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1989 325iX - Alpine Rescue

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    1989 325iX - Alpine Rescue

    If you've read my thread on Linda, you've already seen this car. I wanted to start a journal not for attention, but rather to document my progress in bringing this thing back to life.

    Story for those interested:

    I sold a valance to a customer and he said, "hey man, my brother has this iX, would you maybe want to buy it? He doesn't have the time to fix it." I received some crappy pictures, zero details, and on a leap of faith brought the car up from Kentucky to Indy.

    I was shocked when the car showed up- it was straight as an arrow, everything in tact, etc etc. The car had been cared for and it showed. Opened the drivers door and saw that it had low miles on the dash, later verified with a history report to be true ;D

    The car had a bad auto trans and also didn't run well, but I noticed a whole bunch of new parts: coolant temp sensor, injectors, alternator, gaskets, etc etc. The car had a coolant temp sensor code, and it was clear the PO used that code to track down the issue- it was also clear that someone loved this car and couldn't figure out how to fix it, and I can only assume when the trans died, they decided to pass the car along to the next owner.

    Long story short, I have iX parts for days and a healthy bank of E30 knowledge, so I threw an injector harness on the car and it ran like a million bucks- the C191 was corroded, causing the random codes and poor running condition. With that fixed, it was time for a rehab and manual swap.

    So far, this is the progress I have made:


    Engine:
    -Continental Timing Belt Kit/Tensioner/Tensioner Spring
    -Graf Water Pump
    -Cam Seal/Oring
    -Belts, etc, replacing anything not up to spec with fresh components
    -Wrinkle Black VC
    -Coolant Temp Sensor
    -Coolant Level Sensor
    -Alternator
    -Injectors
    -VC Breather Hose
    -Top End gaskets, etc etc
    -Engine bay detail


    Drivetrain:
    -Low mile 325iX manual swap, strong VC
    -Febi Slave
    -FTE Clutch Master
    -Manual Pedal Box
    -Luk Clutch Kit/Resurfaced Flywheel
    -Garagistic Bushings, Z3 Lever
    -Fresh Driveshafts Front and Rear


    Interior:
    -FULL black sedan vinyl interior swap
    -gray carpet
    -rebuilt window regulators/switches
    -rebuilt motometer gauge cluster


    Exterior:
    -Fresh iX weaves/caps (still have yet to refinish wheels)
    -Deep detail, trim paint, roundels, etc



    This thing is crispy. Suspension is tight and was just recently gone through (I was very wrong about this), so I won't be messing with much there. I still have my vibey '88 iX back east, too, so this car will just be getting a light resto and then hopefully will find a new owner!





    The day I brought it home, sweet wheels and all:

    Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
    Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr






    iX weaves and a detail, much better:


    Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
    Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
    Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr






    Engine bay work (refinished valve cover not pictured):


    Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
    Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr





    Manual swap all ready to go in:

    Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr





    Interior:


    Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
    Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
    Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr








    That's all for now, folks, thanks for reading.
    Last edited by AWDBOB; 04-03-2021, 06:21 PM.
    1990 Brilliantrot 325iS Build Thread
    1989 Zinnoberrot M3 Build Thread

    #2
    wow solid purchase! can't wait to see what you do to it. When i was in the market for an ix years back, my #1 choice was AW on black sedan. Never found it, so i settled.
    www.instagram.com/snwmble
    #snwmble

    Current:
    '05 BMW M3 - Silver Grey/Imola Red
    '90 BMW 325iX - Sterling Silver/Houndstooth sport(5-speed converted)
    '15 Mini Countryman - Blazing Red/Carbon Black

    Past:
    '01 Audi Allroad - Light Silver/Platinum Saber Black
    '88 BMW 325iX - Diamond Schwarz/Silver sport *Sold*
    '01.5 1.8TQ - Brilliant Black/Nogaro Alcantara ...after 8.5yrs, *Sold* =(
    '90 BMW 325i - Schwarz/Tan sport *Sold*
    '89 BMW 325ix - Diamond Schwarz/Black sport *Sold*

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by audiquattrot View Post
      wow solid purchase! can't wait to see what you do to it. When i was in the market for an ix years back, my #1 choice was AW on black sedan. Never found it, so i settled.
      Thanks, man! Since I've been in the Midwest I've come across quite a few really cool cars that deserved to be rehomed- this car is getting proper treatment and will move onto a new owner. Then Heidi, my lachssilber iX is next!
      1990 Brilliantrot 325iS Build Thread
      1989 Zinnoberrot M3 Build Thread

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by audiquattrot View Post
        wow solid purchase! can't wait to see what you do to it. When i was in the market for an ix years back, my #1 choice was AW on black sedan. Never found it, so i settled.
        dude wtheck yours is sterling on houndstooth thats way cooler IMO

        mr. bob, this is coming along quite nicely, not that I'd expect anything less from you. Methinks you should do a tandem m20 stroker build for both the ix and linda lol.
        1984 Delphin 318i 2 door

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by wworm View Post
          dude wtheck yours is sterling on houndstooth thats way cooler IMO

          mr. bob, this is coming along quite nicely, not that I'd expect anything less from you. Methinks you should do a tandem m20 stroker build for both the ix and linda lol.
          Oh yeah, his is way cooler, but there's definitely something nice about alpine over black. Thanks man! I'd love to- except not this iX- on Heidi the '88, rather. Dual 3.1l builds, ITBs, RD headers. I'm still waiting to win the lottery so I can carry out one of these wild ideas.
          1990 Brilliantrot 325iS Build Thread
          1989 Zinnoberrot M3 Build Thread

          Comment


            #6
            very nice, very nice..
            https://www.facebook.com/Cry_77_IX-110483784967661
            https://www.instagram.com/cry_77_ix/

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by litu View Post
              very nice, very nice..
              Thank you! The car is really coming together.

