Lot number | 30 |
---|---|
Hammer value | £1,800 |
Description | BMW 325i SE Saloon (E30) |
Registration | D845 HYT |
Year | 1987 |
Colour | Cirrus Light Blue Metallic |
Engine size | 2,494 cc |
Chassis No. | WBAAB320900858626 |
Engine No. | 25524070 |
The superb E30 series of BMW saloons ran from 1982 until 1994 and, in many enthusiasts eyes, were the last of the real driver-focussed models before BMW followed its rivals by making increasingly heavy and desensitised machines which may have been faster and plusher, but had also lost much of the pep and brio of the simpler and lighter models.
It is worth remembering that the first M3, widely regarded as the finest handling BMW ever made, was based on the E30 chassis and is now seriously expensive and collectable today.
The E30 was fitted with a range of four- and six-cylinder engines but the best was definitely the 2.5-litre straight-six. Fabulously smooth and quick-revving, it produced 169bhp and 166lb/ft of torque. Driving through a 5-speed Getrag manual gearbox, it could launch the car to 60mph in just 7.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 140mph. Every Yuppie’s dream, it was the car to have in the late Eighties and good ones are now increasingly sought after and are fast rising in value.
First registered in June 1987, this particular 325i SE two-door saloon has had just one owner from new, a senior police officer who had it as a lease car for the first two years before buying it outright when he retired in 1989 (hence the V5 recording the first owner as the lease company).
It has covered only 68,800 miles with a good service history comprising 15 stamps to date, the last at 59,306 miles in 2002 with many supporting invoices including a bill for another oil service in January 2011 at 68,066 miles. Immediately prior to the auction it was also fitted with a new water pump and a new cambelt (bill on file). A virtually unbroken run of 22 old MOTs back to 1990 also warrant the mileage.
Finished in Cirrus light blue metallic with a matching cloth interior, an electric sunroof and alloy wheels, the car is said to be in generally good condition throughout and to drive well. It also comes with all its original handbooks in the original wallet, a Haynes workshop manual and two sets of keys. MOTd until the end of November and taxed until the end of December, it is due to be driven some 130 miles to the sale.