1999 BMW 328i E36 Convertible

The seller had always fancied owning an E36 328i, so eventually embarked on a quest to find the right one – and *cue Bruce Forsyth voice* didn’t he buy well?

Finished in Steel Blue Metallic, ‘V45 LGK’ was registered in 1999, ensuring BMW had had almost a decade to get its eye in by the time it got around to assembling this one.

Only being sold because he’s inherited another BMW and can’t justify keeping both, even that’s a bit of a win for potential bidders as his original plan was to keep it long-term, and he fettled it with that aim in mind. 
 

Finished in Stahlblau, or Steel Blue (paint code 372 and a £506 option when the car was new) even the body-coloured bumpers (which were a surprisingly reasonable £198) are in fine fettle.

In fact, whether it’s the big-ticket items like the ripple-free flanks and mm-perfect shutlines, or the pocket-money items like the straight air intake grilles, the E36 presents very well indeed.

We are told that the roof was replaced in 2024, with repairs being made to the mechanism at around the same time. Free of rips, tears, and other damage, it also benefits from fully-automatic operation (£947) and the optional Roll-bar Protection System (£969). It rises and falls as it should, and fits very well when it is erect. One of the better softtops of the era, it insulates the occupants so well there would be no need to drive anything else even in the winter months.

The 16-inch alloy wheels are free of kerbing marks too, and the rear tyres were replaced with a pair of 225/50R16 Avon ZV7s in August 2025 (build date 2023). Falken ZE310 of the same size are fitted to the front wheels, and these were fitted in July 2021 (build date 2017). All have good tread left on them.

As for flaws, we spotted the following: noticeable scuffs and scratches to all four bumper corners; faded exterior plastics; a couple of marks to the rear bumper; the bonnet badge is faded; minor marks on the top of the nearside rear wing and boot lid; a dink on the lip of the offside front wheelarch; and scuffs to the nearside side skirt and nearside rear lamp unit.

The Montana leather interior was a £1,234 option when the car was ordered, while the air-conditioning added another £1,454. The onboard computer saw the final bill rise by another £330, with the radio and CD multichanger adding £573 and £379 respectively.

Clearly, the first owner was not working to a budget but then given it’s a convertible and therefore open for inspection by passersby, who can blame ‘em?

Of course, that leaves everything more open to the elements than would be the case in a closed car too, and this can take its toll on the trim.

Not here though, because that Montana leather has shrugged off the passage of a quarter of a century with impressive aplomb. The manually adjustable front seats, for example, are still firm and plump. There’s no damage to their outer edges either, nor any rips, holes, loose seams, or even loss of colour to either them or the rear seats.

Sure, there a bit of creasing, primarily to the driver’s seat, but that’s about it.

The boot is nicely preserved and still contains the tool kit in the lid.

There is a loose seam on the front of the nearside rear seat, plus general wear and scuffs to the interior leather and plastic trim, most noticeably to the central front armrest and the back of the driver’s seat.

However, the major touchpoints like the steering wheel, gearknob, and pedals have survived with almost no visible wear to their surfaces.

The carpets are good too, including the heel protector in the driver’s footwell. The white lettering on the switches and controls is generally good, and everything still operates with the E36-level precision we’ve come to know and love.

An aftermarket Pioneer headunit is fitted, and this includes a natty mobile phone holder.

The only other points worth mentioning are the rearview mirror, which is crudely stuck onto the windscreen, and the LCD on the speedometer, which is failing.
 

The BMW’s service history is recorded as follows:

•    17.08.1999 – pre-delivery inspection by BMW Munchen 
•    12.04.2000 and 3,141 miles – service by Holland Park BMW
•    03.10.2001 and 8,146 miles – service by Holland Park BMW
•    22.05.2002 and 10,050 miles – service by BMW Specialist
•    28.08.2003 and 11,970 miles – service by Holland Park BMW
•    20.08.2004 and 14,852 miles – service by Holland Park BMW
•    09.05.2005 and 16,825 miles – service by Holland Park BMW
•    17.10.2005 and 18,372 miles – service by HR Owen BMW
•    23.10.2007 and 25,146 miles – service by Holland Park BMW
•    09.12.2011 and 31,467 miles – service by Kumaran Autos
•    22.04.2013 and 34,303 miles – service by Kwik-Fit including fresh brake fluid
•    22.08.2024 and 47,270 miles – service by UK Sports Cars
•    12.07.2025 and 53,270 miles – service by Kippie’s Autos

The seller’s friend is a retired mechanic, so between them they’ve been through the car – but because no money changed hands for the labour, there is no paper trail though.

The seller tells us that “everything that needed doing has been done”, and he recalls replacing the brake discs and pads, the rear tyres, a driveshaft, some coolant hoses, and a lamp lenses as well as a service, but suspects there is more that he’s forgotten given he’s spent around £2,000 on parts.

That said, the last MoT picked up the fact the wipers only work on the intermittent and fast settings, and the front brake pads are getting thin.

The engine bay is very clean indeed, and we can’t see the car’s new owner feeling the need to do anything more to it than continue to keep it so and, perhaps, satisfy their OCD by replacing the missing suspension turret cap.

We can’t see anything amiss on the video either, which shows it starting, idling, and revving as creamily as only a straight-six can. As you can hear, it’s also got a lovely crackle from the exhaust.

The underside is just as impressive. We can’t spot anything seriously amiss, and the only minor issues are scuffs to the underside of the front valance and the odd spot of flaking underseal (i.e. 46 and 47/65).

No MoT tester has ever mentioned structural corrosion and even close inspection reveals only modest rust to the offside of the spare wheel well and the front slam panel under the bonnet.
 

The BMW’s MoT is valid until June 2026, and the recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

The history file includes the BMW wallet and book pack, a large number of expired MoT certificates, invoices that have been neatly summarised across four pages, and a copy of the original sales invoice for £45,263, which would be £87,000 if you were to pay it today.
 

Not that it’s going to fetch anything like that now, of course.

But, even allowing for depreciation, the fact you can buy what would be a nigh-on six-figure convertible for between £5,000 and £10,000 is a very pleasant surprise.

As will the fact it is being offered with no reserve, so it’s going to sell from the very first bid.

And they say that wintertime is the wrong season to buy a convertible…

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.