Highlights
- ‘Collector grade’ factory standard E36 convertible
- Desirable 2.5L straight six with manual box and electric roof
- Only three previous keepers
- Full service book with recent work by mechanic keeper
- Owned by a mechanic for 16 years who performed all maintenance
- Comprehensive suspension and brake system overhaul
- Original factory condition with no modifications
The Appeal
You could be drawn to this car because it’s an E36, one of the greatest BMWs of the modern era. Alternatively, you may recognise the practicality and comfort of a good four-seat classic convertible, or maybe its about the engagement of its 2.5L straight six and manual box. There are many reasons to want it, but perhaps chief among them is its remarkable condition.
First registered in Jersey in 1999, the vendor describes this Steel Blue metallic 323CI as ‘collector grade’ and, checking through the photos, we’d have to concur. Its quartet of keepers have clearly looked after it well, keeping the mileage low and on top of the maintenance.
The car remained on Jersey to 2007, when it moved to Belfast with its previous keeper, a mechanic. He carefully stored the car in an underground garage and expended many hours maintaining and improving the car. Recent work has included a full suspension and brake overhaul including shocks, springs, arms, links, discs, pads and calipers. Naturally it drives, stops and handles exactly as it should.
The vendor acquired the car in 2023 and confirms that he has continued this careful approach of maintenance and dry storage when not in use. The result is a highly preserved car and it is perhaps no surprise that the lengthy MOT contains no advisories.
There are many flavour of E36. This car blends the sweet 170bhp 2.5L straight six with a manual box and that big folding roof. It is one of the nicest we’ve seen in a while and would be perfect for summer driving or a longer road trip.
The vendor says:
“This car is truly incredible — words alone cannot fully convey just how well it has been preserved. It’s one of those rare vehicles you simply have to see, touch, and drive — whether along winding B-roads or the motorway — to fully appreciate. It handles beautifully through corners, and the BMW E36 is rightly celebrated for its outstanding driving dynamics. You can experience all of that in this example, which remains in factory condition and makes you feel as though you’ve stepped back into 1999.
“The engine pulls effortlessly through every gear. It’s genuinely difficult to part with it, but I am not a collector, and this car deserves to go to someone who will truly appreciate it. It has regularly attended car meets and classic car shows, where I’ve spoken with numerous BMW enthusiasts — all of whom have commented on how rare it is to find a BMW in such pristine condition.
“While there are many E36s still on the road, most are worn out, rusty, or heavily modified. The best-preserved examples tend to be M3s, but these often command prices upwards of £20,000. This particular car remains in original factory condition and is undoubtedly far more affordable than an M3.
“It’s also worth noting that it features the desirable and increasingly rare manual gearbox — a feature that’s becoming harder to find, as many of these cars are now either gone or badly worn.
“This car is in collector-grade condition — and more importantly, it drives accordingly. It genuinely feels as though it has just left the factory. Unfortunately, this is something that neither words nor photos can fully convey — it’s only truly appreciated once you’re behind the wheel. I can confidently say it offers a driving experience that will transport you straight back to the 1990s.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1999 on Jersey
- First UK registered May 2007
- Vendor advises car has three former registered keepers in total
- Previous mechanic keeper acquired car in 2007 and moved it to Belfast
- Dry stored in an underground garage 2007 to 2023
- Maintained by mechanic previous keeper during his tenure
- Vendor acquired car in June 2023
- Always dry stored and garaged by current keeper
- Car acquired with 88,000 miles and now shows 90,000 miles
- Stamped service book with vendor reporting annual stamps from 1999-2007
- Valid MOT until June 2026 with vendor stating this has no advisories
- Never modified, remains in original factory condition we are told
- Regularly attended car meets and classic car shows
Service history to 2007 (then self-serviced by previous keeper):
- 7,398 miles
- 11,985 miles
- 20,910 miles
- 23,198 miles
- 27,335 miles
- 32,736 miles
- 49,336 miles
The Condition
- Finished in Steel Blue Metallic (paint code 372/5)
- Paintwork in good condition throughout with few signs of use
- Vendor reports that the doors close with reassuring solidity
- All exterior lights fully functional
- Original factory blue soft top with distinctive double-stitched seam around rear window
- Fully electric roof with original automatic tensioning system, functioning well
- Underside appears free from notable defects with vendor advising no MOT advisories
- Seven spoke factory alloys in good order as shown
- White leather seats in very good condition with little wear
- Grey carpet throughout cabin is well-maintained
- Convertible roof headlining shows no signs of sagging or damage
- Dashboard presents well with no cracks, fading, or wear according to seller
- Original BMW radio cassette player installed
- We are told that the FM radio works well but cassette player untested
- No warning lights illuminated on dashboard according to seller
- Door cards in good condition
- All switches and controls fully operational
- Central locking operates via key, including boot
- All four electric windows operate as they should
- Spare wheel well and boot floor appear in very good condition
The Mechanics
- 170bhp 2.5L straight-six engine (M52B25)
- 5-speed manual transmission
- Engine starts instantly and runs smoothly with no faults according to seller
- We are told that the temperature gauge settles in centre of dial and remains steady
- Manual gearbox shifts well and engine runs quietly according to seller
- Exhaust system in good condition
- Nearly all suspension components replaced with new parts
- New shock absorbers, springs, control arms, and drop links installed
- Braking system completely overhauled with new discs, pads, and callipers
- Vendor tells us that the handbrake holds firmly
- Engine and gearbox never opened or altered beyond routine maintenance
- Regularly serviced annually to 2007 and then self-serviced by mechanic keeper to 2023
- No advisories on current MOT according to seller
BEFORE YOU BUY
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