Stock, does the 325iX outhandle the 325i/is?

[Joey Link]

I'm just curious. I feel the temptation to floor the 325iX into a four wheel drift everytime I take a turn in Jenny's car (though I haven't done it). Considering it's AWD, and everything being equal including drivers and road conditions, does the stock 325iX outhandle the 325i/is?

[e9nine]

:shock: No

[Mystikal]

:shock: No

Love this answer.

[nando]

on dry pavement? nope..

rain? snow? ice? that is the ix's forte..

[Joey Link]

Can you guys explain why that is? It seems everyone I talk to always rave about how well AWD cars handle, and the iX just seems so much more planted and stable than my 325i. Then again, I'm a lousy driver when it comes to anything but a straight line :)

(that does NOT mean I'm not going to learn :) )

[shiftbmw]

Well, for starters, the IX weighs a good bit more, if I'm not mistaking.

[FredK]

It seems Audi and Subaru owners I talk to always rave about how well AWD cars handle

fixed.

:D

[SchnellerVert]

Front end is not oriented at higher speed cornering nor does it higher cg help. The iX was a stop gap to say hey don't consider that Audi in the 80's. The technology was crude in comparision to today's seamless systems that transfer %'s at split seconds.

It's a good car but compared to a stock 325eS or 325iS when they were NEW the 325iX plows it's way thru the corners. It's set up to understeer from the factory so you won't get the snap oversteer of the rear trailing arm issues that the 2wd 3 series has or for that matter the same goes for Porsche's 911.

[whakiewes]

AWD typically does handle better than RWD and FWD - for the cars that are designed around good AWD systems. Audi has been using the Quattro since the early 80's; was designed in the mid 70's. Subaru adapted a lot of Quattro's techinques for making AWD work, added in a ton of adjustability, and all of a sudden the car was great. These two mark AWD in off-road/rally type circumstances.

What about on dry pavement, such as the RS6's that ran in SCCA GT Touring class. Ever see the launches from a standstill where they would take off, put two wheels in the grass (still legal) and passes nearly everyone. The downsides is that because of this added traction, they are always, in every sanction I can get the rules for, bump the car up a class. That means if you have a 225hp WRX, which by weight and power should be say D-Stock, you will be bumped to C-Stock because of the AWD system. Why is this - well with AWD you don't have to worry about oversteer and understeer. The center differentials do nearly everything possibly to help you with this. The second side of it is you can power out of turns like no other...no tire spin = complete grip. AWD cars typically brake better as well, since under most circumstances you will still be in gear which makes the front and rear wheels still connected, braking forces work together. Ex. 997 Turbo with PCCB does 60-0 in 103ft, GT3 with same 350mm PCCB does 60-0 in 110-113ft in every test. I have numerous other examples to show as well if interested. So yes, AWD does everything RWD does and more.

So why doesn't BMW's IX outhandle the RWD models. BMW's weren't designed around AWD; it was implemented to increase sales. If I am not mistaken, every part for the early E30 IX's was sourced through others parts bins. In Europe they make since because a lot of Europe sees rain, the northerners see snow, etc... A good way to make a couple extra hundred million dollars. Subaru's and Audi's are designed around their AWD platforms - any FWD models are a matter of cost cutting.

"The full potential of four-wheel-drive wasn't known until Audi pilot Hannu Mikkola used a Quattro as the course opening vehicle for one rally. Had he been entered, he would have won by nine minutes."
-Unknown, Circa 1981

Wes

[SchnellerVert]

As I mention it was a stop gap. Audi's manual locking diffs were awesome back in the day. If it wasn't for the dreaded crap wiring I would still own my 4000 CSQ Calloway.

[Jscotty]

While we are on the topix of the IX, I was told that the engines are not interchangeable with non-IX models. Is that true? I have an M20 engine from a parts car and when I went to look at an IX the other day, the seller told me that if I planned on swapping engine it might not work.

The engine in that IX is not in that bad of shape but its make a very loud tapping noise until it gets warmed up so if need be, I will just swap out the head. Anyhow, the guy told me that his intentions were to do the same thing until he read that the engine blocks are different and had second thoughts about starting a project that would end up being more trouble than he bargained for.

[PeaveyBassist]

While we are on the topix of the IX, I was told that the engines are not interchangeable with non-IX models. Is that true? I have an M20 engine from a parts car and when I went to look at an IX the other day, the seller told me that if I planned on swapping engine it might not work.

The engine in that IX is not in that bad of shape but its make a very loud tapping noise until it gets warmed up so if need be, I will just swap out the head. Anyhow, the guy told me that his intentions were to do the same thing until he read that the engine blocks are different and had second thoughts about starting a project that would end up being more trouble than he bargained for.

Yay for threadjack! And yes, you can swap. Swap oil pans/pump/pickup from a non iX car.

Will

[Joey Link]

Hi Will.

[nando]

Yay for threadjack! And yes, you can swap. Swap oil pans/pump/pickup from a non iX car.

Will

no. the regular E30 oil pump will not just bolt on to the ix block, and vice versa. the intermediate shaft is different too..