              Got some more stuff done. I put ODO gears in for good measure, but pulled the cluster apart only to find that they were still good! I still threw the new gears in since I had them.

              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr






              I got a parts OBC on eBay and combined that with my existing one to create one good OBC, paired with a good temp sensor.

              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr




              I also cleaned and reassembled the rest of the front end. I stole the "i" lip to put on my red car, so I need to grab another one for this car.

              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr



              I brought nice spare iX weaves back from my vacation in PA where I have the other iX and the M3 still. I'm going to be refinishing those wheels for this car. Bonus was I had another set of centercaps with new emblems in a box.

              She's gettin' close!
              1990 Brilliantrot 325iS Build Thread
              1989 Zinnoberrot M3 Build Thread

              Comment


                #8
                I so badly wish we got iXes here. Good to see another being saved
                sigpic

                (clicky on piccy to get to thread)

                Comment


                  #9
                  wow, car looks great! I Expected the worst when i saw the wheels in your first post, but all is well now.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by econti View Post
                    I so badly wish we got iXes here. Good to see another being saved
                    They really are special cars! Any I can find that aren't too far gone I try to save. This one really deserves it.

                    Originally posted by Ludwig View Post
                    wow, car looks great! I Expected the worst when i saw the wheels in your first post, but all is well now.
                    It really cleaned up well! I haven't even detailed it yet, those photos were from a quick hand wash. The drivetrain I put in was very strong and it really helps complete the package.

                    Funny you say that about the wheels- the owner actually refused to sell the car with the iX weaves on it so he threw those junkers on for the sale. Shows how much he loved the car.
                    1990 Brilliantrot 325iS Build Thread
                    1989 Zinnoberrot M3 Build Thread

                    Comment


                      #11
                      I need to get my ODO gears fixed along with my tach back light. Otherwise i'm always going to be @ 172k. I mean, it helps me keep insurance premiums down though...

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by jeenyus View Post
                        I need to get my ODO gears fixed along with my tach back light. Otherwise i'm always going to be @ 172k. I mean, it helps me keep insurance premiums down though...
                        Those are easy fixes! You'll be so happy once you get a working ODO, I know I was on Linda. This car was already good to go but I threw them in just to be safe.
                        1990 Brilliantrot 325iS Build Thread
                        1989 Zinnoberrot M3 Build Thread

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Got the radio wired and the exhaust on! She purrs. Wheels are getting refinished as we speak, it's almost ready!

                          Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
                          1990 Brilliantrot 325iS Build Thread
                          1989 Zinnoberrot M3 Build Thread

                          Comment


                            #14
                            She's all finished and up for sale.

                            Link: https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...80#post4932880

                            IMG_2621 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
                            IMG_2673 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr

                            IMG_2623 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr

                            IMG_2655 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
                            1990 Brilliantrot 325iS Build Thread
                            1989 Zinnoberrot M3 Build Thread

                            Comment


                              #15
                              This thing is getting a whole lot nicer! I'm taking the time to complete various tasks, both small and large, to help prep the car the best I can for whoever picks her up.

                              Over the past few days I've done:

                              -Inner/Outer Tie Rods
                              -M3 Offset CABs
                              -H&R iX Springs
                              -Bilstein HD Front Struts
                              -Cleaned/repacked front upper strut mounts (rubber in great shape)
                              -KYB Rear shocks
                              -HD Rear Strut Mounts
                              -Sent front axles out to be gone through
                              -Front/Rear Swaybar Endlinks
                              -Proper sedan rear carpet
                              -Nice drivers side mirror glass
                              -Redline 75w90 Front Diff Fluid Change
                              -Redline MTL Trans Fluid Change
                              -Redline ATF TCase Fluid Change
                              -Redline 75w90 Rear Diff Fluid Change
                              -LiquiMoly 10w40/Mann Filter Oil Change
                              -Mounted/balanced the new tires on the refinished wheels
                              -Mann Air Filter

                              I also purchased everything to convert the car to r134. Once I get some free time I'll get that finished up as well.

                              The strut housings are in awesome shape, which is great to see. The paint was peeling on the drivers side housing so I sanded/primed/painted the upper portion of the housing to prevent future rust.

                              Passenger side strut housing:

                              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr



                              Driver side strut housing:

                              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr



                              Goodies:

                              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr




                              Getting everything ready for assembly:


                              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr




                              Donezo:


                              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr




                              Old vs new:


                              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr




                              Mirror glass:


                              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr


                              Oh Mann:

                              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr



                              Rear setup:

                              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
                              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr



                              And proper rear carpet (thanks, Austin!)

                              Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
                              1990 Brilliantrot 325iS Build Thread
                              1989 Zinnoberrot M3 Build Thread

                              Comment

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