Highlights

Manual transmission
Two owners from new
Extensive service history
Completely unmodified

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
255,598 miles indicated
Current MOT expired in August 2023, however, owner confirms they will MOT prior to sale
Will be exempt from Road tax as of 1st April 2027

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 fairly significant 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 Mechanics

1.8-litre, fuel-injected four-cylinder engine
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
There is a minor oil leak from the sump, for which there is a new oil sump gasket that will come with the car, along with a handful of other consumables
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.

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