1989 325ix Dinan Turbo stablemate for my 1988 E24 M6

[M-technik-3]

wow, I don't know how many ix's Dinan built but it couldn't have been more than a handful. Another one is owned by Satch Carlson of BMW Roundel fame - I'm not the biggest Dinan fan in the world, but these cars were really well put together, probably by Steve Dinan himself.

Satch told me at some point what the suspension was, I don't really remember except that he said he does road rallies and it was way too low, lol.

Yeah his is very nice as well

You bought it! Good score, I was drooling over this thing when it came up. This is such a cool car, I love it. How does the auto shift compared to other E30 autos you have experienced?

I think this car had been on market a few times.

[downforce22]

That engine bay looks like the layout of the callaway turbo of the early 80s. Here is my brothers callaway e24 before he went to ms2 and removed the afm

[Max325ix]

This is pretty cool, just curious how you found the car?

I had been eyeing IX's for some time. One particular one that was somewhat local (2.5 hours drive) a 1990 black IX since December of last year. That owner kept me on hold wanting to do repairs to the TC before selling it. The shop he was trying to use could not do the job and it finally ended up at a BMW service center. I finally gave up and started looking for another in July. That was the first time I had come across the particular car. I think it was a BMW CCA site add or similar where I first saw it. When I inquired it was sold and ads were pulled. Luck would have it that the buyer backed out. I stepped in with my offer but by then the selling agent the seller commissioned had decided the best coarse of action was to go to auction because of all the interest. It did and again luck would have it that the dead beat buyer who hit the buy-it-now button did not have the means to pay for it or tried to negotiate after the fact. Agent and seller told him to get lost. I remained interested communications progressed from there. Its mines now :).

wow, I don't know how many ix's Dinan built but it couldn't have been more than a handful. Another one is owned by Satch Carlson of BMW Roundel fame - I'm not the biggest Dinan fan in the world, but these cars were really well put together, probably by Steve Dinan himself.

Satch told me at some point what the suspension was, I don't really remember except that he said he does road rallies and it was way too low, lol.

I would love to learn more about this car and Satch's for that matter.

You bought it! Good score, I was drooling over this thing when it came up. This is such a cool car, I love it. How does the auto shift compared to other E30 autos you have experienced?

I wish I could tell you how it drives but so far everyone has driven it except me. I bought it sight unseen. I did get eyes on it by a friend plus had an extensive PPI done at a reputable BMW shop. I am told the transmission has a shift kit plus other mods. I'll provide my impressions once I get behind the wheel but I wont have another IX auto to compare to. If you can believe it, I have never driven an E30 before. I have longed for one for 29 years now, this will be my first E30.

Yeah his is very nice as well



I think this car had been on market a few times.

I had never seen this particular one for sale before July. That said it was up for sale in the month of July and August via several avenues until I closed the deal. Then again, I was not "looking" so much in the north thus could have missed it.




In my opinion, the car was poorly represented which worked in my favor. I knew what it was. I wasn't looking for a turbo car. Actually I am usually a OEM 100% stock kind of person. None of my cars have any mods but I do appreciate BMW's and its history. The factory M's, Alpina's, Hartge, and Dinan's of the 70's and 80's do hold a place in my heart so I thought it was time to consider a modified example and try something different. My focus was on originality, authenticity and I new it was something unique. The car was solid, low documented miles and every panel had the original vin tags, gaps are perfect and nothing rattled. Paint was original. Owner #2 who owned it the longest was available for comment and I had a good 30 minute conversation with him about the car. He recalled everything from owner 1, its entire history, the day he bought it and his drive to NY/NJ. He even recalled the weather that day. He went to see it and gave me his perspective. Owner #2 still had the original wheels at his airplane hanger which I have since acquired after purchasing the ix. It comes with the original bill of sale, a log book documenting each fill up with the miles driven and fuel consumption, a lot of other documentation, service records etc. I was able to easily see past all the dirt. It had sat at the BMW specialty shop for over 1 year. The 3rd owner brought it in May 2015 for a full service. He planned on giving the car to his son. He had asked for a complete service at the specialty shop. The timing belt, tensioners and water pump were replaced, head bolts changed, new tires, complete new breaks all around, plus all fluids were flushed and replaced. Some custom exhaust fabrication work was also done to replace one section while keeping the Dinan design. The owner had paid the bill for the service in Feb 2016 but never picked up the car. Life happened and his son never ended up getting this car. Again, lucky for me. It sat at the BMW shop until I purchased it.

I knew I was going to spend some money on it but thats fine, I don't mind that when I know what I am getting. The paintless dent removal cost me $700 but every panel is now 100% dent or ding free. The paint correction shop mentioned in an earlier post in this thread did an amazing job restoring the original paint without a which was another $700 to $1000. I'm still waiting on the final bill but you can see the results of his work. The mechanicals and engine cosmetics are next. I plan on a full suspension refresh to even include the rear subframe bushings will also be done as I want it driving as it did new back in 1989. For that part I am shipping it to my mechanic in GA. I will also most likely put the original OEM wheels back on the car. A set of Coco Mats are in the works. Going for the black and grey checkered set. Clear ceramic tints will be added to the windows to keep the sun/UV rays and heat out.

