E30 Zone

Hi all!
The eternal question bothering me as I've never had an iX is: Are there two differentials and 4 driveshafts on a 325ix for example or simply one LSD? If they are two, is it a 50:50 or? Everybody calls it "4X4" but is it a real one? If somebody has photos of the beast...
Thanks

allegedly...

'Another rare model was the later 325iX four wheel drive with rear wheel bias. These cars shared their transmission with the E34 525iX. '

implies two diffs.... ?

isn't Google a marvellous thing?

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Initially BMW said they wouldn't sell the iX in the UK, but it was listed here in the end at Ԛ£17,000 - almost Ԛ£6,000 more than a two-wheel drive 325i - and only with left-hand drive. Originally called the 325-4 at its 1985 launch, the iX wasn't so much BMW's answer to the Audi Quattro as a car for people who lived in snowy, out-of-the-way places who might occasionally feel the need for four-wheel drive. It was powered by the standard straight-six engine and seemed to go just as well as the two-wheel drive 325i, although it weighed 300 lbs more. In fact, its 0-60 mph time was slightly better, so it probably put its power down more cleanly. From the outside, only bigger rear arches told you that this was BMW's first on-road 4x4.

FF Developments were consulted over the permanent four-wheel drive system with its viscous coupling (although there was no mention of this in the original launch blurb) which split the torque 33/67 in favour of the rear wheels, and featured some high-tech electronics that allowed the anti-lock brakes to 'talk' to the VC. The iX was an outstanding drive on snow and ice and we reckon one of the Touring estate versions would still make a great buy. Only 15,000 of all types were produced.

had enough?

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History of the 325IX - In the wake of the Audi Quattro and its rally success, many manufacturers adopted four-wheel drive to its models. BMW was not interested in AudiÔš's progress in the rally scene, but when the press and the public cried out for more, BMW changed their mind.
BMW used a 4x4 system from Ferguson, which was made available for mass production through an Anglo-German motor industry cooperative. The system BMW used included Viscous Couplings, one in the rear differential, and one in the central differential gear set. The power to the front wheels was fed forward by an external shaft from that central differential gear set. The system was a permanent 4x4 layout, rather than the then popular part time 4x4, which had to be engaged by a lever.

To maintain the rear drive handling characteristics of any BMW, the power split between front and rear was 37 % at the front, and 63 % at the rear. But in slippery conditions, as rear wheels start to spin, the Viscous Couplings start to work, and shifts power to the wheels with the best grip. The front suspension had to be reworked to give room to the front differential and shafts. The standard anti-roll bar and power steering was repositioned. Also the aluminum sump pan was reworked. It had a passageway, to allow for the shaft feeding power to the front wheels.

Compared to the 325i, the iX has a wider track. At the front there were added 13mm, but at the rear end, only 1mm. All in all, this gives the iX a steady feel. Even though the iX rides about 20mm higher than a standard 325i, the road holding is excellent due to stiffer springs, twin tube gas dampers and of course, the added traction.

Performance wise, BMW had always been conservative with the numbers. Because of the extra weight the 4x4 system added (90kg/198lb), BMW claimed a sprint from 0-62mph (0-100km/t) in 9 seconds. But everyone who has driven a 325iX, or any other BMW for that matter, knows that BMW is rather careful. One Scandinavian magazine, named AUTOMOBILE, took the iX from the 0-62mph sprint in only 6.8 seconds! This was done rather brutally with high rpms before take off, but still. They never managed to accelerate as slow as 9seconds, to use their own words.

It's worth noting that the iX variants are still sold in the US on the current models.

I WANT ONE! Wheres the best place to pick up an ix and how strong are the diffs i.e how often do the erm break?

i owned a ix , there handling is excellent as said above , ive only ever seen 2 other 325ix, 1 in east london and 1 in essex , its a very rare e30 , and if you smash open the sump all i can say is good luck trying to get one 2nd hand, i gave up and sold it , ive also owned the Audi Quattro 4x4 Turbo , both cars are excellent by far , as for speed wise, the Audi wins but for handling my personal veiw is , there is not much in it and very hard to tell what one is better

Hmm, my handbook says the ix has a much worse 0-60 than a 2wd 325i!

Turbo-Brown wrote:Hmm, my handbook says the ix has a much worse 0-60 than a 2wd 325i!

it is

just goes to show - never believe anything you see written on the internet... except of course (in this case e30alpinas) personal experience written on the 'zone

don't think I'd fancy all that extra complexity layered on top (underneath)of a car that was designed for RWD simplicity

just think how much more weight this is alone

36/64 split in the power obviuously 64% power to the rear in good BMW fashion

Thanks orangecurry for this internet lesson. I don't personally know this Mr. Google, but I've got your message. However, by saying this you are questioning the very existence of this forum.
I was expecting one or two lines with: ''Yes, 2 diffs, 4 driveshafts, 67/33''
Tnanks anyway

That was a interesting read dude, think i might look for one to turbo

I wouldn't turbo one, apparently the transfer boxes have a habit of falling to pieces, so I doubt if they would last long with more power.

Widge wrote:I wouldn't turbo one, apparently the transfer boxes have a habit of falling to pieces, so I doubt if they would last long with more power.

the box is fine but there isn't enough spline area where the driveshafts go into it and the front diff to take much torque as i remember. you can get them modified.

but you'd still worry everytime you did a full bore start!

I have a diamond black 325 IX touring which will be for sale shortly. It is a tidy car with heated black leather and lots of other goodies and is mechanically perfect.

Roughly how much???

6inline wrote:Thanks orangecurry for this internet lesson. I don't personally know this Mr. Google, but I've got your message.

You're welcome.

6inline wrote:However, by saying this you are questioning the very existence of this forum.

Why? Does the existance of one source of knowledge negate all others? Once the Great Library was completed, did that mean people stopped discussing new ideas or exploring new frontiers? Did the works of Milton give Chaucer cause to throw away his nib? Or for Karl Friedrich Rapp to think 'oh well, Lenoir has already invented a motor car, there's no need for me to improve it..... '

6inline wrote:I was expecting one or two lines with: ''Yes, 2 diffs, 4 driveshafts, 67/33''
Tnanks anyway

ah now why would I want to filter away any of the fabulous information about the iX?

Well said, your absolutely right theres loads and loads of stuff on the web and lots more besides... we all come here though to tap into the E30 knowledge wherever it may come from, be it the web, Bentleys or wherever.

Cheers for the info!