What's a 525iX like in the snow?

Post Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:15 pm

Just wondering, because her ladyship is starting to wibble about getting a 4x4 for winter use and would be happy with an E34.

Post Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:19 pm

they are a lot of fun you get to chase land rovers up hills i've got one that i'm reluctant to get rid off if you can get one have a good look at both diffs for leaks etc

Post Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:20 pm

Ask Whipsey he has one!

Post Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:23 pm

they have a clever rear diff on them, uses the ABS system to sense wheelspin on one rear wheel and if needed, the PAS pump (via a solenoid control and various hoses and gubbins

) applies pressure to a hollow hydrulic cylinder within the diff. this locks the diff solid as and when needed. it may also be the same on the front. i've not looked... i just bought a rear diff for £15 for the 3.38:! CW&P as it fits a E30 large case

a lot more advanced than a lot of proper 4x4's

that would be a useful diff for hooligan antics i reckon. open diff when you want it but with a hydraulic handbrake attached, it could be locked solid

i've never driven one but they look fun

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Post Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:19 am

if you can find a good one buy it they don't sem to come up much now though as they all tend to get fragged

Post Fri Dec 11, 2009 5:20 pm

That hydraulic diff was an option IIRC, they had viscous diffs as standard, not the E30 plate type, but I may be very wrong. . .

Post Fri Dec 11, 2009 6:59 pm

This is an unnecessary post.

You say her ladyship started to wibble on about getting something. Well in my house her ladyship would have been bound and gagged mid wibble.

Then i'd start panicking that she's seeing someone else. The giveaway being her talking about 4 wheel drive vehicles and snow.

Post Sat Dec 12, 2009 1:34 pm

I used to have one which I sold to Whipsey, not sure if he fragged it or put it back on the road?
Awesome fun in the snow, a few winters ago my old one saw about 3 hours of solid drifting at kemble airfield, too much fun!

Post Sat Dec 12, 2009 4:51 pm

looks like matey is having fun in that touring!

Post Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:36 pm

Snow,what snow?
Now winter of '78,that was snowy...

Post Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:46 pm

daimlerman wrote:Snow,what snow?
Now winter of '78,that was snowy...

2 years before my time

Post Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:10 am

winx wrote:I used to have one which I sold to Whipsey, not sure if he fragged it or put it back on the road?
Awesome fun in the snow, a few winters ago my old one saw about 3 hours of solid drifting at kemble airfield, too much fun!

was put back on the road mate not sure whats happened to it now though

Post Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:59 pm

We have many of them here in Iceland,,

They are unbeliveble good in snow,, and i am talking SNOW,, not some english angel-dust,,

I would anyday prefer manual,,,
superb vehicle and take the touring if you can get over a good one

Regards

Post Sun Dec 13, 2009 4:22 pm

gareth wrote:
daimlerman wrote:Snow,what snow?
Now winter of '78,that was snowy...
2 years before my time

and 6 years before mine!

Post Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:01 pm

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

would have been quite fun then!

Post Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:29 pm

If you can handle LHD I think I'm going to sell my iX Touring in the new year.

Post Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:23 pm

WHAT????

I'd kill for an iX touring, and I've had an LHD Fiat Coupe 16VT since 1998.

Post Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:01 pm

Well it's been a hard decision for me as I've had it about 7yrs ish and I do love it.
But I think if I don't buy an E30 M3 next year I never will and I only want one true "keeper" in my garage and it will be a M3 that replace's my iX in this category...

Post Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:03 pm

tomson do you own all the cars in your sig?

Post Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:05 pm

Yes, the E24 is a 50/50 ownership with a friend being the only exception...

Post Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:13 pm

Yes, he is a scrap horder.

Post Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:24 pm

Impressive collection.

Post Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:26 pm

I prefer to think of me as a scrap saver.
I rescued one M5 from an almost certain recycling death and the other and the Evo were already in the hands of highly council type's!

All three cars are in excellent cosmetic condition and have good history so I couldnt help myself! One of the M5's and the Evo will be served next year to new enthuisiast owners in the same state they left the factory, after I've had some fun with them anyway

Post Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:06 am

I used to have a 525iX touring (SE manual) with non-vanos M50

I paid £410 off eBay with 6mths MoT and 1mths tax...
I used it all last winter , including during the heavy(ish) snow in Feb...It was fantastic, never loosing traction or feeling unsafe.

However, they aren't economical...my daily mix of driving returned around 21mpg (where my previous E30 325 returned 25mpg, my M3 26mpg and my current E36 328 around 28mpg) and parts can be expensive as a lot are unique to the iX....The wheels, in particular, are hard to find with ET57 (IIRC) offset.
They have a tendency to spit (expensive) CHF11s hydraulic fluid from the SLS and hydraulic diff lines (due to corrosion, mostly) and the SLS is expensive if it needs parts...
The transfer box (centre diff) needs looking after..it only holds 0.5litre of oil and is very expensive if it packs up...

Get a good one, though, and it is a great car...

Post Mon Jan 04, 2010 4:51 pm

Well in the absence of a decent 525iX or 325iX showing its head for <£2k a Jeep Cherokee has now landed on our driveway. I was highly sceptical at first but I'm starting to enjoy a whole new driving experience!

Post Mon Jan 04, 2010 7:05 pm

daimlerman wrote:Snow,what snow?
Now winter of '78,that was snowy...

During the war......