Description

1989 BMW 318i (E30)

One owner from new; 80,150 miles; recent new exhaust and front brakes; ready to enjoy

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.
One of the most popular models in the E30 line up was the 318i which initially had a 105bhp M10 four-cylinder engine but from 1987 had an improved 113bhp M40 engine which gave it a top speed of 115mph and a 0-60 time of 12 seconds for the automatic and 10.8 seconds for the manual version. Arguably better balanced than the larger-engined six-cylinder models, it 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.
First registered in February 1989, this 5-speed manual BMW 318i four-door has had just one Midlands owner from new and has covered only 80,150 miles as warranted by 14 old MOTs on file back to 1993. Barely used over the last 10 years and stored in a heated garage, it has recently been recommissioned including new front brake discs and pads and a new exhaust, being submitted for an MOT in June this year which it passed with just a few minor advisories.
The Burgundy Metallic bodywork looks to be in good condition bar a couple of small rust bubbles on the sunroof, while the grey cloth interior is very clean and tidy with a just a few cracks on the top of the dash to let the side down. Driven some 60 miles to the sale, it started promptly and drove very nicely as we moved it around for these photos.
The original handbooks and wallet are still present but the service book has sadly gone astray although there are a couple of bills on file for a new clutch master cylinder in November 2004 at 66,884 miles and for a service in November 2005 at c.69,000 miles.
These E30 BMWs are great fun to drive and this sensible mileage one-owner example doubtless has many years of useful life ahead of it.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com