MarketPlace: Euro 1982 BMW 323i 4-Speed
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1982
- Make: BMW
- Model: 323i
- VIN: WBAAH3106B7795916
- Mileage Shown: 88,890km
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Sapphire Blue Metallic
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Santa Barbara, CA 93105
- Country: United States of America
- Lot #: V-0060211-MP
Representing the final year of the original BMW 3-Series and the flagship of the E21 generation, this 1982 BMW 323i was sourced by the seller from a private collection in Europe and imported to Southern California in January 2023. It came factory-finished in Sapphire Blue Metallic over blue leatherette and cloth upholstery and equipped with a fuel-injected 2.3-liter inline-six engine paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. Other features include power-assisted disc brakes, a front spoiler, a sunroof, a dual exhaust system, a three-spoke MOMO steering wheel, and 14” Alpina-style rims. This European-spec E21 is now being offered for auction out of California with approximately 89k kilometers (55k miles) on the odometer.
The exterior is finished in Sapphire Blue Metallic. It features European-market bumpers, quad headlamps, a front air dam, power-operated side mirrors, a sunroof, and dual exhaust pipes. The car rides on 14” Alpina-style wheels dressed in Toyo Proxes T1R tires. The seller believes the hood and roof may have been previously refinished and notes that the exterior is in very good overall condition. Detailed images are provided in the gallery along with a clean CARFAX report.
The cabin features blue leatherette and cloth-covered seats with matching door panels and carpeting. Accessories include manually adjustable front bucket seats, three-point front seatbelts, rear lap belts, manual roll-up windows, a three-spoke Alcantara-wrapped MOMO steering wheel, heating and ventilation control, and an aftermarket Pioneer stereo. The cabin is said to be well-preserved and highly original with some patina, including a hairline dashboard crack. All gauges and accessories are reported to be fully functional.
Equipped with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, the 2.3-liter M20B23 inline-fisx engine was factory-rated at 143 HP and 140 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 4-speed manual transmission, and braking is derived from power-assisted discs at each corner. A service completed in Europe before the seller’s purchase included a new timing belt, tensioner, water pump, and thermostat. The seller notes that all maintenance has been performed exclusively by the specialists at Schneider Autohaus of Santa Barbara during their ownership, including a new radiator, spark plugs, and an oil change in 2024.
This sale will include a toolkit, a car cover, and a clean Virginia title.
The seller would like you to know: "Owning a BMW E21 323i is like having a passport to pure driving joy. Whether carving through mountain switchbacks, blasting down back roads, or lining up for a vintage rally, the little straight-six sings its signature note—smooth, eager, and just the right amount of mechanical. The car feels alive in your hands, eager to dance through every corner with that perfectly balanced chassis. And the best part? It’s as dependable as it is fun. This 323i has shrugged off long rally days and spirited drives without a fuss, proving that BMW’s “Ultimate Driving Machine” slogan wasn’t just marketing—it was a promise. Fast enough to keep you grinning, reliable enough to keep you going, and engaging enough to make every drive feel like an event."
Comments (49)
@rennster let’s chat
Feel free to make a reasonable offer!
Pass the pipe please...
$36k Buy it Now!
GLWS
Bid in the amount of $15,000
Bid in the amount of $12,323
Bid in the amount of $12,000
Bid in the amount of $11,323
Bid in the amount of $10,323
Bid in the amount of $9,500
Bid in the amount of $8,989
This guy is stock and it hustles
Bid in the amount of $8,500
Bid in the amount of $7,676
Hello, not long before this auction concludes. Remember this E21 323i is a time capsule. I would not hesitate to drive from California to Maine!
Bid in the amount of $7,323
@peakay does not have that for CA.
Wait, so will you provide a smog certificate for a California buyer local to you or not? Thanks.
Bid in the amount of $6,800
Bid in the amount of $6,250
Hi everyone! Just a few hours remain on my E21 auction. Don’t forget—this gem has only 54,000 miles on it!
@Brittonmcgregor It doesn’t have A/C, but adding it is very doable. You can go with one of the available aftermarket kits or source an original BMW unit from an older model and integrate it.
Bid in the amount of $6,000
Great Looking 323! Does it come with AC? Sorry, if I overlooked this in the comments...
