SOLD 10/31/2015
Up for sale is an excellent condition 1990 E30 325is. We’ve had this car for a few years and it’s been an incredibly rewarding daily driver. We always get compliments wherever we go and more than a few times have returned to the car only to find a note asking us if it’s for sale. Well, now it’s for sale! The car has 197K miles. $8,000. The VIN number is: WBAAA2315LEC51458. The car is located in Chicago, IL.
Full Gallery available here:
We’re putting this up for sale with a heavy heart. It’s never let us down but us doing more highway driving we’ve switched to something a bit more modern that has more than zero airbags (we just bought a 1-series).
We’ve babied this car with regular fluid changes, washes and details. It’s been parked indoors at all times.
A previous owner was a BMW enthusiast who worked at the BMW dealer and did most of the work on this car. He was a purist, and all the parts are OEM dealer parts - down to the battery and oil used on this car - except for the few suspension components there is nothing aftermarket.
The car is in absolutely beautiful condition. It is definitely one of the nicest E30's around and has not been molested and never abused. It is an original 325is model with the sport seats, and limited slip differential. It handles absolutely amazing, better than most new cars on the road, and still has enough power to keep up with all the new modern cars. The previous owner took great care of it and spared no expense on it - as have we.
The engine runs beautifully, and the clutch and transmission shift perfectly. It pulls strong and is happy to rev all day.
The only thing that isn’t working on this car is the AC. It went out last summer and we just haven’t needed it, I was told the condenser has a leak.
We planned on keeping this car and took care of it with that in mind. If we had another garage space we wouldn’t put it up for sale.
If you’re new to the E30 or a BMW (we were) this is a fantastic introduction. An E30 M3 would be great, but for less than a third of the price you enjoy the next closest thing, the top of the line 325is. It is a real driver's and purists car! This car will make a great daily driver or a weekend cruiser!
This car has the upgraded 15” basketweaves (it originally came with 14s).
Here’s what we’ve done in the past few years:
The following work was done about 4 years ago by the owner that worked at a BMW dealer. I don’t have receipts for this work unfortunately. The amount of work that was done it pretty incredible and it shows when you see & drive the car.
Engine
Transmission / Drivetrain
Suspension
Exterior
Interior
Electronics
Other
Brand new tools in the trunk tool kit courtesy of the previous owner. 2 of them are old because they do not produce those anymore, all others were replaced with brand new ones.
Included is also the OEM cupholder with mounting screws. Neither the previous owner, nor I had the heart to drill into a new center console to install it, however it is included.
The Bad
I’m doing my best to honestly represent the car. If you have any questions or want pictures of something in particular I can take them. Note, some of the photos don’t show the front valence (lip), I removed it a while ago to prevent curb rash. It’s since been installed again for the full “is” experience.
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in this car. I just went to Vintage Fest here in Chicago and had I shown this E30, it would have been one of the nicest ones there.
Full Gallery available here:
Up for sale is an excellent condition 1990 E30 325is. We’ve had this car for a few years and it’s been an incredibly rewarding daily driver. We always get compliments wherever we go and more than a few times have returned to the car only to find a note asking us if it’s for sale. Well, now it’s for sale! The car has 197K miles. $8,000. The VIN number is: WBAAA2315LEC51458. The car is located in Chicago, IL.
Full Gallery available here:
We’re putting this up for sale with a heavy heart. It’s never let us down but us doing more highway driving we’ve switched to something a bit more modern that has more than zero airbags (we just bought a 1-series).
We’ve babied this car with regular fluid changes, washes and details. It’s been parked indoors at all times.
A previous owner was a BMW enthusiast who worked at the BMW dealer and did most of the work on this car. He was a purist, and all the parts are OEM dealer parts - down to the battery and oil used on this car - except for the few suspension components there is nothing aftermarket.
The car is in absolutely beautiful condition. It is definitely one of the nicest E30's around and has not been molested and never abused. It is an original 325is model with the sport seats, and limited slip differential. It handles absolutely amazing, better than most new cars on the road, and still has enough power to keep up with all the new modern cars. The previous owner took great care of it and spared no expense on it - as have we.
The engine runs beautifully, and the clutch and transmission shift perfectly. It pulls strong and is happy to rev all day.
The only thing that isn’t working on this car is the AC. It went out last summer and we just haven’t needed it, I was told the condenser has a leak.
We planned on keeping this car and took care of it with that in mind. If we had another garage space we wouldn’t put it up for sale.
If you’re new to the E30 or a BMW (we were) this is a fantastic introduction. An E30 M3 would be great, but for less than a third of the price you enjoy the next closest thing, the top of the line 325is. It is a real driver's and purists car! This car will make a great daily driver or a weekend cruiser!
