325ix Bought-not-Built

[bab-91]

The New Zone has given me an excuse to post this. Let’s see if I’m as inept with tech as I am with old turds.

I moved to Stuttgart March 2017 and had been on the hunt for an e30 to replace my RHD e92. Anyone familiar with e30 prices in Germany will know it is nothing short of vomitous. Roll on February 2018 and I was promoted to a location in the Rhineland that is ‘affectionately’ known as ‘The Rock’. Mucho snow and ice, the roads are more Romanian than velvety smooth Teutonic tarmac. I decided that it would be sensible for something AWD/4WD. A few options were considered (almost bought a 80’s Panda 4x4 - don’t judge) but set my heart on an IX Touring but starting prices for half decent examples were coming in at €14,000 and nice examples fetching €20,000.

I had given up looking but like all good things in life, one found me. The Zone came to the rescue in the form of this LHD e30 325ix, 60,000 Miles, manual, sport seats, royal blue, ticked all the boxes and I’m sure the previous owner won’t mind me saying, he spent a fortune on this vehicle. A short flight to the UK and by September 15th she was mine. I will be daily’ing this through winter, I hope to maintain it at previous owners level while never actually touching it myself (Bought-not-Built).

Wish me luck!

**photos are also stolen from previous owner.

[martauto]

Wow, what a great example, lets see some moreplease.

Mart.

[bab-91]

Thanks, Mart. I’m very happy with it, daily’ed it for about 4 weeks and has since been with a mechanic in my hometown of Kusel. I will try to upload more as time goes on.

After many overdue years, I finally got to meet Pacerpete who put me up for the night, unfortunately he was prepared for my arrival.

[Topblag]

I'm thinking of putting my IX back on the road as it was immense in snow. Just need to drop the gearbox and change the oil seals on the transfer case.....

Lovely example though. I love how much a good one goes for in Europe

[bab-91]

I'm thinking of putting my IX back on the road as it was immense in snow. Just need to drop the gearbox and change the oil seals on the transfer case.....

Lovely example though. I love how much a good one goes for in Europe

You wouldn’t believe the following the IX has in the southern half of Germany. The mechanic has had several offers since it’s been sitting with him and not the usual ‘I’ll give ye a price per tonne’.

I was surprised myself.

Once he’s finished I plan to put it to the test in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Just waiting on German plates and snow.

[bab-91]

Let’s give the New Zone another whirl.

My other Touring was nicknamed the Pink Kettle because of its faded red paint and ability to boil water at a very efficient rate. My friends are an imaginative lot, so the IX is known as, yip, the Blue Kettle.

I had bought e9 CSL BMW (not BBS, RARE & STRONG) Mahles from Pacerpete a number of years ago so the IX earned its keep on day number 2.

If the below links to Instagram work, I’ll apolgise to those of the English persuasion now. The M20 was closed and I was irritatable after being cooked in a car without AC.



















.

[bab-91]

Dear Agony Aunt,

After throwing money at the ix, usual full service + correct ix wheels, tie rod ends, snow tyres, ICV, thermostat housing, winter prep for the salt on the road etc etc etc. The car continued to provide great winter driving.

Until... central locking module decided to go on the way back from Frankfurt airport. Had been saying 36km of range for a few miles and I had 60 miles to home. Went to fill the car and fuel flap was locked. After stressing myself out, and a rather pathetic attempt to break into the fuel cap, I decided to point the car towards home and take my chances. 60 miles done in complete silence waiting for the cough

but it got me home!

I’m sure there’s a way to release the central locking but had no 3G/4G internet coverage, it was late on a Sunday night. No help to be had.

Not all bad news. Raided my E30 parts bin. Next job is to install a new radio and NOS quickout cage.

Hopefully will have the Touring were I want it in the next few months.

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