1987 BMW 325i E30 5 Speed Manual

1987 BMW 3-Series 325i Description

For sale is my 1987 BMW 325i, 5 Speed Manual. I would consider the car in excellent shape given its age and appears to have been given great care over the years to be in the condition it’s in. I’ll let the pictures do most of the speaking. I bought the car in Jan. 2016 with 159,000 mi. and drove it approximately 700 mi. back home with no issues at all. I bought the car because at the time I had always wanted an older BMW and wanted a project and toy to drive around town. Now I have too many cars and something needs to go. The car has always been garaged since I’ve owned. There is no body rust on the car at all and suspect it’s always been kept inside and didn’t see harsh winters.

I have all maintenance records and receipts since I purchased the car. I also have some receipts from the previous owner. The old BMW maintenance glovebox book contains some records. I will include all of this with the car.

The car comes with two BMW keys, a Bentley Manual with most recent maintenance documented in the back. The original BMW glovebox literature included.

The car is sold as-is with no warranty.

The car has a clear TN title.

Buyer is responsible for arranging any shipping. No international buyers please.

Air conditioning blows cold. Cruise control works. Odometer is working. All interior lights on dash light up properly. No fluid drips or leaks. Brakes and rotors are in good shape no unusual noises. Oil and filter was just changed. Tires are in very good shape with a lot of tread left.

The car appears to be mostly all original, has not been abused, or had any major modifications made to it. The paint is original and in good shape considering the age. However, there are some imperfections. Several areas are fading through (notably on top near the sunroof). There is a small ding on the front driver fender near the headlight. The rear driver quarter corner near the brake light must have had a small ding at some point and has been repaired. The evidence of the repair is evident if you are looking for it though it’s very small in size.

The only known issues are:

The system check panel located above the rearview mirror has the brake light lit all the time This is a common problem with E30s and does not affect the operability of the car in any way.

The gas charged struts for the front seat adjustments are worn out and need to be replaced. I have new parts to include with the car.

Do not bid if your expectation is that this should be like a new car off the dealer lot. It’s just not going to happen with a 30+ year car unless it’s been in climate-controlled storage since it rolled off the assembly. Even then there could be issues from sitting for too many years. Sorry, I have to say this, but it’s coming from past experience. The car is in very good shape for its age and am certain any reasonable person will be satisfied with what they’re getting.

Feel free to message with questions. I can e-mail you additional pictures at your request. I've already uploaded the maximum amount.

Parts I Have Replaced Since Owning:

Front & Rear Sway Bar Bushings (BMW)

Front & Rear Sway Bar End Links (Lemforder)

Fuel Filter (Bosch)

Fuel Pump (Bosch)

Timing Belt Kit (Contitech)

Camshaft Seal (part of timing belt replacement)

Water Pump (Graf)

V-Belts (Contitech)

Distributor Cap (Bosch), Rotor (Bosch) & Rotor Cover (BMW)

Radiator Drain Plug (BMW)

Valve Cover Gasket & End Plugs

Valve Cover to Intake Manifold Breather Hose

Front Control Arms (Lemforder) & Bushings (with new lollipop brackets) (Meyle)

Inner & Outer Tie Rod End Assemblies (Lemforder)

New Black Hex-o-mat Floor Mats

Gearswitch 3D-printed Cup Holder (nice little addition considering these cars didn’t come from the factory with a cup holder)

Spark Plugs

Spark Plug Wires

New power steering fluid reservoir (ZF), new pump to reservoir hose (Cohline), new reservoir to rack hose (Cohline), and pump to rack hose (Burgaflex), new seal rings were installed

OE Style Catback exhaust (ANSA BW4847), new hangers and installation hardware were used

Upper radiator hose, thermostat, and o-ring seal

Battery (NAPA)

Air Filter (WIX)

Used driver taillight and new foam gasket (BMW). The original had a crack on the lens when I bought the car.

Used OEM BMW rear passenger window switch (internal bulb was burned out)

Wheel center cap emblems (BMW)

Refurbished exhaust manifolds, new gaskets, new studs and nuts

Oxygen sensor (Bosch)

Front driver window regulator (BMW NOS part) (The original was worn out and made a popping sound at the bottom/top positions)

Front Driver outer window seal (weatherstrip) (BMW) (The old one cracked when I replaced the window regulator)

Brake light switch on pedal (BMW)

All new bulbs in rear tail lights

UUC Motorwerks EVO3 short shifter kit

UUC Motorworks Double Shear Shift Rod (DSSR)

The following parts were replaced when installing the new shifter:

Shift detent cover (BMW)

Selector shaft seal (Elring)

Driveshaft flex disc (guibo)

Transmission mounts (AKG motorsports E21 w/aluminum cups)

Selectors shaft joint (late E30), pin, and clip (BMW parts)

Shifter arm support bracket and bushing (BMW)

Lower rubber shift boot (BMW)

Other recent maintenance:

Front End Alignment

Redline MTL transmission fluid change

Cooling system flush & new BMW blue coolant

Castrol DEX/MERC ATF Fluid (power steering system)

K&N Oil Filter & Castrol 20W-50 oil

Several items I will include with car:

Used OEM BMW rear package tray center seat belt retaining clip (the one on the car cracked due to age and haven’t had a chance to replace)

Used OEM BMW AC switch (the switch on the car works fine, but the snowflake/recirc symbols are worn off).

The front seat adjustments utilize small gas charged struts. These need to be replaced, but I just haven’t had a chance to install. I have the parts to go with the car.

Known parts installed by previous owner just before I purchased car:

Kumho Solus Tires

Bilstein B4 struts/shocks

Strut/shock mounts

Rear wheel bearings

Front brake pads and rotors

Hood lift strut support