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The BMW E30 325is – Bavarian Brilliance

Daniel LamprellOctober 13, 2025, 1:08 pmOctober 13, 2025

1989 BMW 325is Coupe. Image: Chicane Auctions

The BMW E30 lineage, built from 1982 to 1994, came to define everything that made BMW’s reputation soar during its golden era. Compact, rear-wheel drive and beautifully balanced, the 325 introduced a new level of refinement and dynamic precision.

But the “is” variant went one step further — a car refined by BMW’s Motorsport division with factory M-Technic upgrades that sharpened its chassis, strengthened its drivetrain and elevated its character from sports saloon to genuine modern classic.

The side view captures the smooth lines of the 1989 BMW 325is Coupe. Image: Chicane Auctions

The ‘John Player Special’ Connection

Australia played a key role in the 325is story. During the mid-1980s, Frank Gardner’s JPS Team BMW campaigned the 325i in Group A touring car racing, with Tony Longhurst behind the wheel. These weren’t mere race-prepped road cars — they were development platforms that directly influenced the creation of the E30 M3.

Gardner’s team experimented with suspension geometry, LSD tuning and aerodynamics, effectively using the 325i as a rolling test bed for BMW’s next homologation special. Lessons learned on circuits such as Amaroo Park, Lakeside and Bathurst were relayed back to BMW Motorsport in Munich, forming the foundation for the M3’s world-beating chassis dynamics.

The Australian 325i racing program was the dress rehearsal for the M3, refining the balance, durability and mechanical integrity that would make the E30 platform legendary across the globe.

The reward for Australian buyers came soon after — the 325is M Technic, available here from 1988 to 1991, built exclusively for markets that never officially received the M3.

The driver’s seat view in the nifty BMW 325is Coupe. Image: Chicane Auctions

From Motorsport to M-Technic

The 325is was far more than a cosmetic enhancement; it was a car born of BMW’s Motorsport expertise. Known in some markets as the 325i Sport, it was a 325i fitted with standard options direct from BMW’s M division.

In Germany, it was marketed as the M Technik Sportpaket; in Australia and South Africa, it wore the 325is badge; and in Japan, it was sold as the 325i M Technic. Each shared the same DNA — sharper suspension, quicker steering response, mechanical upgrades, sportier interiors and M Technic bodykit refinements that transformed the already capable 325i into a true driver’s machine.

The M series badge hints at what’s under the bonnet of this 325is Coupe. Image: Chicane Auctions

A Rare Australian Example

This rare factory 1989 BMW 325is Coupe, available in Chicane Auctions upcoming Classic Car Auction, is finished in Diamont Schwarz Metallic, a simmering black that accentuates the timeless factory M-Technic body lines.

It’s complemented by BMW’s factory 0339 Shadowline trim, which replaces traditional chrome with subtle satin black detailing.

Beneath the bonnet lies BMW’s revered 2.5-litre M20B25 inline six-cylinder, producing 170 horsepower through a slick Getrag five-speed manual transmission. Its free-revving nature, smooth delivery and perfectly balanced independent rear-drive layout combine to deliver one of the most rewarding driving experiences of the era.

Drive is sent to the rear wheels through its limited-slip differential, instantly recognisable by the large “S” on the casing — BMW’s hallmark of an LSD-equipped car. Paired with the factory 0704 M Sport suspension and a tasteful set of 17-inch BBS-style mesh alloys gives it a purposeful stance without straying from period authenticity.

Inside, the cabin reflects BMW’s unwavering commitment to the driver. Factory sports seats (Option 481) and the three-spoke M Sport steering wheel (Option 708) create a focused cockpit, while the crisp analogue instruments and solid switchgear are reminders of an era built on mechanical precision rather than electronics.