Late Production E30: 1993 BMW 325iC – Sold?

September 16, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this BMW “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

August 24, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the private seller of this E30 BMW just lowered their asking price by $500 to $8,500.

The BMW E30 is a well-known entity around these parts, and the convertible is even more so. It’s a standard-bearer as it relates to rad 1980s droptops, but production actually continued deep into the early 90s. This is a final year E30 convertible originally listed in August 2021 on Craigslist in East Greenwich, Rhode Island with 235,000 miles on the clock and a revised asking price of $8,500 (down from the original ask of $9,000). Comparing this price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller is at least in the ballpark, with a “Good” condition model valued at $15,100 and a “Fair” example worth a reasonable $5,300.

We don’t need to go deep into the virtues of the E30, as those are almost universally known at this point: terrifically fun to drive, buttery inline-six powerplant, and a very competent handler, especially with the factory limited-slip differential like this car has. The convertible has the added bonus of being seriously good-looking with the convertible top stowed away, and not at all offensive with it raised. Plus, if you can find the increasingly rare OEM hardtop, you can easily transform a vintage 3-Series convertible into a four-season tourer. Though the E36 was waiting in the wings, you could still buy a new E30 convertible deep into 1993 – but there are relatively few of those around.

We found Motor Week’s RetroReview on YouTube of the BMW 325i from 1992:

The seller’s car is an interesting one. It’s certainly desirable for being what is likely one of the last E30s made, and I’d be sorely tempted to run the VIN to determine the actual production month. The mileage is high, no doubt about it, and even though E30s can be incredibly long-lived when maintained, anything over 200,000 usually means a hit on value. The seller is asking a fairly strong number for a convertible with higher than normal mileage, and the interior still bears the scars of a well-used car, with the top of the back seat split open and the driver’s seat apparently needing some work (no pictures provided.) The seller does include a long list of recent maintenance, and as an added bonus, all of the panels retain their original matching VIN stickers. Good luck with the purchase if you drive this final year E30 home!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1993 BMW 325i Convertible 5 speed manual

ALL numbers matching. Every body panel, engine, trans, etc.

Late-model plastic bumpers
Factory sport package; wheels, seats, and front valence
Power top
Heated seats
Factory LSD

The car is overall in very nice shape apart from the driver’s seat. Very clean undercarriage. Mechanically sound and doesn’t need anything

Maintenance:
Timing belt, water pump, thermostat
Good tires

Within the last 500 miles:
Spark plugs and plug wires
Full brake job, pads and rotors on all 4 corners
All rear brake lines replaced
Clutch line and slave cylinder
Fan clutch for cooling system
Brand new oil change < 200 miles for new owner.”

Do you have a BMW 325ic story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!

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