This 1982 BMW 320i is a preserved sport package example, with all of the desirable “S” components still attached and possible low mileage of under 50,000. There are some possible discrepancies to the mileage claim, but the seller is upfront about this issue – and the condition certainly seems indicative of a survivor-grade car. Hagerty just wrote an article of how the once-unloved 3-Series is rising in value, so now may be the time to get in. Find the 320i here on eBay with bids approaching $7K and no reserve.
The sport package got buyers cross-lace alloy wheels, a front air dam, Recaro seats, limited slip differential, three-spoke sport steering wheel, large tool kit, and some other small upgrades. Many of the E21-chassis cars have been pillaged for these parts by now, so finding one that retains these desirable bits is unusual. The seller notes the Carfax indicates a prior accident on the driver’s side.
There’s no evidence to suggest the impact was significant, and all of the glass remains original. The Recaro buckets – which are now fetching upwards of $2K in condition like this – are mint, and the sport steering wheel shows no signs of major wear and tear. Carpets look clean and door panels remain uncut, offering further evidence that the paperwork indicating true low mileage may be correct.
The larger tool kit was an option on this generation 3-Series, and standard on Sport package cars. The red-handle screwdrivers command big money these days, and the kit itself looks practically new. As the E21 steps out from the shadows of the 2002 and later E30, enthusiasts are realizing this was a good and capable car unfortunately sandwiched between two of the most beloved 3-Series generations. It’s about time!
Beautiful car! Shouldn’t the heading say 320is?
I’m glad I got my Recaros when I did – I love them in my Bronco.
eBay ad does.
That’s really nice! Wish I had the space/money to get it.
Great rig! I could see those parts being pillaged from a pick and pull rig. Not so much in a nice driver.
What a time capsule…and yes that’s an “S”. Wow…wish I had the space.
That is the nicest E21 I’ve seen in years, and being an S-Package is icing on the cake! I really like the E21s and have had two. My now-ex wife and I bought a Sapphire Blue/five-speed 1980 in late 1980 from Century Motors (in L.A. County), and in July 1982 bought a Sapphire Blue, Alpina-modified 323i (the owner’s personal car) from Dietel Enterprises in Orange County. Ultimately, the 320i and the wife both went away, but the Alpina 323i is still part of my family.
The level of preservation on this ’82 320iS is astonishing! My 323i has approximately 70,000 miles and is stored indoors, and is nowhere as nice.
A totaled “S” is a great source of parts for a standard 320i or a 2002; also for a European spec 323i. In the ’70s and into the ’80s everything was optional on non-U.S. cars (for U.S E21s it was colors inside and out, automatic or manual trans, sunroof or solid top, A/C and radio package and, for the last few model years, the S-Package). By contrast, my 323i was ordered and delivered (to a dealer in Munich) with sunroof, Anthracite cloth Recaro interior, wide-ratio (overdrive) five-speed, no air conditioning, fixed quarter windows, no lock on the glove box, open differential and steel wheels. And in Europe there were four different engines/models of E21 — 316 (1.6L four-cyl with carb), 318i (1.8L four with EFI), 320 (2.0L inline six with carb, and 323i (2.3L inline six with EFI), and any of these could be ordered with automatic trans, four-speed manual, close-ratio five-speed (no overdrive) or wide-ratio (overdrive 5th) five-speed and the rear end gear ratios differed by engine — the 316s and 318is came with the same 3.91:1 gearing as 1980-84 U.S. 320is, the 320 came with 3.64 gears and the 323i had 1 3.45:1 gear set
The open diff was a big handicap for autocross and open track or HiPo driver training events, and I knew that the 3.91 gears from a late a 1980-84 U.S. spec 320i would add some snap to the 323i’s acceleration. About 10-12 years ago I finally found a damaged 320iS (fairly light front end hit) and bought it for parts. I took the vinyl Recaros, the leather ‘sport’ steering wheel (which I really didn’t need since my 323i has a Momo/Alpina steering wheel), the “S” toolkit, the OEM A/C system’s electric ‘pusher’ fan for in front of the radiator, and the complete limited slip/3.91:1 geared differential. I then gave the lightly picked over 320iS to a father and son who rebuilt it for a track car.
I put the “S” tool kit in my 323i, and had the 3.91-geared limited slip diff professionally installed It made a helluva big difference!). I haven’t gotten around to installing the ‘pusher’ fan, the ‘Sport’ steering wheel is garage wall decor and the Recaros are bagged and sitting in a weatherproof storage shed.
Ended:Sep 26, 2019 , 3:34PM
Winning bid:US $8,600.00