One family owner from new The third generation of the BMW 3 Series, under the model code E36, ran from 1990 to 2000.

The initial models were the four-door saloon, followed by the coupé, convertible, wagon ("Touring"), and eventually hatchback ("Compact").

It was the first 3 Series to be available with a six-speed manual transmission (in the 1996 M3), a five-speed automatic transmission, and a four-cylinder diesel engine.

The multi-link rear suspension was also a significant upgrade compared to the previous generations.

All-wheel drive was not available for the E36, unlike the previous (E30) and successive (E46) generations.

The E36 323i Coupe, along with its sibling the 328i, arrived in 1995 and ran for just two years.

The high performance six cylinder, 2.5 litre aluminium engine could produce 170bhp and a sleek, well-considered design meant that the new Coupe became an instant hit, offering sporting prowess, comfort and even good fuel economy.

This rare 1997 323i Coupe has been...