Highlights
- Manual transmission
- Two owners from new
- Extensive service history
- Completely unmodified
- Clean MOT until April 2026
The Appeal
Still regarded by many as the finest 3-Series BMW have built, the E30 remains an icon of the marque’s history, as well as being much sought-after by enthusiasts and collectors.
Here we have a quite remarkable example – one that lived with its first owner until August 2022 and comes with a very extensive service record. Ordered and supplied in Germany as a right-hand-drive vehicle, it was later imported to the UK when the owner moved back. As an example of an unmodified, everyday 3-Series, it’s really unusual. Unmodified and presented in factory specification, with a little work, this handsome old saloon would be a very fine modern classic.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in the UK on 16 April 1986
- Supplied new in Germany as a right-hand-drive model
- Imported to the UK when the owner returned here
- Current owner since August 2022
- Extensive service record, with 37 stamps in 36 years
- Complete with the owner’s handbook and two keys
- 256,043 miles indicated
- MOT to 9th April 2026 with no advisories, and full service performed (receipted)
- Will be exempt from Road tax as of 1st April 2027
- Paperwork includes every MOT from 1989
The Interior
- Anthracite grey upholstery presents in overall fine condition, although the driver’s seat wears a cover as there is a small tear to the fabric
- Grey carpets are in fine fettle
- Electrically adjusted door mirrors
- Black vinyl door cards show in fine condition, with no damage apparent
- All of the trim, controls and switchgear look to be in very fine order considering the car’s mileage and age
- The vendor reports that the temperature gauge can be temperamental, heading immediately to a maximum reading on startup but returning to normal with a light tap (no signs of actual overheating)
- CD/radio system with Aux connection
- Light coloured headlining looks to be secure, undamaged and unstained
- The boot is trimmed out in grey carpet, which is undamaged, and the original toolkit is present and complete alongside a full-size spare alloy wheel
- Under the carpet, the boot floor looks to be very straight and solid, with no signs of corrosion
The Exterior
- Metallic Platinum Green paintwork (code 188) presents nicely, with some marks and blemishes commensurate with the car’s age
- All of the body panels look to be in reasonably good order
- Original brightwork is in exceptional order
- There is a small dent to the off-side rear door, although it appears that the paint has not broken here
- There are a few areas of light bubbling to be seen, while there is some corrosion showing on the near-side rear wheel arch
- The car is riding on period correct ‘bottletop’ 14-inch alloy wheels, which appear to be in excellent condition
- Underneath, the drivetrain components wear a covering of surface corrosion but otherwise appear to be solid and straight
Strikingly presented in its original ‘Platinum Green Metallic’ paint finish (Code 188) which gleamed in the sunlight at the photoshoot, the exterior condition of this handsome E30 matches that of the inside and afforded to the car is testament to the love and care afforded the car during its lifetime.
The brightwork around the car is in very good condition and a cursory glance down each flank of the car shows no evidence of collision damage and even the front number plate and valance, for all their vulnerability, remain blemish free.
The front glass light lenses are clear and the rear plastic set show no hint of the sun-bleaching sometimes associated with a car of this age. The front and rear bumpers are in excellent condition and are blemish-free. The tidy and original 14-inch ‘Bottle Top’ alloy wheels show no scuffs or evidence of being ‘curbed’.
The brightwork around the car is in very good condition and a cursory glance down each flank of the car shows no evidence of collision damage and even the front number plate and valance, for all their vulnerability, remain blemish free.
The front glass light lenses are clear and the rear plastic set show no hint of the sun-bleaching sometimes associated with a car of this age. The front and rear bumpers are in excellent condition and are blemish-free. The tidy and original 14-inch ‘Bottle Top’ alloy wheels show no scuffs or evidence of being ‘curbed’.
The Mechanics
- 1.8-litre, fuel-injected four-cylinder engine
- The car has also been recently serviced with new oil, oil filter and air filter.
- Five-speed manual transmission
- The engine bay looks to be clean and tidy, with a few of the ancillaries wearing a smattering of surface corrosion
- Serviced every 6,000 miles until 2018, then it has been serviced yearly
- The car is reported to start, run and drive well
Summary
It’s lovely to see a car that has clearly been cherished by an owner for a few decades.
With a very extensive service record and factory specification, this charming little E30 is actually quite the rarity. Barring the issues highlighted above and pictured in the gallery below, this E30 presents in extraordinarily good condition for both its age and mileage.
With a very extensive service record and factory specification, this charming little E30 is actually quite the rarity. Barring the issues highlighted above and pictured in the gallery below, this E30 presents in extraordinarily good condition for both its age and mileage.
Notice to bidders
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