Overview of the BMW 325i Touring
This is a June 1991 BMW 325i Touring, the E30 wagon with the 2.5 litre straight six, offered at USS Osaka as lot 80027 in the imported car section. It is a left hand drive dealer import in silver, graded 4 with interior grade B, and the odometer on the auction sheet reads 97,248 km, approximately 60,427 miles. It carries a five speed manual gearbox, although the inspector notes it has been converted from an automatic. The auction is on 9 October 2026 and the start price is ¥980,000.
For anyone who wants the E30 shape with a practical tailgate, the BMW 325i Touring is one of the most appealing versions. It is also an honest car on paper: the sheet reports a replaced bonnet and right front wing, a query over a full repaint, a burn hole in a seat and a split dashboard, all covered in detail below. All bids must be submitted before 9PM UK time the evening before auction.
The Drive Review
The 325i is the E30 as many enthusiasts want it. The M20 straight six is smooth and revvy, with a bark that builds towards the red zone, and it feels far more alive than the four cylinder cars. The rear drive chassis is light by modern standards, and the steering is unassisted in feel and communicative. Body roll is present but progressive, and the car rewards a committed driver without being frightening. In Touring form you gain a long load bay and a slightly more settled rear end, with only a small penalty in agility.
This car's driving character will differ from a stock example. The sheet lists aftermarket suspension, an aftermarket silencer and BBS 15 inch alloy wheels, and the photographs show a lowered stance. Ride quality, damper condition and alignment are not confirmed on the sheet, so budget to check them. The manual gearbox is a major plus for engagement, but because it replaced an automatic, the quality of that conversion should be inspected carefully.
Compared with a modern wagon, expect no traction control, no stability systems and far less mass to manage. The cabin is simple, visibility is superb and the controls are direct. That is exactly why these cars are loved.
Auction Details
Auction house: USS Osaka. Lot number: 80027. Auction date in Japan: 9 October 2026. Section: imported car section. Auction grade: 4. Interior grade: B. Exterior grade in the feed: 4. The inspection date is not given in the data, and the inspection expiry box on the sheet is blank. The auction start price is ¥980,000. Autoselecta has not set a guide bidding range for this car. One similar car sold at Japanese auction for £5,395, but that is a single result and may be a different version or condition, so treat it only as a loose reference. For the minimum bid and the full landed cost, please use the price panel on this page, as these figures are calculated live.
Vehicle Specifications
Manufacturer: BMW. Model: 3 Series, E30 generation. Grade: 325i Touring. Body: wagon, five doors. Chassis code: E-A25. Frame number: WBAAG61020EA59278. First registration: June 1991 (Heisei 3). Engine: 2,500 cc petrol, the M20 straight six from model knowledge. Transmission: five speed floor manual, converted from automatic according to the inspector. Drive: listed as 2WD on the sheet; the 325i is rear wheel drive. Steering: left hand drive. Exterior colour: silver, original colour, colour code 244. Interior colour: blank on the sheet, with grey cloth trim visible in the photographs. Seats: five. Dimensions on the sheet: length 432 cm, width 164 cm, height 138 cm. Mileage: 97,248 km, approximately 60,427 miles. Recycling deposit: ¥12,270.
Factory Features and Equipment
The sheet marks power steering and power windows, plus air conditioning. It is a dealer import with the new car service book and warranty record present, circled on the sheet. The sheet also writes the new car warranty booklet, owner's manual and spare key as 後日, meaning at a later date. These were not with the car at inspection, and the sheet does not confirm they will come with it. Number of keys is not stated. The spare tyre is marked missing.
Sales points listed by the auction are the dealer import status, left hand drive, BBS 15 inch alloys, aftermarket suspension, aftermarket silencer and the five speed gearbox. The photographs show the BBS style mesh wheels with gold centres, a lowered stance, four round headlamps and a rear wiper. ETC and navigation are not mentioned and none is visible.
Japanese Auction Report Translation
The inspector's report lists four items. First, シートコゲ穴, a burn hole in a seat. Second, ダッシュ板切れ, a split in the dashboard panel. Third, オールペイント？, which asks whether the car has had a full repaint, so it is a query rather than a confirmed fact. Fourth, 小キズ小凹, small scratches and small dents.
The points to note section reads AT→MTに載せ替え: the car has been converted from automatic to manual transmission with a gearbox swap. The sheet does not say who carried out the work, when, or whether the speedometer, wiring and pedals were changed as part of it. Nothing is written about engine noise, oil or coolant leaks, warning lights or the air conditioning's performance, so these are not confirmed. The sheet also shows the inspection expiry, the interior colour and the colour change boxes blank.
Damage Diagram and Body Condition
The front bumper carries A1 with the note スリ, a small scratch or scuff. The trailing A is unclear on the sheet, so the mark is not certain. The left front wing has U1, a small dent. On the bonnet there are two markings: 小Pウキ, a small area of lifting paint, and XX, a replaced panel. The right front wing is also marked XX, replaced. The bottom of the diagram notes 欠 スペア, the spare tyre is missing.
