BMW E30 320is

The E30 320is is a special 3 Series model that was sold exclusively in Italy and Portugal in order to take advantage of the reduced taxes in those countries for cars with engines of two litres or less. The Italian Luxury goods tax brackets at the time were 18% for cars under 2000cc and 38% for cars over 2000cc. Hence why several manufacturers made models similar to the 320is in order to cater for the market. 

The 320is had a relatively short production run from 1988 - 1990 with 2540 2 door models produced and 1205 4 door models produced. These extremely low production numbers make the 320is a very rare and desirable model of e30. Especially when compared to the total number of e30 m3s being over 17,000. 

The car is powered by a 1990cc version of the infamous four-cylinder S14 engine developed by BMW Motorsport for the E30 M3, and also shares its close-ratio Getrag gearbox with the M3. The 2 litre S14 engine produced 192bhp from factory which was slightly down on the 2.3 litre engines output. However, this was minimal as these cars produced 195 - 215bhp depending on the model. 

Jost Capito, former Williams F1 CEO & Team principle, oversaw the performance development of the 320is. With the objective of the project being "to develop the fastest 2 litre car in Italy, besides the 2litre 308 Ferrari". Capito also stated that the 2litre S14 had to be capped at 7600rpm otherwise it would have outperformed the 2.3litre. 

Exterior 

• Factory fitted Tech 2 kit
• Genuine smoked hella headlights
• BBS RS073 16x8J wheels
• Falken ZE914 tyres. 205/45/R16

Interior

• Recaro SR’s
• Hillside motorsport recaro adapters
• E30 M3 rear bench 
• M Technic door sills 
• M technic 2 370mm steering wheel 
• Illuminated gear knob
• Black sport headlining
• OEM fire extinguisher 
• KAP industries extinguisher bracket
• Door pocket coin tray 
• Instrument cluster rebuilt by BavRest 
• Kenwood DAB head unit and coxial speakers 
• OEM premium speaker surrounds 
• 13button OBC 
• Analog clock 
• Map light mirror 
• Battery cover/boot organiser/medical kit/warning triangle
• Rear pop out windows 

Engine & Gearbox

• Maxx alpha N carbon fibre air box and management system 
• Bartolli stainless steel exhaust 
• Magnecor ignition leads 
• NGK iridium plugs
• 5 speed Getrag dogleg gearbox

Running gear 

• LSD 
• Bilstein b8 shocks 
• Eibach springs 
• OMP strut braces
• M Tech Grooved discs and pads 
• E30 M3 aluminium control arms 

The car has covered 248,000 Km’s/ 154,000 miles. 

This car was imported into the U.K. from Italy in 2004. Upon import the owner went about aesthetically and mechanically refreshing the car before it was featured in Total BMW magazine in 2005. 

It was then sold on to its second U.K. owner who went about enhancing the car further by adding the Carbon fibre airbox and upgrading the interior to include the M3 items. 

I then purchased the car in late 2009 becoming the third U.K. owner. In my 14years of ownership the car has always been garaged and maintained regardless of cost. I have progressively worked through the car and addressed any issues along the way. Many rare and collectible parts have been added/sourced/replaced. 

In 2020/21 the car received a full kit off, window out, door off respray. Small areas of rust on the rear arches were cut away and replaced with new panels. The rear arches were then sealed in coloured 3m raptor. The kit was refitted using all new OEM hardware except from the sidepod clips which were 3D printed as these are NLA at BMW. However, in 2023 the kit was refitted with NOS OEM sidepod clips which were sourced from Greece following a 2 year hunt. 

All new OEM headlight trim, kidney grills, scuttle grills and indicators were used too complete the paint job in order for the car to look totally refreshed. 

Also in 2023 the running gear received a refresh. All four wheel bearings, CV joints and Driveshafts were replaced with OEM items. The discs were replaced with drilled and grooved M-Tec brakes items, New powder coated dust shields and all new OEM hardware used. 

In addition to this work the ignition system also received attention in the form of new OEM distributer cap and rotor arm, Magnecor ignition leads and NGK iridium plugs. And both the engine and diff received a service. The ECU also received a service and two dry joints were repaired. 

I have spared no cost when it comes to maintaining the car and have spent thousands during my ownership. OEM parts have been used whenever possible/available or I have used high quality/performance parts.

The work and parts in 2023 alone exceeds £4000. The side pod clips where £280 alone. Yes, £280 for 20 pieces of plastic. No corners have been cut. 

Bad bits

• The stitching has come away on the rear bench lower.
• Passenger seat belt buckle is a bit sticky at times. 
• The drivers bolster does have wear but the leather has not broken and all stitching remains intact. 
• Service light remains on. 
• Minimal chipping to front bumper due to ride height

In order for the car to be road tested, full insurance evidence will be required. And on viewing no large groups of individuals will be entertained.