Highlights
- Under 19,000 documented miles from new
- Collector-quality factory standard car
- Two former registered keepers
- Recommissioned since June 2024 including cambelt and service
- Large history file including documents back to first registration
- MOT valid to April 2026 with no advisories
- Recently featured on YouTube by 'Number 27'
The Appeal
The E30 is where BMW’s current market hegemony began. Compact, well-built and agile in a way that was simply a mystery to any Sierra or Cavalier driver, the second-generation 3-Series tempted fleet buyers out of Fords and Vauxhalls and became a staple of suburban driveways.
No wonder that, with 80s cars in ascendancy, good examples are sought-after. And yet they’re surprisingly rare and few are as good as this remarkable example. It is a 320i with the 130bhp 2L straight engine, mated to a desirable 5spd manual box. The mileage is a documented 19,000 miles, amassed by just three keepers. Painted rare Atlantis Blue with a beige fabric interior, it is a really fantastic time warp example. No wonder it has featured on the Number 27 Youtube channel.
The vendor acquired the car in 2024 after a long search for the best E30 he could find. He tells us that the previous keeper had it for 31 years and covered just 13,000 miles. Since buying it, he has checked the car from front to back, attending to whatever he felt was needed. Notably, this has included a service and cambelt change at 16,000 miles in 2024.
If there’s a better E30 320i out there, we’d like to see it. With the added reassurance of advisory-free MOT to April 2026, this fine example is both a show car and a tempting daily driver.
The vendor says:
“This has to be the best E30 320i outside of a museum. It is a genuine 'time warp' car. It is completely original, and it really does feel like a 2-year-old car. You can totally feel the road through the steering wheel. Handling is lovely as a Rear Wheel Drive chassis should be. I love the looks and proportion of this car - it just looks right. There is no ABS, no Air-conditioning, no central locking or any other expensive thing to go wrong. Totally reliable. I would happily drive it any distance. The new owner need do nothing except enjoy the car. Note - this car was recently reviewed on YouTube by 'Number 27'.”
History and Paperwork
- UK market RHD car
- First registered 9th August 1990
- Three registered keepers from new
- Current keeper since May 2024
- First keeper for 3 years, covering 3,500 miles we are told
- Second keeper for 31 years with 13,000 miles covered, mostly in first few years
- Second keeper stored car long-term in English garage whilst working in USA
- Extensive recommissioning undertaken by current keeper
- Part service history prior to current ownership
- Full details of current keeper’s work in detailed spreadsheet of work and costs
- Original sales brochures included
- Various invoices and MOTs as shown
- Service book shown in photos
- Factory handbooks and wallet
- V5C
- Old tax discs
- 2 keys and fobs
- First aid kit which appears to be unused
- MOT valid to 22nd April 2026 with no advisories
- Recently featured on YouTube by 'Number 27'
- Service history and MOTs support low mileage but this is not verified
Recent service history:
- 05/25 - 18,706 miles - general checks by vendor
- 06.24 - 16,046 miles - cambelt and service by vendor
Notable recent maintenance advised by seller:
- All belts, fluids and filters changed
- Fuel injectors removed, cleaned and balanced with an inspection certificate
- Cam belt changed in June 2024 at 16,000 miles
- Front struts disassembled to replace crumbling bump stops
The vendor says:
“I bought the car at auction in May 2024 after looking for over 18 months for the right car to come along. The first owner used the car for 3 years and only did 3,500 miles. The second owner had it for 31 years and only did 13,000 miles; most of these during the first 10 years of his ownership. Apparently, he took up a job in the USA and kept the car long-term in his garage in England before it was sold to a dealer in 2024, who in turn put it up for auction. I then spent a good deal of time and money recommissioning the car. Cosmetically and mechanically, it was already superb, so no bodywork or major repairs were needed; however, because it had been standing for so long, I decided to do a full service and added some upgrades too. Every single belt, fluid or filter that could be changed has been changed. Even the fuel injectors were removed, cleaned, and balanced with an inspection paper to prove it. Cam belt changed in June 2024 @16,000 miles by myself. Front struts disassembled in order to replace the crumbling bump stops etc etc.”
The Mechanics
- 1,990cc inline six-cylinder engine
- 5spd manual transmission
- New fuel tank fitted to resolve restriction in return line that caused high fuel pressure and hesitation
- Vendor states that the engine starts first time every time
- We are told the engine runs very well with no faults or leaks
- New rear exhaust section fitted
- Clutch master and slave cylinders replaced
- The vendor describes a good road feel through the steering wheel
- Recent service and cam belt change as detailed above
- No advisories on MOT
