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Exterior photo of 1989 BMW (E30) 325iS

1989 BMW (E30) 325iS

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Details

Price: SOLD

Mileage: 156,100 Miles

Engine: M20B25 2.5-Liter Inline 6-Cylinder Engine

Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Transmission

Exterior color: Bronzit Metallic Exterior (139)

Interior: Nature Leather Sport Interior

Additional features:

Crack-Free Dash

M Tech I Leather Sport Steering Wheel

Map Light Mirror

Limited Slip Differential

Kenwood KDC-BT565U Stereo with Blue Tooth and Digital Media

BMW Premium Sound

BAV Auto Lowering Springs (included, but not installed)

14 Inch Style 5 Basketweave Wheels

Kansas / Colorado Car

1989 BMW (E30) 325iS exterior photo

Background

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. I have restored, rebuilt, and sorted a dozen E30’s over the years and currently own three 1989 E30’s including an IX, an IS and a Touring. The population of worthy E30s was decimated when their values were at the bottom of the inverted bell curve of appreciation. Entry-level buyers and misguided enthusiasts alike have stanced, swapped, and flogged many (that said from a guy in the middle of a Touring engine swap). Others have been neglected or had the wheels driven off of them because the E30 is so good. Lower mileage, properly sorted, pristine examples like this one are extremely hard to find. 1989 was arguably the best year of the E30. It had the late model M20B25 “i” motor, plastic bumpers, projector headlights, and a non-airbag steering wheel. “iS” models received an aggressive front lip, rear deck lid spoiler, M Tech 1 steering wheel, sport seats, a 13-button onboard computer, 14-inch “basketweave” wheels, and a limited slip differential. Properly sorted, excellent condition examples are like this one are extremely hard to find.

 exterior photo

Summary

I purchased this 1989 325iS from a fellow E30 enthusiast who needed to replace it with a truck. I have known this car for some time through the local E30 community and was happy to add it to the Glen Shelly quiver. He purchased it here in Colorado, took it to Georgia for the summer, and brought it back in the fall. I was instructed to ensure that it go to a good home—which is one of our specialties at Glen Shelly Auto Brokers. Bronzit Metallic is a color that always looks fantastic—you either love it or hate it. Personally, I love it. It always looks great, even when dirty and diminishes imperfections. As a result, this E30 presents like a much younger, lower mileage car. It is largely stock and unmolested. Beyond the desirable “iS” options, it has a map light mirror and a Kenwood KDC-BT565U stereo with matching illumination, Bluetooth, and digital media streaming. It has no major cosmetic issues and an exceptionally clean and crack-free interior. The dashboard is original and crack-free. The driver’s seat has been reupholstered in matching Natur leather and looks and feels amazing. E30s are like airplanes, age and mileage are relevant, but not as important as maintenance history and the replacement of common wear items that they all eventually need. I have maintenance records dating back through several previous owners. The owner from 2008 to 2014 kept extremely detailed records; down to logging each fuel fill up. Those combined with the Carfax show regular oil changes dating back to 1998. Significant items like the transmission, clutch, drive shaft, and shocks have all been done in the recent history. The timing belt and water pump were replaced last summer. In preparation for sale, we sealed a few oil leaks, gave it a fresh valve adjustment, oil change, set the CO, and installed new spark plugs.

1989 BMW (E30) 325iS exterior photo

Exterior

The Bronzit Metallic paint is in good condition and presents fantastically. There are shaded and direct sunlight pics on our website if you are reading this elsewhere. I am critical of our cars and strive to point out every defect. The paint is original and does have some imperfections consistent with age. The mirrors and front bumper cover have some failed clear coat, which being removable parts, are easy to correct. There are a few dings, chips and superficial scratches; the worst being on the leading edge of the hood, hood surface, right rear quarter panel, and lower front valence. This E30 has always lived outside of the rust belt and is largely rust-free as a result. Common areas like the front fender seams, floorboards, and lower windshield cowling are clean. There is one small hole in the battery tray, about ¼” in diameter. The catalytic converter heat shielding has some corrosion too, but not enough for an exhaust leak. The Carfax shows minor damage occurring on 10/19/2001, but all VIN tags are in place, the body and panel gaps are perfectly straight. I don’t know what happened, but I can find no evidence to support that it was anything other than minor. All black-work and trim are present and intact. The projector headlights are in excellent shape with no cracks or pitting. The fog lights are crack-free. The marker and taillights are in excellent condition. The retractable antenna works, a rarity for an E30. The 14-inch Style 5 basket weave wheels have no bends or curb rash. All center caps are present. The Firestone Affinity tires were mounted 1,200 miles ago and have over 90% tread remaining. None of the imperfections I’ve mentioned are glaring; overall this E30 presents fantastically and is in much better shape than most E30s out there.

