This 1991 BMW E30 325i Motorsports is a Forgotten Jewel in the Bavarian Crown

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Today I drive a car that I hadn't heard of - the BMW 325i "Motorsports". In spite of its name, there isn't really much motorsport about it - but that doesn't mean it isn't good...
#BMW #Classiccar #germancars
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[@JayEmmOnCars]

CarVertical: The History Checking Service Use this link or code "JAYEMM" for a discount! www.carvertical.com/gb/landing/v3?b=1e4c9523&a=JayEmm&voucher=jayemm&chan=jayemm

[@ronniew3229]

Hi Jay and co. Is it possible to trace a previously owned car through CarVerticle ?

[@Justin-ui1cb]

The one thing I always loved about this era BMWs was driving them at night . That orange dash lighting is still yet to be surpassed and for the time these cars had great headlights to boot . Great vid

[@JamesGadbury]

I know this with the red-orange VDO gauges in my Audi from the same era. The night drive ambience is perfect cosy calm. No harsh light or screens lighting up your face!

[@GT380man]

My wife’s Audi TT instrument lighting was a highlight for me. Lighting externally was a leap ahead of my Mk4 Golf GTI Turbo, and the pair of them, when they were both young, was probably peak two car garage for unflashy people. She bloody loved that Silbersee metallic 225 Mk1, letting it go only when she suddenly got a bee in her bonnet about SUVs and chose a top trim Evoque (which was surprisingly good as well as faultless in our hands). I swapped my very baggy Golf for an Audi S3 three door fastback. I loved that car, until fate intervened.

[@josephkelly4893]

Have an e92 and it’s still rocking the orange interior lighting/gauges etc. Spot on with the ambiance at night

[@HPzFreelance]

The later models had projector halogen headlamps. The one on this car is aptly named 'smileys' by the enthusiasts for the cut out on the outer headlight reflector bowl as you can see.

[@kevincockburn7805]

You undersold cars age. Mentioning 24 years ago, i think that should be 34 years ago. A proper old girl that car now.

[@GT380man]

I thought that & did the quick arithmetic, too! It’s definitely a classic. I don’t know the cutoff but this is way over the line. What a nice car, though.

[@DjDolHaus86]

Shut up, the 90's were 10 years ago and always will be!

[@matthewgodwin3050]

@@DjDolHaus86 To me, this still feels like a fairly new car. Where did those 30 odd years go?

[@allenmontrasio8962]

Indeed, 24 years ago was the year 2000, which is disquieting in itself.

[@bensmithkent22]

@@allenmontrasio8962first e60 5 is actually a little more than 20 years old, that makes you sit up cos that still looks modern to me. Regardless of its polarising looks.

[@NBKautoTEST]

Honestly, for me the 325 cab is the ultimate choice for an e30. I know a guy that owns a white 325 cabrio that just looks majestic, its unlike anything else on the road, and also the i6 beats the i4 in my opinion. I own a 320i straight 6 m technic red e30 coupe, which is also just fantastic and has one of the best interiors in any car(the extended leather pack is truly amazing). It currently needs some work done but when its completed i will be daily driving it for sure.

[@GT380man]

I often sense real affection for cars of this era. I’m no mechanic, but the guy I used to take my cars to for routine servicing and MOTs said around the millennium, German cars hit their peak of blended reliability, refinement and repair. He said it was a pleasure working on them. He says new cars today are in several areas a little flaky, where the bean counters shaved off budget, and often more difficult to fix, because they were not assembled by human hands and not optimised to allow it. He said only one car brand was consistently designed with mechanics in mind and that is Porsche. No idea if that is an accurate statement. Again, peak was the millennium and just after. Beyond that, I’ve heard marque specialists say that materials quality has dipped steadily since then. Almost as if they all made a course correction at the same time. Or it’s luck. Or not real anyway. I’ll shut up. Nobody cares, even me :)

[@DomWayne]

I want one, how many £s to keep maintenance? I’ve owned an E88 and E93 before also, would like to know

[@and4263]

I had a little business in the 00's selling modern classics, E30's and in particular the 325i and it's derivatives were my specialty. I'd had a couple back in the 90's and loved them so it was a no brainer to try them in the showroom. My absolute favourite was a 1990 Motorsport convertible in Sebring grey, totally rot free and detailed to perfection by my team, immortalised on the cover of BMW car magazine and sold by us 3 times over the years. I remember being criticised for asking £10k at the time, just look at those values now! Glad you enjoyed your drive, thanks for a great video, I agree these are still fabulous cars.

