Description
• Sought-after LCI M-Sport 320d
• Stunning in black/ ivory
• Only 62k miles (less than 5k pa)
• Cherished Ownership
• FSH, £2. 8k invested last 12months
• MOT to 22/ 4/ 2026 (no advisories)
Beautiful, enthusiast-owned late 3-series convertible with excellent history, outstanding specification, and several recent upgrades.
I wanted a 3-series convertible to sit alongside our 330d estate but mainly for a driving trip to Spain to visit friends.
This 2012 M-Sport model is a late and sought-after "LCI" (facelift) version, with updated styling.
I looked for several months and after viewing and test driving many cars, this one was by far the best. It had just one prior owner and the gentleman selling had bought it as an Approved BMW, a retirement present to himself, from Sytner BMW in Nottingham.
He clearly cherished it, being garaged all the time and with a full service history with Sytner BMW. His care certainly shows in the vehicle’s superb condition, and immediately it felt much tighter to drive than the others I had tried.
BMW's M-Sport package includes tuned suspension,
M-aerodynamics body styling, M-leather steering wheel with paddle shifters and integrated multifunction controls, M-193 alloy wheels... etc.
In addition, this particular car has a very high specification including: full ivory leather interior; front sports seats which are fully electrically adjustable with memory function; seat heating; automatic air conditioning; excellent Bi-Xenon headlights; headlight cleaning; cruise control; electrically adjustable and heated folding door mirrors; 'storage compartment package' (folding rear seat back and central opening for large items); remote opening & closure of all windows and roof; automatic lights; automatic wipers; auto-dip mirror; rear park distance control (audible warning)... etc.
And, recently-fitted, a substantially-upgraded sound system with high-end components from Kenwood, Pioneer, and Focal. The original was rather limited in having only an FM radio and, when driving with the top down, it lacked volume and, frustratingly, BMW's ‘bluetooth preparation' only included phone calling, not playing music!
Now, the sound quality is much improved and volume-wise there is plenty in reserve for top-down driving.
Plus, it is much more versatile – you can of course make phone calls hands-free, play DAB radio, music from CD or USB, and, now, you can also play music from your phone. The new system is integrated to the controls on the steering wheel, just like the original system (which will come with the car).
I found the 320d very enjoyable to drive, however, compared to our everyday 330d's 240 bhp it felt a little lacking, especially for safe overtaking on rural roads, and similarly at motorway speeds. In view of the planned Spain trip, I decided to have it upgraded by market leaders, Quantum, whose excellent products I’ve used before. This uplifts the 320d’s power to 220bhp …close enough to the 330d’s. The driving experience is transformed with acceleration and pickup now much more responsive - and still 45+ mpg in every day use.
It has excellent history (all on file):
• April 2014 at 18, 500 miles Sytner BMW service
• April 2015 at 27, 214 miles Sytner BMW MoT
• April 2016 at 31, 325 miles Sytner BMW MoT
• April 2017 at 35, 955 miles Sytner BMW MoT
• April 2018 at 40, 525 miles Sytner BMW service & MoT
• Sept 2018 at 42, 719 miles Sytner BMW service
• April 2019 at 44, 335 miles Sytner BMW service & MoT
• June 2020 at 47, 596 miles Sytner BMW service & MoT
• May 2021 at 49, 571 miles Sytner BMW service & MoT
• May 2022 at 53, 058 miles Sytner BMW service & MoT
• May 2023 at 55, 968 miles Trowell Mot Centre MoT
• April 2024 at 58, 102 miles Motor-Net service
• May 2024 at 58, 480 miles Motor-Net MoT & 4-wheel alignment
• Mar 2025 at 59, 502 miles Motor-Net ZF gearbox service
• April 23rd 2025 at 62, 620 miles Toat Hill MoT Centre (new MoT, no advisories)
Mileage now: 62, 650 miles
In terms of detail, during the last 4k miles it has had the correct Castrol engine oil & filter, all brakes stripped and cleaned, new front brake pads, new brake sensors front and rear, new pollen filter, fresh coolant, aircon tested and recharged, 4-wheel alignment, and importantly, the automatic gearbox serviced using the correct ZF service kit (this is ‘best practice’ service and will give peace of mind for many years).
In addition to the service work, the sound system, the gearbox service, the Quantum upgrade, and two new matching Bridgestone Potenza front tyres just fitted cost over £2000.
It has been kept by me in a dehumidified garage and as can be seen in the photographs the metallic black paintwork is lustrous and the exterior and interior are more like a 3-year old, than 13.
Comes with all books and two keys.
And there is a 1-inch thick history file containing every invoice and certificate relating to the history summarised above. The Spain trip was unfortunately, due to ill health, postponed until spring this year and, to make the most of the trip, I decided to upgrade the sound system and service the gearbox before setting off.
I covered around 2600 miles and the car performed superbly:
With the roof in place it is quiet and extremely refined, including motorway speeds. It cruised effortlessly even when pressing on.
With the roof stowed it retains its refinement at cruising speeds and I was surprised at how comfortable the interior is with the top down for several hours on the motorway. As well, the heated seats are powerful (as is the heater) providing very comfortable convertible driving in the cool early spring mornings and evenings. Conversely, when the temperature climbed the air-conditioning worked very effectively keeping everything equally comfortable.
The M-Sport suspension provides an ideal mix of comfortable cruising, and at the same time offering tight control and handling for more enthusiastic driving.
The upgrades proved absolutely worthwhile - the extra power and responsiveness making for much more enjoyable and effortless progress, and the sound system was perfect for a long journey on mixed roads - providing great clarity and usable volume - even top down on the motorway.
Overall, it was the perfect driving companion - responsive, comfortable, and fun when driven enthusiastically.
From an economic standpoint it, fuel consumption was a very welcome 54mpg.
Road tax was a reasonable £210pa.
The personal registration will be removed before sale and, being registered May 2012, the DVLA will undoubtedly issue a "12" registration.
In summary, this is a lovely car with a very high specification in excellent condition for its age and driving superbly due to comprehensive maintenance and thoughtful upgrades.
The folding hardtop makes it extremely versatile and it easily combines the dual roles of everyday transport and a stylish, fun vehicle, with great value.
