1989 BMW 320i C

• Australian delivered by Grand Prix BMW, Hawthorn Victoria

• Exceptional original, unmodified condition throughout

• Complete service history from new

• Comprehensive maintenance overhaul completed February, 2026

• Turnkey example with low kilometres, nothing to spend and increasingly difficult to replicate today

Delivered new by Grand Prix BMW, Hawthorn November of 1989 to Malleson’s Lawfirm, this beautifully preserved E30 320i Convertible represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of BMW's most elegant and usable modern classics in remarkably original condition.

Specified in the rarely seen Cirrus Blue Metallic over Indigo Blue leather upholstery with matching soft-top and desirable 5-speed manual transmission, the car remains exactly as BMW intended.

Unmodified, carefully maintained and accompanied by an outstanding history file, it is the sort of E30 that has become increasingly difficult to find as values continue to reward originality and provenance above all else.

By the late 1980s, BMW’s E30 platform had firmly established itself as the benchmark sporting saloon of its era. Road & Track famously described the 3 Series as "the car by which all others in its class are judged," while Car Magazine declared it "the best compact executive car in the world."

The Convertible was perhaps the most sophisticated expression of the E30 formula.

Introduced in 1985 and developed entirely in-house by BMW, rather than converted by a third-party coachbuilder, the E30 Convertible was engineered to the same exacting standards as its sedan and coupe siblings. Extensive chassis strengthening, reinforced sills and bespoke structural modifications ensured the car retained much of the composure and refinement that made the E30 platform so highly regarded.

Today, it remains one of the few classic convertibles equally at home on a winding country road, a weekend tour or daily commute.

Several factors make the E30 Convertible particularly significant. Firstly, it was one of the last BMW’s developed before increasing electronic intervention became commonplace. Steering feel is rich and communicative, visibility is exceptional and every control operates with a beautifully mechanical precision that has disappeared from modern cars.

Secondly, the 320i's 2.0 Litre M20 inline-six that drives power to the rear wheels is widely regarded as one of BMW's finest road engines. Silky smooth, eager to rev and blessed with a wonderfully distinctive induction note, it perfectly complements the E30's well balanced chassis. Performance Car noting "few engines combine smoothness and character quite so successfully."

Finally, the E30 Convertible occupies a unique position within BMW history. While the M3 often dominates headlines, the 320i Convertible was arguably the car most owners actually aspired to own in period. Combining sporting performance, refinement and open-air motoring, it embodied the aspirational lifestyle BMW was rapidly becoming famous for the world over.

To the trained eye, this particular car has escaped the common pitfalls affecting so many E30’s. Presenting exceptionally well throughout, the Cirrus Blue paintwork retains a deep and consistent finish, the Indigo Blue leather interior is beautifully preserved with the double stitched bucket seats in excellent condition, a factory matte finish across all interior surfaces, and the overall impression is one of careful long-term stewardship rather than restoration or modification which, is exactly what this car has enjoyed from a BMW Driver’s Club of NSW member. 

Importantly, the car also benefits from a new-old-stock soft-top roof and retrofitted Parrot Bluetooth system.

Mechanically, the car is equally impressive. Accompanied by a complete service history from new, largely with BMW, it has clearly benefited from diligent maintenance throughout its life. Most recently, in February 2026, comprehensive works were undertaken to address any outstanding items, including replacement power steering lines, new front and rear suspension springs, servicing, and detailed mechanical inspection. As a result, the car requires nothing beyond continued enjoyment.

The accompanying documentation is particularly noteworthy and includes:

• Original owner's book pack
• Original service book with service stamps from new
• Original Warranty Card
• Original Radio Code card
• Maintenance receipts
• Both original BMW keys

These details may appear minor but they are increasingly important markers of authenticity and careful ownership in today's collector driven market.

For many years the E30 sat quietly in the shadow of later BMW performance models. That has changed dramatically. Enthusiasts and collectors have rediscovered the qualities that made these cars so revered in period: compact dimensions, superb visibility, communicative steering, mechanical honesty and timeless design.

The finest examples are now increasingly difficult to source, particularly those that remain unmodified and retain their original colours, documentation and provenance.

Beautifully specified, exceptionally well documented and presented in the sort of condition that is seldom encountered today, this 1989 BMW 320i Convertible represents an opportunity to acquire one of BMW's most charming and enduring classics exactly as it should be.