[@snbala]

Comparing the styling of this era of BMW and the current era of BMW is really shocking, BMW need to sit in a boardroom and look back at their older models and realise what they have done to the styling of the current line up. We need to see more of these E30s on the road rather than being put aside.

[@richardhickok3523]

amen

[@arthurdardalis]

Had a 1990 320i M-Technic convertible (factory fitted M-Technic suspension, BBS crossspokes, leather Recaros, A/C, ABS, 12 button computer). Loved it, btw that hard top is uber rare!

[@sputumtube]

I had the exact same car (1988) but no air con (or power steering!). It was bright red and looked/drove well. Took it for its first MOT only to find it had to be written off because the underside was (quote) "like lace, and how it ever passed the last MOT is questionable" (unquote).

[@51madmitch]

BBS alloys 😎😍

[@berwhaletheavenger]

The full Convertible E30 was built by BMW in house - the Cabriolet (Baur TC) with the roll over bar was converted by Baur in Stuttgart from a completed 2 door.

[@eddievandergaag8364]

I’ve owned exactly the same car, 325i convertible, same color but black interior and without that ugly hardtop. Lovely car, great engine we made some great trips in it to the Alps. Hearing a oldscool BMW straight six brings back lots of great memories. Sold the car after 3 years and later learned is was stolen😢

[@andrewbaxter9395]

My fond memories of mine were that silky smooth 6 cylinder and a back end that made my back end twitch on wet roundabouts.

[@chriswalford9228]

Did you have the bag of cement in the boot? I did and it was only a 318 i. Only car I've owned where I had a near life ending accident due to the car spinning 180 in the wet and going backwards on the opposite side of the road for a 100 yards or so down an embankment and ended up in someones front garden

[@andrewbaxter9395]

I didn’t have cement no. I remember going through the gears and changing down coming up to a roundabout in the rain, went from 4th to 3rd and the back wheels locked and took me sideways. Managed to recover it somehow but it made me a little more careful in the wet after that 😂

[@stu4181]

I think these cars are dear to a lot of petrol heads hearts, they hark back to a more care free time. BMWs were indeed a special thing back then and weren’t everywhere like they are today, I can remember having a H reg 318is (1991) in 2006 Even at 15 years old it was something to be proud of. Would love to drive one again to see if I’m just looking back with rose tinted specs but it’s my second favourite car owned and a lot closer to number 1 than it has any right to be !

[@SoundsToBlowYourMind]

I've always loved the E30 shape and style. I bought a 1986 320i two door in Zinnobar red, full chrome model, when I was 19 years old. I think I paid about £1500 for it and it cost almost a grand a year to insure, until I built up a decent no claims bonus! The paint faded quite quickly, so had to keep t-cutting and polishing the thing, but I loved that car more than any other one I've owned since. I replaced it a few years later with a 1990 318is in metallic black, which was lovely and a little bit quicker and better handling than the earlier model, but there was something just a little more special for me about the full chrome, 6 cylinder Beemer! Next was an E46 328i SE in Silver, with black leather interior, which was a lovely car, but still didn't quite tug at the heart strings like the E30 BMW of my youth!

[@kanalnamn]

JayEmm always says that the E36 doesn't do much for him in every BMW clip... and then comes a clip when he drives an E36 and he loves it. Then he forgets again.

[@Santoshlv426]

These were truely fantastic cars to drive. A correction. When BMW was BMW ie. in the era of the E30, it was Sheer Driving Pleasure. Check out the owners manual - BMW explains this concept on the 2nd page. Ultimate Driving Machine came later, around when BMW started it's steady decline into the mess we have today.