I can't wait to get my hands on it.

Max

[nando]

I think the ix would be kinda fun with a turbo/auto. I mean, literally you just put your foot to the floor and let the car do it's thing.

[Max325ix]

I think the ix would be kinda fun with a turbo/auto. I mean, literally you just put your foot to the floor and let the car do it's thing.

I agree. I actually wanted an Automatic and it will be my first personal car with an auto aside from my shared family vehicles. Miami traffic is a killer. I have my 88 BMW E24 M6 and 72 Triumph STAG to satisfy my manual fix when needed. The shop in NY that did the PPI, plus my local BMW South FL shop and my GA mechanic have all suggested that I am better off with the Automatic when a turbo is considered with respect to a cars engine. It was explaned to me but again, I am no mechanic thus do not recall the reasoning but the result was a auto is safer for the engine than a manual would have been over the years. I look forward to the auto with the turbo engine especially coupled with an AWD system. The auto had been modified with a shift kit by Dinan to make it more entertaining. It should prove to be quite fun.

Thanks

Max

[stonea]

Extremely cool find!

[Max325ix]

Engine Pictures after cleaning

Hello

I got some engine pictures today.
I plan on having all the screws, brackets and clips that are corroded repainted, powder coated or replaced. The Turbo components will also get cleaned, repainted or powder coated where possible.



Max

[Chris Spiegl]

Very awesome, I am quite jealous...

[Max325ix]

Finally on the move to FL

The ix has been ready (cosmetically) for about two weeks now but, transport was a headache... Finally (with help from the paint correction shop) I was able to organize enclosed transport to FL. Here it is being picked up and loaded on to the enclosed trailer along with the spare set of OEM 16" wheels. It will arrive here in FL this Sunday afternoon. I am super excited. I'll be getting my plate and title sorted and then next week it goes all the way back up to GA to my specialist for the mechanical review and refresh of all its systems and components needing servicing. That should be another 2 to 3 weeks.

Max

[88e30ix]

Thank you for sharing and welcome!!

[jneumss]

Really cool!

You'll have to let us know how it drives! I bet that it would be pretty fun with an auto-turbo setup and it's awesome that it is Lachssilber. Cheers!

[TimeMachinE30]

Awesome car. It is the next car I would like to build really.. a Dinan.

[Max325ix]

The IX beside the M6

The IX next to the M6.

It was only for a short time though. If I am going to return this car to its former glory I am going to have to go through all the serviceable suspension and mechanicals. For that I am going to need help.
The third picture shows it leaving once again. I shipped it back up north to GA this time. There is an old school mechanic up there that is somewhat of a legend when it comes to 70's and 80's BMW's, especially the M cars. He's doing all the work. I hope I can have it back before New Years.

Max

[Max325ix]

And more updates.

As most of us know we can sometimes get carried away....

So far here where we have done:
New Coolant Temp Senor
New Fuel Pressure regulator
AC Blower motor is being replaced
New OEM fuse box has arrived an being installed
New OEM spark plugs
Dropped the front transfer case to gain access to the oil pan as I wanted to replace the gasket. It wasn't leaking (yet) but was sweating a bit. At that time removed and fully checked the oil pump. Gladly the pump is perfect.
New thicker front giubo mod
Tested the Turbo and its all with in spec and working fine
All exhaust related gaskets are being replaced.
The manifold exhaust to turbo is loose. Removing it to bead blast and coat the parts has been impossible. We have been in contact with Dinan. They will try and help where they can but essentially the told us that back then no real thought was given to future servicing, just to putting out really cool stuff that went. That has translated into...well...needing to pull the head to gain access to the bolts. Some pictures below. It sure has some dirt after 27 years but not for long!

So whats the plan. None really, kind of just go along just do depending on what we find. At this point I am going with the mindset of "while I/we are in there" we'll just check everything. What ever is warn or not to spec is going to get replaced. Even if that means valves etc but my mechanic does not anticipate this as he said it shows signs of really having been extensively cared for. The underside of the valve cover was near spotless. Testing the internals will tell for sure. Lots of items will get cleaned and/or bead blasted and then powder coated or similar depending on whats appropriate.
All springs, shocks and struts are coming off along with other related suspension components and cleaned or replaced as needed.
I am probably going to replace the rear sub frame bushings.
Gas tank is going to come out to be cleaned and resealed.
Seeing as how I hate "old looking" or surface rust, a whole bunch of brackets and other items in the engine compartment will be removed and powered coated.

I'll update as we go along.

Max

[Stuffy]

Replace that timing belt with a new gates racing belt while you have the head off.