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1997 BMW 323i (E36) Coupe

Sold Price

£5,571

  • Mileage~62,000
  • TransmissionManual
  • Engine2.5L
  • LocationDaventry

SOLD

1997 BMW 323i (E36) Coupe

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Introduction

Glyn Parry
Professional Consigner

The E36 3 Series Coupe offers the perfect balance between handling and ride quality - now quickly becoming a practical and desirable modern classic.

The 3rd generation BMW 3 series (E36) was first introduced in 1990 and produced until 2000, the car was an instant hit and way ahead of the competitors for its popularity and desirability. It also made it on Car and Drivers magazine '10Best' list every year it was on sale. The biggest change technically was the new independent rear suspension set-up (aka Z-axle). A multilink set-up that helped maintain the 3-series history as the market sector's best handling car.

This example is somewhat a rarity, coming out of 23 years of ownership and just one former keeper before that. It's been kept in excellent condition all these years having been cherished, additionally the car has a great specification from new.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Glyn after meeting Bob 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

After 23 years of ownership, I couldn't be happier with this E36.

Bob reports the 323i was purchased as a sports car for "high-days and holidays". He tells us he has rarely driven it in the wet, and mentions it being garaged since 6 months old.

Bob and his wife really enjoy the power the car offers, but now needing an automatic, they have decided to part with this 323i.

Bob will be more that happy to answer any questions you have about the car in the comments below.

Bob
Vehicle Owner

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

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Exterior

An exterior heavily influenced by 80s aerodynamics - the iconic kidney grills mean this is unmistakably a BMW.

Wheels and Tyres

The car is fitted with BMW classic style alloy rims, an optional extra the original owner specified. They all appear in great condition on this car and give it a sporty character.

The wheels are wrapped in premium Dunlop SP sport Maxx tyres on the front and Sport 2000E on the rear, dated 2005. All the tyres appear to have a good usable amount of tread left on them.

Please take a look at the photos and videos for a closer look at each wheel.

Bodywork

The bodywork looks to be in a great overall condition, with the BMW built quality really showing its worth. All the panel gaps and shut lines look tight and correct across the car.

The car has clearly been well cared for, we noticed a very minuscule parking dent on the rear bumper, and if we really look hard, we noticed the slightest corrosion beginning to appear around the inner lip of the rear wheel arches.

We have captured high-resolution photos and videos for you to review the condition of the bodywork in detail.

Paint

Finished in the BMW colour of Boston Green, the paintwork on this car looks really good for the age and really shows signs of care over the previous 23 years. In line with the age and the mileage, the car has some very minor stone chips around the front bumper.

We think an afternoon with some polish would really bring out the paintwork and give it an even deeper shine than is already pictured. Around the car, there are some very fine hairline scratches that could most likely polish out without much effort.

As always we captured high resolution photos and videos for you to have a look at and see the paint in detail.

Glass and Trim

Both appear in great original condition across the car. The trim and glass look the part with no major signs of damage, cracks, or chips noticed on the visit. This car was optioned with the M-Tech rear spoiler from new, very fitting for a 90s car like this.

Please review the exterior media pack for a closer look.

Interior

Excellent BMW build quality is reflected in the condition of this interior.

Seats and Carpets

This E36 is fitted with full black leather BMW sports seats which present in great condition throughout for the age and mileage, along with the door cards and carpets. The seats were also optioned with heating function from new.

The back seats look unused, and we could only find a very small patch of the usual wear on the driver's bolster. It really shows how well Bob has looked after the car, and how very little use it's had over the years.

We have captured high resolution photos and videos for you to review and appreciate the condition of the seats and carpets.

Dashboard

The traditional BMW dashboard we're all familiar with, providing all the information you would ever need - as with the rest of the interior of this car the dashboard and the instrument cluster are smart and appear in very good condition.

Please view the images and interior video to see the dashboard in more detail.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The original three-spoke BMW steering wheel and 5-speed manual gearstick appear in great condition, wrapped in black leather.

Please take a look at the photos and videos for a closer look of the interior.

Mechanics

Powered by the mighty M52B25 6-cylinder, outputting ~168BHP to the rear wheels, this 323i packs a mighty punch.

Engine and Gearbox

The E36 323i was only available for 3 years between 1995-1998, it was fitted with a straight six engine which would produce ~168BHP at 5,500RPM and 245NM of torque. Coupled to a 5-speed manual, the car can fly up to 60MPH in 7.7s and has a top speed of 141MPH.

Bob has always given the car the attention it deserves, through regular yearly MOTs and services, please take a look at the paperwork section for more detail.

The car started first-time in the mechanical video we conducted , please watch the video to see it spring to life.

Suspension and Brakes

A major development in the E36 was the suspension set up - a new independent rear suspension set-up (aka Z-axle). A multilink set-up that helped maintain the 3-series history as the market sector's best handling car.

Bob reports to us a very smooth ride with prompt stopping power from the disc brakes.

