325iX: Desirable?

[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.

[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.

[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

[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..

[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.

[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

[Nisse Järnet]

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

[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

[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.

[gr8skyr]

Think the ix came with 4.10 diff compared to 3.90 for rwd e30 (Or visa versa) to compensate 150lbs of 4wd bits. But yeah, a good chip, bigger injectors, headers, exhaust might do wonders to awaken the m20 in the ix.

[packratbimmer]

Don't get me wrong...I love iX's. The 5-speed ix had 3.91 gears while the auto had 4.10. I wish BMW had at least done some work on the gear ratios in the transmission since they put the same engine/transmission as the RWD. With the 3.91 gears, the iX pulls stumps (I have done it) and then you have to shift immediately. I wish they had tuned the engine and retained the 3.73 gears. Did it make sense to put an identical engine in an AWD? More torque on the low end would get all of that mass spun up more effectively. I must admit that it is a lot of fun dialing up all of that horsepower in the snow - it just takes a while to get there in the absence of snow.

[Zreberlcoe]

Don't get me wrong...I love iX's. The 5-speed ix had 3.91 gears while the auto had 4.10. I wish BMW had at least done some work on the gear ratios in the transmission since they put the same engine/transmission as the RWD. With the 3.91 gears, the iX pulls stumps (I have done it) and then you have to shift immediately. I wish they had tuned the engine and retained the 3.73 gears. Did it make sense to put an identical engine in an AWD? More torque on the low end would get all of that mass spun up more effectively. I must admit that it is a lot of fun dialing up all of that horsepower in the snow - it just takes a while to get there in the absence of snow.

So I'm putting that diff in my 325i... Problem? It's a viscous coupling instead of limited slip discs if I'm not mistaken.

[BobombETA]

All you ix dudes that drive em' year round, how are you keeping them rust free?

[303e30]

I love e30's but when it comes to AWD I prefer Audi quattro, its a more reliable and a simple system than the ix drivetrain which is good when it works but not bulletproof like the quattro.

[BillBrasky]

All you ix dudes that drive em' year round, how are you keeping them rust free?

My dad, brother and I all drive 5 speed 325ix's daily in the winter. We just deal with it and consider it an active cancer on the car that needs constant attention. We put them up on the lift and replace rusty parts, sand down rust areas, spray them with neutralizer and 3M rubberized undercoating. All undercarriage bolts, nuts, washers have been replaced with stainless steel and lubed with anti-seize. I also keep a film of silicone grease on a lot of exposed metal surfaces and stuff like steering and driveshaft couplers.