1993 BMW E30 325i Convertible with Hardtop

The BMW 325i was a massively important car for BMW - and it remains an enduring success today. The E30 generation cemented BMW as the market leader in the medium sized saloon sector, and although it looked little different from its predecessor, thanks to understated styling by Claus Luthe, it was far more convincingly engineered and far better to drive. The upper models in the range, with their straight-six power, rear wheel drive and perfectly judged steering, were the ones to have.

The 320i and - even more so - the 323i/325i were a real driver's delight. The E12′s propensity to over-steer when it wanted to had been tamed considerably in the E30. The 325i Sport was the best of the lot and with that wailing engine, controllable rear-biased handling and all-round quality made this "the' sports saloon to beat.

Expansion of the range continued apace with the in-house 3-Series convertible replacing the earlier Bauer cars. The new Convertible made do with a strengthened windscreen surround (instead of the full roll-over structure), which gave it an incredibly clean design. Available with a variety of engine options from the four cylinder 318i to the range topping 325i, these beautiful looking convertibles are regarded by many as having been one of BMWs finest machines and it's easy to see why.

This particular E30 325i convertible was one of the last ever to be built of this iconic model and was supplied new in February 1993 by Dick Lovett of Bristol. With only three recorded owners from new, including a period of time spent in the Isle of Man, this particular car has led a much pampered life and it shows. With a warranted mileage of just 96000 miles it comes with a good service history with 17 stamps in the book and is complemented by the complete supplying dealer hand pack with all the correct period handbooks and wallet, there is even the original sales brochure.

The 2.5 litre 6 cylinder petrol engine fires readily from cold with no blue smoke or nasty knocks or rattles. It drives both smoothly and swiftly with nicely weighted steering and firm brakes that track both straight and true. Equally it is assisted by a super smooth automatic transmission that gives a linear power delivery right through the power band, including kick down. All electrics and gauges work perfectly and when warm the temperature gauge sits at exactly 80 degrees and never moves.

All is well under the bonnet, both engine oil and engine coolant are clean and fresh, and the cam belt was replaced in 2012. Its annual service was carried out at the beginning of this month and the current MOT is valid until July 2014.Inside an E30 the cabin is small and perfectly formed. Dashboard ergonomics are brilliant and there are enough buttons and controls to keep any tech head happy including a full electric power roof, heated seats and cruise control, also of particular interest is the fact that this car comes with a very rare factory hardtop. All gauges and switches are properly fitted and function exactly as they should, the grey Recaro leather interior is in beautiful condition throughout and it genuinely seats four people in supreme comfort.

The Mauritius Blue paintwork is very straight, the gloss of its paintwork is deep, and its shut lines and gaps are reassuringly symmetrical and narrow, the result is a car that's about as good as you can get, it really is a beautiful car. It has a simple elegance that is not found in a modern BMW and the market for these is certainly on the rise, with its collectability potential and beautiful overall condition it offers fantastic value.