Up for sale is 'Sophia', our 1982 BMW 320 convertible.
We bought this car just over four years ago and sadly it's just failed it's MOT due to sitting around in and outside my garage for too long.
It's the six-cylinder model, rather than the earlier four-cylinder, and goes pretty well, whilst making a lovely noise, too. Unfortunately, there's not a great deal of history with the car. It's not a Baur convertible and in fact started life as a hard top and was later converted sometime after the first owner's tenure (who just so happened to be our former next door neighbour and informed us that he bought it new as a hard-top).
The previous owner lavished a lot of attention on it, including a new hood a a complete respray, but before then we don't have anything.
Mechanics: The car starts easily and the engine performs well, with lots of torque from the 'baby six'. All the gears engage easily and the differential is whine-free. We had an oil and filter change done under 100 miles ago. We also had the clutch master cylinder replaced, shortly after buying the car.
Suspension/Steering: New Bilstein dampers and Kilen springs were fitted for the last MOT, just under 100 miles ago. We also had both track-rod ends changed as these were an advisory on the previous year's MOT. The MOT fail states that the McPherson struts need new bushes/mounts.
Brakes: These will need work to the lines and hoses for the MOT as the metal lines have rusted and the rubber hoses are perished.
Bodywork: I think it's painted in 'Polaris Silver' and still looks good. There is some bubbling on the paintwork, mostly on the bottom of the doors, which is a shame, though it's not progressed during our four years with the car. There's a crease in the passenger front wing where the garage door hit it.........and sadly, the rear sills will need work for the next MOT
Interior: It's a sort of green colour, though black faux-leather seat covers were fitted by the previous owner, as the material on the driver's seat has worn through on the squab. The green carpet is a little dirty and worn in places, but the car is thirty-four years old, so it's done well, considering.
In summary, we'll be sad to see Sophia go, but we've used her so little and letting her sit around unused has taken it's toll, so we really like her to go to a new home and back on the road. I've got seven cars in various states of repair and I just don't have the enthusiasm or time to get her fixed-up.
We bought this car just over four years ago and sadly it's just failed it's MOT due to sitting around in and outside my garage for too long.
It's the six-cylinder model, rather than the earlier four-cylinder, and goes pretty well, whilst making a lovely noise, too. Unfortunately, there's not a great deal of history with the car. It's not a Baur convertible and in fact started life as a hard top and was later converted sometime after the first owner's tenure (who just so happened to be our former next door neighbour and informed us that he bought it new as a hard-top).
The previous owner lavished a lot of attention on it, including a new hood a a complete respray, but before then we don't have anything.
Mechanics: The car starts easily and the engine performs well, with lots of torque from the 'baby six'. All the gears engage easily and the differential is whine-free. We had an oil and filter change done under 100 miles ago. We also had the clutch master cylinder replaced, shortly after buying the car.
Suspension/Steering: New Bilstein dampers and Kilen springs were fitted for the last MOT, just under 100 miles ago. We also had both track-rod ends changed as these were an advisory on the previous year's MOT. The MOT fail states that the McPherson struts need new bushes/mounts.
Brakes: These will need work to the lines and hoses for the MOT as the metal lines have rusted and the rubber hoses are perished.
Bodywork: I think it's painted in 'Polaris Silver' and still looks good. There is some bubbling on the paintwork, mostly on the bottom of the doors, which is a shame, though it's not progressed during our four years with the car. There's a crease in the passenger front wing where the garage door hit it.........and sadly, the rear sills will need work for the next MOT
Interior: It's a sort of green colour, though black faux-leather seat covers were fitted by the previous owner, as the material on the driver's seat has worn through on the squab. The green carpet is a little dirty and worn in places, but the car is thirty-four years old, so it's done well, considering.
In summary, we'll be sad to see Sophia go, but we've used her so little and letting her sit around unused has taken it's toll, so we really like her to go to a new home and back on the road. I've got seven cars in various states of repair and I just don't have the enthusiasm or time to get her fixed-up.
