Italian BMW 320is Is Sorta Like an E30 M3 But With Four Doors

By Tony Markovich - June 3, 2016

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At some point, you’d think that prices for the BMW E30 M3 would stop rising, right? That $58,000 one a couple years back had to be a tipping point, no? Wrong. They’re still selling for $30-40-50,000, and that doesn’t look to be deflating any time soon. Good thing Bring a Trailer has a pretty reasonable alternative.

This is the BMW E30 320is. As you all know, the E30 M3 runs on the high-revving S14 naturally aspirated 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. But, at the time, in Italy and Portugal, there was an extra tax that had to be paid if engines were bigger than 2.0 liters. So, BMW got around this by de-stroking the engine down to exactly 2.0. This version of the engine was put into the 320is and was available in both two-door and four-door options. This particular car made its way from the land of Ferraris and Lambos into the States, and is now for sale in San Diego with a low starting auction price of $10,000.

When you think about it, this is a pretty special package, as it’s about as close as you’re going to get to a four-door M3. Sure, the engine makes 3 less horsepower than the U.S. M3 version (192 to 195), but the car weighs a whopping 242 pounds less (2865 to 2623). And it has four doors! And a dogleg 5-speed manual! And only 89,000 miles! Without the fancy M badging, and an exterior that shows no signs of sportiness, it’s actually a pretty awesome little sleeper for those who know what’s up.

Be right back, gotta go buy this before you do.