1991 BMW MTechnic Convertible 3 Series E30, Silver 5 speed manual

Description

If you are a BMW enthusiast than chances are you may have heard of the super rare 1991 MTechnic version. There were only 149 of these brought to North America, 110 were automatics and 39 were the more desirable 5 speed manual transmission. Of the 5 speed cars only 18 were in Sterlingsilber metallic. The interior is a combination of black leather and MTechnic specific fabric. The MTechnic was the S771A option is "771 M Technic Luxusausstattung" (luxury equipment in english) or the 771 Luxury for short. This added $4700 to the price of the convertible. The option package included the following, all of which are still present on this car:
Included in option 771:
- M Technic II aerodynamics package without rear spoiler
- BMW M Technic door sill plates
- BMW M Technic badges on the grill and trunk lid
- Alloy Wheels Cross spoke 15x7
- Delayed dimming of interior lighting
- Lining the inside of the trunk lid
- Leather steering wheel with airbag
- Shifter knob and boot in leather (selector lever in leather on the automatic)
Suspension:
The following suspension parts are different from a stock 325iC
Front:
Strut Inserts - 31321133560
Springs - 31331131333 (on some non-AC US E30s and lots of Euros)
Absorber (bumpstop) - 31331133513
Rear:
Shocks - 33521132123
Stabilizer Bar (14.5mm) - 33551129194 (also used on E30 M3)
Stabilizer Bar Bushings - 33551130349 (also used on E30 M3)
As mentioned previously, this is a two family car. It was purchased from the original owner in 1994 with 20,000 miles on it by my mother and was her daily driver until a few years ago when she could no longer get in and out of it easily. I have driven it sparingly but regularly since then and it is in very good mechanical condition. It has been regularly maintained and serviced, there is a stack of service records 1" high going back to new.
The car has a clean CarFax although I know it had damage in 2001 to the passenger rear quarter. At some point I also believe the left front fender was damaged and repainted although it still has the original VIN tag on it.
The car is all original although there have been some modifications and there are a few things that do not work. The top was originally power operated but after numerous top motor failures was converted to manual operation. The switch gear for the top operation is still in the dash. As you can tell from the pictures the fabric on the seats has dry rotted to various extents. Reproduction fabric is available for those who would like to restore the interior. There is a split along the stitched seam of the outer drivers seat back, there is no tear in the leather anywhere in the car. The right front speaker does not work, the washer fluid level sensor does not work and while the AC holds a charge, it works intermittently. During a recent service for brakes the shop indicated that the AC issue was with the expansion valve being stuck from lack of use and it may become unstuck by periodically trying to run the AC. The trunk lid needs new hydraulic supports. There is some corrosion on the battery tray under the hood.
All of the power windows work, power mirrors work, power door locks work, cruise control works, lights all work. Tires are in excellent condition, new brake pads and rotors, the timing belt, water pump, coolant hoses etc. were changed 600 miles ago. The top was replaced at some point with a BMW cloth top and is in good condition. The rear plastic window is clouded although I think will largely clear up with some polishing of the plastic. The car is currently in a non emissions testing county, all emissions equipment remains in place, it was last tested and passed in 2014 when my mother was still driving it. I have no reason to believe it would not pass today.
I just took a 200 mile trip in the car and it performed flawlessly on the interstate. Shifts smoothly, plenty of power, engine ran great, I would not hesitate to take it on a longer trip. Around town it is definitely a head turner (it always has been). Unfortunately I have two other convertibles and just don't have the storage space to keep this one. The car has a clean, clear Tennessee title in my name, I recently transferred the title from my mother to me to facilitate the sale of the car.
The car is located mid way between Nashville and Chattanooga along Interstate 24. I'd be glad to help with shipping that the buyer arranges and pays for.
I'd be happy to answer any questions or send additional pictures upon request.
$500 deposit via PayPal within 24 hours of auction close. The car is also for sale locally, I reserve the right to end this auction at any time.