DT: 1988 BMW 325iS 5-Speed
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1988
- Make: BMW
- Model: 325is Coupe
- VIN: WBAAA2305J4256294
- Mileage Shown: 135,647
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Black
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Bellmore, NY 11710
- Lot #: V-0044935-DT
Introduced as a driving enthusiast’s version of the standard E30 325i 3-Series in 1987, the 325iS came standard with a limited-slip differential, sport suspension, BBS basketweave wheels, spoilers, sport seats, and a premium trim package. This 1988 example has been converted to a 5-speed manual transmission and further enhanced with a stage 3 clutch kit and lightweight flywheel, Hartge sway bars, upgraded brakes, CaTuned coilovers, a Remus exhaust, a Z3 M short shifter, and a Hartge body kit. Benefitting from recent service, this tastefully modified E30 is now being offered for auction out of New York.
This 325iS is finished in black and features a period-correct Hartge body kit with a revised front spoiler, side skirts, and rear valence. Factory equipment includes quad headlamps, power mirrors, a trunk lid spoiler, an electric sunroof, an automatic antenna, pop-out rear quarter windows, and 14” Style 5 BBS basketweave wheels with a matching full-size spare in the trunk. The seller indicates the car was completely refinished within the past 5 years and was recently polished, although some minor imperfections are present including cracked paint on the side skirts and a chip on the driver’s door. Some corrosion is also noted below the driver’s side taillight, under the jack points, and on the undercarriage bolts. Additional images are provided in the gallery along with a CARFAX report showing an accident in February 2024.
Inside, the dashboard and seats have been custom reupholstered in black leather with red stitching. Accessories include heated front sport seats, an aftermarket Renown three-spoke steering wheel, a ZHP shift knob, power windows, air conditioning, a cup holder, an onboard computer, and an AM/FM cassette stereo. The seller notes the air conditioning is fully functional and the 5-speed manual transmission conversion used all OEM parts along with an upgraded Z3 M shifter.
Factory-rated at 168 HP and 164 lb.-ft of torque, the 2.5-liter straight-six engine sends power to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission with an upgraded Clutch Max stage 3 clutch kit and a factory limited-slip differential. An aftermarket Remus exhaust system has been installed and the suspension has been upgraded with CaTuned coilovers, Hartge sway bars, and a Hartge front strut brace. The brakes also feature upgraded Zimmerman rotors and a Chase Bays stainless-steel brake line kit. Recent service includes the installation of new control arms and bushings, a new flex disc and center bearings, new shift bushings, a clutch master cylinder, and a new slave cylinder. The seller reports an undiagnosed oil leak from the engine.
This sale will include a spare tire and a clean title.
Comments (12)
Offer in the amount of $8,900
Bid in the amount of $8,250
Clean e30, Neverlift
Buy with confidence, +1 for a trusted and honest seller. GLWA
Hello all, and welcome to the final hours of this auction. I have received multiple private messages from interested parties and wish everyone luck. If you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to reach out via comments or directly to me. To reiterate, this is an awesome driver for anyone looking for that man to machine connection. Bid with confidence, and thank you all for your interest!
Bid in the amount of $8,000
@Jetpaul no, bmw hadn’t switched to chains yet. M20 has a timing belt
I thought this engine had a timing CHAIN, not a belt.
@vkendal I have no physical proof of either but I was told the cooling system had been refreshed and heard nothing about timing belt
Car looks really nice. Can you tell us when the last timing belt/water pump was changed?
Bid in the amount of $2,500
Hello and welcome everyone to my E30's auction!
My name is Nick, and my goal is for this auction to go as smoothly as possible and try to give everyone confidence in bidding on my car. I will try my best to fully disclose all issues and share my enthusiasm for this car.
Jumping right into it, I've been saying this car is all around an 8/10
Paint: Although not original, I strongly believe the repaint on this car is one of its strongest attributes. It is really nice, showing not too many imperfections opposed to your typical sun faded peeling 40 year old paint.
Interior: As mentioned, the front/rear seats and dashboard have been recovered in leather with red stitching. Again, although not original, this really steps up the condition of the interior of this older car. There is no worry about a cracked dash, peeling ripped seats and poor cushioning like your typical example.
Mechanical: This car has had a few performance upgrades that really make this car a joy to drive. CATuned coilovers, remus exhaust, refreshed bushings, the lightweight flywheel and my personal favorite, the Z3M short shifter make all the touch points on this car awesome to operate. Most buyers will be looking for a car like this for that man to machine connection again and this tastefully modified example really exaggerates the positives of an E30 without going overboard.
Rust: The most common questions I've been asked are about rust. Here I will share ALL known rust spots no matter how small to avoid the conversation above. The worst spot is underneath the drivers tail light. It is clearly had some bubbling underneath but it appears to have been neutralized and sprayed over with the repaint. The trunk channel has surface rust in the corner but makes no penetration through the metal, just missing paint. driver/front corner jack point has some corrosion due to obvious use. No penetration through any point in the floor. Fasteners, clips, and hardware underneath have corrosion. Common rust spots on E30's are battery tray and windshield cowl but these appear to have been replaced. That is an assumption because they look perfect. Under the brake booster possesses a small hole, and surface on top of drivers rocker.
All Other issues with the car include
- Speedometer occasionally goes out, but comes back
- Brake light on cluster. unknown reason, all the brake lines have been replaced and don't leaks
- slow engine oil leak (unknown location)
This is ALL known issues with the car. Right now, I drive it every day and I have been for a couple months so I can iron out most issues before I pass it on to the next owner. The car pulls strong, shifts smooth, has no clunks and feels great to drive. I hope my knit-picky issues portray transparency, because I know how nerve racking it can be buying a car unseen of this age.
All interested buyers feel free to ask if you have any more questions and I will be sure to answer to the best of my ability.
Happy bidding, and thank you!