 interior photo

Interior

The interior is in excellent condition. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. The carpet has no tears or stains. Clean E30 sport seats are hard to come by and these are in very good condition. The driver’s seat leather has been replaced with high quality matching leather. It is in excellent condition. The passenger seat does show some wear, mostly on the bottom bolsters, but it is presentable. All seat adjustments work, the recline shocks lock, but they do require assistance adjusting forward to the desired position. The rear seat is in great condition. The dashboard is crack free, extremely rare for any E30, much less one of this age and mileage. The map light mirror was an original and highly desirable option; both lights work on command. The M Tech 1 steering wheel looks great, with minimal leather wear. All instrument cluster functions work. The odometer gears broke at 156,007, I’m nearly certain this happened after I purchased the car. The Carfax shows 154,362 miles on 5/12/16 so it did happen recently in the cars history. I replaced the gears with a Motometer set from Odometergears.com. The 13-button onboard computer has correct backlighting and all functions work. The Kenwood KDC-BT565U stereo is a very nice upgrade with matching illumination, aux and USB inputs, and Bluetooth. The leather shifter is very nice, but it does have one wear spot on the rear edge. All factory premium sound speakers work and sound great. The power window switches work, as does the central locking system. The sunroof motor works, but the tracks are sticky. I wouldn’t tempt fate by opening it.

 engine photo

Mechanical

The most important element in any BMW purchase is the previous owner’s stewardship. This E30 comes with an excellent ownership history pedigree. The Carfax shows regular services from 1998 (likely when it started reporting) through 2004. I have records dating from 2008 to present, including a detailed fuel log from the previous owner through 2014. In preparation for sale we did the following items:

  • Cam Seal
  • Valve Adjustment
  • Inspect Timing Belt
  • Spark Plugs
  • Power Steering Lines
  • Set CO
  • Clutch Slave Cylinder

Major maintenance items that have been recently addressed are:

  • Timing Belt
  • Water Pump
  • Power Steering Rack
  • Tie Rod Ends
  • Power Steering Reservoir
  • Drive Shaft
  • Flex Disc
  • Transmission
  • Clutch Kit
  • All Shifter Components
  • Radiator
  • Front and Rear Shocks
  • Front Control Arm Bushings
  • Intake Manifold Gasket and Injector Seals

Records beyond that show regular timing belt intervals, brakes, the clutch master cylinder, and an O2 sensor.

All of the common E30 issues are either not present or have been addressed. The engine pulls super strong to redline and the power difference is noticeable. The drive train is quiet with no excessive whine or vibrations. The shifter feels tight, not the spoon in a bowl of spaghetti that so many E30’s have if not rebuilt. There is a slight seep at the head gasket between cylinders 3 and 4 (a common issue), and another seep at the transmission output shaft (a very common issue). Neither is significant. The suspension is firm yet compliant, with no creaks or noise. The stock sport springs are fitted, but a set of Bavarian Autosport sport springs are included with the sale.

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. We would like to find such a person who will enjoy it for years to come.

 exterior photo

VIN Decode

VIN Decode

  • VIN: WBAAA1302K8254491
  • 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: Bronzitbeige Metallic (139)
  • Upholstery: Nature Leather (0295)
  • Production Date: 9/20/1988

Options

  • 209 Limited Slip Differential
  • 226 Sports Suspension Settings
  • 281 LM-Rad 6.5 x 14 Inch “Basketweave” Style 5 Wheels
  • 324 Front “iS” Spoiler
  • 401 Power Sunroof
  • 410 Power Windows
  • 481 Sport Driver and Passenger Seats
  • 530 Air Conditioning
  • 540 Cruise Control
  • 551 (13-Button) On-Board Computer
  • 562 Map Light Mirror
  • 675 BMW Premium Sound
  • 708 M Tech 1 Steering Wheel
  • 841 Paint Matched Mirrors
  • 925 Shipping Protection Package