1984 BMW 323i Baur Top Cabriolet

This splendid car was delivered new to the Isle of Man in 1984 and, aside from the occasional trip to the mainland for a bit of work now and again, it remained there until very recently, when it was bought by a vendor whose enviable car collection is well-known to us. 

The odometer currently reads some 57,141 miles.

Not only is this fine example of a rare, RHD manual model in virtually time-warp condition, it also comes with the additional rarities of power steering and BMW sports seats.

We know from invoices and receipts in the file that the car crossed the Irish Sea in August 2022 to have some restorative work done, primarily to the bodywork, at a cost of several thousands of pounds.

It is, by any measure, a particularly good example.

We have driven the car and can report that it is very well screwed together and does everything expected of it with levels of performance and aplomb that belie its age and are far more a reflection of its low mileage than its vintage.

It is, perhaps, a little sticky in second gear for the first 5 minutes or so until the gearbox oil has warmed up and eased the syncromesh action – but we’re as confident as we can be that this is more of a model trait than a particular fault.

The bodywork is devoid of any dinks, dents, bangs, crumples, creases, ripples or folds that we can discern and the car, either from a distance or up close and personal, presents very well indeed.

The panels are smooth and even, the shut-lines and panel gaps are crisp and consistent.

The doors close with all the Teutonic weight and precision built in to them by BMW and Baur engineers when the car left their respective factories in 1984. 

The black paint has held up very well and has a depth of lustre and shine that would be impressive in a car with far fewer years under its belt.

The various black fabric-covered components of the roof are all in fine fettle, bar the odd mark (of the sort that would surrender if threatened with a damp cloth and the right cleaning products) here and there.

The wheels are good, save for a spot of bubbling under the paint in a couple of places. The blue elements of the BMW ‘propeller’ logo have worn away on the centre hub caps on the front wheels. 

There are a few light swirly scratches on the boot lid and the bonnet – the sort that look as if they may have been delivered by car wash brushes. 

We spotted a couple of scratches on top of the o/s/r wing and a crack at the nearside corner of the rear spoiler, which has otherwise done a fine job of resisting the age-related tendency to fade and turn grey.

There is a small patch of something that could be either bubbling or evidence of a previously touched-up paint chip on the o/s/f wing where it meets the driver’s door. We really don’t know which of these theories will prove to be right but, regardless, it’s a very small patch of….whatever it is.

The chrome, badging, lights, lenses and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all following the same time-warp example set by the rest of the car.

Entirely unsurprisingly, the interior of this remarkably well-preserved car is every bit a match for its exterior counterpart. 

The grey velour seats, front and back, look pretty much factory-fresh and are devoid of any meaningful signs of wear or even use.

Ditto the door cards.

Ditto the carpets and mats.

The various sections of headlining are, you guessed it, also in irreproachable condition.

The dashboard, steering wheel, gear lever, handbrake, instruments and dials are equally impressive.

The glove compartment seems to be missing its interior ‘roof’, for want of a better word.

If we were being picky, and we’d have to be to find any flaws worth mentioning, we might point to a couple of scratches atop the gear lever and the fact that one of the built-in cassette tape holders is cracked.

The boot, you’ll be shocked to learn, is every bit as good as the rest of it and contains various bits and pieces from the car’s tonneau cover wardrobe.

Yep. 

It’s all good.

The engine bay looks dry and tidy, and everything seems to be in its right and proper place

The undersides look to be possessed of plenty of structural integrity and are entirely consistent with the car’s generally superb condition, as far as we can see. 

This car comes with a UK V5, various Manx documents, a fine collection of old tax discs, some receipts and invoices from its trip to a Penrith body-shop in 2022, and a recent, clear HPI report. 

It also comes with pages from a BMW service book that show plenty of stamps for the period 1985 – 2006.

You’ll be waiting a very long time to find a better example of a 3 Series Baur ‘Top Cabriolet’ than this one. 

In fact, we don’t think you’ll find one no matter how long you wait.

It ticks all the right boxes for condition, mileage, and it’s had just three owners since 1984.

It drives as well as it looks, and it looks fabulous.

What’s not to like? 

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £12,000 - £16,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.