1991 BMW 3 SERIES

This is a rare example of a BMW E30 320i that was fitted with a genuine factory M-Tech bodykit, with front seats, steering wheel, and illuminated gear knob specified in the original build sheet.

It also has the much sought after five-speed manual gearbox, which helps keep the straight-six two-litre engine on the boil, producing more than enough performance to keep up with modern traffic under any conditions.

Of course, the E30 is rightly famed for its handling and this example more than holds its own, even against supposedly sportier rivals. If you know how to drive properly, then few cars will be more rewarding to steer along a windy country road than this.

The Calypsorot Red coachwork is in fine fettle thanks to a professional respray in its original colour five years ago. It is, even more importantly, completely rot-free, retaining its original sills and wheelarches; the owner tells us that in 27 years it has only needed a small welding repair to the boot floor, which is remarkable. And further rust shouldn’t be an issue thanks to extensive waxoyling and undersealing.

It has also just been professionally detailed ready for its new owner. 

The car currently sits on recently refurbished Ronal LS alloy wheels but the original BBS wheels are included in the sale. The car currently sits on 25mm lower aftermarket springs, which help the stance no end but might upset the purists.

The only blemish of note is a small patch on the sunroof where the lacquer clear-coat has been nibbled away by bird poop.

The M-Tech black leather seats show early signs of developing a lovely gentle patination but are still firm and supportive and, of course, look wonderful!

The rest of the interior reeks of late eighties’ nostalgia. Just look, for example, at the slab-like dashboard, which is angled towards the driver to place all the relevant controls easily to hand. It takes us straight back to those heady days when a BMW 3-series genuinely was The Ultimate Driving Machine and we all kept our Filofax conveniently to hand on the passenger seat.

This vehicle still has its original floor mats, tool kit and owners’ manual. In fact, the only thing that stops it being utterly perfect is a period aftermarket Fischer C-Box cassette holder to keep your old tapes in. But that’s okay, because you can still pick them up on eBay for a tenner…

The most recent MOT was issued with no advisory points at all. This, combined with a recent 260-mile journey (during which it “didn’t miss a beat” AND returned 40mpg while cruising at motorway speeds) should reassure potential bidders that there are no hidden nasties.

One of the highlights of this delightful car is its service history, which is comprehensive and shows a spend totalling more than £12,500. It also comes with every MOT certificate that has ever been issued to it, including the current one which expires in November 2017.

As a car with genuine M-Tech bodykit, this car has provenance and rarity, two of the most important factors in helping an old car move into the realms of the modern classic, a crucial distinction that helps protect your investment from the ravages of further depreciation.

It also has the sweet-revving but curiously unloved two-litre engine, meaning it’s currently undervalued in our opinion, leaving it plenty of headroom to reach its true value in the coming years as potential owners realise what a great engine and chassis combination this model offers. 

The guide price is £6,000 but the reserve is, as always, set lower.

The car is in Cardiff, to view use the 'Contact Seller' button above, or discuss and ask any questions in the comments below.