This BMW E30 3-Series Coupe got away, but there are more like it here.
This 1990 BMW 325i is a mildly updated two-door with 74k indicated miles and a swap from its original automatic transmission and open differential to a 5-speed manual and limited slip rear end. The car was purchased by its current owner in this BaT auction eleven months ago from California BMW specialist Ryan G. Motorworks, who performed the swap along with other work from 2010-2015 including a new timing belt and water pump, A/C conversion, and more detailed below. Cosmetic and performance upgrades include lowered and stiffened suspension, Ronal wheels, Euro and 325is exterior touches, and Corbeau sport seats. The car is described as a sorted example with no outstanding issues and is sold with a Florida title.
Outside, Brillantrot paint received a professional detailing a year ago and still retains a high gloss over sheet metal with minimal dings or other issues. Minor blemishes appear limited to occasional stone chips and small scratches as detailed in the gallery, and slight color fading is shown on the textured red and black sections of the undistorted lower valances.
Described as free of prior accident damage, straight panels show crisp character lines and even gaps throughout. Bilsteins and H&R race springs lower the car over clean 15″ Ronal LS dished basketweaves, a classic E30 wheel upgrade wearing BFGoodrich rubber from 2010. The partially debadged trunk lid wears a 325is lip spoiler and shows possible paintwork on its lower edge along with a flaking badge.
Small post-1988 plastic bumpers improved the E30’s proportions considerably and look free of cracks or distortion here. Supplementary trim also looks clean including a 325is front lip with “Ryan G” splitter and blacked-out kidneys. Straight Euro grilles provide continuous trim over upgraded H4 low beams and stock highs, while out back a difficult-to-source filler panel bridges bright and uncracked taillight lenses. A ding is noted on the passenger-side of the windshield, though most other glass looks clean.
Inside, a year-old replacement dash top and other plastics look free of splits or notable distortion. Ultrasuede Corbeau sport seats have replaced the original tan buckets and retain tight stitching and little wear, while the stock rear bench looks nearly unused. Door panels present well with uncracked map pockets showing typical discoloration. An aftermarket aluminum pedal set has been added over presentable carpets with factory floor mats. The headliner above looks free of tears and fits tightly around the working manual sunroof.
The stock airbag wheel, lighted leather M shift knob and emergency brake appear lightly used, with the latter wearing a pair of stitched aftermarket boots. Instrumentation is photographed in detail, indicates a believed-accurate 74k miles and retains the same bright lettering as seen on undamaged knobs and buttons. A European-market analog clock has replaced the US-market digital unit.
The cruise control system has been removed but all other accessories are said to work correctly along with gauges, lights, and the factory stereo. The HVAC blower is reportedly free of squeaks and changes speeds correctly thanks to a recently replaced resistor, while air conditioning has been converted to R134a refrigerant with a late-model Denso compressor and was said to work well as of the 2015 sale. An exposed airbag plug is visible below the steering column.
The trunk received an Interstate battery, hold-down, and new factory cover in 2015, while the factory tool kit freshened at the same time remains nearly complete but would benefit from new foam padding.
Underhood, the stock 2.5L M20 inline-six is mated to a 5-speed manual swapped in by the previous owner along with a 3.73:1 limited-slip differential added just prior to the 2015 sale. A major service performed in 2015 included a new timing belt and water pump along with a valve adjustment and replacement of the valve cover gasket, distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs, accessory belts, and radiator hoses.
Looking well-sorted and largely stock, the engine bay is home to a largely undamaged factory hood pad, recently replaced washer bottle, and original coat of protective cosmoline on the prominent intake manifold. A stainless Scorpion muffler has been fitted to the exhaust. Suspension modifications include the lowering springs as well as aftermarket sway bars on reinforced factory mounts, and the car was described during the 2015 sale as tight, quiet, and reliable.
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Auction Result
| Winning Bid | USD $10,252 by boggie1688 |
| Auction Ended | November 8, 2016 at 1:39PM PT |
| Bids | 24 |
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BaT Essentials
Seller: abe
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Listing Details
- Chassis: WBAAA231XLEC51343
- 74k Miles Shown
- 5-speed Manual Swap
- 3.73:1 Limited Slip Differential
- Bilsteins, H&R Springs, and Sway Bars
- Ronal LS Wheels
- Euro and 325is Trim
- Corbeau Sport Seats
- Recent Timing Belt and Water Pump
- Recent Valve Adjustment and Gasket
- Recent Cap, Rotor, Plugs, Belts, and Hoses
- A/C Converted to R134a
Private Party or Dealer: Private Party
Lot #2555
BaT History (3)
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