1988 BMW 3-Series 325i E30 Convertible 5-speed w/Upgrades, Well Maintained NR

1988 BMW 3-Series Description

*IMPORTANT* Please understand this first. This car was listed on eBay in early March but I had to put the car in outside storage and leave Asheville to fix a problem at a property in another state. Because of the virus, I am stranded out-of-state. I need to still sell the car and will be doing so likely at a big discount. The vehicle is in an outdoor, secured storage facility in Asheville. It ran perfectly when I parked it in March, and disconnected the battery. The vehicle currently has no plate. The winning bidder will coordinate with me in order to locate and get access to the car. I will mail all records and the signed title, along with the key, to the winning bidder. It is then up to the winning bidder to go retrieve the car, and either trailer it or get a plate for it and drive it. I have no doubt the vehicle will drive without issue, but the FR tire has a slow leak and may need air. Please ask any questions you may have! Unfortunately I will not be able to be there at time of sale, but this is our new reality...My loss is your gain! On with the description...
Selling my fun little 1988 BMW 325i convertible 5-speed in light gray on black leather. This car has the factory 3.73 limited slip differential. I am the third owner and have had it since 2015. Everything mechanical and electric works, including the A/C (R134a), except for the driver's heated seat. The vehicle needs a trunk seal, and that's up to the buyer. Some upgrades and updates have been made to make it a bit sportier while retaining stock appearance and reliability: 5-speed manual transmission conversion, 17-pound fuel injectors with matching D’Sylva 91-octane engine chip, E34 M5 clutch and lightweight flywheel, Z3 quick-ratio steering rack, 15” BMW/BBS “Euroweave” wheels and Garagistic upper and lower front braces. The end result is a car that is incredibly fun to drive and reliable. Factory radio delete panel and antenna delete grommet, allowing the next owner to install whatever sound system they desire. Original BMW top in decent shape, but if the buyer wants it perfect, I'd suggest a new top.
Additional pictures and videos available on request! More pictures and videos here (some pictures are older, vehicle used to have hard top) : https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/168v6pjNj4X7612XZ_qEBhVeB7hEp6Mof?usp=sharing
Upgrades:Garagistic front upper strut brace Garagistic lower front end brace Garagistic cup holderPowerFlex soft urethane front lower control arm bushingsZ3 quick ratio steering rack LED instrument cluster bulbs OEM MTech 1 leather steering wheel Black rear license plate panel (Heckblende) 15” Euroweave wheels imported from UK Wind deflector (Love the Drive brand from BavAuto) 17# fuel injectors with matching 91 octane D’Sylva chip UUC lightweight flywheel and E34 M5 clutch
Maintenance (2018-2020):Manual transmission conversion including new guibo and center support bearing, new clutch slave cylinder, several new gearshift linkage parts, rear engine seal, front trans seal, new stainless clutch line, trans and diff oil change, rebalanced driveshaftBrand new full exhaust including catalytic converter. DEC brand cat (BavAuto), Bosal brand for cat-back, close to stock sound Timing belt checked late 2019 – OK for a few more yearsVarious oil seals replaced (oil filter housing, oil cooler t-stat, oil pressure switch), oil level sensor cleanedNew valve cover gasket, rocker shaft plugs and valve adjustmentA/C converted to R134a, blows ice cold, new aux fan resistorNew engine/radiator/heater core coolant hose, coolant flushNew odometer gearsNew 15” tires – Kumho performance all-seasonsNew BMW OEM fog light bulb assembliesNew blower fan and resistorNew hood, trunk and tonneau cover strutsNew rear side marker bulbs and housingsNew washer nozzles
Maintenance 2015-2017:New radiatorMAF CleaningPS and Alternator beltsAFM/Throttle calibrationThrottle body cleaningIntake elbow and PCV hose replacementTie rods replacedPlugs, Plug Wires, Distributor Cap/Rotor, CoilNew rear calipers
Summary:This is pretty close to a convertible 325is. A sport suspension and set of sway bars would complete the package.Between the chip, injectors, manual trans, light flywheel, Z3 steering rack, and chassis bracing, this car is an absolute hoot to drive. 3.73 LSD is the perfect ratio for it, and even with stock suspension it is great in tight turns. Cruises happily at 75 all day on the highway. The bracing and steering rack made the steering feel and response much sharper. The Z3 rack is so quick compared to stock… it's what the car should have had from the factory.Including all records since my ownership (2015). Receipts for work exceed $10,000. The car has been thoroughly gone through, and really needs nothing at this time. The brake lining light stays on even though pads are not needed. My mechanic says it’s a short in the wiring somewhere or the cluster. Hoping to find a fellow enthusiast who will appreciate it!