This car has the upgraded 15” basketweaves (it originally came with 14s).
Here’s what we’ve done in the past few years:
- New heater core & valve
- New exhaust
- Front & rear brakes (including rotors)
- Timing belt & tensioner
- Intake boot
- Alternator Belts
- Bridgestone Blizzak Winter Tires
- Replaced sunroof (the old one had a few minor rust bubbles)
- New front driver & passenger floormats
The following work was done about 4 years ago by the owner that worked at a BMW dealer. I don’t have receipts for this work unfortunately. The amount of work that was done it pretty incredible and it shows when you see & drive the car.
Engine
- Rebuilt or replaced practically everything.
- New BMW 885 Cylinder Head, associated gaskets and valve adjustment
- New BMW Camshaft and Rocker Arms
- Water Pump
- Radiator
- Waterpump
- Thermostat
- Timing Belt + Tensioner
- Fuel Pump
- All original dealer fluids used.
- Installed brand new fuel tank, fuel filter and fuel hoses (original fuel tank was corroded around the fuel pump area)
Transmission / Drivetrain
- The car was originally an Automatic and was properly converted to a manual, at the BMW dealer.
- Getrag 260 Transmission (From a matching 1990 BMW 325is)
- New BMW Clutch Kit
- New Master / Slave Cylinder
- BMW Z3M Short Shifter
- BMW Driveshaft, Flex Disk (Guibo), Center Support Bearing
- Rebuilt rear Axle with new CV Boots, replaced differential gasket
Suspension
- The car comes with Bilstein Sport shocks
- Eiback Lowering Springs
- H&R Sway Bars (front is installed, rear is not installed but is included with the car along with all mounting hardware)
- New subframe bushings
- New control arms
- New Wheel Bearings (3 replaced, 1 was still good - 1 extra NEW in box included)
Exterior
- Repainted original Brillianrot Red in 2009
- New Ellipsoid Low Beams (Original, not cheap Aftermarket)
- New BMW Original Windshield
- All new trim pieces, rubber gaskets, etc.
- BMW Dealer Purchase 15" Euroweaves with 215/50/15 BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Tires
Interior
- New BMW Dashboard (they are made from the newer material which doesn't crack as easily and looks better)
- Original BMW Front Sport Seat leather upholstery
- New Center Console
- New HVAC Panel
- New Glovebox
- New Shift Boot
- M Steering wheel. One of my favorite parts of this car!
- Replaced AC Compressor
Electronics
- Kenwood Headunit w/ 4V PreAmp outputs, iPod/iPhone connection and Bluetooth Support (microphone installed on drivers side)
- New Component Diamond Audio Speakers on all 4 Corners
- New Speaker Wiring Everywhere
- MB Quart 4 Channel Amplifier
- Phoenix Gold 900W RMS Subwoofer Amplifier
- Orion 500W RMS 10" Subwoofer in Custom Built Sealed Box
- Prestige 2-Way Car Alarm with Remote Starter and a safety switch to make sure you don't accidentally start the car in gear.
Other
Brand new tools in the trunk tool kit courtesy of the previous owner. 2 of them are old because they do not produce those anymore, all others were replaced with brand new ones.
Included is also the OEM cupholder with mounting screws. Neither the previous owner, nor I had the heart to drill into a new center console to install it, however it is included.
The Bad
- AC condenser needs replacing. AC blew cold before the condenser went out. We haven’t replaced it because we haven’t need the AC
- Paint is in amazing quality, but there are a few chips here & there (especially on the front lip). It’s not concours paint, but keep in mind this is a 25 year old daily driver.
- There’s some minor rust in the where the license place lights mount. I’ll get some pictures of this posted soon.
- I was told the summer tires (BFGoodrich g-Force Sports) will need replacing sometime soon. I’ll measure the tread wear and let you know. Currently I have the Blizzaks mounted.
- It’s been in few fender benders. Super minor, low speed accidents (literally fender benders). Everything has been taken care of by a pro shop here in Chicago (Gerber). No body panels were replaced. I can find photos if you’re really interested. You would never know.
- The rear seat’s leather isn’t in the greatest shape. It’s never bothered me though.
- The right flood light is out. It's a broken cable. I'll have it replaced asap.
I’m doing my best to honestly represent the car. If you have any questions or want pictures of something in particular I can take them. Note, some of the photos don’t show the front valence (lip), I removed it a while ago to prevent curb rash. It’s since been installed again for the full “is” experience.
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in this car. I just went to Vintage Fest here in Chicago and had I shown this E30, it would have been one of the nicest ones there.
Full Gallery available here:
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