BMW 323i E21

There’s something very special about an E21 323i. It was the most powerful 3 Series you could buy when new: a compact, rear-wheel-drive BMW with a 2.3-litre straight-six, Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection with 143 bhp.

Back in the day… that was pretty serious. Let’s not forget about twin exhausts, one exiting at each side of the rear. They weren’t somebody’s later addition either. They were part of what made the 323i instantly recognisable.

This example is a five-speed manual with power assisted steering, finished in astral silver metallic over a blue cloth interior. It sits beautifully on Alpina-style alloy wheels, while the three-spoke BMW sports steering wheel looks just right in the cabin. The photographs give a good sense of how well it presents, but it’s the way this car drives that really makes its case.

The straight-six is eager, the car feels wonderfully lively, and it has that light, direct character that made early 3 Series BMWs such good driver’s cars. It drives extremely well for a car now more than four decades old. The upgraded front brakes are another welcome improvement.

There is a substantial service history with the car. Its last custodian kept it for over 11 years and spent approximately well over €10k during that time keeping the car in fighting form.

That history matters on an E21: finding a 323i is difficult enough; finding one that has been kept, used and properly maintained over a long period is harder again.

These cars are few and far between now, particularly as right-hand-drive 323i manuals. For us, the appeal is simple. It has the right engine, the right gearbox, a great colour combination and, most of all, the sort of driving character you cannot recreate in a modern car.