'91 735il or 89 325ix?

[ColdAccord]

ok so I have the option to buy 2 cars. a 90 735il for 1500, or an 89 325ix for 1800.

the 7 series is auto (sux). 3 series is manual (hawt)

735il; 125k miles. black, grey interior. everything works, needs a battery, tires, and heres the tough part; he thinks it needs a driveshaft? doesnt know though, and i havent gone to check the car out yet. climate control works, says he doesnt htink the rear shocks are leaking, etc.

doesnt know if the timing belt (chain)? has been replaced.

or an 89 325ix. new fuel pump, 162k, 4 door, 5 speed. owner is not sure about timing belt. needs front turn signals? clutch is said to be good. he dyed the back carpet and seat black, but the rest is tan interior. im not too crazy about that, i wish he would have just left it. but whatever




whatever I get im probably gonna sell in a few months. maybe i'd hold the ix for next winter, i dont know. so im also trying to consider waht i could get for them when summer hits

what do you guys think? bodies on both cars are ok, little rust and the ix has a crack in front and back bumpers

[ColdAccord]

325ix needs control arms.

735 doesnt need a battery

[Nick]

I'd check to be sure it's the driveshaft.
Sometimes the rear Universal Joint dries and can make a vibration at 40ish MPH.

I had to replace a driveshaft in my 750 and it ran me about $700.
I think used driveshafts run $300ish.

It all comes down to what you'd prefer.

The prices on both cars are good...
The used parts market and maintenance costs on the e30 are NEXT TO NOTHING compared to an e32.

I would drive both cars, see which one you like most...and take that.

An e30 vs. an e32 would be a hard choice for me to make.
That's why I have both. :)

[ColdAccord]

lol. well i already have an e30 (the touring) for the summer, so I'm just thinking in terms of winter car now.

[Nick]

Ohhh.
Hmm.

e32s are decent in snow...and you feel....dare I say.. 'cozy'..in one. You've also got a shitload of metal protecting you from other assholes on the road who slide all over the place.
BUT...the iX is AWD. So it's better in the snow. and it's an e30...which you already know...and is relatively simple to maintain.

[Turf1600]

IX for a winter car...

[bpmack16]

Get the IX I have one and it rocks. http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...6/CIMG0654.jpg

[ColdAccord]

hawt. they take different offset wheels though, right? or need spacers or something?

[Mystikal]

The hubs stick out about 6-7mm further on each side. Nothing to be concerned about, they'll take stock RWD wheels and look that much better.

[ping65810]

I really like e32s, but after seeing parts prices, I really don't think I would go for one. For a car similar, I would pick up another Merc 300e, had one, and loved it. Out of the two, I'd say the e30, but thats me

[euroshark]

E32. People who complain about RWD in the snow don't have good tires, and / or suck at driving in the snow. I made it through the 7x blizzard on fucking Yokohama AVS ES100s in my E28!!! lol

Replace the suspension with Bilstein and H&R combo, have a set of shit winter wheels and some nice 17 or 18" summer wheels, and enjoy the awesomeness of the 7.

[LINUS]

winter = IX

is there really any other choice? If I didn't need the ground clearance of my Cruiser, I'd have an IX for a 2nd car.

[Nick]

Replace the suspension with Bilstein and H&R combo, have a set of shit winter wheels and some nice 17 or 18" summer wheels, and enjoy the awesomeness of the 7.

Kinda hard to put bilsteins in the back when it's got a self leveling suspension dontcha think?

Unless you take it out.

[Rennsport]

ix

ive always wanted one... and if i came across one for 1800, i dont know if i could resist

[Mless5]

Both are quite pricey to maintain. My brother had 735 and we came to a conclusion that while it's a cool car, the biggest drawbacks are:

1. amount of electronics
2. parts are some what expensive
3. it seeps quite a bit of gas.

On the other side, wicked fun with snow tires and a bag or two of sand in da trunk. Ladies will be your's too. Very comfy and relaxing car.

ix:

1. $$$ to maintain. (control arms $230 a pop, never mind half shaft prices etc etc).
2. you are going to own everyone come the snow time
3. not comfy by any means


Neither of the owners sound like they know much about cars they own.
I'd take the 7 to be honest as a second car. Not that particular probably, by 7 over ix.