1989 G E30 320/325i auto Convertible available now in time to get the best out of the summer.
We've known this car for a good few years now having sourced it for its meticulous owner - this is the original hairdresser's car - owned for the last few years by a .......... hairdresser who has kept it garaged, maintained and improved it, kept it spotlessly cleaned and cared for with only Autoglym, Meguiars and Silvikrin products. No washing up liquid here.
He originally wanted a white chrome bumper 325i convertible with black leather interior and was very specific in those requirements. Nothing else would do. This car was bought from down south because, while it failed on two or three of his objectives, it ticked the most important box on the E30 buying guide - buy a structurally good one. The fact that it was white was a bonus; and it ticked another box on the buying guide for convertibles - the roof was perfect. In time, we sourced and fitted a spotless black leather interior with rear headrests and some time later we fitted the 2.5 engine conversion in place of the 2.0 using an engine with good history and significant recent expenditure at the time. The conversion is all properly registered with DVLA too. The standard 15" BBS were refurbished, and a period looking genuine BMW stereo was fitted.
This work brought the car to where the owner originally wanted it - a 325i convertible in white with chrome bumpers and black leather interior and over the past few years, the car has seen regular, if minimal, use on high days and holidays.
The car has tax until the end of September tax and will have 12 months MoT on sale.
It is structurally sound with no rust repairs being required and the underside having been treated with Waxoyl. The external coachwork is excellent having had a few minor parking dings and dents picked up in its time in London repaired very recently and the chrome work is all good.
The car drives perfectly and the suspension, brakes and steering all perform as they should. Trailing arm bushes will be replaced before sale as will any other minor items found to be needing attention. The timing belt and water pump will also be replaced on a preventative maintenance basis. The four speed ZF auto complements the smooth small six perfectly. As the car is not absolutely original, we have the parts to convert to manual if so required.
The car, as it stands now, is the one to buy. It now ticks all the boxes in the E30 convertible buying guide. Most importantly, it is structurally sound. The leather interior is spotless. The roof is excellent with a clear rear screen and no rips or tears. The dash is crack free. The bodywork is clean and tidy and the chrome is good. It drives perfectly. It has good history.
On the downside is the fact that it isn't a 325i on the VIN and if you're being picky, most factory 325i convertibles came with the switchable box, and this is the standard box. The tailpipes are also the "slanted" 320i ones as opposed to the straight 325i ones. That could be dealt with easily the next time the exhaust needs replaced. Neither of these points make any practical difference to the car and would not be noticed by most - even enthusiasts.
If this were a factory 325i in this condition, we'd have it advertised at £5000 or so.
This is a superb 325i convertible in all but name for no more than the price of an average one.
Classic BMW p/x considered.
Other current stock for sale:-
1987 E28 525e £1995
1987 E28 535i SE £4495
1992 E30 320i Touring £1750
1989 E30 325i Baur TC £2250
Please ask for more details of any of these if they are of interest.
