1990 BMW 320i (E30) “Barnfind” |

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1990 BMW 320i (E30) “Barnfind”

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£5,800

Mileage~160,534 on clock
Transmission5-speed Manual
Engine2.0-litre
LocationRoehampton, West London

SOLD

1990 BMW 320i (E30) “Barnfind”

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Editor and Photographer

The E30 is one of BMW’s defining models, and still has an appeal that resonates to this day.

The E30 3-Series served as the entry point to BMW just as the brand was establishing a significant presence in the UK. Marketed as an aspirational purchase, every E30 offered a blend of style, superior build quality, and driver-focused ergonomics, all backed by strong resale value.

Widely regarded as one of the most beloved 3 Series generations, the E30 has remained a fixture of the public consciousness long after production ended. Its reputation for robust engineering, crisp design, and desirability makes it a premier modern classic, especially when powered by the silky 2.0-litre six-cylinder engine. In 1987, the model was further refined with a facelift that introduced plastic bumpers, enlarged taillights, ellipsoid headlights, and an upgraded interior, all while retaining its signature balanced handling and refinement.

Finished in Brilliant Red, this 1990 BMW 320i boasts impressive provenance, with just three registered keepers and 27 years in current family ownership. Having been dry-stored since 2004, the car is now offered as a compelling recommissioning project. While the interior remains in smart condition, the vehicle will require mechanical attention, specifically to the engine and brakes, alongside minor cosmetic work to the metal.

A fantastic opportunity for an E30 enthusiast, this solid example is located in West London and will require collection via trailer.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Sandra the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

I’ve had plenty of BMW’s over the years, and the E30 rates as one of my favourite.

The car was used by Sandra for commuting to work mostly. It was parked up due to overseas work commitments, rather than mechanical maladies, being driven into the garage where it currently lies. Obviously, it would need to be trailered to its new home.

Sandra will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Sandra

Vehicle Owner

Sandra saved £0,900* when they
sold their BMW with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

A solid structure, along with a tidy appearance, betrays its project status.

Wheels and Tyres

The car is fitted with aftermarket 15” TSW alloys. They’re presentable with a few scuff marks.

The front and rear of the car are fitted with 205/55 Firestone tyres with one Fulda on the nearside front. They are all over 20 years and hold air.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

Bodywork

The car's structure appears to be solid, with signs of age on the floorpan and sill lips. The lower section of the nearside wing/sill has corroded, but the engine bay and boot floor look okay.

The exterior presents well for a car that has been inactive since 2004, although corrosion on the nearside front wing and both rear arches would need attention. There are a handful of other corrosion spots across the body, including the underside of the front valance and a small series of underpaint clusters on the sunroof.

We spotted a few minor dents on the body, but otherwise, the panels are flush to the body and have even shut lines. All doors open and close without issue.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The Brilliant Red paint has decent coverage and smooth lustre with light marks.

The finish appears to be consistent and has resisted fading. There is the occasional chip, but nothing significant.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass, lighting and seals are in good shape. The trim appears to be complete with no significant damage, with a few signs of fade in places. The bumpers appear to be well-mounted.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Cleanly presented, the interior still looks smart.

Seats and Carpets

The seats appear to be in good shape, with no significant marks or wear to the fabric. The driver's seat forward tilt is not operational.

The carpets, both in the cabin and boot, are clean with some age-related wear, but they are free of damp or mould.

Dashboard

The dashboard is cleanly presented, with no notable damage, aside from a minor fracture on the passenger side top.

The facia and centre console are tidy with decent controls. A couple of buttons would benefit from replacement.

We didn’t test any of the controls for functionality.

The door cards, interior trim and headlining have lasted well.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The gear-knob and steering wheel show age-related wear but appear to be salvageable.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

In need of a mechanical recommissioning, the regular service history should bode well.

Engine and Gearbox

Due to the non-operational status of the car, we didn’t attempt to start the engine, but we connected a fresh battery to the car to show the ignition warning lights.

The car has no coolant, having suffered a leak at some point.

We attempted to manually rotate the engine, however access to the main crank nut was obstructed by the radiator. We then tried turning the engine by hand via the front pulley, but the engine would not rotate with that level of hand pressure. Sandra told us the car was last used in 2004, and is said to have driven well, but has not been moved since then.

