Highlights

Recent bodywork restoration
Professional respray in factory colour
M-Technic package
Manual transmission conversion
MOT to February 2024
Recent full service and timing belt

The Appeal

While any E30 BMW is a very desirable and collectible machine these days, the M-Technic cars really are the cream of the crop. Offering enhanced interior styling and a sporty bodykit, they’re a stylish and accessible retro classic.

The M Technic 1 is a very rare model, and was only produced for a limited time and in limited numbers, making it extremely desirable and sought after.

This example has been subject to a recent bodywork restoration and respray, and so shows in excellent overall condition. It also benefits from the desirable 170bhp 2.5-litre straight-six engine and a manual transmission conversion, which makes this peppy little sports saloon the perfect machine for British B-roads.

For anyone that fancies putting an appreciating modern classic on the driveway – especially one that’s great to drive and enjoys a healthy support network – then this would be the ideal choice.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in August 1987
Ordered new in London
Nine owners from new, current owner since July 2021
Kept garaged and dry by the previous and current owners
Restored and resprayed by the current owner - work completed in February 2023
Originally an automatic – converted to manual transmission by a previous owner
Please note: the DVLA still has this car registered as an automatic
Current MOT to 29th Feb 2024 – no advisories at test
154,478 miles indicated
Limited service history - booklet part complete
Invoices and receipts from the current and the last owner
A number of old MOT certificates
Owner’s handbooks and two keys

The Interior

Black leather sports seats with rear headrests
Electric windows, door mirrors and metal sunroof
Central locking
Modern JVC CD/radio with 12 CD changer in the boot

The leather of the seats looks to be in fine order, with some wear and creasing commensurate with the car’s age, but no significant damage apparent. The vendor notes a small hole to the back of the passenger seat and a split to the side seam of the back rest, but otherwise the seats are in good condition.

Carpets are dark grey throughout the cabin and boot area, with complementary grey floor mats. All look to be in pretty nice condition, with no staining or major marks we could see. Similarly, the black vinyl door cards are nice and tidy, with no major scuffs and no tears to the material apparent.

Looking at the driving controls and instrumentation, care has clearly been taken to keep them showing well, and they present nicely, with a light natural patina. The gear knob has been replaced with a new item, and the dashboard itself was replaced with a new, uncracked example to bring the interior up to a similar condition as the exterior. The vendor tells us that everything works just as it should, other than the following electrical issues:

Central locking & electric mirrors inoperable
Brake lining (brake pad wear) indicator light illuminated
Rev counter inoperable
Inspection light illuminated

The vender notes that the problems on the dash cluster are common, and point towards an issue with the SI batteries (for the rev counter & inspection light issues) and a loose resistor (for the brake lining lamp) – reference E30zone.net forum.

In the boot there is a full-size spare wheel, alongside the usual small BMW toolkit, mounted to the underside of the boot lid.

The Exterior

Lachs Silver metallic paintwork, freshly resprayed
New body panels and seals fitted
Dinitrol cavity wax treated
Refurbished original BBS alloys

Still resplendent in its factory shade of Lachs Silver metallic, this 3-series is a handsome beast. The current owner has had the car restored and resprayed to bring it back to its best, and the finish of the paint certainly looks very good indeed. With it being freshly finished, there are no notable marks, blemishes or issues for us to mention.

In regard to the bodywork itself, the owner took the opportunity of the respray to make sure the bodywork was in similarly good condition. Any necessary corrosion treatment and welding was carried out, while the off-side front wing, front panel, rear panel and near-side rear inner/outer arches were all replaced. The sills and bumpers were also repaired as necessary. The plastic bumper trims to the front and rear off-side corners, are a little scuffed and damaged in places and ideally require replacement. These parts are however hard to source.

To smarten and modernise the car, it benefits from Shadowline trim and has been dechromed. We think this really lifts the look of the car and makes for a more subtle, sporty appearance. The rest of the trim and badging is in good order, with new OEM window seals, door seals, front grill, badges and M-technic details having been fitted during the restoration. The bodykit all sits well too, with no misalignment we could see.

Wheels are the original BBS items, measuring 15-inches and shod with a matched set of Nankang tyres. They present very nicely, having been refurbished, and are a fine period detail to retain.

Underneath the car, everything we could see looks nice and straight. There are a few patches of light surface corrosion to the front jacking points and some of the drivetrain components, as you’d expect, but we saw nothing that would cause us concern. The vendor notes that, during the restoration, the car was treated with Dinitrol cavity wax in all accessible areas, and raptor underbody protection at the sills and inner rear arches . This means that it should be well protected from the elements for many years to come.

The Mechanics

2,494cc naturally-aspirated straight-six
Five-speed manual transmission
Power assisted steering
Limited slip differential
Recent service and timing belt change

Fitted with the desirable 2.5-litre straight-six, which delivers a meaty 170bhp to the rear wheels, this smart E30 is a great car for the enthusiastic driver. A previous owner had the car converted to a close-ratio manual transmission too, aiding the tactile nature of the car.

It also benefits from a full Scorpion stainless steel exhaust system, new fully adjustable BC Racing coilovers (including adjustable top mounts), new front discs with EBD pads, new front bearings, a new heater motor, a recent full service and new timing belt and auxiliary belts (service in July 2020 at 154,100 miles by E30 Street). Needless to say, this handsome little saloon is ready to go.

The vendor tells us that it starts on the button, running well and exhibiting no smoke, knocks or leaks.

Summary

Presented in the ideal specification for an E30, with significant amounts of work having been carried out, and in a rather fetching colour scheme, we think this is a little gem of a car.

Whether you’re looking for a fun daily classic or an appreciating asset, this is well worth your consideration.

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*

UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.

A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.

All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.