325ix or e34 for daily/winter vehicle

[anabolice30]

Currently I am driving a vert, which is fine for the summer months, but winter is not too far around the corner, and I need to get something poor-weather friendly. I am between two choices:

An ix with an automatic transmission that needs replacing, not a big deal, as I have a five-speed swap ready to go, and an auto tranny I could drop in. It is generally clean, heated comfort seats are torn up, AC line is busted, and paint is chipped in a few places

or

A five-speed e34 525i, really minty, except for what looks like a dent in the passenger quarter panel, and a cracked front bumper. Although I have always been tempted by the e34, having a AWD for the winter is alluring. I probably would have bought this e34 by the end of the month if I didn't find the ix for the same price.

They are both 4-doors, and they are asking within $100 of each other. This is a good problem to have, but a tricky one nonetheless. Anyone care to chime in?

[EyExR]

hands down. iX

[anabolice30]

I have both of these cars. I would say if the touring is 'Minty', then go for it. Slap some snow tires on it and she's good to go.

It's just a regular 4-door, personally not a fan of tourings. Appreciate the input though!

[nando]

that ix looks clean. the E34 looks meh.

if it's not a rusty POS the ix will be worth more in 5 years than the E34 will be..

[anabolice30]

that ix looks clean. the E34 looks meh.

if it's not a rusty POS the ix will be worth more in 5 years than the E34 will be..

If the ix were a five speed, what do you think it would be worth, on r3v and non-r3v price?

[nando]

hard to tell from one smallish pic but if it's as clean it appears to be I'd think a solid $3500-5000.

[GunMetalGrey]

I drove an E34 (525 5spd) this past winter and had put a good set of snow tires on it. I cannot believe how awesome the thing was in the snow, we got plenty of it this year and never once did it let me down. It is a bit bigger an roomier and more comfortable than an e30 which was nice.
The longer wheelbase of the e34 makes it very stable if the back end starts to come out (intentionally or not) and is very easy to control.
That being said, I did ride around quite a bit in an IX with good snows and that was also very good.
Personal preference may have to be the major factor on this one, given I didn't look at the pictures at all.

[rzerob]

I pass plow trucks in my ix. After I drove one I had to have one in my life.

[anabolice30]

I pass plow trucks in my ix. After I drove one I had to have one in my life.

I've heard the ix handles like nobody's business, what's it like compared to a regular rwd e30?

[audiquattrot]

iX no doubt

[Dirty325ix]

I'd say ix all day and as long as you don't hit the breaks its a tank in the snow


And in my opinion a working ix is worth atleast 3500 and a nice(not show quality) ix is easy 6000 even the blue book is high now

But if your looking for comfort and space the ix definitely looses

[rzerob]

I've heard the ix handles like nobody's business, what's it like compared to a regular rwd e30?

In my ix, I drive with spirit and it always hooks up and very rarely do I have to counter steer. My rwd E30 I have to counter steer constantly to stay on the road.

I have never had a situation where my ix couldn't pull through in the snow. 4x4 trucks stuck and I just keep going, plow trucks slowly putting up hills or mountains and me blowing past them. Plus it is an E30.

I mainly drive the ix in the winter and bad weather days. I have never driven a car that I feel like I have so much control in the snow more than the ix.

But I have never driven a E34 so I am biased. But I seriously doubt the E34 can compare in the snow with an ix.

[anabolice30]

In my ix, I drive with spirit and it always hooks up and very rarely do I have to counter steer. My rwd E30 I have to counter steer constantly to stay on the road.

I have never had a situation where my ix couldn't pull through in the snow. 4x4 trucks stuck and I just keep going, plow trucks slowly putting up hills or mountains and me blowing past them. Plus it is an E30.

I mainly drive the ix in the winter and bad weather days. I have never driven a car that I feel like I have so much control in the snow more than the ix.

But I have never driven a E34 so I am biased. But I seriously doubt the E34 can compare in the snow with an ix.

I appreciate the insight, ix keeps looking better and better!

[asu325ix]

My 89 IX is a beast in the snow! As long as the snow is below the bumper aint nothing stopping my little IX!!! The fact that its a 5 speed is huge but I've never driven a slush box ix. I also have a 98 540i (I know its very different from an e34) and I have a set of blizzaks for winter driving and it never left me stranded! Just not as fun as my IX! If I had to choose hands down e30 ix!

[heatmakerz]

iX for sure.