Visually, the engine is remarkably clean.

Suspension and Brakes

The brakes on the car are seized solid and would need freeing.

The car is fitted with aftermarket springs.

The Drive

The car was last used in 2004, and is said to have driven well, but has not been moved since then. The private car park has good ventilation, and the car has been under an indoor car cover, which appears to have been sympathetic to the paint finish.

Electrics and Other

The spare wheel is an original bottle top alloy, and is fitted with a manual sunroof and an aftermarket CD stereo player.

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History and Paperwork

Before being placed in storage, it boasted an impressive servicing history.

First registered in March 1990, the V5 states that it has had only 3 registered keepers before Sandra, and it has been in the family for 27 years, having been regularly used up to 2004. It comes with its owner's manual and service book, which also documents 3 drive belt changes, 19 BMW Service stamps and an additional six independent stamps. The last service was carried out around 3,000 miles before the car was placed into storage.

It also comes with a handful of historic MOT certificates from 1993 to 2000. There is one main key, an emergency key, and a copy of an old V5, which traces it back to its 2nd owner, who bought it in 1993.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
12-05-2002	Independent Service	157,777
19-02-2002	Independent Service	154,442
27-04-2001	Independent Service
30-05-2000	MOT	144,425
28-04-2000	Independent Service	143,035
25-10-1999	Independent Service	135,007
25-05-1999	MOT	131,122
25-08-1998	Independent Service	124,789
05-01-1998	BMW Oil Service	118,500
28-08-1997	Drive Belt	112,131
23-06-1997	MOT	109,778
27-02-1997	BMW Inspection I	105,347
01-02-1996	BMW Annual Check
20-11-1995	BMW Oil Service	90,880
23-02-1995	BMW Inspection II	82,108
06-07-1994	Drive Belt
22-06-1994	BMW Oil Service	73,822
	BMW Inspection II	66,744
13-07-1994	BMW Oil Service	60,691
13-04-1994	MOT
13-04-1993	MOT	56,856
07-11-1993	BMW Inspection II	53,443
24-08-1992	BMW Oil Service	45,414
17-03-1992	BMW Inspection I + Drive belt	37,863
07-02-1992	BMW Annual Check	36,415
05-11-1991	BMW Oil Service	31,565
26-07-1991	BMW Inspection II	26,093
08-03-1991	BMW Oil Service + Annual Check	17,832
14-11-1990	BMW Inspection I	12,539
07-07-1990	BMW Oil Service	5,915
03-05-1990	BMW Running-in Inspection	2,400

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Key Details

Model320i
Transmission5-Speed Manual
Reg. Date01-04-1990
CC1990
Mileage~160,534 on clock
HistoryService
ColourBrilliant Red
Interior ColourGrey
Interior TrimCloth
Chassis #WBAAA52090AE96292
Engine #23104779
Last Service12-05-2002
MOTNo
MOT ExemptNo
Road Tax ExemptNo
HPi ClearYes - all clear
Former Keepers3
Tyre BrandFirestone/Fulda
Tyre Age20+
# of Keys2
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~27 Years
Key FeatureProject Opportunity
Vehicle RegistrationG261 XNK
Driver’s SideRight
Fuel TypePetrol
Body Type2 door saloon
Auction ID3374

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All Images

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Vehicle Sold

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I WANT ONE

Ask Questions

Seller : SandraE30 Sale Date 12.02.2026

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

5 Comments

ColinB

Admin

1 month ago

***RESERVE REMOVED***

Sandra has decided to remove the reserve so the highest bidder will win the E30 on Thursday night, good luck!

Thanks,
Colin.

Sebastian1981

1 month ago

Hi Sandra, how much would you like for this car? I could give you £5,000 for it without an auction.

ColinB

Admin

Sebastian1981

1 month ago

Hi Sebastian,

The auction has to run its course, we don’t offer a buy it now price unfortunately. if the reserve isn’t met the highest bidder is given first refusal on the post auction deal, so its worth having your bids in.

Thanks,
Colin.

AdamJ2002

1 month ago

Any chances this would be available to view before bidding on?

ColinB

Admin

AdamJ2002

1 month ago

Hi Adam,

We can help arrange a viewing for you, if you could send an email to [email protected] first, we just need to do some checks.

Thanks,
Colin.

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Vehicle Location

Roehampton, West London

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