Bid in the amount of $5,750
Hello E21 fans! We’re down to the final day of this auction, and I wanted to give you all a little more peace of mind. I’ve just uploaded additional photos of the undercarriage so you can see for yourself—it's clean, dry, and free of leaks, dampness, or any signs of corrosion. This E21 has clearly been well cared for and it shows. On the road, it runs and drives beautifully—tight, smooth, and responsive—an absolute champ that delivers the pure driving experience these cars are known for.
If you’ve been on the fence, bid with complete confidence. This car isn’t just fun to look at, it’s an absolute blast behind the wheel and ready to be enjoyed by its next owner.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
@CalabasasDave based on your name, you are just down the road from me. Super cool!
Thank you for your note. I haven’t previously paid much attention to the bumper gap on the driver’s side, so I’m not certain of the reason. Regarding the small bubble pops, they are very minor in nature, and there is no indication of it on the rest of the car. As for passing smog, I’m not sure since the car is original and equipped with its European exhaust. I’m sure it probably would if modified with new exhaust and the addition of cats.
Nice looking car! Can you advise if it has any rust? Photos 33, 34, & 49 seems to show some rust bubbles where the bumper meets the fender and below the bumper (also there appears to be a gap on this side of the car where the bumper does not meet the fender which is not present on the other side of the car)...
Also, can you advise if this car will pass a smog test in CA?
@ASFSupra yes, some did have 5 speeds. I prefer the 4 speed
Hi,
to muj knowledge and i might be wrong they come with 5 speed manual .
Bid in the amount of $5,500
Bid in the amount of $4,000
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
@montecarlobeach Thank you for your note—I really appreciate it. As I mentioned in an earlier comment, I had one of these back in the '90s, and it brought me so much joy. The driving experience was unforgettable, and the connection I felt with that car has stuck with me ever since.
That's why parting with this 323i is bittersweet. I already know there's a good chance I'll regret selling it. It's truly a time capsule—completely original, with nothing modified or altered. Cars like this are getting harder and harder to find, and this one has been remarkably well preserved.
What a wonderful car. I don't know the seller and only know the car from this listing, but I can attest to the seller's claims of driving joy. Mine was an '81 Alpina 320i and I miss that car still. I recognize everything inside this car, and am slightly nostalgic for the bite marks on the back of my driver's seat. (My Airedale puppy got bored on one long night's road trip.) Good luck seller and buyers.
@surf2day great memories! As for A/C that is correct, it does not have it.
Very nice 323 example. Brings back memories. I brought 3 to the US back in 1986 for family members and a friend. True legacy BMW feel and function. I’m assuming from the description that it does not have A/C - yes? Thank you.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
@MylesPH Thanks for reaching out. The European-spec E21 featured the more desirable 323i with a 2.3L inline-six and fuel injection. Thanks to less restrictive emissions regulations, Euro models delivered stronger performance with higher compression ratios. In contrast, US-spec E21s were limited to detuned 4-cylinder engines (like the 320i) to meet emissions standards, resulting in reduced performance. Euro cars also had slimmer chrome bumpers for a cleaner, lighter look, while US models received larger 5-mph safety bumpers, giving them a bulkier appearance.
Hey very nice E21. The US market versions never had six cylinder engines correct?
@tk7108 Yeah, The 'Golden State' slogan definitely fits these days with all the wildfires. Thankfully, the BMW has a safe, comfortable smoke free spot in the garage.
@ScottRulo - Hmmmm, explains why they call California the 'golden state'. ... GLWTA , the 323's a fantastic little automobile.
@tk7108 The car is Sapphire Blue Metallic. Due to the ongoing wildfires in the area, the sunlight—filtered through ash in the atmosphere—is casting a golden hue on everything. This may explain any gold reflection you’re noticing in the photos. I hope this provides some clarity.
I'm seeing photo's of two different cars here, a gold 'Bronzit' and the Sapphire Blue, what's the story?
My appreciation for the BMW 323i began in the early ’90s, and it has remained a longstanding passion ever since. Unfortunately, my collection has grown beyond what my garage can accommodate, and it’s time to part ways with this exceptional vehicle. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have—transparently and thoroughly. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Bid in the amount of $1,982
Available for auction is my Euro-spec BMW 323i (E21), presented in original condition and bone stock with the only notable modification being a MOMO steering wheel. The original wheel comes with the car. This E21 has reliably accompanied me on several road trips and made appearances at a number of car shows. Having owned a few E21s over the years, I can say this one truly embodies the refined, balanced driving experience these cars are known for. Feel free to reach out with any questions or requests—I'm happy to provide more information.