e30 ix, possible purchase

[ST1G]

So, I've noticed this ix by my mates place that hasn't moved in like a year. So, today I stoped by and knocked and the lady answered and said it's her bothers, and it's been siting for the last 10 years. Apparently the kid put some super low springs on it and totally screwed up the transfer case and never fixed it. It's on some lame early 2000's wheels, but other then that the external is nice. Needs new kidneys and a tail light but that's about it.

It's got an auto-tragic


So, I've got a few questions. If I can get it for >$200 it's worth it obviously because I can just part a few things and scrap it. But I have a few questions about IX's

1.) Can you just rip out the motor, transfer case, and 4 wheel drive stuff and do a motor swap? (M5x or S5x) Or would that just be way too involved and not worth it?

2.) How hard is it to source a new transfer case? Obviously with the motor sitting as long as it is that would need refreshed.

I don't think I'm looking for a huge project at this point, but I wouldn't' mind something that is rather straight forward.

[88e30is]

Buy it and part it out.

[cwatt]

1. no
2. should be the same for all ix models

[ST1G]

Interesting. Okay, well I hope the owner contacts me, I left my number.

[88e30is]

If it's in good shape you could restore it to factory trim and fetch a couple grand. Or swap it to manual and enjoy.

[ST1G]

If it's in good shape you could restore it to factory trim and fetch a couple grand. Or swap it to manual and enjoy.

Yeah, that's what I've been thinking. Because I am tired of driving my e30 in the snow in winter. If I can get it cheap enough I'll jump on it.

[88e30is]

The ix is a beast in the snow.

[TehRaydarlover]

edit:............................................. .................... ^^^^dem titties ;D

Don't part it.:tsk:

Engine swaps are pretty much out of the question

If it was on really low springs I would think it would f up the front cv shafts if anything, but the t-case could have been damaged from something else. It shouldn't be impossible to find a replacement, people doing 5-speed swaps and such (auto and manual t-cases are different) maybe $2-300? maybe less idk. Engine wise the block is a little different (oil pump, intermediate shaft, and dip stick location maybe other things but idk), the head and accessories are the same as other e30s. The ix does have different suspension geometry so be mindful of that if you replace the current suspension, need ix specific parts.

Fix it up and use it as a winter warrior or sell it for 4k either way don't kill the ix.

Ray

[Roysneon]

1. no
2. should be the same for all ix models

Why the fuck couldn't he remove the AWD drivetrain? It wouldn't be the first time, wouldn't be the second.

It's not advisable as the front strut towers are made differently and without the AWD you just have a regular E30 with weird front suspension and dumb offset. Possible, yes, a good idea? IMO, heck no.

[Q5Quint]

An ix is awesome until you know how much a tcase or those front axles cost. or that front diff. Or that front oilpan with a hole in it for a diff.

The tcase bolts to the special ix tranny, so you need a special manual ix tcase.

The ix engine has different mounts/front subframe to make room for the awd stuff. There are different spindles up front to allow for front axle shafts. You will need the front half of a normal e30, as well as the tranny, to convert a ix to rwd. Then, you will still have the verticle ix suspension which handles (understeers) worse than a normal e30 setup.

A lot of work and cost when you could just buy a manual rwd e30 vert for $1500 bucks.

Leave the ix as an ix. Used tcase/tranny can be found for <$500.

The question you must ask yourself: do you want to drop 3-5k +time into fixing this $200 car, just to to turn it into a 3-5k car?

[Farbin Kaiber]

As a fellow potatoe, I say keep it.

[ST1G]

An ix is awesome until you know how much a tcase or those front axles cost. or that front diff. Or that front oilpan with a hole in it for a diff.

The tcase bolts to the special ix tranny, so you need a special manual ix tcase.

The ix engine has different mounts/front subframe to make room for the awd stuff. There are different spindles up front to allow for front axle shafts. You will need the front half of a normal e30, as well as the tranny, to convert a ix to rwd. Then, you will still have the verticle ix suspension which handles (understeers) worse than a normal e30 setup.

A lot of work and cost when you could just buy a manual rwd e30 vert for $1500 bucks.

Leave the ix as an ix. Used tcase/tranny can be found for <$500.

The question you must ask yourself: do you want to drop 3-5k +time into fixing this $200 car, just to to turn it into a 3-5k car?

This is is a good point. I figure that for $200 that there is room to make money either way.

As a fellow potatoe, I say keep it.

If you bring 44* North vodka and help me fix it. Deal.

I will give you a ride when completed.

[ST1G]

Bump.

Stop by again and got some photos, she forgot to talked her brother. Got a little more info and photos. It's got 160k on it.

Vin: WBAAE0300K8139306

[flyboyx]

body looks pretty nice paint is shiny. interior too. looks like that car was well cared for during most of its life.

tcase: you can destroy a tcase by lowering the car. more than likely if this it what happened, they smacked the aluminum case against a rock or pot hole and broke the housing. i have had a couple ix's with this problem.

yes, everyone hates auto e30's. however, if you leave it auto and just fix what it needs, you should be able to clean that one up and get close to 4k out of it. it wouldn't kill you to just drive it as an auto in the winter you know?

tune up, brakes, used stock springs, used tcase= probably about 1k or less in parts.

those wheels are pretty ghey, but at least the roll. they could be good enough for now.


if you end up really getting into the car and liking it, you can swap it to manual in a year or two. don't bother with the hassle if you plan to resell it.

[ST1G]

body looks pretty nice paint is shiny. interior too. looks like that car was well cared for during most of its life.

tcase: you can destroy a tcase by lowering the car. more than likely if this it what happened, they smacked the aluminum case against a rock or pot hole and broke the housing. i have had a couple ix's with this problem.

yes, everyone hates auto e30's. however, if you leave it auto and just fix what it needs, you should be able to clean that one up and get close to 4k out of it. it wouldn't kill you to just drive it as an auto in the winter you know?

tune up, brakes, used stock springs, used tcase= probably about 1k or less in parts.

those wheels are pretty ghey, but at least the roll. they could be good enough for now.


if you end up really getting into the car and liking it, you can swap it to manual in a year or two. don't bother with the hassle if you plan to resell it.

That's what I was thinking. The t case is bad, that's why it's been siting for so long. The paint does need some help on the hood, but finding an alpine hood shouldn't be too hard. It's lowered on some springs and old like to being it back to stock ride height. I figure for a few hundred bucks I can't go wrong.