1992 BMW 325i Cabriolet (E30) Manual

Highlights

• Rare colour combo: Lagoon Green paint with Natural Cloth trim

• Factory hard-top and excellent soft-top, plus BMW wind deflector 

• Manual transmission

• Stainless steel exhaust

• Only 79,000 miles, and huge history file

Overview

In the 1980s and through to the early ’90s, the second-generation 3 Series was very much where it was at. From South London to South Central LA, there was one aesthetic that anyone who was anyone aspired to: a hot-to-trot E30, preferably a convertible. That was the kingmaker. Sure, Magnum P.I. had his Ferrari 308, Miami Vice was all about the Testarossas, and Michael Knight had his sentient Trans Am, but this was the real world – and real people dreamed of Beemers.

Such was the popularity and enduring appeal of the E30 that production ran from 1982 right up until 1994. The saloon and coupe models actually began to be phased out in 1990 as the replacement E36 generation arrived on the market, but it was the convertible E30 that the buying public particularly clamoured for. 

The example we have here is a 1992 car – a survivor of the 1980s design that pushed deep into the ’90s despite the model line having officially been replaced. It’s this sort of bullish approach that defines the very core of what an E30 convertible is – an uncompromising and intriguing proposition, as desirable now as it was back then. And when they’re as complete and original as this one, the age-old dream really is thoroughly achievable.

It's the specification that will really draw in the enthusiasts here. The colour combination is rare and beguiling – Lagoon Green paint, with an interior resplendent in Natural Cloth. As well as an excellent soft-top, the car also comes with a factory hard-top, and there’s a plethora of exciting details for the collectors and aficionados. 

This E30 has its original BMW torch in the glovebox, the toolkit in the bootlid is fully stocked, there’s a matching set of OE-spec BBS alloy wheels (with the spare in remarkably good condition, like it’s never been used), and it’s all factory spec throughout aside from three crucial upgrades: the stainless steel exhaust system, which has a lovely tone without being hooliganesque, the modern head unit with DAB radio (although the original M-branded CD/radio is also included, and could very easily be swapped back in) and the Thatcham Cat 1 alarm/immobiliser with central locking.

A very desirable spec, then, in a sought-after colourway and with all the right extras. The history’s pretty remarkable too – the car comes with a substantial folder of documentation, including the original manuals, the service book, period showroom literature, a huge amount of old invoices and MOT certificates, everything you need to verify that impressively low mileage of just 79,000. Bid early and bid well – with sunny days on the horizon, we predict a huge amount of interest in this fabulous BMW.

History and documentation

• Registered 02 Jan 1992

• V5 present in owner’s name

• Impressively extensive binder of documentation

• Original books and manuals, plus period promotional literature

• Original service book with stamps for Mar 1992 @ 1,911 miles, Jul 1992 @ 7,301 miles, Nov 1992 @ 13,670 miles, Nov 1993 @ 19,826 miles, Dec 1994 @ 25,272 miles, Dec 1995 @ 30,229 miles, Jan 1997 @ 35,760 miles, Dec 1997 @ 42,633 miles, Aug 1999 @ 47,631 miles, May 2000 @ 50,000 miles (inc. cambelt), Jul 2001 @ 54,244 miles, Mar 2004 @ 61,527 miles, Sep 2009 @ 68,850 miles (inc. cambelt), Jul 2011 @ 71,320 miles 

• 2024 – invoice for £823 – front arm bushes, front wishbone, brake lines, etc

• 2021 – invoice for £1413 – alternator, distributor cap, etc 

• 2020 – invoice for £574 – headlamps and brackets

• 2014 – invoice for £486 – expansion tank, temp sensor, etc

• 2014 – invoice for £1177 – clutch kit, door handle surrounds, etc

• 2011 – invoice for £876 – stainless steel exhaust system

• 2009 – invoice for £304 – Thatcham Cat 1 alarm

• Importation documents from Ireland (where the car resided for a period)

• Sheaf of Irish NCT certificates

• Sheaf of UK MOT certificates 

• 2x keys

• Current MOT to 04 Feb 2026

Interior

• Natural Cloth trim is a rare find (and a proper survivor, as so many cloth interiors have been lost over the years to ‘upgrade’ to leather)

• 370mm M Tech steering wheel, and matching M Tech gearknob

• Impressive spec includes electric windows, electric mirrors, PAS, ABS and electric aerial

• OEM on-board computer and check control

• Tidy carpets throughout

• Very clean boot, with complete bootlid-mounted toolkit, warning triangle and BMW first aid kit

• One slight crack on dashtop 

• No undue wear to buttons or controls

• Front seats tilt freely to allow access to generously sized rear

• Aftermarket head unit fitted, but original M-branded CD/radio also included

• Wind deflector

• Full original tool kit

Exterior

• Private plate comes with the car

• Attractive and obscure Lagoon Green metallic paint option

• M Tech bodykit 

• Set of 5 15” BBS cross-spoke alloy wheels, in great condition - spare looks like new! (One is missing a BMW roundel, but should be easy to replace)

• BMW wind deflector – a sought-after extra

• Excellent soft-top was replaced by BMW when the car was five years old (and changed to a black item – original spec was brown)

• Factory hard-top in excellent order (headlining is sagging a little, but should be simple to remedy)

• A few areas of lacquer peel here and there to the paint, as shown in photos

• Light lenses and window glass all in good order

• Correct badging and trim all in place

• Straight panels and even shutlines

• Looks to be impressively solid underneath, thanks to always having been garaged

Mechanical

• 2.5-litre straight-six serves up 167hp – in a car that weighs around 1300kg, that’s more than enough to keep you entertained

• A lot of 325is came from the factory with automatic transmission, but this car has the desirable 5-speed manual 

• Thatcham Cat 1 alarm/immobiliser with central locking

• Recent battery

• Stainless steel exhaust provides a lovely thrum without being intrusive

• ABS light has very recently illuminated on dash; the brakes still function as intended but a lack of local specialists has meant this has yet to be addressed

• Drives like a much younger car – gearbox is slick, brakes are strong, ride is superb, lovely all round!

Summary

Buying a soft-top E30 today isn’t just about the wind-in-the-hair thrills. Naturally that element is a key facet of the appeal, but the depth of passion within this pristine cabrio goes far deeper than merely tearing the roof back and hunting out some breezy B-roads. No, the thick textural context here goes right to the very core of what the E30-generation 3 Series is. 

These cars used to be everywhere; such was their quality and their allure that they sold like hot cakes in period. But, as is the case with all widely popular cars, they began to inherit a rather throwaway nature as they aged, on the grounds that there were plenty more examples to take their place; as such, what was once ubiquitous is now scarce. And the market is catching on. Enthusiasts are realising that the E30 is a strictly finite resource, and this is pushing values upward in line with other sought-after classic BMWs.

Add in the reality that so many of today’s buyers have indelible memories of youth tied up with the E30 – whether it’s because their mum used to drive them to school in one, their well-to-do neighbour had a tastefully-specced example, or they enjoyed watching the BTCC M3s jousting on television – and it’s obvious why these cars are in such demand today. And it’s the originality of this particular E30 that’s the real clincher. With its fabulous spec and impressive history, along with the fact that it’s an utter delight to drive, this BMW makes an incredibly strong case for itself.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. The seller is located in Esher, Surrey.