My First iX/ Drivers seat debate

[bradnic]

floorpan is different due to a bump in the tunnel for the T-case , this affects the inboard seat track and release handle on drivers seat ,so yes seat is the same but slider track is different

That sounds like a plausible explanation, but it's not right. Normally I wouldn't bother replying but I think its important to post correct info.

UPDATE: I'm wrong. spdracrm3's description is *exactly* right.

I am restoring a 318is, 325ic and a 325ix coupe, so I'm pretty familiar with the cars. Yes there are many sheet metal bits on the IX that are unique, most obviously the shock towers. I can't confirm the trans tunnel is different though, because afaik BMW never sold E30 floor pans, and I've never had any two of these cars stripped at one time for comparison. I seriously doubt the floorpan is different though for the following reasons:
- The auto trans fits in these cars and it's bigger.
- So does a 420G 6 speed.
- The only time you mess with trans tunnels is when installing a longer motor like an M30, and in those cases it's to clear the top front part of the trans tunnel. Transfer case sits behind the tranny so that doesn't apply.

As far as the seats and seat hardware go though there's no difference and I can prove it.

I assume by seat track you are referring to the seat rails. Checking realoem for my 88 ix, here are the part numbers for an inner seat rail:

left 52101941977
right 52101941978

Looking up the part number applications list on realoem for the inner left seat rail, you get every E30 model, both US and Europe, except the Touring:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref.do?part=52101941977&showus=1&showeur=&series=E30

Part 52101941977 (SEAT RAIL INNER LEFT) was found on the following E30 vehicles:
E30 318i Sedan, M42, MANUAL (AJ93) : FRONT SEAT RAIL
E30 318is Coupe, M42, MANUAL (AF93) : FRONT SEAT RAIL
E30 325e Coupe, M20, AUTO (1264) : FRONT SEAT RAIL
E30 325e Coupe, M20, MANUAL (1254) : FRONT SEAT RAIL
E30 325e Sedan, M20, AUTO (1564) : FRONT SEAT RAIL
E30 325e Sedan, M20, MANUAL (1554) : FRONT SEAT RAIL
E30 325i Coupe, M20, AUTO (1123) : FRONT SEAT RAIL
E30 325i Coupe, M20, MANUAL (1113) : FRONT SEAT RAIL
E30 325i Sedan, M20, AUTO (1423) : FRONT SEAT RAIL
E30 325i Sedan, M20, MANUAL (1413) : FRONT SEAT RAIL
E30 325ix Coupe, M20, AUTO (1203) : FRONT SEAT RAIL
E30 325ix Coupe, M20, MANUAL (1293) : FRONT SEAT RAIL
E30 325ix Sedan, M20, AUTO (1503) : FRONT SEAT RAIL
E30 325ix Sedan, M20, MANUAL (1593) : FRONT SEAT RAIL
E30 318i Sedan, M42, MANUAL (AJ93) : BMW SPORTSEAT SEAT RAIL
E30 318is Coupe, M42, MANUAL (AF93) : BMW SPORTSEAT SEAT RAIL
E30 325e Coupe, M20, AUTO (1264) : BMW SPORTSEAT SEAT RAIL
E30 325e Coupe, M20, MANUAL (1254) : BMW SPORTSEAT SEAT RAIL
E30 325e Sedan, M20, AUTO (1564) : BMW SPORTSEAT SEAT RAIL
E30 325e Sedan, M20, MANUAL (1554) : BMW SPORTSEAT SEAT RAIL
E30 325i Coupe, M20, AUTO (1123) : BMW SPORTSEAT SEAT RAIL
E30 325i Coupe, M20, MANUAL (1113) : BMW SPORTSEAT SEAT RAIL
E30 325i Sedan, M20, AUTO (1423) : BMW SPORTSEAT SEAT RAIL
E30 325i Sedan, M20, MANUAL (1413) : BMW SPORTSEAT SEAT RAIL
E30 M3 Coupe, S14, MANUAL (1003) : BMW SPORTSEAT SEAT RAIL
E30 318i Coupe, M10, AUTO (1084) : SPRING FRAME SEAT FRONT
E30 318i Coupe, M10, MANUAL (1074) : SPRING FRAME SEAT FRONT
E30 325e Coupe, M20, AUTO (1264) : SPRING FRAME SEAT FRONT
E30 325e Coupe, M20, MANUAL (1254) : SPRING FRAME SEAT FRONT

I looked up an IX touring on realoem separately and got the same seat rail part numbers too:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1293&mospid=47311&btnr=52_0157&hg=52&fg=10

So not sure where your info came from, but as far as the seats go I don't think it's right.

[iXerces]

I don't know about the seat debate, but that looks like a nice find. Congrats! I am sure you are going to enjoy it.

[Swaggery]

Made some progress today. More progress throughout the week.

Got my new headlights and replacement tail lights in the mail.




Took out all the old interior and began putting in the new.


Any spoiler suggestions?

On stock weaves?

[The Dark Side of Will]

Yes there are many sheet metal bits on the IX that are unique, most obviously the shock towers.

The transmission tunnel is DEFINITELY different on an iX. Period.
Among other fun differences... the rear diff mount hangs down lower in an iX.

I hadn't bothered looking at the seat hardware... but have heard that the iX driver's seat doesn't go forward as far as the RWD seat does. I have not verified and I don't use that section of seat travel anyway.

[bradnic]

The transmission tunnel is DEFINITELY different on an iX. Period.

Haha wow you sound really certain! Even found a 2011 post of yours on bfc http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ween-M3-and-Xi

Didn't realize the frame rails were also different..