[@wai-keelam4747]

Had a 1988 325i SE back in 1992. Lachs Silver. Switch the BBS cross spokes for 16in A C Schnitzer’s and a discreet boot spoiler…Lowered at just the right height and gave it a nice muscular stance…changed the standard wheel to the M-Sport. Same as this car/video. Fantastic engine, looks etc, when all my mates were driving 1.3/1.6 Escorts, Astra’s, Golf’s etc…😊

[@weetbix2083]

These are still quite a common sight in South Africa. Very popular for ''Spinning'' style motorsport.

[@richardkay1587]

My favourite ever model of BMW. I've had 2, a 4 door 318i saloon, and a 2 door 318is. Wish I still had the 'is' and I long for another E30!!

[@tonymoreton7166]

A proper 'ultimate driving machine'. Unlike most of the 'computer on wheels' rubbish they are churning out now.

[@RestoreIt]

Always good to see an E30 on the channel!

[@ianmassey44]

I love these. E30 325i M sport convertible 😍

[@Anirossa]

I love the M20 and M30 engines, always my go-to in E34s and E32s. I have two E34 M20s now, will have them back on the road when I am done studying, no other cars do it for me like these old BMWs.

[@gaycha6589]

When BMWs had a neat distinctive front end and proper grille.

[@hughjanus3347]

And neat distinctive rear, lines and glass that let you see all 4 corners whilst keeping a purposeful attractive body, proper boot, wonderful dash, etc, etc

[@rare6499]

The best car I owned was an 89 Tech 2 325i Sport with a 2.7 eta conversion. This was way back in the mid 2000’s. Amazing memories and a fantastic car.

[@fondu-design]

ace to hear you falling for a car; can't happen that often these days with your experience and high bar. It's one of the joys of our lives - finding that moment where you just LOVE driving, and the car to do it in

[@nicolaibaunok2827]

I had a 1987 E30 325i for 10 years. Same color but black interior lowered 4 cm and 3 pieces BBS anniversary white edition rims. I loved the car and made road trips all over Switzerland and Italy. I should never have sold it.

[@paulcruse]

Loved these. Central London was full of them back in the day and every one of them looked amazing. I lived in Belgravia at the time and they were everywhere. My first BMW was an E36 320i followed by an E39 528i (had that for 20 years) and now have an E70 X5 35D. I bought my first BMW in 1998 and I’ve just realised that I haven’t had any other manufacturer since 😀 the interior on the convertible always looked amazing. I too would love to have seen you review it with the hardtop on 👍

[@johnwaga3702]

I had a 1989 E30 325i SE 2 door as a company car - amazing to drive and so much fun. A jewel.

[@RogerNewsham]

My uncle had the coupe back in the day... it was previously a Dr's car, so was spec'd to their taste, but that engine, though. My mum passed her test in '88 and had a mini rose special edition, but was then bought an Escort RS '89 in full white with Recaros - never really drove it... it was stripped of all its parts in a detached garage with a separate alleyway, with only the shell left on stands... the best of the late 80's and 90's.

[@James-cs2wi]

The thing about the BMW 325i is you have to Revit really hard to get the power out of it and most people were scared to Revit that high

[@rotfuchs9824]

I currently own a 34 year old BMW E30 325i Convertible. If the engine is up to temperature, I use to rev it regularly up to readline. The engine seem to like this, as it still has all its 170 PS, according to a reacent dyno run.

[@riaanmocke3364]

In SA we had the 325iS which was a works tuned 2.7 inline 6 and then also the beast 333i which was from a BMW 735i. Both are selling for crazy amounts now if you can get one. Both was made for group N racing

[@bzilla-d4i]

Don't forget about the E12 530 MLE

[@djdrastic1]

Back when we did real engineering in SA. The Opel SuperBoss cars were also SA only and had some great trick engineering.

