The BMW E30 3 series was a legendary car, plain and simple. Perhaps the fact that my first car was a 325is gives me a certain appreciation beyond your average car enthusiast for these executive compacts. A friend’s recent acquisition of an E36 318i sedan has had me hankering for a clean, low mileage E30 318i/is. And here is one right in my hometown. While the following example has higher mileage than what I’d usually consider, the detailed description and level of care taken with this 20 year old car is impressive.
1991 BMW 318i on Craigslist Philadelphia
The seller states:
1991 BMW 318i E30 – Last year of the E30 body style. Original plastic bumpers.
“Turns heads” everywhere you go?….more like “BREAKS NECKS!”
An incredibly clean and well maintained 1991 BMW 318i, is up for sale from a BMW CCA member and enthusiast. Before considering the purchase of this car, please know that anywhere you take it,the owner must be prepared to have a conversation with at least two people about how much they would love to own your car.
No matter where you go…the city, the suburbs, on back country roads, and road trips alike…..you’ll never find a more envied, more appreciated, or more adored vehicle than this particular Brilliantrot Red BMW E30.
Washed, waxed, vacuumed, and detailed constantly. Never sees snow. Rarely sees rain, however, she is driven regularly. Always garaged in foul weather.
-Brilliant Red (Brilliantrot) Exterior. Shines brighter then most new cars on the road.
-Tan Leatherette Interior in EXCELLENT condition (No Cracks on a Perfect dash)
-Runs Great! Solid engine, Smooth Transmission, Tight Suspension. Drive it anywhere!
-Incredibly fun to whip around. Handles superbly with the solid, lightweight, E30 chassis.
-4 Cylinder, GAS SAVING ENGINE. (Same as 1991 318is. M42 engine) Perfect commuter car.
-5-Speed Transmission
-192,XXX miles (Being 20 years old, that’s less than 10k miles per year)
-CLEAN TITLE in my name.
-Thousands of dollars in maintenance records and receipts
-While in my possession, the car was only serviced at the world renowned BMW Specialists, VAC Motorsports, located in Philadelphia, PA.Owned for the past 3 years. She’s been my baby. Ask any of my past girlfriends…when it came to what I cared about most, this car came first. Seriously.
-Ipod/CD/MP3 – ready head unit with upgraded Sony 3-way speakers at every corner
-16″ BBS replica wheels and Falken tires
-ORIGINAL BMW FACTORY INSTALLED ALARM WITH REMOTE DOOR UNLOCK !!!! (Incredibly rare!!!!)
-Power Windows, Power Locks, 2-Way Sunroof
-Original Owner’s Manual, Service Booklet, Dealer Cards, etc..
-This car has been pampered its entire life and it shows!!!Needs:
-Slow leak from front passenger side tire due to a nail puncture. Tire needs to be either plugged or replaced.
-Minor drip from power steering hose….about 1 small drip per week. Doesn’t effect driving. Nothing that needs attention right away, but down the road it should be addressed.
-Muffler is original and it’s starting to show its age. In other words, its not as quiet as it was when new. I think the exhaust note sounds great, so I never bothered to replace it. I never had a problem with it when getting its yearly inspection.I recently purchased a truck as a daily driver. When its nice weather I feel bad if I’m not riding my motorcycles, so therefore, the E30 gets neglected. I’d prefer the car to go to someone who will drive, maintain, and care fore the car as I did.
$4,800 CASH……however, I’m always open for trades. Show me what you’ve got. If anything, it would have to be cash plus whatever you have to offer. I’m not looking to add any money to a potential trade.
I’m interested in: older motorcycles – mainly Japanese from 1960-1980, Enduro bikes / Street legal dirt bikes – all years, Older BMWs – E21, E28, 2002s….Older Wranglers, CJs, 4×4 trucks, rat rods, rat bikes, older triumphs (cars and bikes) , 70s-80s big body coupes – T Types, Grand Nationals, Monte Carlos, etc…Let me know.
I am glad to see that the owner retrofitted larger, but not too large, period correct wheels (even if they appear similar to the later E39 5 series). After having a W203 C class sedan with 17†rims, that is about as large as I would go in most cases with tire/wheel size, and 16†seems just about right for newer classics and cars like my Mini Cooper S. The fact that the owner was a member of the BMW Car Club of America and serviced this 318i at a specialist shop is heartening. All in all, even with high mileage, $4,800 seems like a bargain for a well preserved example of what many consider the best of the best when it comes to the 3 series.
And hey, with this nice shade of red, it’s the perfect machine to arrive in at Citizens Bank Park to watch the Phillies battle whatever ball club might be in town to take on The Fightins.
-Paul
From the pictures, it looks to be a very nice car. However, the seller’s ad copy completely turned me off.
I agree with Kevin, looks like a great car! But a little less enthusiasm and a link to high res pics would make a bmw enthusiast happier.
Seems a little odd to drive such a great car three years, then want to get rid of it, and commute in a truck? With $4 gas?
If it’s as good as it looks, I’d pony up $4800 for it if it were in my city.
A bargain.
Interesting…a 4-door 318i dressed up as a 318is. I like it! Too bad BMW didn’t see fit to offer this variant in the US…
Unfortunately, the US 318i was a bit less well-dressed than the 318is. No leather sport seats, etc. At least this example has been upgraded with knock-off BBS wheels and front spoiler.
To me, the $4800 price seems a little steep at this mileage (especially having lived in a car-unfriendly city environment). But as sofaman said, matched up with the right E30 BMW 318is enthusiast, it will feel like a deal and a half.