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Exterior photo of 1988 BMW (E30) 325iS

1988 BMW (E30) 325iS

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Details

Price: $22,800

Mileage: 236,200 Miles

Engine: M20B25 2.5-Liter Inline 6-Cylinder Engine

Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Transmission

Exterior color: Black Exterior (Schwarz 086)

Interior: Grey Leather Sport Interior (Natur)

Additional features:

3-Spoke M Tech 1 Steering Wheel

E36 M3 Shift Lever

ZHP Weighted Shift Knob

Super Sprint Exhaust

H&R Sport Springs

Koni Yellow Adjustable Sport Shocks

Powerflex Front Control Arm Bushings

Powerflex Rear Subframe Bushings

Powerflex Differential Bushing

Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines

Limited-Slip Differential

Leather Sport Seats

Euro Analog Clock

LED Instrument Cluster Lights

Re-Built Odometer Gears

Nakamichi MD-452 Media Player Stereo

BMW Premium Sound

Map Light Mirror

Projector Headlights

Fog Lights

Crack-Free Dashboard

BMW Carpet Floormats

Euro Bumper Trim

15-Inch Style 5 iX Basketweave Wheels

Yokohama Advan Fleva Tires

Clean Carfax

California/Washington Car

Recent Engine-Out Service

Head Gasket

Oil Pan Gasket

Timing Belt

Cooling System

Starter/Alternator

Brake Calipers

Brake Pads, Rotors, Lines

Control Arms

Suspension Bushings

Clutch/Clutch Hydraulics

Background

1988 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. Unmolested and properly sorted examples like this one are extremely hard to find. 1988 and 1989 were arguably the best years of the E30. They 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, a 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

This Schwarz over Gray Leather 1988 325iS is not your granny’s E30! Although we love those pristine time-capsule examples, we like the ones like this more—because we can use and enjoy them. Turn up the volume with some proper upgrades, and the smile quotient grows exponentially. This one checks all of the boxes: late-model, plastic bumper, 325iS Coupe. Factory options include the sport front valence and rear spoiler, M Tech I 3-spoke steering wheel, Premium Sound, Sports seats, and the limited-slip differential. It also came optioned with the map-light mirror. Tasteful upgrades include Euro bumper trim, a Euro analog clock, Nakamichi stereo, an E36 M3 shifter with a ZHP weighted shift knob, Powerflex suspension bushings, H&R Sport springs with Koni Yellow shocks, a Super Sprint exhaust, and 15-inch iX Basketweave wheels.

The Carfax first pings in September of 1990 in the San Francisco Bay Area at a state inspection with 27K miles. It pings California state inspections with regular mileage intervals every two years through 2014 and 233K miles. It started pinging services in 1998, beginning at 99K miles, with regular services through 2012. In 2014 it moved to Portland, Oregon, then landed with a Glen Shelly regular in Vancouver, Washington, in 2019. Shortly after that, he turned it over to Autobahn Motorsport in Portland for an extensive mechanical restoration. The work included an engine-out re-sealing, cylinder head refurbishment, cylinder head gasket, timing belt, water pump, thermostat, cooling hoses, expansion tank, radiator, distributor cap and rotor, spark plugs, oil pan gasket, starter, alternator, oil filter housing gaskets, drive belts, engine and transmission mounts, injector rebuild, fuel lines, fuel filter, clutch, clutch slave cylinder, brake rotors, pads, sensors, stainless steel lines, control arms, H&R Sport Springs, Koni Yellow sport shocks, Powerflex suspension bushings, and mount the Super Sprint exhaust. The bill was over $14,000! After that, he had the instrument cluster overhauled with rebuilt odometer gears and LED backlighting.

We bought it from him earlier this year and brought it to Colorado. Once it landed here, we set about sorting cosmetic issues. First, we repainted the front and rear bumpers, mounted the spoilers correctly, installed the correct fan shroud, brake ducts, and undertray, and repaired some superficial rust in the license plate surround panel. Then we paint-corrected it, replaced the battery, and gave it a fresh oil change. Outstanding squawks are an inoperative air conditioning system (all components are present), sport seat recline shocks, no antenna, and other small typical E30-isms. As it sits, it is a great E30 with some considerable upgrades and significant mechanical pedigree.

Exterior

1988 BMW (E30) 325iS exterior photo

The Schwarz paint wears its age well. The paint is original on all panels, gauging at 3-4 mils, except for the passenger side fender, door, and quarter which gauges at 6-7 mils with one deeper area behind the right front wheel. We had the rear panel re-painted to address small rust bubbles. Close inspection reveals many small imperfections in the form of rock chips, scratches, and several small rust bubbles in the roof and along the rear quarter windows. Common corrosion areas like the front fenders, battery, and jack trays are clean. There is slight corrosion along the exposed areas of the pinch welds where the jack points are, especially on the forward passenger side, where it was jacked incorrectly at some point. All VIN tags are in place. The body and panel gaps are perfectly straight. All black work and trim are present and intact. The lower front iS valance is crack-free and the rear spoiler is in good condition. The windshield is crack-free, but does have slight pitting. The headlights and fog lights are crack-free except for the passenger side high beam lens. The retractable antenna is removed, but could be replaced with a Z3-style antenna. The wheels have no glaring defects. The center caps are present, and the Yokohama Advan Fleva tires have 10/32s and 8/32s tread remaining. They do have older DOT dates.

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 floor mats. The sport seats are heavily creased, and the driver’s side is a slightly darker gray than the passenger’s. Both need seat shocks, with the driver’s seat being the worst. The dashboard is crack-free, and its pristine appearance is likely due to being replaced at some point. The 3-spoke M Tech I steering wheel is in very good condition. The ZHP shift knob and boot are also in excellent condition. All instrument cluster functions, including the odometer, work correctly, and the LED lighting significantly improves over the original lights. The Nakamichi stereo matches the factory illumination perfectly and looks at home. We added a matching stereo surround after photographing it. The map light mirror works and there are no check panel lights. The heat blows warm and the blower motor doesn’t chirp. The air conditioning does not function, and it appears to have the original R12 components. All window and sunroof switches work, as does the central locking system. The trunk carpet has no staining and the tool kit is missing a few items.

Mechanical

 engine photo

This E30 has been properly sorted. The engine bay is super clean, and the valve cover and intake were refinished when the engine was out. The timing belt was replaced less than 300 miles ago, along with the other work mentioned in the summary paragraph. The engine idles smoothly and pulls strongly 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. The transmission and driveline are quiet, but the Powerflex bushings transmit more vibration than the stock rubber bushings. The suspension is fantastic with the H&R/Koni combination. The brakes have been refurbished. In Colorado, we pay for and ensure it passes emissions. This is a properly sorted E30 325iS. Like any E30, it will need continued care and maintenance, and it deserves to be well cared for by its new owner. We would like to find a new owner who will enjoy it for years to come.

VIN Decode

 exterior photo

VIN Decode

  • VIN: WBAAA2308J4256550
  • Type: AA23
  • Model: 325i – USA
  • Development Code: E30
  • Chassis: LIM
  • Steering: LL
  • Doors: 2
  • Engine: M20
  • Displacement: 2.50
  • Power: 168 Horsepower
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Color: Schwarz (086)
  • Upholstery: Grey Leather
  • Production Date: 5/11/1988

Options

  • 209 Limited Slip Differential (25%)
  • 226 Sports Suspension Settings
  • 281 Lm-Rad 6 ½ x 14 Wheels
  • 324 Front and Rear Spoilers
  • 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
  • 562 Maplight Mirror
  • 675 BMW Sound System
  • 708 M-Sport Leather Steering Wheel