[@bzilla-d4i]

@@djdrastic1 yep, Shrick cams, cosworth heads and a SA only ECU, made the most torque per litre on of any car till the Ferrari F430 came around

[@mickstereftb]

That's what I called (and continue to do so) my 320cd M Sport E46 when I bought her in 2015 after my then girlfriend, who lived in Munich. I love my Bavarian Beauty (the car!) and cherish all her 170000 miles.

[@glenbetton3146]

The best ! I had an 86 E30 coupe in Zinnober Red. Bought it in 87 for just over 8k and sold it when I left the UK in 88 for about 6,5k. I occasionally see a later model E30 convertible in the same colour in my neighborhood. Maybe I should track it down !!!

[@danielheathcote5625]

I remember my father’s colleague had an 1987 model year example of this car, a 320i convertible. It had a targa lift out panel, a dropping canvas rear element and a permanent roll hoop. It wasn’t a fire breathingly fast car, with 150 bhp but oh my, it was a turbine smooth straight six. Perfect pace for a nice Sunday drive. My fathers friend went to the states for a year and didn’t want to get rid of it (his company car - they were partners in the same company) so asked my dad to look after it and of course use it for the year! Strangely, my dad somehow ended up buying his friends partners my 2 gti. My dad got bored of the bmw by the end of the summer, as although lovely tootling around on a sunny Sunday with the roof down, it didn’t really have enough go to get out of its own way and was a bit wobbly. His friend asked him if he’d enjoyed it when he came back to the uk - dad was like “I’m glad I bought the golf as there’s no way susie would be getting it back, but you’re welcome to the bmw! Oh and it was certainly true what they said about BMWs back in the day about driving in the snow - it’s the only car my dad ever span 720 degrees on the road

[@Anirossa]

I have gotten a good amount of small plastic clips, light connectors, trims, mounting parts, grease and more from my BMW dealership, they even have a lot of body work available. I also remember chatting with the part department man, an older mechanic that used to work on these cars when they were new, he seemed to remember working on them foundly. He also told me that they still have parts in stock for E21s, something I found incredible. Edit: This was 2 years ago

[@adecirkett5351]

I had a 325i, convertible manual, black leather 4 head-rests and a lowered by BMW. Was wonderful.

[@gavinsmith28]

You shall try the South African 325iS of this era with factory warranty and Schnizer 2,7;o and other trick bits for our group N racing

[@keyo525]

The two most iconic German cars of the 80 s the E30 3251 and Mk2 golf GTI 16v , both very desirable classics .

[@bunnybrain]

ok, sorry, love your videos, but i gotta nerd a bit since the E30 is one of my all time favourite cars ever since i was a child in the later half of the 80s. That one is not the Baur convertible, the Baur had the fixed roll bar and window frame on the doors and was more a targa roof with folding rear window "Landaulet" arrangement and in production from 1983 to 1991, though you would mainly see 1983-1985 models as BMW introduced the full convertible (as seen in this video) then which was in production 85 to 93 and was built in house (though the hardtop came from the Wiessman company, later known for the Wiessman roadster which featured the engine from the Z3M. Also the convertibles on Top Gear were not 323s, the 323 was never available in THIS full convertible version as the 323 engine was only on the market 1982-1984 and then in slightly more powerful guise 1984-1985, before the full convertible was even launched. The Top Gear challenge convertibles were also 325i, just like this one, model years 1987 (Richard), 1988 (Jeremy) and 1989 (James). The 323 wasn't reintroduced until 1995 on the E36, when the 325i was replaced with two options, 323 and 328 95-98.

[@captgutter]

Gorgeous car. A credit to the keepers, current and previous, as you mentioned. I agree, these were at the point BMW were hitting their sweet spot.

[@davidmwood560]

I used to have a 323i, E30 Sport Touring. Wonderful car and, being an estate, a very useful load-lugger.

[@DjDolHaus86]

If it starts raining you can always fit the aftermarket wet weather handling pack (a couple of paving slabs in the boot)

[@James-cs2wi]

Back in the day 30 years ago if you had one of these cars you was doing really well😊😊❤❤

[@51madmitch]

E30 a beautiful design from day one, great fun to drive.