The bonnet and wing replacements mean those panels are not original to the car. The sheet does not state why they were replaced, and combined with the repaint query, a buyer should look for panel gaps, colour match and paint quality in person or through additional photographs. In the photographs the silver looks even and the panels tidy, though auction images are not a substitute for inspection. Overall this reads as a usable enthusiast car with some cosmetic and repair history, rather than a collector grade survivor. Grade 4 is consistent with that. Underbody, rust and corrosion are not mentioned on the sheet and no marking shows any.
Interior Condition
Interior grade B reflects some wear. The sheet reports a burn hole in a seat and a split in the dashboard. The photographs show grey cloth front seats, a black leather look steering wheel with a BMW roundel, a manual gear lever, a rubber studded driver floor mat and a dark dashboard. In the cluster photograph the odometer shows a reading near 97,000 km, in line with the sheet. Headlining, smoke, odours and boot condition are not covered by the sheet, so they are not confirmed. E30 dashboards are well known for cracking, so the split is not a surprise, but it is worth pricing a replacement or repair.
Japanese Auction Grades
Grade 4 on the auction scale means a good vehicle with some signs of wear or repair. Interior grade B means average interior condition with visible wear. Neither is a mechanical guarantee.
Model History
The E30 generation arrived in the early 1980s as the successor to the first 3 Series and became one of BMW's most successful and best loved designs. The 325i with the 2.5 litre M20 straight six was the strong everyday performance version, sitting below the M3 and above the four cylinder cars. The Touring wagon body was introduced in 1987 and combined the sporting character with real practicality. Official dealer imported cars in Japan, like this one, were sold new at a premium and often carried a service book, which is why the sheet shows the book present.
Why This Model Has Become Collectible
The E30 sits at the centre of the analogue BMW revival. It has a rear drive layout, a famous straight six, light weight, hydraulic feel and a clean, upright design that still looks fresh. The Touring is much rarer than the saloon and coupe, and wagons that survive in good order, especially with a manual gearbox, are increasingly sought after. Many E30s were modified, rusted or neglected elsewhere, so Japanese cars with moderate mileage are attractive to buyers around the world. In the USA this car is now old enough to import under the 25 year rule. Nobody can guarantee future values, and this should be bought because you want to drive it.
This car's appeal is mixed. It has a desirable body, engine and gearbox, plus BBS wheels and a dealer history. Against that, it is converted to manual, repaired in places and has cosmetic faults, so it suits a driver who wants to enjoy and improve a car rather than a purist seeking originality.
What To Look For When Buying This Model
Start with the gearbox conversion. Check that the clutch, pedal box, propshaft, mounts and speedometer all work properly and that the conversion is neat. Inspect the sills, wheel arches, floors, tailgate and rear suspension mounts for rust, which is the E30's classic weakness, even though the sheet shows none. Inspect the M20 timing belt record, cooling system, oil leaks, and idle quality. Check the suspension bushes and the aftermarket dampers, plus alignment on the lowered stance. Look closely at the replaced bonnet and right front wing, the repaint question, the dashboard split and the seat burn. Finally confirm that the spare tyre and tools are provided, as the spare is missing.
Why Import This Car From Japan
Japan offers low mileage, well documented cars with independent grading, which is rare for an E30 Touring. Dealer imports often come with service books, as this one does.
USA Import Information
Built in June 1991, this BMW is over 25 years old and eligible for import to the United States. Autoselecta can arrange shipment from Japan to the USA. Please contact us with your city or ZIP code before bidding so we can prepare a delivered quotation. We can calculate the expected purchase, Japan costs, shipping, customs related costs and delivery requirements. Additional charges may apply, and these depend on the port, state and your circumstances.
Ultimate Guide For Japanese Imports
Check your own country's rules on age, left hand drive, emissions and registration before you bid. Autoselecta can talk you through the steps from auction to arrival.
Why Import Through Autoselecta
Autoselecta gives you direct access to Japanese auctions, a translated and checked auction sheet, vehicle sourcing and bidding assistance. We handle export paperwork, shipping and import support in your country, with tracking where available and clear communication throughout. We do not promise savings, only transparency.
Browse This Week's Japanese Auctions
See more E30 BMWs and other classic imports in this week's auction listings on Autoselecta.
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Auction Caution
Auction cars are inspected before sale but are still used vehicles. The auction sheet is an independent condition guide, not a mechanical warranty. A car of this age may need servicing, maintenance or refurbishment after purchase. Please note the key inspector warnings again: the car has been converted from automatic to manual, the bonnet and right front wing are replaced, the full repaint query is unresolved, there is a seat burn hole and a split dashboard, there are small scratches and dents, the spare tyre is missing, and the warranty booklet, manual and spare key were not with the car. The auction start price is ¥980,000, and the price panel on this page shows the live bidding figures. All bids must be submitted before 9PM UK time the evening before auction.
