BMW E36 318i Cabrio (Original Irish, 51k miles)

1999 BMW E36 318i Sports Edition Cabriolet 51,000 Miles | Original Irish Car | Avus Blue | Factory Hardtop | Manual Supplied new by Murphy & Gunn BMW, Milltown, and first registered to a prominent female solicitor, this is an exceptionally original Irish E36 Cabriolet that has survived exactly as BMW intended. Covering just 51,000 miles from new, it is undoubtedly one of the finest, most original examples available today. Finished in the iconic Avus Blue Metallic, the car is beautifully complemented by what is surely one of its greatest features – the incredibly rare Avus Blue Amaretta (Boa Boa) cloth and Alcantara Sports interior. It is a stunning combination that is seldom seen today and gives the car a unique period charm that perfectly captures BMW’s late-1990s design. Specified with the desirable 5-speed manual gearbox, this factory Sports Edition was ordered with the M Aerodynamics Package, M Sport Suspension, Sports seats, Sports leather steering wheel and its original 16-inch BMW Style 32 alloy wheels, giving it all the looks and handling of the M Sport models while retaining the legendary reliability of BMW’s M43 engine. Adding further to its rarity is the expensive factory colour-coded hardtop, supplied new with the car, alongside the fully automatic black electric folding soft top. Whether enjoyed with the roof up or down, it is an effortless and rewarding classic to drive. As was common with BMW Ireland at the time, the car was supplied with radio preparation, before receiving its original Pioneer cassette stereo through Motor Import’s sister company. It remains with the car today, another wonderful detail that highlights just how original this example is. The car drives exactly as it should. It is tight, refined and remarkably solid, with none of the rattles or tiredness often associated with higher-mileage E36s. It was recently serviced by Courtneys BMW approximately 600 miles ago, requiring nothing other than a new owner to enjoy it. When new, road testers praised the E36 Cabriolet for combining the refinement of a luxury grand tourer with the balance and steering feel BMW had become famous for. More than 25 years later, it is easy to understand why these cars have become increasingly sought after. Beautifully engineered, wonderfully analogue and increasingly difficult to find in unmodified, low-mileage condition. Original Irish E36s of this calibre rarely become available, especially with this mileage, colour combination and factory specification. If you’ve been searching for one of the very best, this is a car that will not disappoint. It represents a rare opportunity to own an exceptionally honest, beautifully preserved BMW that is equally at home in a private collection or enjoyed exactly as BMW intended—with the roof down on a sunny day.