[@challengeadvisory4840]

I love the E30, its great, I had 325i in 1990 the back end was twitchy, but awesome.

[@gaycha6589]

That engine was a peach. smooth as silk and revvy.

[@annewhistleketle6350]

Ah yes, the famous E30. Never will forget the day (somewhere in the '90s) me and my dad were in England with a E30, 3 door coupe mauritius blue 318is. Slept in a B&B and when we left the owners ( very nice people) waved us goodbye and saw the BMW. "Is that your car? Wow, that is a nice car!" As a kid i never thought that car was special but now... That quote i will never forget.

[@matthewwray749]

The top gear cars were a 325i Go and drive it with the roof down. You’ll find it 10 times better

[@stuartquick5644]

Not so sure about the Cab, but a 2 door saloon 325i sport is 👌In 91 I was driving a Sierra Cosworth but BMW was a car I really hankered for. After the Cosworth I bought a 525 saloon. Great car but not a 325 Sport

[@pistonburner6448]

All you Cosworth drivers finally admitting, decades later, that BMW was what you really wanted... 😆 (Sort of like Volvo drivers who start to go to the gym later in life, get testosterone injections from their doctors, gain some success and self-confidence and then admit they really want a BMW)

[@kevincockburn7805]

100% the hard top is what you want. Convertibles just look a bit wrong with the hood up.

[@pistonburner6448]

@@kevincockburn7805 WTF?

[@kevincockburn7805]

​@@pistonburner6448well the market agrees with me, convertible versions of cars originally designed as hardtops are always cheaper to buy secondhand. Even though they were more expensive when new. Look at any 911 convertible vs the hard top.or any Ferrari Spyder vs the hardtop. Same for BMW 3 series.

[@pistonburner6448]

@@kevincockburn7805 Again: WTF are you blithering about?

[@Dan23_7]

Having owned 2 E30’s back in the day when they’re were peanuts, I can confirm they’re fantastic cars. I had a 325 se and then stumbled across a 318 is (16v Msport) The 325 I paid £550 for, the 318, £250. They really are drivers cars. Great episode this that brought happiness and tears of regret for ever selling mine on.

[@billflannigan644]

If you ever get the chance, you should drive a South African spec 325is. Tuned 2.7 straight six (around 200HP), M3 suspension. LSD & aluminum body parts. I had the EVO version in the 1990's, and it was a fabulous car, still one of my favourites. As has been mentioned before, it was a homologation special for group N racing.

[@pedroluzio6250]

That car, in coupe form was the car that marked my 12y old self into someone that loves cars. That drive with my uncle on the wheel hitting 190kph on a B road somewhere in sunny Portugal. That was quite a memorable day for a kid! 😁 Love that car and I miss you uncle ❤

[@matthewgodwin3050]

I, remember my father being given one of these as a courtesy car back in the day. I felt like king of the hill being dropped off at school in it. Gorgeous car.

[@psircos]

Not being a huge BMW fan, now, back then I loved these. The touring model was particularly awesome to behold. Your friend Jack, reviewed an 80s/90s merc recently too, and it's true that in this era, cars were solidly built by the Germans, and had an identity that you just don't see nowadays. Great review....

[@HPzFreelance]

Come to Australia 🦘 there are plenty of these in good non rusted condition due to drier warmer weather. The prices are still not cheap and the enthusiasts are growing not weaning.

[@paulmoor595]

I had E30 325i convertible in dolphin grey with M Tec kit...Without doubt one of the best cars I ever owned.. at full chat with top off round the Mulsanne chicaines at Le Mans ..an epic driving moment.

[@huwd2292]

Fabulous design and so well made but I think anyone getting into one now expecting a really sharp drive would be disappointed. The steering is so slow which also made the back end tricky to catch. I remember driving a new E36 for the first time when I owned an E30 325i. The difference was remarkable, the E36 handled and rode like a proper sporting saloon. Do I still prefer the E30? Yes, because of that engineering and solidity, but I wouldn’t want to be driving one these days.

