Some work to do
When a BMW 3-series with the designation 323i on the back, with a six-cylinder, the enthusiast pricks up his ears. Of course, he hopes that it is the legendary version of the E21, but we see an E30 323i for sale. One of the last, because in 1986 the 325i, the successor to the 323i, was introduced. You sometimes see a 325i E30 for sale for amounts well above 20,000 euros. This 323i (with 150 hp instead of 170 hp) is even under 10,000 euros. We would love it if this green four-door with tow bar ends up with an enthusiast.
When the 3-series model changed in 1982, the top model was again called the 323i. While the most powerful E21 still had 143 hp, in the new model BMW found an extra 7 hp in the 2.3-liter inline-six, because at that time a 323i was still just a 2.3 and a 320i a 2.0 ( also six-cylinder). The 323i could call itself the best Dreier for more than three years, until the 325i arrived in 1986. where the 2.5 six-cylinder had 20 hp more to offer. Those 325i’s were often terribly abused later on for racing courses or in summer evening competitions and that means that a nice 325i is now extremely expensive. That is why the price that the provider asks for this 323i is actually not too bad for us. Of course, €8,450 for a 37-year-old BMW with more than 2.5 tonnes on the clock is not a bargain price, but proportionately it is not too bad, especially when you see what is usually asked for 3-series of the E30 generation. And especially if it concerns a six-cylinder (320i, 323i, 325i). We won’t even talk about the M3s of this generation, because they are really astronomically priced.
The 2.3 produces 150 hp.
The second 3-series was available as a two- and four-door, the first only as a two-door. The Cabrio and Touring followed later. We wrote extensively about the history of the E30 almost a year ago, because it was 40 years ago that it came on the market.
The characteristic BMW interior style of the time with a dashboard oriented towards the driver.
What makes this 323i relatively affordable for such a classic sports sedan with a sporty reputation? Is it the four-door coach because buyers prefer a two-door? Is it the somewhat boring green paint? Is it the tow bar? Or the mileage? Its modest appearance, with the neat, original alloy wheels, gives this 323i something authentic. According to the provider, it is a car from the first owner. He was born in 1946 and was in the prime of his or her life at the age of 40 when he purchased the beautiful Dreier. Still too young to opt for an automatic transmission, which at the time took quite a lot of life out of the car.
By properly working the five-speed manual transmission, the 323i sprinted from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds and the top speed was 204 km/h. That was comparable to what many hot hatchbacks performed at the time.
The old car radio that is still in it might make this car extra likeable. We do not see from the photos whether the standard tool set on the inside of the tailgate is still complete. The company that offers it does report that it requires some work. “As you can see from the photos, there is some work to be done on the body. Furthermore, the exhaust is leaking and the seat entry is worn, but otherwise this car drives very well. This car has never been painted,” says the provider. That will be the reason why this E30 with six cylinder is for sale for less than ten grand.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl