Watch as YouTube channel WD Detailing brings back a classic BMW 325i convertible that sat untouched for 10 years!

For most car owners, it seems unthinkable to let their pride and joy (especially a classic BMW) sit in a barn or trailer somewhere collecting dust, and rust. But sometimes life has a habit of getting away from you, and that’s exactly how these precious cars wind up in the back of a barn! Cars that were locked away for safekeeping, only to be forgotten at the hands of time. Up until someone chances upon it and decides to turn things around.

The first step is to call in a skilled detailing service, someone like WD Detailing. A relatively small setup, run by two friends in Ohio, WD Detailing’s YouTube channel is filled with transformation stories. This time around it’s a version of the classic 1990 BMW E30; a 325i cabriolet that’s been untouched for 10 years.

The car was an integral part of the family that owns it, and the son of the owner wanted to get it back into shape for his mother. Considering the E30 is already a modern classic, and the popularity of the 325i cabriolet is on the rise, that’s a wise idea. Prices on these cars can range anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000 depending on condition. But the owner of the car isn’t going to sell it after the detail…

Keep reading to find out what happens once the detailed car is revealed.

The story of this covered-in-dust, mildewy E30 cabriolet is that it was kept at the owner’s lake house, parked in a barn. Eventually, as the barn was filled up, it was moved to a trailer outdoors, where it sat untouched for a decade. The story is a little hazy, but it appears that the car used to be driven every day before this. But upon the passing of the family’s pet dog, who also loved riding in the car, the owner didn’t have the heart to drive it around as it brought back painful memories.

Onto the car itself, this 325i cabriolet seems to be sitting on a few dealership options. Like the 14-inch BBS basketweave wheels, painted in black with a silver lip. These were offered on Euro-spec E30s but were available on special order for US cars. They’re not to be mistaken for a very similar style available in both 15- and 16-inch sizes for the BMW E30 M3, as well as other BMW models.

Related: BMW E30 (1982-1994): Costs, Facts, And Figures

The first step is to take care of the wheels because they’re often the grimiest, with years of stuck-on brake dust and road muck. Starting with the wheels softens up the gunk throughout the detail job so that when the car is finally pressure washed at the end, the wheels have the best chance of coming out spotless.

Rinsing off the dust on the paintwork reveals bodywork in surprisingly good shape, apart from a spot of rust on a fender. With a cabriolet, it takes a little extra effort with a brush to clean the fabric top, but the result speaks for itself. Similarly, the engine bay is agitated with a degreaser to get rid of tough stains.

Before the team moves onto the interior, they use a clay mitt to remove surface contaminants. A two-step polish job brings back the shine and is easily the most satisfying part of any detail job. Inside, the nooks and crannies are vacuumed and cleaned with shampoo and a steam machine. Years of dangerous mold and mildew are removed for a nearly factory-fresh car. A quick tip is to pay special attention to the glasshouse of the car, as squeaky clean windows can make all the difference.

Related: This Is Why Car Washes (Even Brushless Ones) Are Bad For Your Car

The owner of the car has strong emotional ties to this BMW E30 cabriolet, which she affectionately calls her ‘little blackberry’! It looks like the memories came rushing back, of her child and dog riding in the car, and the owner is overcome with emotion. It’s a lovely heart-warming reveal, but it doesn’t end there.

The next day, the owner sets up a surprise for her son, where she presents him with the keys to the car. If the owner had decided to sell it, it seems like it would’ve been easy to fetch over $10-15,000 for it, going by current market prices. But, passing on ownership of a priceless family heirloom like this is the best way to keep a car like this well-looked after. It’s now ready to make a whole new set of memories, and bring the joy of driving to a new generation!

Source: WD Detailing Via YouTube

From playing with HotWheels to tracking his race toy, Sam's come a long way. A penchance for translating his automotive hijinks and geekery into the written word comes in handy every now and then...