This build thread will be primarily used to keep up and record my maintenance.
Story behind the vehicle:
I’m a Toyota guy through and through. I’ve owned a few 4runners and Tacomas. My latest Toyota being a supercharged 3rd gen 4runner that was my pride and joy (I’ll post pics below). Overland vehicles were more my style. What got me into BMW’s was actually my brother that had an E39 wagon (pic below as well). The more I saw it and road in it, the more I wanted to get into one. I started my E30 hunting adventure around November ’2018 for a clean example as my first E30, let alone my first BMW. Originally I was looking for either an alpine white or delphin grey 318is or 325is, which ever example was cleaner, I was going to go for it. While I was scouring the internet every day for a few months, one popped up on Craigslist located in Tallahassee which is about 2 ½ hours from where I live. It was a ’90 325is in sterling silver with 43K original miles on it from what the ad said. The ad had like 5 pictures of the vehicle on it and pretty much a one line statement about the vehicle. Something to the extent of, “one owner 1990 BMW 325is. Excellent condition with 43K original miles on it. Immaculate tender loving care for over 20 years.” And that was it. I’ve bought and sold many vehicles and we all know when they have little information on the vehicle (especially on CL) that it was probably a scam. So, I went on my way and kept scrolling. The very next day, the ad disappeared. I had taken a screen shot of the contact info when I saw it just in case. After having gone through so many ads and waiting for the right one to pop up, I figured I’d just give this guy a call. I called the number and an elderly woman answered. I asked if the BMW was still for sale and she said that her husband took the ad down because he was having second thoughts about selling it. I then proceeded to ask her if it was ok if I had a few words with him. A few minutes of talking and some convincing, I dropped everything I had to do that day, and I was on my way to Tallahassee before he could change his mind. I show up and the first thing he says to me was, “I was actually kind of hoping you didn’t show up!”. The vehicle was just as described and then some. It was an older gentleman, a graphics designer that worked from home, only drove it on the weekends, and the car was always covered. 43K miles on the clock with the odometer still rolling. Only downfall is that it’s an automatic (but it’s a good thing we could always swap it). I was just thrilled to see what I had the opportunity to purchase. No rust, no body damage but a few scratches, nothing major that I couldn’t fix myself. It was in excellent condition for its age. After test driving it and getting as much information about the vehicle from him, we struck a deal that was more than generous for what these are going for nowadays. He threw in the OEM BMW car cover, OEM radio that he said worked but was having issues with static, and a box of new radiator lines. I don’t know about you guys, but before I sell one of my vehicles that I’ve put days and hours into let alone owned it for almost 30 years, I get attached to it, then when I see it leave my possession, it’s a punch in the gut. I felt that with this guy. He asked to take a picture of myself and the vehicle before I left and he returned the favor.
Vehicle information
Prod. Date 1990-02-28
Type 325I (USA)
Series E30 (3 Series)
Body Type LIM
Steering Left Hand Drive
Engine M20
Displacement 2.50
Power 125kw / 170hp
Drive HECK
Transmission Automatic
Colour STERLINGSILBER METALLIC (244)
Upholstery (0203)
Comfort and interior equipment
S401A Liftupandslideback sunroof electric
S410A Window lifts electric front
S481A Sports seat
Multimedia
S675A Rear audio system
Driver assistance and lightning
S530A Air conditioning
S540A Cruise control
S551A Onboard computer II with remote control
S562A Reading light
Wheels and drive
S209A Differential lock 25
S226A Sports suspension settings
S240A Leather steering wheel
S281A BMW LA wheel chromeplatedround spoke
Environment and safety
S324A BMW LA wheel ellipsoid styling 107
S841A AUSSENSPIN WAGFAU325IS SCH
Other equipment
S925A VERSANDSCHUTZPAKET
Pictures of my Supercharged ’99 Toyota 4Runner (highlander):
Picture of my brothers E39 touring:
Pictures of the E30 when I purchased it, including a picture of the gentleman that was generous enough to sell his E30 to someone that was born in the same year as the vehicle production.
Phone camera lens was acting really weird so it looks like I edited the picture of the previous owner. Not the case.
