M3x?

[DarkWing6]

I was just wondering if anyone has ever done or seen a 4 wheel drive M3. It seems more likely to happen E36 or newer. Does anyone know of any M3 that has ever been converted, or a 325ix that has been converted to M3?

[Jarvis]

Never heard of one existing, probably because an AWD M car is a horrible idea.

[325is_e30]

yeah probably.....

[DarkWing6]

Never heard of one existing, probably because an AWD M car is a horrible idea.

People have done worse, it just seems like someone would swap an S50 or S52 into an E36 ix or something like that.

[nando]

there is no E36 ix. I'm sure there is at least one M bodied 325ix around somewhere. I wouldn't mind doing something like that in order to be able to fit much wider rubber on the car, but I'm not sure how worthwile that would be.

[Jarvis]

People have done worse, it just seems like someone would swap an S50 or S52 into an E36 ix or something like that.

Swapping an M-motor into an (E30) 325ix is a cool idea, but I meant that converting a real M3 into AWD would be retarded.

[jht3]

last i heard, the front oilpan is the big issue w/ swaps into a iX chassis

it's a dumb idea and would take an incredible amount of effort

[Ryan Stewart]

The E30 ix has a friggin shaft running through the oilpan, that is why you dont see M50 swaps.

There is probably an M bodied IX someplace but that is hardly a M3x. Buy an S4 if you want a 3800lb M3.

[Addissimo]

The E30 ix has a friggin shaft running through the oilpan, that is why you dont see M50 swaps.

There is probably an M bodied IX someplace but that is hardly a M3x. Buy an S4 if you want a 3800lb M3.

worrrrrd

[Mystikal]

The E30 ix has a friggin shaft running through the oilpan, that is why you dont see M50 swaps.

E34 525iX, 91+. That's all I have to say.

[Hatchman]

E34 525iX, 91+. That's all I have to say.

I have yet to ever see one of those even in pictures

[AndrewBird]

The E30 ix has a friggin shaft running through the oilpan, that is why you dont see M50 swaps.

I've always been surprised someone hasn't fabbed up a custom oil pan that would allow the swap. I mean, anyone with basic aluminum welding skills should be able to make one.

But, after all, RWD is still better IMO.

[Ryan Stewart]

The alignment would have to be perfect though. Even the slightest vibration would be catastrophic, trying to shake open the oilpan.

[Addissimo]

at the low low etk price of $606 an e30 m50ix could be yours too...

here's your part number
11131730429

and here's your vanos part number
11131730429

[nando]

you would also need the transmission, front differential, front driveshaft, front halfshafts, plus other misc peices.. that would cost a lot more than $609. it's also unlikely that the 525ix front diff has the same ratio as the ix rear diff, so add another $500. Plus I'm not even sure if the 525ix oil pan would work in the first place (different subframes), and even if it did it might cost less to have your own modified to fit the M5x engine (as you could reuse all the other ix peices).

or, spend $5k on a turbo kit and be done with it..