1997 BMW 318i Cabriolet

This manual 318i Cabriolet was bought brand new as a wedding present and has had the same lady owner ever since.

Today, it has 67,890 miles on the clock.

In 2017, the figure was 55,649.

In 2002 it had covered 16,937 miles.

It has been used sparingly but regularly over the years and has every BMW main dealer or specialist stamp you could hope for in its service book.

The vendor, who is selling it on behalf of its only ever owner, knows a great deal about cars – modern and classic – and assures us that the car is mechanically sorted, has plenty of engineering integrity and drives superbly.

It is extraordinarily original, authentic and complete.

For example, it still has the original radio blanking plate, the original dealer fit stereo, the optional wind break in the original bag, a full tool kit, warning triangle and first aid kit (still with its factory plastic wrapping), the BMW torch in the glove compartment, and the original BMW mats, which have always been protected and are, like the rest of it, in excellent condition.

It even has its original windscreen.

And it has always had the registration plate you see on the car today (and which will be included in the sale).

Frankly, it’s easily good enough to go straight into a collection.

Or, here’s a thought, you could just buy it, drive it and enjoy it.

Either way, it really is very special.

This light-blue metallic car is unusual in that it comes with a factory hard-top.

The hard-top is in very fine fettle, as is the car’s blue fabric hood, which goes up and down with all the precise balletic choreography it had when it left the factory.

The bodywork is very good and there are no dents, creases or dinks of any real significance to report.

The only small aberration we spotted is a shallow dink on the rim of the n/s/f wheel arch.

The shut lines and panel gaps are crisp, even and consistent.

Aside from a scuff or two at the offside base of the front valance there are really no blemishes or marks worth mentioning.

Even road rash, light scratches and stone chips are more notable by their absence than their presence, which is really pretty impressive on a car that was built in November 1996.

The blue metallic paintwork is very good, too, and the finish has retained plenty of lustre and shine.

The wheels are fairly decent, but there is a little blistering in evidence here and there.

The car’s matching Kumho Ecowing tyres look to have plenty of life left in them.

The car’s trim, lights, lenses, and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all good, as is the discreet (it doesn’t say 318i on the back) badging.

It’s a similar story of practically time-warp preservation on the inside.

The blue leather hide is untroubled by the vicissitudes of time, wear or use save for the odd light crease here and there.

The carpets and mats are in fine order, as you might expect of items that have always been protected by plastic covers.

The door cards are very good, as are the linings of both the hard and soft-tops.

The wind deflector has clearly had a similarly sedate and cossetted life.

The dashboard and controls all seem fine and are free of any meaningful signs of ageing save for a little bit of wear to the leather on the gear knob.

We didn’t press every button, flick every switch or pull every toggle, but everything we did manage to press, flick and pull worked as intended.

The boot is in equally strong condition and has the original toolkit, first aid kit and a spare wheel.

It also comes with the ever-useful luggage straps.

The engine and engine bay are clean and dry. Everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The undersides of the car seem to have plenty of structural integrity, and we’ve seen nothing to make us tut or raise an eyebrow.

The service book has main dealer and specialist stamps all the way through.

The car has just been serviced by main dealer BMW Rybrook.

The car comes with its original handbooks and manuals, plenty of old MoT certificates, and 2 keys.

The car’s MoT is valid until 18.12.23.

Unless you’re going to look for one in a museum, you’ll be a long time waiting to find an E36 318i Cabriolet in better condition than this.

One lady owner from new.

Every stamp in the book.

Excellent condition outside, inside and underneath.

Low mileage.

We think it ticks all the boxes and will be a seriously good buy for its next owner.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located in Evesham, Worcestershire. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.