The little damage I found:
Picture cruising back to my house of the odometer...43k.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Story behind the vehicle:
I’m a Toyota guy through and through. I’ve owned a few 4runners and Tacomas. My latest Toyota being a supercharged 3rd gen 4runner that was my pride and joy (I’ll post pics below). Overland vehicles were more my style. What got me into BMW’s was actually my brother that had an E39 wagon (pic below as well). The more I saw it and road in it, the more I wanted to get into one. I started my E30 hunting adventure around November ’2018 for a clean example as my first E30, let alone my first BMW. Originally I was looking for either an alpine white or delphin grey 318is or 325is, which ever example was cleaner, I was going to go for it. While I was scouring the internet every day for a few months, one popped up on Craigslist located in Tallahassee which is about 2 ½ hours from where I live. It was a ’90 325is in sterling silver with 43K original miles on it from what the ad said. The ad had like 5 pictures of the vehicle on it and pretty much a one line statement about the vehicle. Something to the extent of, “one owner 1990 BMW 325is. Excellent condition with 43K original miles on it. Immaculate tender loving care for over 20 years.” And that was it. I’ve bought and sold many vehicles and we all know when they have little information on the vehicle (especially on CL) that it was probably a scam. So, I went on my way and kept scrolling. The very next day, the ad disappeared. I had taken a screen shot of the contact info when I saw it just in case. After having gone through so many ads and waiting for the right one to pop up, I figured I’d just give this guy a call. I called the number and an elderly woman answered. I asked if the BMW was still for sale and she said that her husband took the ad down because he was having second thoughts about selling it. I then proceeded to ask her if it was ok if I had a few words with him. A few minutes of talking and some convincing, I dropped everything I had to do that day, and I was on my way to Tallahassee before he could change his mind. I show up and the first thing he says to me was, “I was actually kind of hoping you didn’t show up!”. The vehicle was just as described and then some. It was an older gentleman, a graphics designer that worked from home, only drove it on the weekends, and the car was always covered. 43K miles on the clock with the odometer still rolling. Only downfall is that it’s an automatic (but it’s a good thing we could always swap it). I was just thrilled to see what I had the opportunity to purchase. No rust, no body damage but a few scratches, nothing major that I couldn’t fix myself. It was in excellent condition for its age. After test driving it and getting as much information about the vehicle from him, we struck a deal that was more than generous for what these are going for nowadays. He threw in the OEM BMW car cover, OEM radio that he said worked but was having issues with static, and a box of new radiator lines. I don’t know about you guys, but before I sell one of my vehicles that I’ve put days and hours into let alone owned it for almost 30 years, I get attached to it, then when I see it leave my possession, it’s a punch in the gut. I felt that with this guy. He asked to take a picture of myself and the vehicle before I left and he returned the favor.
Vehicle information
Prod. Date 1990-02-28
Type 325I (USA)
Series E30 (3 Series)
Body Type LIM
Steering Left Hand Drive
Engine M20
Displacement 2.50
Power 125kw / 170hp
Drive HECK
Transmission Automatic
Colour STERLINGSILBER METALLIC (244)
Upholstery (0203)
Comfort and interior equipment
S401A Liftupandslideback sunroof electric
S410A Window lifts electric front
S481A Sports seat
Multimedia
S675A Rear audio system
Driver assistance and lightning
S530A Air conditioning
S540A Cruise control
S551A Onboard computer II with remote control
S562A Reading light
Wheels and drive
S209A Differential lock 25
S226A Sports suspension settings
S240A Leather steering wheel
S281A BMW LA wheel chromeplatedround spoke
Environment and safety
S324A BMW LA wheel ellipsoid styling 107
S841A AUSSENSPIN WAGFAU325IS SCH
Other equipment
S925A VERSANDSCHUTZPAKET
Pictures of my Supercharged ’99 Toyota 4Runner (highlander):
Picture of my brothers E39 touring:
Pictures of the E30 when I purchased it, including a picture of the gentleman that was generous enough to sell his E30 to someone that was born in the same year as the vehicle production.
Phone camera lens was acting really weird so it looks like I edited the picture of the previous owner. Not the case.
The little damage I found:
Picture cruising back to my house of the odometer...43k.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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