While Good Find Friday usually features cars to which I have no connection, this week’s find actually belongs to a friend of a friend. My original introduction to this car was as a potential client listing, but after spending some time with the owner, a consulting relationship made more sense. I’ve inspected the car and provided some valuation advice, but the car is not being marketed through my listing service. I’ve fallen so in love with this 1986 BMW 325es, however, that I just have to feature it as today’s good find.

The BMW E30, produced from 1982 to 1994, was a compact sports sedan that competed with the Audi 80, Mercedes-Benz 190E, and Alfa Romeo Milano. Built on a rear-wheel-drive platform with MacPherson struts up front and semi-trailing arms in the rear, it offered a balanced mix of comfort and handling. Engine options included inline-fours and inline-sixes from 1.6 to 2.7 liters, in both carbureted and fuel-injected forms. Transmissions ranged from 4- and 5-speed manuals to 3- and 4-speed automatics. Available as a coupe, sedan, convertible, and (outside the U.S.) a wagon, the E30 gained a reputation for versatility and performance, helping establish BMW’s image in the entry-level luxury and sport sedan market.

The BMW 325es, sold in North America from 1984 to 1987, was a fuel-efficient variant in the E30 lineup. It used the 2.7-liter M20B27 inline-six, designed under BMW’s “eta” concept to emphasize torque and economy, producing 121 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. With a 4,800 rpm redline and tall gearing, it prioritized efficiency over speed. Despite this, it included sportier elements like front and rear spoilers, firmer suspension, and 14-inch alloy wheels. Positioned between the basic 318i and the quicker 325i, the 325es appealed to drivers looking for a more refined, economical option during an era still influenced by fuel efficiency concerns.

For sale locally here in Richmond, Virginia, this 5-speed BMW 325es was purchased new by the seller’s father and has remained in the same family from new. The car has approximately 44,000 original miles on the odometer.

Painted in Bronzit Beige Metallic by the factory, the car’s exterior condition is excellent. While a small blemish can be found here and there, including a small chip on the front air dam, the car is in remarkable cosmetic shape for its age. No corrosion is visible on any exterior surface.

The bumpers and trim are in excellent condition, with a lack of fading or shrinking. The aluminum brightwork around the windows is in very good condition, though the front and rear windshield trims exhibit some surface corrosion. Window glass is uncracked and clear, and the headlights and taillights are crack-free.

Moving to the interior, the condition is very good. The seats are not torn, overly worn. The dashboard is uncracked and the black interior plastics are unfaded. All the interior features are said to function, and the only modification was the addition of a radar detector which has since been removed. There are no visible holes from the install, but there is some wiring protruding from the center console.

The door panels are in similarly good condition, as are the seatbelts and rear seating areas. The original BMW floor mats have been protected by a set of woven mats for years.

Looking at the engine bay, the factory spray-on corrosion protection is visible on many surfaces, including the intake manifold, strut towers, fluid reservoirs, and radiator. When I had a chance to view the car, it had a hunting idle, a common condition with E30-generation 3-series cars. No knocks, ticking, or unusual noises were heard from the engine during a brief road test. The transmission shifts very well with no balkiness between gear changes. The brake light illuminated during braking, which is said to be a leak somewhere in the brake and clutch fluid system.

Rust is a concern on any vehicle from the 1980s, and BMWs are no exception. While the undercarriage wasn’t able to be viewed with the car in the air, the visible areas have no corrosion, other than some light surface rust. The rear differential appears to have some very slight seepage with no visible drips. The front oil pan appears dry. The front and rear control arms, shock absorbers, and spring do not appear to have much if any corrosion at all. A wiring loom on the left front suspension has lost some of its rubber coating, exposing some wiring.

The wheels are the standard alloy “bottle cap” style wheels and are mounted with Toyo tires with date codes from 2021. The tires have plenty of tread remaining and the wheels themselves are in good condition with no curb rash.

Included with the car is some original purchase documentation including a window sticker and delivery portfolio. The seller’s father documented fuel fillups, oil changes, and other maintenance in a hand-written log book for years. At each service, the odometer reading was noted and the miles per gallon calculated. Some service records exist, with the most recent major service occurring in 2017. At this time, repairs included replacing the cylinder head gasket, oil pan gasket, a timing belt change and valve adjustment, new fuel filter, brake fluid flush, transmission and differential fluid service, and more.

A very cool old-school fitted car cover is included and was used when the car was stored. Sadly, the seller’s father passed some time ago and the family has finally decided it’s time to pass the car on to a new caretaker.

The BMW E30 M3 has seen the most significant growth among this generation of 3-series, but its position as a halo car helps all boats rise. As can be seen in the graph below, the 325is is more desirable for many enthusiasts as it has more horsepower than the more economy-geared 325es.

Values for the 325es have been slowly but steadily rising over the past 5 years. While the cars did see a spike in value during the pandemic boom, it was relatively measured and limited to cars in the best condition.

The most recent similar comparable to this car was a 1986 BMW 325es sold on Bring a Trailer back in April of this year. It was also a very low-mileage one family-owned car, though it was in more sorted mechanical condition. Built in a desirable combination of white paint with a blue houndstooth cloth interior, the car sold for $22,500.

I truly wish I were in the position to purchase this lovely 3-series with a long ownership history and stunning well-preserved condition. Sadly, I’m a bit lean on cash and storage space. It’s a shame, because it would make a pretty great fair weather daily driver for traveling to appraisal appointments and client visits. Thanks to its excellent fuel economy, it’d be far easier on the wallet than my V8 Porsche Cayenne S. If speed is your thing, some minor modifications can bring the 325es up to 325is performance.

With an asking price of $18,000, the car is fairly priced for its condition, in my opinion. You’ll probably need to address the idle issue before deploying the car in regular use, and it may be a good idea to replace the timing belt again. Once you do, you will have one of the nicest and lowest-mileage 325es BMWs in the country.

If you’re interested in this car, please send us a message and we’ll help connect you with the seller!

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisal and auction services for sellers and buyers of collector European cars. We also provide importation services. Give us a call or drop us a line!