By Antti Kautonen
This 1991 BMW E30 320is is another Italian specialty. What you see here is basically an E30 M3, but clothed in what appears as a normal but well-specified 320i. There are no fender flares, no M3 roofline, no tall spoiler.
However, under the hood is the 2.0-litre version of the M3’s S14 engine, dubbed the S14B20. Created from the S14B23 in the M3 by shortening the stroke, it has 192 horsepower compared to the M3’s 200hp. A smaller wolf in a M-technic sheep’s clothing, then.
On the decklid, it only says “320is”, nothing more. The wheels are smallish Style 5:s, and the only Motorsport badges are on the bodykit and the spoiler, and those are there because of the M-Technic sports package.
There’s the usual sport leather interior which on this occasion appears nicely unmolested. The car has only 143k kilometres on the clock, and the dealer guarantees the reading. There’s aircon, too, which suits a Mediterranean car. The 320is was also sold in Portugal, for the same tax class reason.
The 1991 car is for sale in Reggio Emilia, for the vast amount of 12,500 euros. It’s not cheap, but E30:s are rising in value and E30 M3’s are ridiculously priced by now. This is the underground, cool way to get one, without shouting about what you have. It’s for people in the know.
Jeff Glucker
We need more understated cars like this.
Never knew about this version. Good thing we have an intrepid European editor!
Ditto. This car is totally under the radar.
Nicely understated sleeper, given the market it seems reasonably priced. Unfortunately the 320is is lacking the improved front suspension geometry and quicker steering rack of the M3.
4-door 320i's are sweet as well!! like a little more grown up, slightly less menacing e30 m3
And to me at least sedan > coupe anytime.
Wow, I like this a lot!
I love this. As much as everyone loves the M3, I just can't get into the box flares. I much prefer the regular E30 body lines.
Heartily seconded!
Does anyone know if bmw officially imported the 320is to canada in 1991. I ask because about five years ago I could have bought this cars twin here in Nova Scotia except it had just over 100k at the time.
Love it.
Interesting. I wonder if the S14B20 is smoother than the S14B23, thanks to the shorter stroke.