Description
I am selling my 1992 BMW 325i Convertible to make room for an e39 M5.
This car is superbly well-sorted with no significant known issues. Mechanically she's very sound - I would not hesitate on a cross-country road trip. Acquired from a BMW-specialty mechanic shop in Oklahoma City in July 2019.
It's my fun weekend-around-town car. The car was driven 500-1000 miles/year (see below about e30 odo).
About me: Long-time BMWCCA member. Currently own two e39s ('00 M5, '00 528iT Wagon/5 speed), an e46 convertible (my son), and this e30. I do most of my own work on them, and have done an engine swap in an e39 540 I owned. But for now, too many cars! Selling for space & simplicity. The M5 is my fun car now.
**The Good: Solid mechanicals - excellent paint - interior leather re-done - new Sonneland fabric top - Husco armrest - M Tech II steering wheel - refinished wheels**
- A pleasure to drive. Solid car. Everything works. No significant known issues. No maintenance I've deferred.
- Solid engine. Timing belt/water pump changed, per service records in 2018 at 117,734 miles
- 5 speed manual transmission. Synchros are good, shifts cleanly, no rough 2nd gear shifts.
- Oil changed annually in my ownership w/ full synthetic. Trans, diff fluid changed with Redline when purchased.
- Oil pan replaced April 2024, after banging it on a pothole.
- Tires new in 2019, Riken Raptors, plenty of tread left. Bought new when car purchased, incl. new spare.
- Suspension is lowered with Bilstein sport shocks and H&R springs (the typical lowering setup). Original springs are available if you want them.
- 14” BBS basketweave wheels refinished March 2023. They look excellent.
Body
- Calypso Red. Car was repainted original color at some point. Respray holding up well, with a few small scratches.
- Detailing: Paint correction & synthetic wax (Griots) completed most recently in June 2024. No swirl marks. Excellent paint for a weekend driver.
- Professionally hand-painted pinstripes added in 2020
- Zero known rust. Some small underbody spots were fixed in 2019 upon purchase. No rust in the typical e30 rust risk spots.
- No door dings anywhere on bodywork
- No significant windshield chips
Interior & Top
- Interior leather seats have been recovered, front and rear. Outstanding condition. One small scratch in rear seat base. Rear headrests. No significant dashboard cracks. There is one small dash crack in front of passenger seat, hidden from view while sitting in the seat, and not spreading.
- Convertible top replaced winter of 2021-22 with black Sonneland fabric top (as was the original), some replacement seals, and the top's metal frame was completely refinished. Looks excellent, no big leaks (but, well, it's a convertible top).
- Rear convertible top cover is fitted with aftermarket latching kit (the "Stu Johnson" kit). Originally motor-actuated cover is now manually operated and 100% foolproof. Motor parts included with sale.
- All windows/regulators/switches work fine
- M Tech II steering wheel, the smaller 370mm one (For awareness, no airbag is installed; from factory the ‘92 had an early, single-stage airbag. I know of no reason why an airbag-equipped steering wheel would not work as designed, if installed, but I do not have that wheel.)
- Aftermarket radio, Bluetooth/CD. Aftermarket amp installed behind rear seat.
- Husco armrest installed. Re-covered pad with black leather/motorsport colors threading
- Shifter cover has motorsport color threading
- Coco mats in black & natural checkerboard pattern (front only)
- Complete tool kit
**The Issues:**
- I wish I had more history on the car. It didn't come with much.
- CARFAX shows two collisions. I know details on the second from previous owner: Car rear-ended another, had damage to front and insurance company declared a total loss. Bought back by current owner, repairs completed by BMW shop I bought it from in Norman, OK. Car inspected on lift before purchase, and multiple times in my ownership. Repaired to high standard. Car has a standard Texas title - NOT a salvage title. Oklahoma title was also a standard title, not salvage.
- Odometer not working. Was working fine when purchased (117,734), got to just past 118K, then stopped . I brought the cluster to a speedo shop, and they told me gears had already been replaced. As little as I drove it, making it work was just never a priority. Judging by 3-4 tanks of gas per year, I drive under 1K miles/year.
- Air conditioning: Slow leak. I've charged it 2x in 5 years of ownership. It's running R134, blows cold now from a charge in 2023. It's a convertible so I’ve never gone crazy finding the slow leak.
- Trunk lid: There are 2-3 very small dents, that paintless dent removal would likely fix. Takes a careful eye to see them, so I never bothered to repair. More like "reverse dents" - am guessing previous owner shut trunk over some items sticking up, that hit underside of trunk lid.
- Door locks: Central locking not working. Typical e30 issue. All locks work with key.
$21,000
