New owner, BMW 325iX Touring

[econti]

Makes sense, my dad drove a bit with it and he is the one that first had this problem. Probably pushed it too far. I don't think I have a clutch stop.

Definitely fit one, its very easy to do and makes a car much nicer to drive. Plus the benefit of not harpooning the slave pushrod into the bellhousing.

[Rollforever]

Couple small things got done over the several last days.

I painted the steering rack housing, I'd prefer to have a more mat finish but at least the color is pretty much spot on


I also re threaded the shortend steering shaft, added a counter bore as well to be able to fit the tie rod and chamfer on the outside.


I also got my hardware back from the plated, on the last minute I decided to also include the tools form the tool kit however they didn't turn out all that great.
Probably since they are casted? not sure.


And gold plated hardware. Somehow the cooling fan turned all white.. not sure if this is some kind of coating they used to protect the plastic or it just changed color from the process.
The plastic is still flexible like it was..


Very happy with the result of the bolts, they came out nice and shiny.


I also had the chance to rebuild the alternator, I got a new rotor (aftermarket brand) but had to modify the collar a little bit where the plate that hold the bearing into the housing sits on to.
Happy with the results.


New bearings, voltage reg., rotor, sandblasted stator + new red isolator varnish, replated hardware and glass bead blasted + ceramic coated housing.

hey man, love the build and write up with everything! I’m about to start the process of modifying the e83 rack to fit into my 325iX.

I have a question about the Steering Shaft. When you removed the material to shorten it, did you remove material from both ends or just from one side? Then you rethreaded it and then what did you mean by counterbore?

For inner tie rods - You used e83 and then removed 20mm from each side?

Did you end up using e36 or e30 outer tie rods?

I just wanted to confirm before I start modifying.

Thanks in advance for the help. 🙏🏼

[D.Martijn]

hey man, love the build and write up with everything! I’m about to start the process of modifying the e83 rack to fit into my 325iX.

I have a question about the Steering Shaft. When you removed the material to shorten it, did you remove material from both ends or just from one side? Then you rethreaded it and then what did you mean by counterbore?

For inner tie rods - You used e83 and then removed 20mm from each side?

Did you end up using e36 or e30 outer tie rods?

I just wanted to confirm before I start modifying.

Thanks in advance for the help. 🙏🏼

Hey,

Thanks for the comment! Cool that you are also having a try on the steering rack replacement, it's quite involved though.

I did remove material from both sides, can't recall on top of my head how much though. I did have to make the threads deeper, the counterbore "catches" the X83 tie rod, it fit's inside of this counterbore. The original steering shaft has these as well.

Inner tie rods are indeed E83, outers are E36. I think I shortened both.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

edit: just had a look at the measurements I took, I think I removed 17mm from both sides.


I also measured the total length of the original rack and tie rods and matched the total length by shortening the new ones.

[Rollforever]

Hey,

Thanks for the comment! Cool that you are also having a try on the steering rack replacement, it's quite involved though.

I did remove material from both sides, can't recall on top of my head how much though. I did have to make the threads deeper, the counterbore "catches" the X83 tie rod, it fit's inside of this counterbore. The original steering shaft has these as well.

Inner tie rods are indeed E83, outers are E36. I think I shortened both.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

edit: just had a look at the measurements I took, I think I removed 17mm from both sides.


I also measured the total length of the original rack and tie rods and matched the total length by shortening the new ones.

thanks so much for the information! I really appreciate you taking the time to help!

[D.Martijn]

It's been a while!! I've been quite busy with the renovation of our house. Still quite a bit left to do but we're getting there.
After the house will be fhe workshop.. :)

Two weekends ago we made a little drive with a couple of friends and their E30's.
Mine unfortunatly couldn't make it becausee my battery died. However riding along with a good friend, it started to tickle...




Since my girlfriends birthday was the next weekend and there was an extra holiday in Belgium, we decided to go to the Belgian sea. I bought a new battery, first couple of cranks without the fuel pump relay to build some oil pressure.
After that it fired right up! God I love this thing, been sitting for probably a year now. In desperate need of a wash, first one at the house!





engine bay still looking fresh


Interior as well, still in love with the Alpina wheel.


Touring doing Touring things!



I did notice that my oil temp doesn't get much higher than 75/80°C on the highway.
Letting it sit idle a while, it's rising to 90°C.


I measured the oil filter housing and got 106°C. however it's pretty hard to measure closely because of the hot exhaust manifolds.. Tried measuring the oil filter housing bolt but couldn't reach close enough..
Might need to have a look and see if I can get a better temp reader.

Definitely fit one, its very easy to do and makes a car much nicer to drive. Plus the benefit of not harpooning the slave pushrod into the bellhousing.

Also took the time to finally 3D print a clutch stop! Took me a while though