I’d spent December pondering as to what car to buy. Having been carefully saving since early 2006 I had somewhere in the £4,500 region to spend on a car that would be dedicated to being a fun car – the 330d being more than adequate for everything else in life. E30 M3s were exactly what I was after, but it was looking increasingly likely that I’d have to settle for an E36 M3 saloon as prices for those started at £4,000 for a shoddy early example rising to £6,500 for a nice smart evolution. Just before Christmas I remember reflecting one boozy evening that the cheapest E30 M3 in the country was over £7,000 and that it was looking like a lost cause.

The advantages of an E30 over an E36 are numerous. Firstly, I’ve owned three E36es, two of which have been M3 evolutions, and so a change would be nice. Secondly, the E30 is a more appropriate track car, as it’s nice and light which is good news for handling and performance, and also means that the train weight of the 330d, trailer and track car might just be legal. Most importantly though, they look cheaper to run – from consumables such as brakes to the optional catalysts through to the simplicity of fewer cylinders.

So this morning, I am excited to find a private message on BMW Car forum from a friend who names himself ‘Beemer_rag’, bringing my attention to a Pistonheads advert:

All looks quite promising. Heated seats and a sunroof! The two things I miss most in the 330d! Perhaps the most concerning thing about this advert is the price – there’s another very similar car on Pistonheads next to this advert up for £2,000 more. I’ve called, and left a message. We’ll see what happens.