BMW 318i (E30)

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

Later 3-Series became increasingly heavy, and although regular injections of extra power made them faster, they 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.

In the middle of the E30 range sat the 318i which had a 1,796cc 105bhp four-cylinder engine. Driving through a 5-speed Getrag manual gearbox, the four-cylinder was the most balanced of the bunch and was the car to have in the late Eighties when it became known as the ‘Poor Man's M3’ although even then they were never exactly cheap. Superb driving machines, they are still sought after today.

This lovely 318i four-door saloon was supplied new by Dick Lovett of Swindon in August 1986 and had just one owner right up until 2014 by which time it had covered 43,500 miles. It was then acquired by a trader from whom the current keeper acquired it very soon afterwards. It still has only 77,170 miles on the clock and comes with an excellent service history comprising 13 stamps in the book, the last at 74,991 miles in November 2018. There are also 20 old MOTs back to 1996 when the mileage was 32,030.

An early chrome bumper model, it has always been kept garaged and is in superb and original order throughout.with lustrous metallic green paint and a lovely green cloth interior. Recently fitted with a new set of tyres, it retains its original tool kit and handbooks, original floor mats, two sets of keys and is due to have a new MOT in time for the sale.