[@_B.M_]

Loved those cars but I still remember that oh so heavy clutch. The E36 remedied that and made it a little lighter!

[@Smashmouth-lx4vv]

Had a 1984 320i in black in 1990 - fantastic car -wish I'd kept it seeing today's prices

[@JustFamilyPlaytime]

I had a J-plate one of these, in black. It was lovely - smooth drive, delicious engine, nice sound, very comfortable. Not fast, but quick, and a real head-turner. Mine had the chrome pack, and frankly looked way better than the one shown here. I do love that pale leather though - the black leather was a bit of a coal-hole with the top up.

[@318iSpoons]

I had a E30 318iS and absolutely loved it. It also rode on P6000’s, M42 engine was surprisingly torquey, steering was slow but precise. Oh, it also put a smile on my face! Sold it in 2005 for £1,500, now worth £20,000! Ps I still use one of it’s spare wheels as an garage ornament😊

[@cbmsysmobile]

Mate of mine had an E30 325 M-Technik saloon . Really fun to drive, it coubld be an absolute beast. Used to chew through it's rear tyres.

[@felawes]

I had one in that colour body and bespoke cream leather interior with burgundy piping. It also had the wind deflector which made a great difference.

[@lambsmotorworld2599]

Back in the mid 90s my mother had a 325i Auto Cabrio in Brilliant Red with Biscuit Beige Leather interior. It was a wonderful thing, and i really enjoyed driving it. HOWEVER, it was knocked into a cocked hat in comparison to my late friends Alpina C2 2.7 Convertible. If you’re unfamiliar with such a thing, it was essentially a bored out 325 given the magic sparkle of the Alpina touch and it made it a very special car indeed. I can’t recall the exact BHP, but believe it to be in the region of 210 - 220, which at the time was basically E30 M3 power, BUT from the glorious sounding straight 6. So I suppose when they were new, if you wanted an M3 but preferred 6 cylinder power, the C2 was the car to have. At first glance i thought the car you were reviewing may have been my friends as the colour combination was identical: Calypso Red with White Lotus Leather, but his car was an Automatic. It was glorious. Now one of those with its numbered plaque would be a very sought after (and doubtless very expensive) thing. An enjoyably enthusiastic review James

[@u187146]

In the late 80s early 90s, when the Yuppy was a thing. This was two steps down from the 911 cab and one step down from the 944 Turbo cab. Sooo many in and around London back in the day.

[@ca9968]

I`d love to see what you`d think of the South African only 333i and 325is if you ever got the chance to drive them... I think you should take the channel traveling...

[@ellarson1]

Save for the 635csi, I have always preferred the looks and size of 80s to mid 90s 3 series. The 5 series were larger than I like for a personal car and seemed more family orientated. I would definitely not hesitate on a 5 series wagon for the family car.

[@_Archambaud]

I drove one of these many years ago.such a silky smooth engine and balanced chassis👍

[@mosmarb]

Baur built the E30 Cabrios and had a hand in the design of the full convertible, but the latter were built by BMW themselves. That looks fantastic in the Calypsorot and with that interior.

[@ronniew3229]

Best car I ever owned was a ten year old 320i E30, paid 2 grand for it. I wonder if it is still alive and how much would its value be today. Sold it for a 520 auto E28 when the family arrived.

[@Dan23_7]

I had an E28 2.8 manual. Paid £600 for it in 1999. I called it “The pimp mobeel” I fit a stainless exhaust and some 18” Porsche replica wheels. The stainless made the 6pot sound amazing.

[@itsnotagsr]

Couldn’t afford an e30 so had an e21. Hope J-M can review one soon!

[@jgg02]

Great review, love the E30, had a couple of them and probably the most fun I ever had in a car but yet comfortable and that "extra" feel of quality

[@samuelston]

I had a 1987 325 sport back in the day. Got it after a Sierra Cosworth and unfortunately found out it didn’t handle as well as the Sierra, got a proper tank slapper on and ended up in a fence. Short wheelbase and questionable rear suspension wasn’t my friend.

