1997 BMW 323i

Highlights

• An extremely clean example inside and out
• Only two former keepers
• Excellent Boston Green paintwork
• Extensive service records
• Superb leather interior and working air conditioning

Overview

This impressive example of an E36 comes to us in superb condition. It has clearly been well looked after since it left the dealership in North Oxford in 1997. We’re told that it was owned by two generations of the same family before the current owner purchased the car in 2017. It comes complete with a well-stamped service record and extensive recent work carried out by its present keeper. In recent years the car has reportedly only been on the road during the Summer months, attending a few car shows and generally being enjoyed sparingly. The damper and saltier half of the year has seen this BMW tucked away in a warm garage and occasionally started to keep everything working. So if you’re the kind of person who appreciates their 90s saloon cars being lovingly cared for, then this 323i will certainly be of interest. And the straight-six engine producing 170 hp, coupled to a five-speed ‘box, will provide plenty of fun when you go for a drive. It has survived the past few decades in fine fettle and is now ready to be enjoyed by a new owner.

History and Documentation

• First Registered 21st February 1997
• Sold new by BMW North Oxford, still featuring the original dealer keyrings
• Owned by the current keeper since 2017
• Comes with a document pack including invoices and MOT certificates
• V5C in the vendor’s name
• Three keys, two alarm fobs, and two siren keys
• Original owner’s handbooks and document case
• Just under 80k miles from new
• The original service booklet contains plenty of stamped entries: February 1997 pre-delivery inspection, August 1998 @ 9,734 miles, July 2000 @ 18,512 miles, September 2001 @ 28,728 miles, August 2003 @ 36,733 miles, June 2005 @ 46,894 miles, June 2005 @ 46,990 miles, December 2006 @ 53740 miles, November 2008 @ 58,240 miles, November 2017 @ 71,683 miles, January 2018 @ 72,848 miles, January 2019 @ 76,712 miles, January 2020 @ 77,318 miles, January 2021 @ 78617 miles , January 2022 @ 79,183 miles, January 2023 @ 79,527 miles, January 2024 @ 79,681 miles
• Window stickers and numberplates branded North Oxford Garage BMW as well as key rings.
• Only two registered previous keepers
• The vendor informs us that the previous owners were members of the same family
• The car has only been driven a few thousand miles in the present owner’s seven years of ownership
• It has reportedly spent most of its time stored in garages or underground carparks
• The owner tells us that it has been to a few car shows in recent years, and has spent the winter months stored off the road in a heated garage, being started occasionally to keep the fluids moving

Interior

• Superb original Montana Black leather interior
• The upholstery shows very few signs of wear or aging
• Only a light amount of wear on the driver’s bolster, impressive considering this car’s age and mileage
• Leather M Sport steering wheel in very good condition
• All the switchgear looks very well preserved
• Pioneer radio/cassette player fitted by the dealer
• Dashboard clean and tidy
• Air conditioning said to be working well
• Analogue instruments bold and clear
• Even the original torch remains in the glovebox
• The carpets show very little sign of use
• The door cards and headlining are very tidy
• To the rear, the spacious boot is carpeted and very clean
• Full size spare wheel under the boot floor
• Original toolbox complete with towing eye and locking wheel nut key

Exterior

• Classic E36 styling of the 1990s
• The body panels look to be in very good condition, without any dents
• The deep green paintwork is excellent for its age, with only a few small marks to be found
• Colour matched bumpers front and rear
• We are told by the vendor that the car has undergone paint correction carried out by a vehicle detailer costing almost £1,000
• 16-inch M Sport alloy wheels still look smart, with no significant damage or corrosion
• Matching set of Dunlop tyres
• All the plastics, handles, and trim pieces appear to be very well preserved
• The seller tells us that the underside is very clean, with all four jacking points remaining solid
• Original dealer numberplates still fitted front and rear

Mechanical

• 2,494 cc six-cylinder petrol engine
• Rated at 170 hp and 181 lb ft
• The seller informs that the car has received the following new parts and servicing during their custodianship:
• Water pump,
• Auxilliary belts
• All the filters, spark plugs and fluids, including engine oil, gear oil, differential oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, screen wash, and antifreeze
• New suspension all round
• New brakes
• New battery
• New viscous clutch fan
• New thermostat, new expansion tank cap, new Radiator,
• New rear trailing arm bushes both sides
• It now reportedly starts very well and runs smoothly, without any issues
• The five-speed manual gearbox changes gear smoothly
• Even the air conditioning reportedly blows very cold
• The engine bay is very clean and tidy
• The car is said to retain its original catalytic converter

Summary

Overall, this is a very impressive example of an E36, benefiting from low mileage for its years, a wholesome looking service record, and careful storage. But it also packs plenty of punch when you take it for a spin, climbing up through the gears and listening to the sound of that smooth six-cylinder engine in front of you. There can’t be many ‘90s BMWs left in such good condition, with this car’s enthusiast custodianship shining through. The E36 model has certainly completed its transition from ‘just and old car’ to ‘retro cool’ and is now growing an increasingly loyal following. To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Leicester.