Home / BMW /

1983 BMW 320i (e21) -- clean condition

Price: Ask a price!
Location: Woodland Hills, California, United States
Make: BMW
Model: 3-Series
SubModel: 320i
Type: Coupe
Trim: Coupe - 2 door
Year: 1983
Mileage: 254,582
VIN: WBAAG3306D8383699
Color: Sapphirblu
Engine size: M10 Engine
Number of cylinders: 4
Fuel: Bi-Fuel
Transmission: Manual
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: Cream
Options: Sunroof
Vehicle Title: Clear

1983 BMW 3-Series Coupe - 2 door Description

1983 BMW 320i with a rare 5-speed manual transmission and a huge sunroof. I have owned the car for nearly 3 years. As of October 2016, I have replaced the alternator. Registration through November 2017 -- pink slip in hand. Tires still have most of their life left.
The car has been a reliable, fun, sharp-shifting head grabber. It's pure driving. The only thing that is powered are the mirrors. You even get to hand crank the sunroof. It handles very well on curvy roads as a BMW should. It's not very fast -- the m10 engine from that year was known more for reliability and fuel economy (25-30 mpg) but most of the driving I did in this car was highway, so you shouldn't have any problems keeping up with traffic as long as you downshift. While I've taken long, 100-plus mile road trips in it, the car would be much better as a fun weekend car than a daily driver. It loves Pacific Coast highway and windy roads, hates stop and go traffic.
Extensive records have been kept of the various services and repairs conducted over the last 33 years, which will come with the car. I wouldn't let it go, but I needed a hatchback and only have room for one car.
The car has been a member of a small group of family and friends over the last 33 years. The previous owner was a Boeing engineer (my best friend's uncle) who performed meticulous repairs and refurbishments on the car. He actually owned the car on three separate occasions and performed the following before selling to me:

New front brake rotors and pads

Rear brake drums and shoes

New catalytic convertor and O2 sensor

New armrests (OEM BMW)

New windshield

New speedometer cable

New bulbs all around

H4 headlight upgrade

New front struts and upper strut mount bearings

New control arms and tie rod ends

New water pump and fan

New distributor and cap, rotor, plugs, and wires

New fuel filter, air filter, and oil changed every 3000 miles

Front seats recovered in 2009, and new paint (same color, SapphirBlu) in 2009.

New BMW emblems all around.

All turn signal and marker lights, lenses, and front fog lights new or recent

New turn signal switch

New washer pump reservoir

New washer pump and washer hoses/T’s

New wiper blades

New head gasket (BMW 2002Tii “cutting ring” style, makes a much better seal

Pistons and cylinder head decarbonized/cleaned

New fan belt

Car has Air Conditioning but it has not been charged in a few years, tho the compressor is new.

If I were to keep the car, I would fix the ac, add a radio and fix the rips on the front driver's seat. Mechanically, the car should continue to run for a long time, but it would also make a great frame for an engine swap.
You will not likely find a cleaner e21 anywhere, at any mileage. I would recommend seeing it and driving it in person first if you're local to Southern California. Please message me to make an appointment to see it (I will be showing the car Saturday, December 17 in Woodland Hills, CA from 9 am onward.) This ad will be listed locally as well, and I have the right to remove this posting at any time.
Winner of this ad will receive a car wash and a full tank of gas after payment.

More BMW classic cars for sale