BMW 320i Cabriolet (E30)

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The superb E30 series of BMW compact saloons and coupes ran from 1982 until 1994 and, in many enthusiasts eyes, were the last of the real driver-focused 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.

One of the nicer models in the E30 line up was the 320i Convertible, launched in 1985. This was powered by a fabulously smooth and quick-revving 2.0-litre straight-six that produced 127bhp. Driving through a 5-speed Getrag manual gearbox, it could launch the car to 60mph in 9.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 127mph. It was the car to have in the late Eighties and good ones are now increasingly sought after.

This August 1988 320i manual has had just three owners from new, the second keeping it from 1989 to 2012 when the vendor acquire it. Old MOTs show that by 1998 it had covered less than 50,000 miles, the odometer having climbed to only around 86,000 miles today. Recently fitted with a new mohair soft top and new front brake discs and pads, the whole car is said to be in very good condition and is due to have a fresh MOT in time for the sale. It also comes with an attractive F200 PAB number plate.