How did you celebrate 50 years of the BMW 3 Series? I may have taken it a bit far by buying this E30-generation 325i Touring from 1990.
Ever since selling my Porsche 944 four years ago, I've had a hankering to own an old car again. Something simple, light, moderately interesting and, above all, fun. The E30 ticked the boxes of being a relatively compact car (it's narrower than a current Mini Cooper C) with an interesting engine, rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox.
It strikes that balance of being purer and more mechanical than modern cars but still comfortable and refined enough that you can take it on big trips quite easily. My parents got a 320i when I was two years old, so it was the first car I was really aware of, and my own first car was a 316i Touring too.
When I saw the ad, I immediately knew this was the one. It's a good colour combo and has factory air-con (which doesn't work, yet). It's also a manual car that's had a few choice performance upgrades over the years (a limited-slip diff and Bilstein dampers).
Some people say E30s are really expensive now. Compared with 10 years ago, when you could pick up a 325i for a few thousand pounds, I suppose they are.
On the other hand, this very nice example cost me less than a new Renault Clio. Just how nice is something I intend to find out soon by taking it to a classic BMW specialist to try, and hopefully fail, to poke holes in it.
Not just an MOT
Almost any 35-year-old car will have lived a life, and even though 91,000 miles is relatively low for the age, that's still plenty of time for components to wear out and rust holes to form. You can read all the buying guides you want before you view a car, but in the end you can never know everything.
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Awesome car purchase. Be good if you make it into a series. I had 1987 325i SPORT (Tech1) and when i got it post purchase inspection there was loads wrong with it. I gave it to a BMW Dealer to do Approved Used Car Check on it. They said so much was wrong it werent saving. I didnt listen and took it to a specialist and focused on getting all the big jobs done like the mechanicals. Bushes, gearlink bush, mine should have had LSD but was missing so i had to buy a second hand LSD get it rebuilt and fitted, Inspection II Service, all the interior lights little bulbs here and there missing. Spent a £2500. It did drive better. Over the years different things broke and needed fixing and i have been stranded a few times. I went to Munich and back in it. New Goodyear tyres made the front end point. Part worn tyres at the back gave it a nice pointy front end and looser rear. The change from open diff to LSD was great. New brake master cylinder improved braking feel and made brakes sharper. New illuminated M-Technic gear knob was a nice touch. The mechanicals when sorted it drives nice. Like you i wasnt sure how it supposed to drive as i went from a 323Ci. The mechanic who driven loads i got him to let me know what is meant to be like. I did get a Scorpion 3 piece full sports exhaust system with STW tips and it sounds sublime. I also got NEW GENUINE BMW M-Technic springs all round and Bilstein B6 Sport shock absorbers all round. Apparently that is Tech1 Sport spec. The later E30s 325 Sports had BOGE. After a while you get hooked and i didnt want a newer BMW. I LOVED THE LOOKS, THE STYLING, THE TAIL HAPPY REAR, THE REVERB SOUND under bridges and tunnels and the NEAR WEEKLY COMPLIMENTS FROM RANDOM PEOPLE and the RESPECT from BMW Technicians and BMW Dealer staff everytime i go into the BMW Dealer to buy parts. Wish i never sold it. Would like another one or to buy my old one back. Also buy a Disclock. A nice sound system is good for tunes too. OEM is the way. A good body is the main thing. Yours sounds better than mine. Mechanicals are easy to sort and much easier than bodywork. Good luck. Gosh i am getting nostaglic and a bit carried away. There is NOT a day i dont miss my E30 325i SPORT.
Such a great car. Love to hear more, please! Here in the US, I regularly found myself behind the wheel of a friend's 1980 320i, so have an extra soft spot for this generation.
What a peach!! Make it right properly and then just enjoy it!!
Please make this a diary series as you get it back, improve things and live with it. That would be great content.