325iX: Desirable?

[packratbimmer]

Yes - if there is anything the iX can use, it is more power down low. In terms of normal spirited driving (nothing competitive), the RWD 325i is amazing. It can be driven in town, cruise at 120 or climb mountainous highways at 80 in 5th gear.

The ix feels much more like an M10 318i (which I love BTW - if they are tuned right) in the hills of WV. I can't climb I 68 hills without shifting out of 5th and maintain 80.

I think BMW should have at least tuned the car as a 2.7 from the factory. All of the parts were available to them during that era.

[Jon325i]

I'm sure the ix E30 is a fine and capable car. But like the OP, I live in a climate where the sunny days outnumber the rainy days on a ratio of 4 or 5 to 1. If I were living in a climate which saw a lot of rain or even snow, I'd definitely consider getting AWD.

I remember talking to a co-worker about considering an AWD car (a Subaru specifically.....Forester or Outback). Anyway....they said "...the all wheel drive will give me great handling, especially when it rains." I then pointed out how infrequent it rains here (using my sunny to rainy day ratio comment). They stammered with "...yeah, well.....I just really like the car."

Fine, its your money. Spend it as you wish.


Jon

[Nisse Järnet]

Well, you need ix if big turbo :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05OjcFRK1dE

[4x4_e30]

Snow is easy in a RWD e30. Deep sand is where the iX really shines in comparison (especially on 215-60-15's) :D

[fiveightandten]

it depends. normally yeah, it's unlikely to be faster (given they weigh about the same, have about the same power, and can fit the same tires). unless it rains a bit. maybe why I liked the "slush" series winter autox here better than the summer season, lol.

also, you can throttle steer with an ix. just not with the stock M20..

Those are some interesting things to note. But my point was, all things being equal, the RWD car is definitely not at a disadvantage like he was making it out to be. If anything it's the other way around.

Same engine, same suspension, same tires, etc., the RWD car will be faster.

In the snow or rain, the xi accelerates faster and with more ease. That's exactly what it's designed to do, and that's the whole purpose of the car. Very cool cars. I'd love one for winter duty. But around here they're almost all rust buckets, sadly.

[nando]

AWD doesn't grip any harder than RWD. And the reason why RWD cars are sliding their asses around is because you can steer with your foot and get the car pointed where you want it pointed. It's a different driving style than AWD.

And this is just an educated assumption, but I highly doubt an xi would be faster than a regular RWD E30 around a course (all things being equal). And why should it be? That's not what the car was designed for.

it depends. normally yeah, it's unlikely to be faster (given they weigh about the same, have about the same power, and can fit the same tires). unless it rains a bit. maybe why I liked the "slush" series winter autox here better than the summer season, lol.

also, you can throttle steer with an ix. just not with the stock M20..

[mrsleeve]

I have wanted a 88 IX for as long as I can remember, but I just cant justify the current market costs on a car that might get driven 2k miles a year. And I dont need something else just sitting at home rotting away I have a truck and tahoe the wife never drives for that

[fiveightandten]

I'll throw one word into this conversation: Autocross. I watch RWD pushed to the limit sliding their asses around all day at our local track. I don't know what the limits are to a lowered ix with decent tires, but the g-forces you feel when your face skin is being contorted around the corners just puts a sh$t eating grin on my face all day.

AWD doesn't grip any harder than RWD. And the reason why RWD cars are sliding their asses around is because you can steer with your foot and get the car pointed where you want it pointed. It's a different driving style than AWD.

And this is just an educated assumption, but I highly doubt an xi would be faster than a regular RWD E30 around a course (all things being equal). And why should it be? That's not what the car was designed for.

[gr8skyr]

I'll throw one word into this conversation: Autocross. I watch RWD pushed to the limit sliding their asses around all day at our local track. I don't know what the limits are to a lowered ix with decent tires, but the g-forces you feel when your face skin is being contorted around the corners just puts a sh$t eating grin on my face all day.

[nando]

3200Lbs is still 300lbs more.

[Kevinl]

light weight AWD cars are rare too. everything else is going to be at least 500lbs heavier, or maybe a 1980's Subaru.

Gc8 imprezas are 2800 and under first gen dsm's are 3200ish so are legacy sedans

[anokES]

one word: offroad
Wait, four words: mud in the blood

[nando]

IX's are cool 318's & 325e suck ;D

not sure if I would buy one though Awd cars are fairly common light weight rwd cars are not

light weight AWD cars are rare too. everything else is going to be at least 500lbs heavier, or maybe a 1980's Subaru.

[Kvasi]

if I lived in an area that gets so much snow that a IX is needed, I would be worried about moving. not buying a car that can handle the brutal weather

Red lights you know..

[Kevinl]

IX's are cool 318's & 325e suck ;D

not sure if I would buy one though Awd cars are fairly common light weight rwd cars are not