This post also agrees with you

The floorpan is shaped differently around the transmission tunnel to accomodate the transfer case. The rear suspension is mainly the same but it has a different viscous limited slip differential, and I think the mounting points on it are different than a regular e30

I don't have any info to the contrary on the trans tunnel stuff. Seems like you must know this first hand, and you know a lot more about these cars than most folks here anyway. When I get my IX stripped down I'll definitely check it out.

</hijack>
Back to OP..

[ndfspd67]

The floorpan has a bump in the passenger footwell to clearance the transferr case. It ahs no bearing whatsoever on the seats. I have swapped seats from Ix to non IX cars and vice versa with no issue.

[nando]

The floorpan has a bump in the passenger footwell to clearance the transferr case. It ahs no bearing whatsoever on the seats. I have swapped seats from Ix to non IX cars and vice versa with no issue.

it does have a bearing to the seats. non-ix seats do fit but you can't move the seat as far forward because the release lever for the tracks hits the bump for the transfercase.

the ix seat has a modified lever to clear the bump. it moves just as far forward as the RWD seat does.

the trans tunnel is most certainly different than the RWD cars. even the center console is modified - it's about 1/2" taller than the RWD version because the shifter is mounted higher to clear the transfercase.

[ndfspd67]

As for your car, looks great! Make sure all your maintenance is up to date before going with too many mods. Change the diff fluid, timing belt and water pump, Cv boots and axels, and wheel bearings are all good things to replace/Check. I bought an 1989 325ix as my first car, lost a tranny seal two days after I bought it, broke a timing belt a few months later, the head I replaced the original with turned out to be cracked, but none the less its a labor of love and I will never get rid of it.

[ndfspd67]

it does have a bearing to the seats. non-ix seats do fit but you can't move the seat as far forward because the release lever for the tracks hits the bump for the transfercase.

I have never put the seat all the way forward to be honest! Makes sense thank you for the insight Nando

[Swaggery]

I'm aware of all the average maintenance tasks i have to do. Everything besides new cv boots I've taken a look at. At the moments it's stationary and i have the motor about to come out. Any things i should take advantage of while it's out?

[bradnic]

Some amazingly cool info coming out here. R3V at its finest..

If you have the motor out, a lot of maintenance is easier:
- you can go through the whole engine bay and degrease, de-rust...
- check your PS system hoses for leaks, especially the low pressure ones to/from the reservoir.
- easy access to firewall (blower resistor, blower motor, wiper motor, wiper linkage). lube all the wiper mechanism joints, replace your blower resistor if all your fan speeds aren't working
- a little easier to refresh the suspension if the engine's out. pull the subframe, degrease, consider new sway bar and control arm bushings..
- inspect and clean/degrease the engine harness and front body harness. replace if needed.
- Inspect all your hard lines for rust (brake and fuel). replace as needed.

Sure I'm missing plenty.

[bradnic]

it does have a bearing to the seats. non-ix seats do fit but you can't move the seat as far forward because the release lever for the tracks hits the bump for the transfer case

the trans tunnel is most certainly different than the RWD cars.

makes a lot of sense. everyone's favorite IX drivetrain image shows how the transfer case sticks out toward the driver's side:

screen grab from a factory IX vid showing the transfer case and front drive shaft


GREAT drivetrain pic below showing how the front shaft and tcase extend downwards. Incredible build thread here

the ix seat has a modified lever to clear the bump. it moves just as far forward as the RWD seat does.

at least for now, realoem shows a single seat front/back handle for E30s, E23s, E24s and E28s, part number 52101934417

Part 52101934417 (Handle) was found on the following vehicles:
E23: Details on E23
E23 733i Sedan
E23 735i Sedan

E24: Details on E24
E24 633CSi Coupe
E24 635CSi Coupe
E24 M6 Coupe

E28: Details on E28
E28 524td Sedan
E28 528e Sedan
E28 533i Sedan
E28 535i Sedan
E28 M5 Sedan

E30: Details on E30
E30 318i Coupe
E30 318i Sedan
E30 325e Sedan
E30 325e Coupe
E30 318is Coupe
E30 325i Sedan
E30 325i Coupe
E30 325ix Sedan
E30 325ix Coupe
E30 318i Convertible
E30 325i Convertible
E30 M3 Coupe

even the center console is modified - it's about 1/2" taller than the RWD version because the shifter is mounted higher to clear the transfercase.

as of now, realoem shows both front and rear consoles have the same part numbers 51161941830 and 51161884246 on all E30s. Doesn't mean that wasn't the case originally though - auto vs manual front console with different heights, different window switch cutouts, window breaker switch not present on the console in earlier E30s etc.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1293&mospid=47311&btnr=51_1109&hg=51&fg=35

Part 51161941830 (STORING PARTITION) was found on the following vehicles:
E30: Details on E30
E30 318i Convertible
E30 318i Coupe
E30 318i Sedan
E30 318is Coupe
E30 325e Sedan
E30 325e Coupe
E30 325i Sedan
E30 325i Coupe
E30 325i Convertible
E30 325ix Sedan
E30 325ix Coupe
E30 M3 Coupe

Same for the rear console.

[nando]

You can argue all you want but i know for a fact they are different. I don't need educating on anything about the ix :p

[bradnic]

Not arguing about IXes nando, especially with you. just presenting facts as I find them and learning all I can.

Just checked my IX coupe and compared it with our 318is. The IX has the carpet out waiting on rust repair, so I could see it clearly.
- like you said, definitely has an IX specific tunnel bulge, just in front of the driver's seat
- the seat handle is the same one thats in my 318is
- console is the same too.

[nando]

Its not the same. 100% certain. Maybe yours are swapped, or you don't know what you are looking for.