Price: SOLD
Mileage: 118,800 Miles
Engine: M20B25 Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Transmission (Swapped from Automatic)
Exterior color: Black (Schwarz) Exterior
Interior: Pearl Beige Leather Interior
Additional features:
4:10 Limited-Slip Differential
Bilstein Sport Shocks
H&R Sport Springs
13-Button OBC
Z3 Short Shifter
Z3 Steering Rack Sport Seats (recovered)
Kenwood KDC-BT368U Head Unit
Premium Sound
Full R134 Air Conditioning Conversion
14” Basketweave Wheels
Vredestein Sportrac 5 Tires (just replaced)
Extensive Recent Maintenance w/ Manual Transmission Conversion
Recent Receipts Totaling $22,000!
Clean Carfax
The 1984-1991 BMW 3 Series, known generationally as the E30, is the one model, more than any other, that earned BMW its Ultimate Driving Machine reputation. E30s are one of our specialty vehicles at Glen Shelly Auto Brokers. We have restored, rebuilt, and sorted many E30’s over the years. Everyone here has had at least one. 1987 was an important model year for the E30; it was the first year of the M20B25 “i” engine. The “i” motor had a higher redline and produced more power than the fuel-economy focused M20B27 “e” motor. The 325iS featured an aggressive front valance, rear deck lid spoiler, sport seats, an M Tech 1 steering wheel, 13-button on-board 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.
This 1987 BMW 325iS finished in Black over Pear Beige leather is one of the most mechanically sorted and best-driving E30’s that we have had, having come from one of our best customers! In addition to the standard 325iS kit, notable options include a Z3 steering rack conversion, Z3 short shifter, H&R Sport springs, Bilstein Sport shocks, a 4:10 limited-slip differential, and modern Kenwood stereo with Bluetooth. It was original delivered in the spring of 1987 to Visalia, California and remained there until our customer brought it to Tennessee via Colorado, where we did a comprehensive round of mechanical restoration and a 5-speed manual swap. The records are extensive, and importantly document the mileage. They also show an engine replacement in 1991 at 51,000 miles, along with frequent services. Our customer sent it to us in 2019 to give a full mechanical refresh and manual transmission conversion directly after purchasing it. It received a long list of maintenance and upgrades, including: a manual transmission conversion, timing belt / water pump, H&R Sport Springs and Bilstein HD Shocks, a much nicer dashboard, replaced the windshield, headliner, and fresh OEM BMW door seals, door cards (used), trunk gasket, brake fluid flush, brake pads and rotors, added a Z3 steering rack, replaced the headliner and sunroof panel, did the oil pan gasket, power steering hoses, left front control arm, control arm bushings, and repaired the coolant temp and fuel gauges and inspected the odometer gears. From there he took it to Nashville, Tennessee for more mechanical restoration, that work included replacing the driveshaft, engine mounts, right front control arm, brake lines, sway bar end links, outer CV boots, rear subframe and trailing arm bushings, along with the differential bushing, valve adjustment, clutch hydraulics, and exhaust manifold gaskets. Earlier this year, it came back to us in Colorado for a Z3 steering rack conversion and a re-paint, but then the owner decided he liked a Euro-Bumper Black over Cardinal Red 325iS we had better, so he traded it. In preparation for sale we mounted fresh Vredestein Sportrac 5 tires. As it sits, its one of the most mechanically sorted E30s we’ve had. The total of the invoices over the last eighteen months is over $22,000! Cosmetically it is presentable, but it isn’t perfect, making it a great driver-quality E30 you can use and enjoy. We’d like to find a new owner who will enjoy it for the next chapter.
Overall the paint is in good condition for being so original, but close scrutiny will reveal imperfections expected of a 33 year old BMW. All panels are original, with all VIN tags being present. There is moderate crazing in the finish, along with miscellaneous dents and scratches around the car, the most notable being a dent in the front corner of the passenger side fender and a touched-up key mark on the passenger door and quarter panel. The Carfax is clean other than an erroneous damage report from July of this year, which we are disputing (it was safe and sound in our hangar at the time). There is no rust; it has clearly been spared from winter exposure, as it resided in California until 2019. All common spots like the battery tray, floor boards, fenders, and lower windshield cowling are clean. The diving board bumpers are in good condition; all of their respective trim is present, although the plastic trim has some sun damage and the bumper strips have some minor imperfections. The power antenna works perfectly. The windshield has no cracks or pitting, thanks to its recent replacement. The headlights and side markers are clear and crack-free; the taillights both have minor cracks. The 14-inch BMW basketweaves are in good shape; they all have some minor imperfections, but are not notably curb-rashed. They are wrapped in fresh Vredestein Sportrac 5 tires that we mounted in preparation for sale.
Overall the interior is in excellent condition. There are no smoke odors and the carpet has no tears or stains. The front seats have been recovered at some point; it was not a top-dollar job but they are still very presentable with no bolster wear or creasing. There is also a faint odor from the seat covers that we expect will dissipate with time. The rear seat appears original, with one small tear in the base but otherwise clean. The dashboard is nearly crack free, with a few small cracks in the parcel tray but otherwise very nice. The M Tech 1 steering wheel looks great and is in fantastic condition. All instrument cluster functions work, including the odometer. We inspected the gears, but they are original (we recommend not using the trip meter reset button as this can cause failure). The 13-button onboard computer has correct backlighting and all functions work. The head unit has been replaced with an aftermarket Kenwood unit, which sounds great through the factory premium sound system. The ZHP shift knob is in excellent condition. The window and sunroof switches work, as does the central locking system. The heat blows warm and the R134 converted air conditioning blows cold. The trunk carpet is clean and the tool kit is complete.
There are extensive records dating back to 1989 that are sleeved and organized in a three-ring binder, along with the recent maintenance and mechanical reconditioning. The suspension is tight, with fresh shocks, springs, and bushings. This is a turn-key E30. The engine starts on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strongly to redline. The clutch take up is correct and the shifter is tight and precise—not the spoon in the bowl of spaghetti that some E30s are thanks to fresh bushings and a Z3 shift lever. The clutch was replaced with the manual transmission conversion in 2019; its take up is correct and it does not slip. The suspension is firm and compliant thanks to fresh bushings and the Bilstein and H&R upgrades. The brakes are strong with plenty of life left. There are no driveline or wheel bearing vibrations. The exhaust is rust-free and we pay for and ensure it passes emissions in the State of Colorado. This E30 has had a considerable amount of time and money invested into it, and it shows. The exterior imperfections are forgivable as soon as you get behind the wheel; this is one of the strongest and best-driving E30’s we have had, and we are looking forward to finding a new owner to continue the next chapter of its story.
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