Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

New to BMW with an ‘89 325ix

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    New to BMW with an ‘89 325ix

    Greetings folks, (I tried posting earlier, didn’t go through, one more time here...)

    After trading in my Golf TDI back to VW post-dieselgate, I finally went for my jonesing to own and drive an older BMW. Found this single-owner ‘89 325ix sold by by a retired couple who garaged a completely stock example in their AZ garage. While it has 193k on the ODO and is going in next week for new front Bilsteins, new clutch, and a few other repairs under the hood, there is not a spec of rust anywhere. They ordered a complete exterior trim-off restoration with high-quality oil-based(?) paint, and the interior and engine bay are super clean. I held my breath through smog check, but we passed and now driving with CA plates. Going to keep it mostly stock, but a few interior upgrades are planned, including a short-shift kit, leather sport steering wheel and BMW sport seats (heated) to replace the standard fronts. Sharing a couple of pictures (I’m hoping the uploads go through on this post).

    Attached Files
    Last edited by adanzig; 11-18-2017, 06:53 PM. Reason: Posting links to images instead of attachments.
    1989 325iX
    SF, CA

    #2
    Awesome find! Looking forward to seeing photos of the refresh

    RICHTER MOTOREN

    1987 e30 325is Zinno - Restoring
    2004 e46 325xi Alpine - Daily
    2003 e46 330ci Topaz - Sold
    1988 e30 325is Zinno - RIP
    2007 Honda Ody - Family Truckster



    '87 325is Restoration Build


    Comment


      #3
      Wow, that car is in pristine condition! Great find for sure.
      Can't wait to see the further updates on this car
      1990 325iX Touring - November 2018 R3V Car Of The Month

      1980 Volkswagen Golf mk1 1.1
      1974 BMW 2002 Touring

      Instagram

      Comment


        #4
        You, sir, may have the cleanest IX in North America. I'm jealous.
        101

        The E30 collection:
        1987 325es M52 - Schwarz / Taurus Red Sport (son #2's)
        1987 325is - Delphin / Black Sport (son #3's)
        1987 325i Convertible - Triple Black
        1989 325iX Coupe - Diamondschwarz / Black Comfort
        1990 325iX Coupe - Sterling Silver / Grey Sport

        1981 Fiat 124 Spider 2000 - Green / Tan
        1998 Volvo V70 GLT - White / Tan
        1998 Volvo S70 T5 manual - White / Taupe
        2001 Ford Windstar - Silver / Grey (parts hauler)
        2006 Lexus GX470 - White / Tan (tow rig)

        Comment


          #5
          Wow! Such a good find.

          Comment


            #6
            Incredible, what a find. That thing is mint.

            Comment


              #7
              Nice find! Congratulations.

              Comment


                #8
                That thing is crazy clean! Very nice find!!!
                89' 325ix Diamantschwarz/Black rattle can...

                Insta: r_moose_w

                Originally posted by flyboyx
                I imagine her smelling like spoiled milk and having a half inch crust of doodoo circumnavigating her butthole.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Wow nice job!
                  Euro Delivery Thread///E30 Project Klaus///COTM August 2021

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Car is gorgeous
                    2016 F-150 TT
                    1997 Accord (dog hauler/beater)
                    2013 Mustang
                    1991 325iX

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Update on 325iX refresh

                      Finally getting to update where I am on the 325ix - here's a few photos plus a summary of the 'investment' rework...

                      First a couple of photos from a drive down PCH near Jenner, CA:





                      Below shows the swapped-in sport seats that were covered with textured vinyl to match the original upholstery (pleather side bolsters), plus M-style shifter on a Z3-short-throw shifter, along with a new M-style 3-spoke wheel to replace the original 4-spoke:


                      Other work completed that makes the car a joy to drive:
                      a. Alpine XM BT stereo (mic mounted over steering column), A-pillar BMW tweeters and new 5" speakers all around, Viper alarm with remote locking
                      b. New front Bilstein HDs
                      c. Rebuilt rear diff and new bearings
                      d. Plus new power steering hoses, new fan clutch, new throttle housing, new guibos, flanges, gaskets, seals, etc. to bring this car up to fine working order.
                      Driving down PCH, the car just handles impeccably, hums along at 80mph.
                      My only nit is the rear drone that comes in around 40mph (but the high-speed drone is gone with the rear diff rebuild). Not sure if it's a driveshaft balancing issue - thoughts?
                      1989 325iX
                      SF, CA

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Update on 325iX refresh

                        Finally posting an update here (scroll down for images): I’ve had the car back now for a couple of weeks and it drives beautifully. Here’s the litany of repairs and OEM parts - a princely sum but worthwhile inve$tment to bring it up to snuff - great work by Gary at Vanguard Motors in SF who used to own one and has rebuilt his own transfer case, so I trust him implicitly):

                        · New front Bilstein HDs (previous ‘shocks’ had zero oil, drove like a caddy, now handles amazeballs), mounting pads, sway bar linkages
                        · New clutch assembly
                        · Swapped out transfer case (previous owner didn’t change the oil and initially drained with all kinds of strange bits and particles; was grinding pretty bad) with a second-hand transfer case (in much better shape!) from a source in Colorado
                        · Replaced stock shift lever with short-throw shifter/Z3 M-style leather shift knob, replaced cracked leather shift boot with OEM
                        · Replaced 4-spoke original steering wheel with M-tech 3-spoke
                        · Rebuilt rear diff, bearings, etc. to reduce rear high-speed drone
                        · New power steering hoses
                        · New throttle housing/gasket
                        · New washer fluid pump that was shot
                        · New fan clutch
                        · Swapped standard heated seats for reupholstered heated sport seats with matching textured vinyl inserts (pleather bolsters)
                        · New Alpine BT/XM radio with telephony/mic mounted on steering column; new 5” speakers all around and added front door tweeters; new alarm with remote locking

                        325iX Rear Quarter View off PCH


                        325ix off PCH:


                        Interior:


                        Engine bay:


                        At this point, it’s a joy to drive, handles beautifully, purrs along at 80, exhaust note is fantastic (stock/original). My only real complaint is that there is (still) somewhat of a noise/drone that creeps in from the back of the car around 40mph. The high-speed drone that came in at 65 is gone (thanks to the rear diff rebuild/new diff bearings). Any thoughts from the pack?
                        1989 325iX
                        SF, CA

                        Comment


                          #13
                          no shit.. those seats are the originals? Wow such a beautiful platform to begin with!

                          Not sure what the noise in the back could be. Is it a clunk/thump/clank? How would you describe the noise, other than droning.
                          JP
                          WTB: Z3 1.9 lever, plastic bumpers, 19# injectors, Anthracite Cloth Sport Seats


                          Current
                          88 325 super eta
                          00 528i/5 (daily)
                          02 530iA sport

                          Former
                          04 525iA sport
                          87 325is
                          91 325i
                          97 528i

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by AC_Schnitzel View Post
                            no shit.. those seats are the originals? Wow such a beautiful platform to begin with!

                            Not sure what the noise in the back could be. Is it a clunk/thump/clank? How would you describe the noise, other than droning.
                            Seat frames are second-hand, custom reupholstered.
                            The drone is a low frequency rumble (almost like a secondary exhaust note, but it’s not an exhaust note I’m sure)
                            1989 325iX
                            SF, CA

                            Comment


                              #15
                              That's a beauty..!! Very nice.
                              Maybe get your rear wheels balanced to get rid of that drone. Not entirely sure if that would cause it though.
                              Any history on the timing belt btw? Having that thing snap would cause serious engine damage.

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X