e36- why no awd 325ix

[ColdAccord]

I know there was no awd e36. does anyone know why? it makes me kinda cheesed. I realized yesterday just how crappy rwd is in the snow. and today I borrowed my mom's subaru outback limited to take snowboarding, it does sooo well in the snow.

so I'd like to get something awd. This wouldn't be for the next year or two, as I still need to build my Z, and get an r6 before spring. but I would like it to be something a bit newer. I don't really want a subaru though. the legacy's are ugly, and the imprezas don't have a lot of room inside

so I was thinking audi a4 quattro. i'd like to get the 2.8 since the 1.8t has so many problems. But I really don't want an audi, I'd really like to stay in the bimmer family. I thought about an e30 325ix, but I'd kinda like to get something a bit newer. I could definately live with an 89-92 325ix though, and that may end up being my best option.

e46 is too much money for me. e36 would be perfect (as far as price goes, seeing as how they're a bit older). but they made no awd. so I have no clue what to do

[Jand3rson]

iX's are heavy as hell, something like 200 lbs. more than a standard 325i I think. Put some studded tires on your car, the difference is amazing.

[TheyCallMeDale]

get the ix, most of them have been well taken care of from what Ive seen. Also, jsut check and make the transfer case is taken care of and you should be golden. One of my best friends is a bmw tech and the e30's when maintained well are jsut as reliable as the newer e36's so dont worry plus they look better in my own opinion. Ive heard really good things about how they perform in the snow, performance wise, your going to take a hit though.

[UNHCLL]

Impreza 2.5rs
mid-late 90's.

thats a fun car. cheaper than new WRX's too

[Jand3rson]

Impreza 2.5rs
mid-late 90's.

thats a fun car. cheaper than new WRX's too

I have always lusted after a 2.5Rs. They are one of my favorite cars.

[ColdAccord]

a friend of mine (daN on r3vlimited) got studded snows in the back. the studs were gone within 2 weeks, since you're not always driving on snow/ice. a lot of the time the roads are plowed, so you're on pavement. wears the studs right off

edit: i like 2.5rs impreza's too, they're hot and woul dbe perfect witha snail on there. the interior is just too small though

[ColdAccord]

I may just try and save up and get a 97or so 5 series. they're heavier, so maybe it would get better traction. plus it's sooooo pimp. i'm just worried about what the gas mileage must be like

[Charlie]

Scooby's make great snow cars. The 2.5rs's can be hard to find and do tend to hold their value, but you can find base model "L"'s for pretty cheap, all of the rs goodies can be fitted to them, and can usually be found cheap from people that have modded their cars.

-Charlie

[TheyCallMeDale]

The girl im hooking up with right now drive a subaru impreza L two door. Its amazing in the snow but small as hell and kinda girly. The 2.5rs is a sick car though. Didnt you say you didnt want a subaru?

[325 eta]

i have a 2.8 audi a4 with snow tires on stock 16's and i have ronel 17x8.5 for summer. the audi is so much better then any impreza in snow. better interior too!

[ColdAccord]

yeah, that may be what I end up with, seeing as how a 96 or so could be picked up for like 8 grand.

i just really wish i could stay bimmer, cause I'm gonna have to sell my e30 before i could get an a4 or anything of the like. I already have 2 cars and a bike, i have to get rid of one before getting another

[TheyCallMeDale]

ive heard of reliability issues concerning the Audi's but they sure do look nice

[325 eta]

i have never driven a 325ix but i think audi awd is better,. bc they have been doing it alot longer then bmw.

[nando]

sure, the newer audi's have a better AWD system in a lot of respects - but you can't pick up a newer audi for $5k. I like their interiors though, and they are very clean looking cars. Just too expensive for me atm.

[Brew]

iX's are heavy as hell

I think thats a little bit of an exaggeration. When compared to most other AWD cars, the e30 325ix is pretty light. And they kick ass in the snow. My parents 89' easily plowed through 15 inches of snow of a few occasions last year, on all-season tires. I expect that it would be amazing with snows.

So my 2 cents is: go for a good condition 325ix, if you can find one. If not, get yourself a 1.8t A4 5-speed, slap a chip in there and bend over for the inevitable repair bills.