Most E30 BMW enthusiasts (like myself) get excited about an original Sport package car, denoted by the letter “S” on the end of the badge. This 1986 BMW 325es is such a car, but it’s arguably harder to find than the more powerful 325is sibling. These “E”-series cars were a bit slower but torquier, and featured all the desirable Sport package bits that set the 1986 and 1987 models apart from later generations. Find it here on eBay with a few bids to over $2K and no reserve.
The ES, like its more powerful IS sibling, featured a number of performance and cosmetic upgrades. A limited-slip differential was standard, along with firmer shocks and springs. The body received the generous front air dam seen in the top photo, along with a subdued rear lip spoiler. The interior benefitted from thickly-bolstered leather sport seats, the upgraded Premium Sound stereo package and more. This one retains all of those features and the paint shines nicely.
The seller notes that this example remained in one family ownership, and he’s right: it belonged to his father and now to him. There’s a huge papertrail with this car documenting the love and affection it’s received. The seller notes it has lived under a car cover and the paint remains original. This goes for the interior as well, which shows an uncracked dash, clean carpets, and Pearl Beige leather seating surfaces without any major signs of wear or damage.
While most enthusiasts will tell you to hold out for a 325is, the 325es features a torque-rich motor that responds very well to a stroker build. Take the head from an “I” model and pair it to the “E” car’s bottom end and you have a torque monster with a free-revving disposition. It makes a wicked noise, too. This 1986 325es is an impressive survivor, and I hope it remains in the same stock condition it’s stayed in for so many years. Worth a watch with no reserve.
This is not the type of car I think of when I think of Montana.
@Miguel I’m with you. When I think of vehicles in Montana, rather than an ’86 BMW 325es E30, a 1971 International Harvester Scout Sno Star edition comes to mind.
This sure is a red beauty. I know nothing about BMWs and how durable their manual transmissions are. On this car, I would be concerned about 5th gear synchronizer wear with so many highway driven miles.
This must be the nicest ES in existence.
It’s up to $4,250 so far.
With the torque of the 2.7 liter 6, you can have a lot of fun on the back roads, but still get up to 40 mpg on the highway. When I was driving BMWs, I’d install a cold air intake, a short shifter kit and a magnaflow stainless steel exhaust and leave the rest alone (well, maybe some plus size tires and wheels). Most of the ESs I saw were 4 doors, but the 2 door looks better. This is a nice one.
Ended: Aug 26, 2018 , 7:15PM
Winning bid:US $5,433.00
[ 35 bids ]