gjm

https://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/68350-1987-e30-m325i/

I've seen that on several M325i decodes. I suspect it is a case of mistransposition of details, or BMW having changed the use of an option code at some point.

FSH, very low running costs, always garaged, never seen a wet road...

This is an on-behalf post. I'll answer questions as best I can, and refer to the owner for those that I can't. I recently posted here to try and identify with some certainty whether a given vehicle was a true M325i. On balance, it seems likely this one is. NZ new 1987 Diamant-Schwarz 325i with all relevant M325i attributes. Purchased from Shelley Motors in Wellington who (I think) were bought out by Jeff Gray. Absolute, categoric confirmation that this is a M325i is difficult but it fits the description, and that is what the first owner has said it was bought as. Of particular note are the following options: 0209 - Differential lock 25% 0339 - Shadow line 0481 - Sports seat 0704 - M Sports suspension 0708 - M Sports steering wheel leather And it has the black headlining. 3 owners from new; current owner is the son of the first owner and lives in Auckland. He is moving to Australia and selling the car here rather than taking it with him. Let's get the warts out of the way. The dash is cracked, the air conditioning is shot, there are some seal issues, and some floor pan rust is starting to creep in. The interior was changed at some point from the original houndstooth to full leather due to wear and tear - it's in good condition, but it's not original. Original 15" basket weaves had cracked and were disposed of some 10-12years ago instead of being repaired/reconditioned - it is currently fitted with after- market Bayern wheels. Paintwork is reasonable with some fairly minor wear and tear. There was a respray 6 or so years ago. At some point it was involved in a minor accident and required a new front skirt. The repairer couldn’t source an original part, so a later piece was fitted. No other major work has ever been required. WoF expired in September last year; rego expired in December 2022. I have advised the owner that he should at least put the rego on hold but that back-rego will be due when that is done. Pics attached. If there is anything in particular that anyone interested would like to see, please let me know. Pricing is tricky. Truly excellent examples of the facelift E30 M325i has listed at $50k or more, but prices have come back a bit since then. The PFL cars are rarer, but this one does need work to return it to excellent, original condition. The owner has had some quoting done and estimates $12k or so to get this car to where it should be. I'll pitch this at $30k but will discuss further with the owner.

What's involved in sorting one of these? Considering a vehicle and this will need doing. I understand the crankshaft damper can also be an issue - I replaced this on the E46 320d (M47B20) after it made a horrible knocking noise! Helluva job. That bolt is tight.

OK - from the M3 to a more mundane example. 1987 318i automatic. So, the M10B18 (great engine!) Sensible mileage, decent but not outstanding condition (and not claimed to be), a coupe, no sunroof... Needs manual window winders to be a true poverty spec (my favourite). https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/4290703953

(Another) Diamant-Schwarz.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/4289575679 1988 E30 M3 - listed at $125k. However, TM description says: "Damaged import check This vehicle was imported into New Zealand with obvious damage or deterioration. This alert will not appear if the vehicle had superficial dents to some of its body panels." Which doesn't mean it is a bad car - lots of M3s were raced, significantly crashed, rebuilt, and sell for BIG money. Just something to be aware of.

I have some pics of the car in question, and it is for sale. This was entirely an attempt to ensure that if it were to be described as a M325i in any advertising, that the car would in fact be a M325i. It has a black headlining. I'm not the seller of the car, but have been sent some pics. I'm waiting for contact details for the seller before listing it - depending on what the seller wants to do, contact may be via me, or may be direct to the current owner. However, until that is sorted, I'll sit tight. It's not a fabulous, minty-fresh, unmolested example as some changes have been made over the years, but pricing will reflect that.

Looks like a decent deal. Just wish I had something that they'd fit!

Very pretty. Very high price. (And - for me! - the rims are too big, for this money I'd definitely be looking for the real thing and not replicas, and the stretched tyres... 🤢 )

Thanks Brent. Beyond my experience - I'd hoped someone who knew more would be able to help!

OK - I have pics and details. The rim looks to have come from an E46 - part number is 1095264. I found specific mention of this part number being supplied with a 1999 328i, but it looks like a general supply for the E46 and E36 Z3. Tyre is a Continental, size 125/90-16. This will be about 1" smaller in overall diameter than your 225/50-17 (it'd be perfect match for temporarily replacing a 205/55-17) so it's a touch large for a stock E46 replacement. Use it on a non-drive axle and obey the speed 80km/h restriction. The tyre is not cracked. The whole thing needs a clean. Biggest concern is whether it would actually fit over the brake calipers. I've no idea about that.

I have a new, unused 'narrow' space saver here. Full size tyre so not one that you have to inflate before use. I'll try to get out to the garage to get more details this evening.

If you're still bored, could you do the same for MTech 1 cars? I think these were only built in 1986 and 1987.

Not sure they'll be able to help as if the M325i was a NZ-only (dealer-prepared) car they are unlikely to have any relevant info. (Let's not get mixed up with the 325i Sport!)

Code 333 is for 'Light Alloy Wheels Star-Spoke Style 105 With Mixed Tyres.' It doesn't denote a 'M325i' - as I understood (I could well be wrong!) the M325i was not a BMW factory car. It was a NZ dealer special created from selected parts, in response to the M3 not being sold here. As such, no amount of factory-original VIN decoding is likely to help. However, the car I'm helping with has: S333 Light Alloy Wheels Star-Spoke Style 105 With Mixed Tyres S339 Shadow-Line S704 M Sports Suspension S708 M Sports Steering Wheel Leather It also has the other options associated with a M325i, including: S481 Sports Seat S209 Differential Lock 25% Most telling (for me) though is a VIN decode 'feature' which appears common to all M325i cars: S333 Light Alloy Wheels Star-Spoke Style 105 With Mixed Tyres S288 BMW Light Alloy Wheel, Cross Spoke 29 S311 Light-Alloy Wheels Star-Spoke Style 69 Brilliant Note that the M-Tech bodykit is not mentioned in the VIN decode as (again, as I have understood) this was dealer-fitted in NZ as a part of the M325i spec. It could also have been ordered from te factory but was typically not a feature of the M325i cars. The black headliner is an interesting one. 👍 I'll check on that.

Lovely car. How would we go about proving, indisputably, that a given example is a genuine M325i ? (In the absence of original paperwork.) The spec can be extrapolated from the VIN, but 'just' having the bodykit, M-Sport parts, suspension, 15" BBS rims and so on does not necessarily a M325i make. Documentation from dealers is scant, at best, assuming it still exists. Being able to categorically say a given car is a M325i is probably only important at sale time as they do command a premium over other well-specified E30s.

The Government plans to begin charging for free data, including accurate stolen vehicle status, in October 2023 as part of the planned "Fees review". I appreciate the need to save/acquire money, but surely this is a service, and not a chargeable opportunity? Carjam has a petition running to try to get this decision reversed: https://petitions.parliament.nz/8c2c524b-aab2-46c1-aec4-08db97b83688

Sold for $13000 in 2019. Been relisted a few times since. And it's back. For $95000, down from $100k (apparently). https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/2017320233

If you're going to get one, get it in the right colour. This is the right colour.

Credit: RS65 photos.

I've seen pics of the 'trailer' parked up, but never on the road.

Just seen a 1990 318i auto 4-door being advertised locally to me. Some paint peel, no WoF, but does have live rego (currently on exemption). Seller advises it "drives but will need a good going over." Asking price of $3750 almost seems reasonable - I've seen rolling shells advertised for more.