[@user-en9zo2ol4z]

What a joy this car seems. I, too, love its appearance inside and out, and you make the point that the rag-top would be fine. I'm in Australia, where these are always stupid money, alas.

[@greebj]

E30s have been silly money ever since I started embracing my old BMW addiction 15 years ago (I have 80 years and 900000km of 5 series in my driveway now and only one of them is slightly broken lol). Unless they are raggedy neglected base spec stuff that someone can't even be bothered to do interesting driveline swaps to

[@user-en9zo2ol4z]

@@greebj Cheers.

[@harveydolden8572]

Get one you know you want to. What about an e28 ? 😎 great content as usual 👌 Im a big fan of any old bmw.

[@wideshadyy]

I had a stroke reading this. Commas and full stops exist for a reason!

[@harveydolden8572]

@@wideshadyy Sorry I'm quite badly dyslexic so writing takes quite a bit of effort to get correct 😅 I do however love cars and enjoy these videos just like we all do 🙂

[@Irvine7214x6apc]

@12:14, James you probably mean 31 years ago ;) Other than that tiny slip of the tongue, excellent review - that's coming not from a BMW fan, but I always liked the E30 gen cars.

[@Sawubona2007]

Need to have a go at the E32 750 next!

[@fatkev1983]

E30 Touring with an M62 manual swap, no body kit, a proper lsd diff, decent brakes, and decent comfortable but sporty suspension. Nothing too crazy other than wanting the 4.8 from an X5 and a 6 speed manual. That gearbox could prove to be an issue, so an easier to source 5 would do. Heard you can use a later diesel 6 speed with a conversion kit for a tougher box than the one you normally find behind the M62. Having said that, the same 'box served me very well in my E39 M5... granted, a clutch and flywheel replacement was done. Been a passenger in a few nice E30s. Driven 2. One was a modest 318iS, which was great fun. Made me realise my then E36 318iS was too heavy but still fun to rev the engine out. Also driven a 325i 4 door but it had an auto. Seemed to blunt the fun a bit but was a nice cruiser. This was all before the prices went silly.

[@greebj]

A 5 speed would be fine in a big lazy torquey V8 so long as 5th is super long for low rpm cruising. M60B44 would be a better bet, much cheaper to do, and not far behind one of those rare 4.8's. The lacking low range of the non vanos M60 would not be felt so much in the tiny E30

[@jomo2483]

I test drove this two years ago, it was exhilirating. Then I jumped into a 2010 X5, yeah BMWs not what it used to be. I didn't buy the E30 because it was owned by a guy who just run it down. But it drove like a gem, it would just cost me so much more to restore it. Ever since, I have been looking at BMWs to buy, but the later cars don't do anything for me. The E30 325i is the best BMW i've drove. Sorry BMW.

[@abuzarishaq690]

I remember my uncle had one of these back in the day calypso red two tone interior

[@nickH-worth1984]

I had a low mileage J plate Mauritius blue Motprsport convertible and it was a great car. However, I poured money into it, and it rewarded me with corrosion! They’re not worth 40k 25 max and even then you can still get a lot of car for that sum

[@JOscarsson9615]

Just came aross this video. I have a 325 cabrio with an auto box 😅 It's quite good when you just cruise in the city but I think I will manual swap it in the future to get a bit more "drive feel"

[@JolieSaboteuse]

Go on James, do an E30 Touring. I owned one in lowly 316i form and even so it was an absolute hoot. The one car I truly regret selling.

[@kanalnamn]

I would say, power aside, the 4-cyl versions feels even better - by a margin. Weight distribution are different, and you somehow magically feel thru the seat exactly what the backend of the car is doing. That's why the "baby M3", the 318iS (with a capital S, the 16 valve version. Differs alot from 318is) are much loved. But it's true for the other 4-cyls aswell.

