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Exterior photo of 1987 BMW (E30) 325iS

1987 BMW (E30) 325iS

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Details

Price: SOLD

Mileage: 168,000 Miles

Engine: M20B25 2.5-Liter Inline 6-Cylinder Engine

Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Transmission

Exterior color: Delphin Grey Metallic Exterior

Interior: Cardinal Leather Sport Interior

Additional features:

3-Spoke Sport Steering Wheel

Limited Slip Differential

Leather Sport Seats

13-Button On-Board Computer

BMW Factory Radio

BMW Premium Sound

OEM Cassette Holder Center Console

14-Inch Style 5 Basketweave Wheels

BF Goodrich Super Sport AS Tires

Crack-Free Dashboard

Colorado Car

Clean Carfax

All Mx Up to Date

Background

1987 BMW (E30) 325iS exterior photo

The 1984-1991 BMW 3 Series, known generationally as the E30, is the one model more than any other that earned BMW the Ultimate Driving Machine reputation. E30s are one of our specialty vehicles at Glen Shelly Auto Brokers. The population of worthy E30s was decimated when their values were at the bottom of the inverted bell curve of appreciation. Lower mileage, properly sorted, pristine examples like this one are extremely hard to find and have appreciated considerably in recent years. 1989 was arguably the best year of the E30. It had the late model M20B25 “i” motor, projector headlights, and a non-airbag steering wheel. The 325iS featured an aggressive front valance, rear deck lid spoiler, sport seats, an M Tech 1 steering wheel, 13-button onboard computer, and a limited-slip differential. The end result was a significant improvement over the base model 325 and arguably one of the best driver-focused E30s produced. Properly sorted examples like this one are extremely hard to find.

Summary

 exterior photo

I originally purchased this 1987 325iS for my brother in 2014 (you can see pictures of it from 2014 in our Found section). It was a long-term owner car that was always serviced at Schomp BMW and then traded in there. I just got it back from my brother in trade for an E39 M5. It is truly a time capsule E30 325iS, being 100% stock and unmolested—and I would strongly encourage its new owner to keep it that way. The reason why is that it is one of the best driving E30s I’ve ever had. Everything is incredibly tight and the stock suspension combined with 14-inch basketweaves soak up the road at triple digit speeds. It is also one of the best color combos—Delphin Grey over Cardinal Red leather. The exterior presents very well and its flaws are easily forgiven. The interior is nearly perfect, the combination of which solicits compliments regularly. In preparation for sale we gave it a complete round of routine maintenance including a fresh timing belt, cam seal, water pump, spark plugs, valve adjustment, coolant flush, cooling system reservoir, gearbox fluid flush, and an oil change. Schomp (frustratingly) disposed of the records when they sold it, but the Carfax does show a long-term owner going back to 1992 and regular services. As it sits, it’s a turn-key car ready to be enjoyed by its new owner.

Exterior

1987 BMW (E30) 325iS exterior photo

The Delphin Grey paint is in good condition and presents fantastically. Close inspection does reveal small imperfections, the worst being rock chips along the leading edges, small dings, and opaque clear coat on the hood and roof. I’ve had these areas inspected by SVE Autobody and they did not recommend re-painting them unless the whole car was done. The best part of this E30 is its originality, its flaws are easily forgiven once you connect emotionally with the car. There is no rust; common areas like the front fender seams, battery and jack trays, floorboards, and lower windshield are clean. All VIN tags are in place, the body and panel gaps are perfectly straight and the Carfax is clean. The front and rear Roundel emblems are faded in the pictures, but I will replace these before it leaves my hands. The original Ralph Schomp badge from 1987 is still mounted on the trunk. We can remove this at buyers-discretion. All black-work and trim are present and intact, but there is some typical UV fade on the front bumper trim. The lower front iS valance is crack-free and the rear spoiler was repainted at some point. The windshield is crack-free, as are the headlights, fog lights, marker lights, and tail lights. The retractable antenna works, but needs help to extend and retract fully. The wheels have no bends or glaring defects, sans slight curb rash. The center caps are present and BF Goodrich Super Sport AS tires are mounted with lots of tread left.

Interior

 interior photo

The interior is in excellent condition. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. The carpet is in good condition and is protected by original BMW floor mats. The driver’s floor mat has two wear spots in the pedal pad that I think would be worth fixing, so I photographed them in the car. The driver’s floor mat does show some wear. Clean E30 sport seats are hard to come by and the front and rear seats are in excellent shape. The driver’s seat bolster was replaced at some point and I replaced the seat shocks in preparation for sale. The passenger side bolster has some wear, but it is presentable. There is a small tear in the driver’s side door card. The dashboard is crack-free and a matching Cardinal Red cover is included to keep it that way. There is one wrinkle in the covering below the parcel tray. The 3-spoke M Tech I steering wheel has only minimal wear with very good leather. The early-style shift knob and boot are also in excellent condition. All instrument cluster functions including the odometer work correctly, there is a small crack in clear plastic in the lower right hand corner of the clear plastic. The 13-button onboard computer has correct backlighting and all functions work. The original BMW Premium Sound system works, but has a scratchy volume rheostat. The heat blows warm, the air conditioning blows cold, and the blower fan works at all speeds. The OEM cassette holder center console has one missing release button, but the cassette holders are present. All window and sunroof switches work, as does the central locking system. Two keys, a car cover, and the owners’ manual are included with the sale

Mechanical

 engine photo

This E30 has clearly always been correctly maintained, which is evident after only a short drive. The engine bay is super clean, and still has the original cosmoline protectant on most components. The timing belt was just replaced, along with the list of other maintenance in the summary paragraph. No common E30 issues are present. The engine idles smoothly and pulls super strong to redline. The clutch does not slip, the take-up is correct and the shifter is tight—not the spoon in a bowl of spaghetti that so many are. There is slight transmission whine, but it isn’t anything that needs addressing any time soon. If you can’t live with it, I have a G260 gearbox I can install with a new clutch kit for extra. There are no drive-line vibrations. The suspension is firm yet compliant and the bushings are tight. The muffler is a little rusty, but sounds fantastic as a result—the best sounding exhaust is a factory one with a little rust. It passes emissions, which we pay for.

This is a properly sorted, properly documented, and properly cared for E30 325iS. Like any E30, it will need continued care and maintenance, and it deserves to be well cared for by its new owner. I would prefer and recommend that the new owner keep it stock. We would like to find such a person who will enjoy it for years to come.

VIN Decode

 exterior photo

VIN Decode

  • VIN: WBAAA1307H2324918
  • Type: AA13
  • Model: 325i – USA
  • Development Code: E30
  • Chassis: LIM
  • Steering: LL
  • Doors: 2
  • Engine: M20
  • Displacement: 2.50
  • Power: 168 Horsepower
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Color: Delphin Grey Metallic (184)
  • Upholstery: Cardinal Red Leather (0206)
  • Production Date: 6/30/1988

Options

  • 209 Limited Slip Differential (25%)
  • 281 Lm-Rad 6 ½ x 14 Wheels
  • 325 Rear Spoiler
  • 401 Sliding / Vent Roof Electric
  • 410 Window Lifts Electric
  • 481 Sport Seats Front Driver / Passenger
  • 530 Air Conditioning
  • 540 Cruise Control
  • 551 On-Board Computer
  • 675 BMW Sound System
  • 704 M Sport Suspension
  • 708 M-Sport Leather Steering Wheel