This 1989 BMW 325i convertible was repainted Cinnabar Red before it was acquired in 2020 by the seller, who proceeded to carry out a mechanical refurbishment that began in December of that same year. Work included overhauling the 2.5-liter M20 inline-six, suspension, brakes, and air conditioning system as well as installing a replacement five-speed manual transmission and black convertible soft top. The car rides on 14″ bottle cap alloy wheels and is further equipped with an aftermarket exhaust system, a limited-slip differential, an E36-sourced steering rack, and fog lights. Inside, the manually adjustable front sport seats have been reupholstered in tan leather, and other amenities include a Bluetooth-capable Continental stereo, an onboard computer, and power-operated windows, mirrors, and locks. This E30 convertible is now offered at no reserve with parts receipts, a Carfax report, and a clean Alabama title in the seller’s name.
The car left the factory finished in Cinnabar Red (138), and it was repainted under previous ownership. A replacement manually-operated black convertible soft top was installed in 2022, and additional exterior details include fog lights, black bodyside moldings, color-keyed mirror caps, a power antenna, a pair of turned exhaust outlets, and bumpers with polished accents. The Carfax report contains a September 1995 entry describing an accident that resulted in “minor damage” to the rear of the car as well as a February 1996 entry noting an accident that resulted in damage to the front of the car. Paint blemishes on various body panels are shown up close in the gallery and scratches are noted on the metal portions of the bumpers.
The 14″ bottle cap alloy wheels are mounted with 195/60 Hankook Kinergy ST tires. A 2020 overhaul of the brakes, steering, and suspension included installing an E36-sourced steering rack and replacing the following parts:
- Shocks and struts
- Shock and strut mounts
- Ball joints
- Tie rod ends
- Power steering pump and reservoir
- Steering-column linkage
- Wheel bearings
- Brake master cylinder
- Front and rear brake calipers and related hoses
The manually adjustable front sport seats and the rear bench were reupholstered in tan leather under previous ownership. A 12-volt power outlet, dash-mounted USB ports, and a Continental head unit with Bluetooth connectivity have been installed, and additional amenities include an onboard computer, cupholders in the center console, and power-operated windows, mirrors, and locks. The air conditioning system was converted to employ R134a refrigerant following the seller’s acquisition, and a replacement compressor, condenser, evaporator, blower motor, and hoses were installed. The cruise control system has been removed. Blemishes on the door panel and rear-seat upholstery can be seen in the gallery.
The three-spoke steering wheel is joined by a replacement shift knob and fronts VDO instrumentation that consists of a 150-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, and gauges for coolant temperature, instant fuel economy, and fuel level. The six-digit odometer shows 192k miles, approximately 500 miles were added by the seller, who states that the instrument cluster was removed to facilitate the replacement of the batteries related to the service indicator board. True mileage is unknown.
The forward-hinged hood opens to reveal the 2.5-liter M20 inline-six, which features Bosch fuel injection and was factory rated at 168 horsepower and 164 lb-ft of torque. An overhaul that began in December 2020 included adjusting the timing and valves, performing repairs to electrical connections, cleaning the fuel system, and replacing the following parts:
- Timing belt
- Water pump
- Thermostat
- Coolant hoses
- Starter motor
- Alternator
- Accessory drive belts and tensioners
- Fuel injectors
- Fuel pump, pressure regulator, and related hoses
- Distributor cap and ignition coil
- Spark plugs and wires
- Intake and vacuum hoses
- Various gaskets and seals
An aftermarket exhaust system has been installed and the battery was replaced in 2024.
A replacement Getrag 260 five-speed manual transmission was installed under current ownership following synchronizer failure in the factory unit. The clutch assembly and both clutch cylinders were also replaced at that time along with the pilot bearing, release bearing, guibo, driveshaft center bearing, and transmission mounts. A revised shift linkage assembly is in place and the drivetrain is completed by a limited-slip differential, which has received a fluid change.
Parts receipts will accompany the car.
The Carfax report contains the aforementioned damage reports and notes that the car was registered in a county that was declared a flood disaster area by FEMA in September 2005.