For sale is a beautiful, low mileage 1989 BMW 325iC automatic. Built in 1987, this vehicle was ordered with many creature comforts one would expect of a BMW in the late 1980s. It runs and drives well, and is a real head turner! She has a clean Carfax and title, no known accident damage, low ownership record and was mostly a California car. I purchased the car and shipped it to Florida to be my daily driver. On arriving in Florida, I had it inspected by BMW of Fort Lauderdale. The mechanic who did the inspection did their training on the e30s, and said the car was in exceptional condition considering it was mostly original. I eventually replaced it with a true daily driver, and moved the car to Los Angeles around two years later to be my toy car when I would be there on business. This is a typical e30, which is considered to be one of the best driving classic BMWs (second of course to the 2002). It has a smooth and strong smoke-free 2.5L M20 engine mated to a silky automatic transmission. It has many standard features that are expected from a BMW, including electric mirrors, seat heat, a 6-disc CD changer in the trunk, fully-functioning onboard computer and all windows are electrically operated. Standard features include power steering and AC. She drives beautifully on the highway and in the city, and handles braking and cornering well. It is a very straight and cosmetically presentable car that looks absolutely amazing after a detail with all the plastics cleaned and shined.In around 4 years, I have put on a low 4,000 miles on the vehicle, and done a ton of maintenance, working slowly to restoring it to showroom condition. Here are some of the positive features of this little piece of history:

  • Low mileage (108,3xx);
  • Extensive service history, receipts included;
  • Crack-free original dashboard (rare), and all gizmos and dials functioning correctly including the odometer (never stopped, also rare);
  • Replaced since I have owned it: the manually-operated rag top, muffler, SI board, M Tech steering wheel, various dash lights such as for the on board computer, radio (replacement original equipment), window switches, reupholstered the seats in boat vinyl, idle control valve, mass airflow sensor, oxygen sensor, vacuum rubbers and hoses, spark plugs, distributor, fan clutch, added stabilization bar, fan rheostat, convertible top storage shocks, trunk and rear light rubber seals, transmission refurbished which is silky smooth, and the muffler;
  • Regular servicing including engine and diff oil changes, coolant changes, wiper blade replacement, minor gasket replacement, new battery;
  • All parts were OEM when available to insure proper German engineering in the vehicle.
  • Included in the receipts from the previous owner was replacement of the timing belt and water pump at 90xxx miles (very important for the e30).

With any classic car, the project is never fully complete, although she starts right up and can’t wait to get on the road.

These are:

  • Slightly wavy idle. I have been chasing this for a long time and it is 90+% better than when I bought it, but am stumped on the last 10%. However, while slightly wavy, it is still pretty smooth and vastly improved.
  • It still runs hot in traffic. It has a new water pump and thermostat (previous owner), so at this point I would suspect that the radiator may need some work or replacement. However, in the city without traffic and normal stop light / stop sign movement, the temp gauge runs at half-mast or lower. I have never allowed it to overheat, and the head gasket is in good shape.
  • It could use new shocks and tires (with balancing and alignment), but the current ones are still serviceable.
  • It has a slight water leak on the driver’s side from the ragtop in rain, common with these cars. Maybe some adjustment will help. Additionally, one has to hold the edge of the top while closing the driver’s door with the window up to get a good seal. There is also a small leak into the toolkit, which needs a new seal to complete the seal kit. I did not manage to find one, and used a regular piece of rubber which improved the leak around 90%, and forgot about it since I don’t drive it in the rain anymore.
  • There are a couple of plastic bits that could be replaced, like the bracket around the handle of the convertible top. These details are very minor and cosmetic; it will mostly only be noticed by an enthusiast.
  • The AC has a slow leak, although fully functioning. I am told it could use a new compressor, which has a slight whine akin to a failing bearing. This noise has been consistent throughout my ownership, and is quite subtle.
  • Front seat recline mechanisms are frozen, but they track and are able to move to get passengers into the back.

Overall, this is a solid, clean example of an e30 that is fun to drive, reliable, plenty of power (for the 1980s at least), and has a beautiful BMW roar out of the tailpipe that is distinctive to this era of automobile. The car is currently garaged in Los Angeles at my company hotel, and dates permitting, can be viewed there. Shipping will be the responsibility of the buyer, likely out of Ontario, CA. The price is not negotiable – I don’t need to sell the car, I’ve just landed up with three classics accidentally.

Price: Auction

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Seller's other items: stark4632

Location: Rancho Cucamonga, California, United States