What to look for in a used 325 ix

[fryerfighter94]

Hey, new to this forum and new to BMW in general. I am still in highschool, hoping to work at a bike shop soon, and soon will have my license. I know it is a little early but I was contemplating the idea of a first car, and I thought of the 325ix for the AWD for when I went skiing. I did a little bit of research and found that these have a following and are also very hard to find for sale locally. Does anybody know what I should look for in a used 325ix, i.e. acceptable miles, mechanical problems, etc. and what quality and condition the car should be in (cars below or around 5k). Thanks for reading any help appreciated!

[dubdub]

This thread has some decent info...

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1077032

I will say, however, not knowing your financial situation or your location in Cali, I'd be hard pressed to recommend an IX as someone's first car. There are just so many more things that need attention on an IX as opposed to an IS or ES. And many of those things cost a lot more money to fix... if you're well off and mommy and daddy are paying the bills (I don't mean that in a negative tone, but just realistically) and you think you'll have a shop do all the work, fine... but if you want to learn how your car works, do some maintenance yourself - get an IS, some tools, and get reading!

That being said, if you live in a place where snow is a real concern, disregard the above and find the best IX you can afford!

Oh to be 17 again... when I was 17 everyone was afraid of AIDS and girls wore flannel all the time... and they were mad about everything!!! Before thongs, before oral sex wasn't sex anymore!!!! Don't even get me started. Enjoy the ride.

[fryerfighter94]

LOL thanks for the advice dude. ya I'm going to be either life guarding at the local pool or working at a bike shop with my friend, but either way I have to put up at least half for the car. I wanted an ix because my family and I do go to the snow for skiing, not super frequently like every weekend but enough that RWD would not be as practical for me as an AWD. As for maintenance, my dad knows a guy with a shop locally, and theres a couple other ones nearby including one that is about 3 minutes from my house.

As for the maintenance compared to an is or es, I've been informed and kinda already figured that as it is an AWD car there is more stuff to worry about i.e. transfer case, front differential, etc.

Thanks for the link!

[morbid]

just get a rwd with a set of snow tires ;-)

[fryerfighter94]

That may end up happening if the ix thing doesn't work out haha. That'd probably be the easiest.

[epsdan]

LOL thanks for the advice dude. ya I'm going to be either life guarding at the local pool or working at a bike shop with my friend, but either way I have to put up at least half for the car. I wanted an ix because my family and I do go to the snow for skiing, not super frequently like every weekend but enough that RWD would not be as practical for me as an AWD. As for maintenance, my dad knows a guy with a shop locally, and theres a couple other ones nearby including one that is about 3 minutes from my house.

As for the maintenance compared to an is or es, I've been informed and kinda already figured that as it is an AWD car there is more stuff to worry about i.e. transfer case, front differential, etc.

Thanks for the link!

Think hard about the i or is (or even e) instead of an iX for a first car. The RWD cars are a blast to drive, and save the money to get a good set of snows mounted (nookians, blizzaks, etc) for when you go boarding/skiing. I'm in Alaska, looking for an iX for my daughter, but would MUCH rather have her get a RWD E30 - other than the fact we have snow on the roads, every day, 5 months a year.

The iX's are great, if you NEED it, but you pay a premium upfront, plus the maintenance costs are HUGE compared to a RWD E30. A spare junkyard engine for an E30 i/is is ~$350, transmission ~$200, and LSD ~$150. You're not going to get away that cheap if you end up working on an iX.

Also, take a look at SpecE30 or Pro3 to get an idea of how fun the RWD E30's are to drive on the track. Check either out on YouTube. You'll be hooked!

Enjoy 17 - it doesn't last forever!

Dan (not chronologically 17 anymore, but still act like it sometimes!) ;)

[racingwoody]

I have had all the ix, i, is, and e. I would recommend the i or is and say stear away from the ix. Yes, it is cool to say you have an AWD 90's era BMW but it is a lot cooler to have a car that runs for much less cost. So many more things can and will go wrong on the ix and unless you have a fully documented history and willing to pay between 6-10K for a properly maintained ix i wouldn't mess with it. The ix is very heavy and very sluggish compared to the RWD models and like above if you get a seperate set of steelies and some awesome snow tires like the Nokian Hakkepalettis you will be able to drive in the snow the few times the streets are actually covered.

[fryerfighter94]

Thanks for the advice, sounds like i'd be better off getting an RWD model.