My AutoHunter Spotlight for today is a 1987 BMW 325i convertible offered at auction by a seller in Miami. The auction ends Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT).
The BMW’s 3 Series is what built the company into what it is today. The original 3 Series was an immediate success in the U.S. and became a symbol of success for those climbing the career ladder. They were marketed as “The Ultimate Driving Machine” and delivered on that promise even more with the second-generation 3 Series. It took the original idea and bettered it, creating not only the standard two-door coupe, but also a sedan version, a performance version with the M3, and a convertible version. This was BMW’s first full convertible since the very rare 02 Series. BMW called the 325i convertible “The Ultimate Tanning Machine” in their advertisements and sold thousands of the cars.
I can still remember the first time I drove a 325i convertible. It was 1987 and a friend in college had one. Not only was it a great-handling and fun car to drive, but it was also the first sporty convertible of any kind I had driven that felt civilized, with low wind noise and buffeting. You could have a conversation without shouting and could hear the stereo at normal volume levels. The car felt special and at the time I thought it was simply the best convertible ever built. I still feel the same. In fact, I drove another about four months ago just to see if I remembered the car as being better than it really was. Nope—these are amazing cars and, for whatever reason, are also among the more affordable E30 3 Series cars out there.
The seller describes this 325i convertible as being powered by its original 2.5-liter inline-six that is backed by a five-speed manual transmission. Finished in BMW Bronzit Beige Metallic with a tan convertible top over a gray/tan vinyl interior, this 3 Series convertible is offered by a dealer with a clean CARFAX report and clear title.
I think this car likely has its original paint; I see enough small flaws to indicate it is just a well-cared-for 325i convertible. The owner states that the car has only 74,663 original miles and, looking at the photos, I think this is the case. To me, it looks like an extremely nice example of a first-year 325i convertible. It also still wears its correct BMW factory alloy wheels, which look great.
The interior and top are also in excellent shape, as is the vinyl on the seats. I saw no dash cracks in any of the accompanying photos; everything looks exactly as it should. The shift knob has been replaced with a BMW M example, but this is a period modification that fits the car. It does have an aftermarket Bluetooth-compatible stereo, which is likely better than the radio that came with the car from the factory.
Under the hood is the 2.5-liter M20B25 BMW inline six-cylinder engine. The entire engine compartment looks incredibly clean and original as well. The seller states that this 325i received a recent tune-up, which included replacement of the timing belt.
If I were in the market for a cool German convertible collector car with a fun driving experience, reliability, classic 1980s looks, and the benefit of a five-speed manual gearbox, I would look no further than this 1987 325i convertible. In fact, if you see my name on a bid or two for this car, don’t be surprised, because I have been looking for an excellent example of one of these cars for a while. This means act fast, as the auction for this 1987 BMW 325i convertible ends Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT). Buying this car would be a great way to celebrate this year’s 50th anniversary of the BMW 3 Series.
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
