As with most new vehicles of almost any type, with each new generation and redesign, things get bigger, wider, heavier, and more complicated. There aren’t many simple vehicles for sale in showrooms anymore, but for those of us who like things a bit more analog, we can sometimes find a vehicle like this 1986 BMW 325i. This beauty is still owned by the gentleman (now 91 years old) who bought it new, it’s posted here on craigslist in Plymouth, Minnesota, and they’re asking $12,500 or best offer. Here is the original listing.
The original owner was around 54 years old when he bought this 325i brand new. I think that’s pretty cool right there. Most 54-year-old buyers that I know aren’t looking for a sporty German two-door car, especially a new one. Maybe something used and relatively inexpensive as a fun weekend car, but not a brand-new BMW. I like this owner, a lot.
I’m more than a little biased as I had a BMW 318i of this vintage back in the late-80s but it was black, and being a 318i it had a smaller four-cylinder engine. BMW made the second-generation 3-Series, referred to as the E30, between 1982 and 1992 for the North American market and they’re coming on strong in today’s crazy market. The seller has this car priced between Hagerty’s #3 good condition value of $19,100 and their #4 fair condition value of $6,400. This could be a deal if it checks out in person.
The photos are pretty small and there are only two of the passenger side and no detailed photos, but from what is shown, it looks almost perfect to me. The owner’s son-in-law is helping to sell the car and he doesn’t see any rust so that’s good, but this is no low-mile car, having built up 155,000 miles over the last 37 years. Still, if a person likes somewhat simple vehicles, this is the era that’s a good mix. I’m a big fan of manual HVAC controls, such as these fantastic sliders rather than buttons. I loved that feature on my car and really miss that on anything newer than the 1990s. We don’t see the back seat but the front seats appear to be in nice shape.
Fancy! At least compared to my 318i. This is BMW’s M20, a 2.5-liter SOHC inline-six with 169 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque. It sends power to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual and the seller’s son-in-law says that it starts and runs well. This could be a good deal, have any of you owned a 3-Series of this vintage?
i before e except after c (the flexy and heavy convertible), as BMW enthusiasts like to say. That this one is an i is significant and cannot be understated. Both engines are in the M20 engine family but the 325e had the 121 horsepower 2.7-liter ETA engine that had a mere 4,800 rev limit. That was because it had only four cam bearings rather than seven, very soft valve spring, and was designed for economy. Though to its credit, it did make good torque.
For 1987, the new 325i got a 2.5-liter 168 horsepower version of the M20. It had the much better “885” cylinder head and a 6,500 redline, which was much more like it for performance driving.
I’ve owned both a 1985 325e and a 1987 325is and there is a world of difference between the two. The i is the one to have.
Great write up Scotty. Your picture of your black 318i brought back memories of the identical one in my neighborhood back in the 80’s. I fell in love with the 3series because of that car and have wanted one ever since! 80’s and 90’s BMW are some of the most handsome sedans ever made in my opinion. The 6 series coupes are a whole other category.
I’m pretty sure this is a 325, not a 325i. Trunk lid badge and low redline (4700) 5000 rpm tach mean the car has the 2.7 liter M20 six cylinder ETA engine.
Sad reality strikes hard, to disappoint those salivating over the possibility of picking up a clean i version.
Ahh well, who cares about originality?
Source a “M” engine (and transmission) from the same era, do a swap, and don’t look back!
you are correct. it’s the eta engine, 2.7L, not the 2.5L six.
I can’t believe it, we have people on here today that know what they are talking about. It usually the other way around with people sending in incorrect information. Yes this is the 2.7 liter 121 HP engine. I sold BMW’s for a while and still own seven in different states of condition. The 325I engine came out in ’87 and that was a bastard one year only car. When the ’88 came out BMW had changed some things for the betterment of the car. The only negative thing was they kept the big ugly bumpers for another year in ’88 but went with the smaller ones in ’89. In ’87 they carried over the 2.8 engine to be an economy car with less expensive interior and this car was a plain 325 w/o an e next to the 325. This was an outstanding car and is what we have here for sell. There was a nicer version of the “e” car and was badged 325e. 1987 was the last year for the 2.8 “e” engine even though they did install it in the 528e in 1988 with some modifications like the “i” head w/single valve springs, and w/o the hot cam and a little higher compression.
I hope I was able to share some information that is acceptable today and everyone have a good day.
Actually you could get the Super eta in ‘88.
Buddy built his PRO3 car out if one.
The Super eta was never offered in the e30 only in the 528e in “88 just one year. I sold BMW’s for several years. I have all the old sales brochures and it was never listed. This does not mean that it could not have been offered in another country.
Best of luck,
Bill
I worked in Fort Lauderdale, where were you? I personally liked the eta motor, the torque was plentiful in low RPMs, good for city driving and the car got great mileage. did you do any of the drives when the product was introduced?
Matt,
I just saw your comment. I worked for Grady BMW in Mobile and enjoyed every minute of it. I later bought a 325 e30 that I loved and when my oldest son went in the Marines he took the car to California. He put a chip and a performance exhaust in it and that made a world of difference. I think to this day he wish that he still had it instead of that new Lexus SUV.
Oh well that’s life. Have a great day.
Bill
Agree with Bick Banter on all points. Had a number of these back in the day.
The only negative I’ve found with these is as follows:
10 Without posi they would not move at all on a level surface of snow or ice.
2) The back end liked to break loose at speed on a rainy day!
Loved them though!
I had one for a little while it was a fun car. Believe it or not I purchased it for $400 bucks from a abandoned car auction at a tow yard the owner got busted for DUI and didn’t come claim it someone who arrived at the inspection before me messed with the distributor to make it misfire but I got the keys and drove it home. I used it for my commuter for a little while then sold it for $2500 bucks. Mine had 200k miles on it when I sold it.
I worked for BMW when this car debuted. this is NOT a 325i, it’s a 325, meaning, it has the ‘eta’ engine, the high torque, low rev 6 that was designed to economize on fuel. while they are certainly delightful to drive, big difference between it and the 2.5L 6 (vs the 2.7L eta engine). the 2.5L had more horses and insufficient torque, but fun to drive nevertheless. I also bought a new 325 4 dr (not the I) and I know these cars well. I have driven literally hundreds. nice car, but keep the information on target.
Thanks for the corrections, folks! My apologies for the incorrect engine/model info.
Not a bad car. 2.7 Eta motor is no Bahn Burner, but it will run forever with proper maintenance !
I don’t know much about these BMW- looks like a nice car. Is that a fair price for that car with 155K miles? Haggerty says #3 is worth $19K.
As a 58 year old, I am curious as to what Scotty expects us to buy. Currently I am looking at a new Lexus RS 350, at about 52 I purchased a slightly used Jaguar XK. If I had been around this age in 1986 I would have probably shopped BMW, but it would have probably been the M3 or at least a 635, and most of my car buddies would shop similar vehicles because why do we need a 4 door vehicle.
My guess is that most 2 door cars with a sporting nature are purchased by guys in their late 40’s or early 50’s. Both Ferrari and Miata new owners are in their 50’s and surprise the Miata is actually older.
So Scotty what is the expectation for us old geezers.