IX Questions... Info please...

[miniblob]

Just seen a 325ix going on ebay (bin for £1k if anyones interested!!) and it's got me asking questions!!!!

Any good??

Strong, reliable running gear??

Expensive to fix when it's broken??

Does it split the power more to the rear than the front, or anything clever like that??

Handle well?? Usual suspension mods do-able i presume??

How much power would that 4wd system take??

Has really got me thinking!!! Might have to go for a drive in an ix at some point before i start another project!!!!

All info appreciated!!

Cheers,
Rob.

[SPADGE]

I know very little about that car your talking about but i do know its been on Ebay countless times.
Someone mentioned it before on here and another person said he knew the car and its owner and both had issues. I have no idea if this info was factual but thought i'd bring it to your attention.
Spadge...

[miniblob]

Coolio!!!

Not looking to buy that specific one anyway!! Just after info on IX's in general!!!

Most problems wouldn't really matter too much anyway with the adjustments i have in mind!!!

[tailoutcharlie]

try here

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ight=325ix

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ight=325ix

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ight=325ix

[baur320]

Spadge is right.

This car's been up for sale loads of times and hasn't sold. Price in Sept was £1300. Now down to £999. Seems a lot of money for a car with no MOT and hasn't been on the road since 01/04.........

[Simon13]

remember the second hand car market had died this year! nothing is selling really

[miniblob]

Cheers for the links Charlie!!!

I'll assume there's not a lot of knowledge out there on these then!!

Might have to take one for a spin some time and then go from there!!!!

Just thinking it should give much better traction when you get into high power figures, but wondering if it would just break!?!?!?!

[Brianmoooore]

Just two things I know about the iX: There are considerable differences between an iX bodyshell and a normal E30 shell, and, the four wheel drive set up, especially the transfer box, is fragile (by BMW standards) at the standard power output, let alone with a tuned engine.

[ed325i]

How much power would that 4wd system take??

Look here >> http://wp1016621.wp027.webpack.hosteuro ... f01604.htm

[evostormm]

Have a look here ;

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=

http://home.earthlink.net/~wardellhix/iX/index.html

and here for all you need to know, and more..... The best site if you have an interest in the 325iX .

http://home.earthlink.net/~wardellhix/i ... iXfaq.html

[6-Shooter]

Another thing about the iX is that it's awesome, which is always handy.

[miniblob]

Some good links there - cheers!!!

I assume you have reason/experience for finding them fragile Brian??? Not doubting you by any means, just want to know more if poss!!!!

Might have to just buy a cheap one over winter and give it a thrashing and see what it's all about!!

Got a couple of old skool bm's on my list to 'try out' over the winter, before a silly project gets started!!!

[6-Shooter]

Front struts towers are in a totally different position. Steering rack is different and the Ferguson sourced transfer box was considered out of dat even then.

Having said that, it got quite good reviews and was quite a good performer.

Shit, an E30 Touring with AWD is seriously rad any way you look at it.

[Brianmoooore]

I assume you have reason/experience for finding them fragile Brian???

Just what I thought I'd read about them! Something about the chains in the transfer box, as well as the front driveshaft thing mentioned in the link, IIRC.
Also bear in mind it's very unlikely you're going to be able to nip down to the local scrappy for iX specific spares!

[miniblob]

Hmmm, spare could be a worry!! I will break it!!!!!

[evostormm]

To quote from the earthlink site (http://home.earthlink.net/~wardellhix/i ... iXfaq.html):

''The drive train on the iX appears to be pretty bulletproof -- no inherent problems. Of course, fluid changes are important every 36K miles -- ATF in the transfer case and hypoid SAE90 (GL-5) gear oil in the front and rear differential. The viscous coupling units do not require any service. The transfer case only holds about 1.5 pint of ATF, so be sure to check the fluid regularly. The transfer case on an automatic can leak into the transmission with no visible sign of a leak.
The weak link on the iX drivetrain seems to be the splines on the front driveshaft which mate with the chain-driven gear in the transfer case. These splines have stripped on several iXes which are owned by members in the iX Registry (now with about 1100+ members.) Apparently, the moly grease which lubricates these splines dries out or becomes contaminated with water and allows the splines to wear down. The only way to check the condition of the grease is to remove the front driveshaft (not a complicated procedure and is covered in one of the Registry newsletters.) If the splines strip, the front driveshaft must be replaced. If the female mating gear is ruined, the transfer case will need to be removed and the gear replaced. ''

[agreen]

If the female mating gear is ruined, the transfer case will need to be removed and the gear replaced. '

four wheel drive four times the problem s

[bss325i]

4x4 sierras and mk3 granadas/scorpios and escort coswrths use a simmilar ferguson based system and they are good for around 350bhp. After this point the gearbox is the weak link but these are MTX 75 and Type 9 ford gearboxes. Diffs begin to strugle with 400+ bhp so cossie modders replace with grpA or quaife diffs. Dont know whats availible to upgrade the BMW diffs/gearboxes but Alpina did an ix based E30, B3 ALLRAD iirc.

[miniblob]

Alpina version!!!!!!!!!! That sounds naughty!!!!!!

Well an ix is on my list to 'test' at some point during the winter now!!!

Cheers guys!!

[Morat]

There was a thread on here a while back discussing the value of iX (specifically tourings IIRC) which got a bit heated but the upshot was that they are available in Germany (and possibly Holland?) for not a lot of cash.

[e30bmlover]

i was going to buy one, but the guy wanted @ucking stupid money for it.... here are some pics...