Happy 40th Birthday

[minesapint]

BMW 325i Cabriolet 1986.

On Thursday 20 Aug 2026, I have been the proud owner of my car for the last 40 years.
Having written to BMW Germany in early 1986, I was aware they were about to introduce a RHD version of the 325i Cabriolet later that year. They also said the announcement would be made at the car show on the opening of the GMEX exhibition centre Manchester, which was opened by our late Queen Elizabeth11 Easter 1986, and also they would be sending a LHD 325i cabriolet to the exhibition.
I placed an order in early March with my local dealer, who was totally unaware of all this, but was willing to take my money. So I had my order placed before BMW made the announcement.
My order was for a 325i Cab, zinnobar red with stone leather, the car BMW sent to the show was red but with black leather, it looked stunning so I immediately changed my order to black leather.
My car was made in July 86, it was the 38th off the line when production of RHD Cabs started that week.
I collected the car 20 Aug 86 from my local dealer, it had 35 miles on the clock, those miles were put on by me, as my arrangement with him was a good test drive as obviously there weren’t any to have a test in.
So I am the original and only owner of this car.
I have tried hard over the years to keep the car as original as possible, always been stored in good dry garages and well protected, to this end I think I’ve done a good job. It has never failed an MOT nor ever had an advisory, & it’s next MOT due 1 Oct 26 is hopefully it’s last, as I’ll apply for historic status next April. Hopefully I haven’t jinxed it’s MOT record with what I’ve just said!
I’ll try & post plenty of images of the car & paperwork, I know there’s been some problems with posting images lately, I’ll persevere even if it means spreading them over many posts.
I hope you’ve found this interesting.

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[martauto]

Wow
Absolute credit to you mate


Mart.

[RTTBMW]

Amazing achievement. Not too many one owner cars about.

regards

Richard

[BenHar]

£321.74 for plates? They saw you coming , mate!

Looking forward to more pictures and information.

Ben

[Speedtouch]

Lovely to be able to own such a nice car from new, and keep it that way - well done!

[Speedtouch]

£321.74 for plates? They saw you coming , mate!
Ben

Haha, I thought that too, but I think it's for delivery, floor mats, petrol and number plates...

[minesapint]

Continued

[minesapint]

£321.74 for plates? They saw you coming , mate!

Looking forward to more pictures and information.

Ben

Yeah looking back that does seem a lot, but as Speedtouch says “( )”……. also they’ve been bloody good as those original ones are still on the car, yes those plates are the originals…….. check out the dialling code!

[minesapint]

Well as there hasn’t been any response from my enquiry about how to post multiple images, I’ll have to do it the hard way………a few at a time.

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[minesapint]

Trying a different way.

https://ibb.co/8gvhVkdF
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https://ibb.co/jZgRxZn5
https://ibb.co/SwxGcTKq
https://ibb.co/27Jf3RRK

[minesapint]

I’m dead chuffed as today my car passed its MOT without any problems, this means that next April I can apply for historical interest, meaning today is the last MOT I officially have had to take.
This for me is a milestone as the car has never failed or even had an advisory in all its MOT history. Another bonus is no road tax, so quite a saving there, although I do SORN it for approx 6 months of the year.
My insurance is due 17 Oct 26 & I’ve reapplied to increase my agreed valuation with Lancaster Insurance, sent all the information off & now awaiting their panels decision. I’ll let you know how that goes.

Meanwhile a few more pics. (hopefully)

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[minesapint]

And a few more

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[minesapint]

A few more

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[minesapint]

A few more

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[minesapint]

A few more

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[minesapint]

A few more

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[hennabm]

Absolutely stunning example.

As others have siad, there can't be many one owner cars from new left in the country.

With just 25k on the clock it looks like it has lead a quiet life for all of its 40 years.

Since mine turned 40 the other other year I have not taken it for MOT and tend to use it a bit more beacuse I don't have to worry about taxing it. If it's a fine day and I have a spare hour or so, I'll take it out for pleasure.

I wish you many more years with it.

[minesapint]

Thanks, very kind of you.
When I first bought the car, I had many holidays touring Europe in it. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France & northern Spain. I drove a lot in the Alps & Pyrenees where it was in its element, taking country roads, avoiding motorways where possible. I’d say 75% of the car’s mileage was done on these trips.
Then quite a long period layed-up, houses, family etc.
It’s always been a fun car & I’ve been lucky always having good dry garages for storage & workshop. I have another soft-top & a daily, so never been reliant on the E30, hence it’s been treated better than my dog!
The remaining mileage has been done mainly in the Yorkshire Dales which I’m passionate about. I live just outside Skipton on the edge of the Dales so they’re very accessible for me to go for a quick drive, walk & pint!
I hope to have many more years with it.
Cheers

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[rix313]

Sublime car dude

[minesapint]

I’ve lots of paperwork from around 86 when I was looking into & buying my 325i Cab, brochures, price lists, reports, etc. I came across this recently.

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The handwritten prices were put on by the salesman at BMW, this is from early 86 & they are correct.
But look at the spec for the 325i sport, it’s packed with stuff, BBS’s, all the M tech stuff, limited slip diff, etc etc, & it’s £2400 cheaper than the Cab!! what would a mint 86 325i Sport be worth now I wonder?

[minesapint]

Of course I really messed up & should have waited until 87 when the M3 came into the UK @ £22750.
If I had waited & bought one, that car would be in equally good condition & low mileage as my Cab, & just having a quick look, would be worth around £100,000 today.
I definitely messed up!

[minesapint]

Of course I really messed up & should have waited until 87 when the M3 came into the UK @ £22750.
If I had waited & bought one, that car would be in equally good condition & low mileage as my Cab, & just having a quick look, would be worth around £100,000 today.
I definitely messed up!

[minesapint]

Just like I messed up that!

[hennabm]

That's great to see the old prices of optional extras. I love the fact that for just over £1,000 the choice was ABS or air conditioning.

[minesapint]

This is some of the paperwork I have from around the time I ordered.
If anyone needs any info that’s in here I’m happy to show it.
Cheers

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