfectly smoothly and quietly, as do other electrics. Keep-fit windows in rear doors.
Aftermarket Kenwood cassette radio.
Comes with:
- lots of paper work
- OEM E30 touring specific metal floor to ceiling mesh dog guard
- Original load cover
- First aid kit, warning triangle, wheel wedge, original toll roll and jack
- Original glove box rechargeable torch (non op but could be restored with LED)
- OEM tow bar + Witter hitch
- BBS spare wheel
Bad bits to note:
1. The car has some sort of funny whistle/ whine noise from the drivetrain when first driving it on a cooler day, appears at exactly 35mph and then promptly disappears. It's a bit like a whistling kettle starting to boil or a school recorder playing one note. It has always done this and it has never been enough of a problem to look into, it just disappears into normal car noise after a while. It certainly doesn't seem to be anything terminal and I would probably deal with it via a nice exhaust, if I was keeping the car.
2. When first driving after not being used for a bit the car won't go into 1st or reverse, sometimes. If you engage any other gear, and then go back to 1st/ reverse, it is fine, and remains OK after that. Again, has always done this, no clutch or shifting noted issues otherwise. It may well be transmission mounts which are 20 quid and a couple of 13mm bolts to replace, again on the to do list. Feasibly this also might fix the noise in no. 1 above!
3. Intermittent dash brake pad wear light over bumps (will be one of the sensor wires and an easy fix) and the roof mounted check control panel has rear bulb warn illuminated, even though there is no fault. The panel works well otherwise.
5. The front foglights and towbar electrics are still needing to be connected
That's it I think.. happy to answer questions or send more pictures.
PLEASE no low offers (I have turned down 7k twice on the car), no swaps, no part exchanges, no car history check scams or other nonsense, thanks.
