Registration: RBW 345T
Chassis: 5327031
Odometer: 53,905 miles
Transmission: Manual
MOT: Exempt
- Recommissioned earlier this year
- Original Blaupunkt radio
- Original Hirschmann aerial
A wonderfully original and increasingly rare 1978 BMW 316, presented in classic white with navy cloth interior and offered with impressive long-term ownership provenance together with its original book pack, service book, invoices and MOT certificates.
First registered in the UK on 13th October 1978, this charming E21-generation BMW has had just three former keepers from new, with the second owner retaining the car from April 1983 until January 2026. During this extraordinary period of ownership, the car spent approximately 32 years garaged from the year of 1994 and unused before being carefully recommissioned earlier this year.
Purchased in January with the intention of bringing the car back to life, the current keeper has sympathetically revived the BMW mechanically while preserving its highly original character and ‘survivor’ status. The car now runs and drives beautifully and was driven to us from over two hours away without issue.
Recent recommissioning works include:
- New front brake discs, pads and hoses
- Brake calipers overhauled
- New rear brakes
- New battery
- New points and condenser
- New clutch hydraulics
- Four new tyres
- Alternator regulator renewed
- Dashboard bulbs renewed
The car is accompanied by its original BMW book pack, original service book, invoices and MOT certificates dating back over 32 years, in the boot there are original parts and spares accompaniying the car aswell. The car has had the popular Hella 4 headlamp conversion at some point but should the new owner prefer the standard look the original 2 headlamp grilles will were kept and will come with the car.
The service book contains 11 stamped service entries, including two main dealer stamps, recorded as follows:
- 5,174 miles – 26/06/1979
- 10,796 miles – 10/03/1980
- 16,382 miles – 15/10/1980
- 21,953 miles – undated - main dealer
- 25,195 miles – 11/09/1981
- 29,850 miles – 23/01/1982
- 35,069 miles – 07/08/1982
- 45,525 miles – 18/04/1983 - main dealer
- 54,519 miles – 19/08/1984
- 50,459 miles – 19/08/1986
- 52,114 miles – 31/07/1989
A particularly appealing feature is the presence of its original Blaupunkt radio and original Hirschmann aerial, items that are very rarely still found in place on surviving examples.
Cosmetically, the BMW remains honest and delightfully original. While there are areas that would benefit from light cosmetic attention, the car presents as a genuine, usable classic rather than an over-restored example, and overall remains in fair condition for its age.
Early E21 BMWs are becoming increasingly difficult to find in such original, unspoilt condition, especially with this level of provenance and long-term ownership history. This 316 represents a fantastic opportunity to acquire a highly usable and charming survivor from BMW’s formative sporting saloon era.