[@kevincross9206]

I’m not a Beemer fan, but for me these are much better looking than the current offerings. Think this was down to an ex boss of mine having a gorgeous 2002tii I loved that car. Having Munich Legends a few miles away, I have the opportunity of lusting after some proper BMW’s on a regular basis 😊

[@adriansutherland7948]

I had one back in the day & I paid way over the odds to get it with a "personlised" number plate (just to get the plate therfore paying £800 over list value) sold it after only a year without plate & sold the plate a couple of years later for £2500 which almost paid for the car I'd bought originally (Todays price for the plate is just bat shit crazy) My wife didn't speak to me for weeks when I bought the car, when I sold the plate her praise could be heard from the rooftops!

[@andybowie8590]

I loved my old bm's when I had them, had a e30 323i and a 325i sport, im pretty sure the top gear cars were 325i's because they only did the 2.3 litre for the first 3 years or so of e30 production when it got replaced by the 2.5. Mine was a 1987 pre face-lift, my 323 was 1985 so the change was somewhere about 85/86. Not sure why but the test car is missing a boot spoiler, part of the m-tech package.

[@y0057]

These are very rare. Only 250 of them were produced in total. In these color on here (Calypso Red) with that colour seat as in video, or with Mauritius blue exterior with grey bubble leather with motorsport stripe on the seats or in Nogaro Silver exterior and either with grey plain leather/ motorsport stripes or Grey bubble leather with motorsport stripes in the side of the seats. Very rare back in the day. Most were well kept as well👌🏿🙏🏿

[@chrisplummer5857]

I have had two loved them both a 325 I se 2 door coupe in malaci green manual had a stock exhaust cloth seats l and did still make a lovely sound put your foot down and the engine barked at you also had a 325 I 4 door dolphin grey automatic both mint condition purchased in early 2000s for 400 quid each never them prices again.

[@evorobin]

Purple tag steering rack transforms these. I have a 325 sport & that is the best mod!

[@lorddoobsworth144]

great review as per usual James!

[@R-Tap]

Lovely car, they sit really nicely. That interior looks mint.

[@martincraig3169]

I own a E46 330 vert. Its a keeper, thats all i’ll say. Pre E9X 3 series are peak bmw, end of conversation 😊

[@grahamnutt8958]

#Topless Motoring....... I'm just glad that you kept ur shirt on 🤣🤣🤣 Joking aside - great review of an era of BMW to which I can totally relate to as I used to own a 520iSE 24valve..... Underpowered but fun and very similar looks to the E30. Thanks, James.

[@jamesstaggs4160]

I've had four Bimmers, two are still with me, a 2003 325xi for bad weather and a 2002 330i for everything else. The 1996 528i didn't have enough engine so it didn't stay long and the 1994 325is I'm still kicking myself for getting rid of because for my money the E36 is BMWs best car and finding one of those in decent shape for reasonable money is impossible now, at least where I live in the States. Oh you wan 11k for a clapped out automatic 318 with 190k? No. I know everyone is in love with the E30 but it's always looked like a toy to me. The squared off look doesn't work in a car thay size. The E36 is just right to me,.but it does need the correct combination to look good. The "basket weave" wheels with the slightly lowered "sports package" makes em look fantastic, and the E36 M3 is perfect luxury sports cars, even if we got a lesser version of it here, it's dead reliable if you just replace the plastic bits in the cooling system while the quicker Euro version's engine can be fiddly.

[@purple-porker]

my 1990 325SE 4dr was one of the best cars I have owned.

[@simonwilliams1740]

My favourite ever car was my e30 325i, the car I wished I still had

[@Stuart3162]

Always wanted one. Could have bought one but didn’t. Now I have an E93 M3 so can’t go back 😅

[@olivers7686]

A good locking BMW convertible of high quality.

[@user-qo6lk5ec9f]

When choosing which classic car to get it was either my 944 or a 6 cylinder E30. Nothing else in my price range made the cut. I still wonder if I made the right decision getting the 944 over the BeeEm.

[@micksingh6711]

I had 1. It was a coupe dolphin gray. It was stolen. Number plate F551 PPM. 😥😥😥 Still have the keys to it.