The Drive

Comfort or sporty, you decide. The BMW 323i Coupe manages to offer the perfect balance between handling and power, something other competitors struggled to achieve in the '90s.

Electrics and Other

The car is fitted with its original genuine BMW Business RDS with tape player. We tested the A/C and Bob confirms it's blowing ice cold air. The front seats are also heated - just one of the many additional extras fitted on this car from the factory. Bob has installed a smart set of parking sensors in to the rubber bumper trim, the only non-factory item on this car.

History and Paperwork

Owned for 23 years and just one former keeper, this E36 is one very well spec'd and highly original example, you'll be hard pressed to find a better one.

Coming to sale as the current owners would prefer an automatic, this car has been cherished over its ownership. We have listed the services that have been stamped in the book, however, please review all the paperwork to see other services / work carried out on the car. The car features its full tool kit, locking wheel nut, and original first aid kit. Bob has fitted an aftermarket parking sensor into the rear black trim panel.

A full list of additional options on this car were as follows; 275 - Boston Green, P7SW - Black Leather, 243 - Front passenger airbag, 296 - Alloy rims classic style, 302 - Remote control anti-theft, 320 - No model inscription, 481 - BMW sports seats, M-Tech boot spoiler, 494 - Front seat heating, 951 - Lux pack.

We have actioned our usual checks; Seller ID, V5, HPi - clear.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
27.05.2021 MOT 62,720
26.06.2020 MOT 62,556
04.06.2019 MOT 62,391
07.06.2018 MOT 61,912
07.06.2017 MOT 61,503
23.05.2016 MOT 61,120
27.05.2015 MOT 60,287
03.06.2014 MOT 58,476
03.06.2014 Service 58,476
05.06.2013 MOT 56,992
07.06.2012 Service 55,769
07.06.2012 MOT 55,768
23.05.2011 MOT 54,005
24.05.2010 MOT 52,515
01.06.2009 MOT 50,772
01.06.2009 Service 50,772
04.06.2008 MOT 48,687
04.06.2007 MOT 46,905
13.10.2006 Service 42,987
05.06.2006 MOT 40,422
15.04.2003 Service (MD) 31,647
25.06.2001 Service (MD) 23,260
08.11.1999 Service (MD) 17,583
09.02.1998 Service (MD) 10,608
Key Details
  • Model323i
  • TransmissionManual
  • Reg. Date03.06.1997
  • CC2,494
  • Mileage~63,000
  • HistoryGood
  • ColourBoston Green
  • Interior ColourBlack
  • Interior TrimLeather
  • Chassis #WBABF72080EP70136
  • Engine #26938685
  • MOT25.06.2022
  • MOT ExemptNo
  • Road Tax ExemptNo
  • HPi ClearYes - clear
  • Former Keepers1
  • Tyre BrandDunloop
  • Tyre Age2005
  • Security SysStandard
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned23 years
  • Key FeatureOwnership







Vehicle Sold

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Ask Questions
Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.
Fraser Hancock
Guest
Fraser Hancock

Hi, can you confirm what that brown looking liquid/residue is on the oil cap when it’s take off in the video. Cheers

Glyn (Photographer)
Guest
Glyn (Photographer)

Hello Fraser,
The residue was solid, and a classic sign that a vehicle has only been used intermittently. I can confirm there were no signs of residue on the inside of the cam cover (nice and clean inside).

ARK
Member
ARK

Hi, Thanks for clarifying about the underside of the car. Could you please tell us about the car health mechanically. About the engine and rear differential. Regards, Araz

Glyn (Photographer)
Guest
Glyn (Photographer)

Hello ARK,
I am sure you have seen the cold start video which shows the engine starting up without any issue, and without any unexpected noises/ smoke.

Bob was nice enough to leave the car with me and throughout the photoshoot I moved it around. It always started instantly and whilst manouvering the clutch was a nice height and smooth. There were no bad sounds from the engine, transmission, suspension or steering whilst manouvering.

Diamo
Member
Diamo

Hi, is there any underside corrosion? Do you have photos of the underside please? Thanks. Regards, Mark

Diamo
Member
Diamo

Hi, is there any underside corrosion? Do you have photos of the underside please?
Thanks. Regards, Mark

Glyn Parry (Photographer)
Guest
Glyn Parry (Photographer)

Hi Diamo, Further to Bob’s comments. I double checked my notes from the day and the only corrosion I could see was on a few of the suspension components (lower arms where expected), and the front of the LH rear arch is starting to show a slight sign of corrosion on the inner edge of the lip. The rest of the underside including the jacking points showed pretty much no signs of corrosion at all. If you check out the ‘On the road’ video there is a 360 degree sweep video of the underside including the wheel arches. This is… Read more »

Laurennunn1
Member
Laurennunn1

Hi hope you are well could I just ask is there any jobs I’d need to sort
Kind regards

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Vehicle Location

Daventry

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