E30 325iX Touring - Any red flags?

[Roberto]

Not E28 specific content but I imagine there is a large overlap in this community and I'm looking for advice.

Im trying to go to look at this car... https://www.pcarmarket.com/auction/deal ... ix-wagon/#

I was wondering if anyone sees any red flags besides the price

Things that jumped out to me are the extra dirty carpet and how its ruffled up in the back seat. Otherwise looks solid. Exterior looks solid.

Also aware of IX part rareness...listing says it comes with manual transmission and adapter to transfer case for manual swap which would make it more desirable.

Its been a long while since I posted but Im lurking around again. Hoping to get back into a E30 or E28 one of these days...

Cheers!

[stuartinmn]

I've had three 325ix's and a Touring is my dream car. My current one is a 1988 coupe with a five speed, previously I had another 1988 five speed coupe and a 1989 automatic coupe. The automatic car was pretty doggy. As for the potential swap to a five speed I'm pretty sure the transfer case was different than for an automatic, so make sure the parts provided with the car allow for that. Also, the differential gear ratios were different (on US cars at least, a five speed had 3.91 gears and an automatic was 4.10. Since this is a euro car that may not apply.)

This car looks pretty clean but they like to rust behind the lower body cladding where it may not show until it's pretty advanced. Check carefully along the rocker panels and the lower edge of the front fender for rust bubbles. It looks like the window weatherstrip on the driver's door may be getting kind of crunchy. Obviously all the touring specific parts are going to be difficult to replace, especially in the US so check the tailgate closely including around the seams for any rust issues. Some of the front end suspension and drivetrain parts are getting hard to find (and are expensive) or are NLA, so watch for wear and noises when test driving the car.

Something to watch for is the splines on the transfer case where it connects to the front driveshaft can strip out, because from the factory the driveshaft doesn't plug far enough into the transfer case. The common fix is to shim the driveshaft where it bolts to the front differential with some washers, so the splined end is pushed further into the transfer case. I had it happen to one of my cars; I was able to get the transfer case rebuilt at a place called https://www.zumbrotadrivetrain.com in Zumbrota, MN - they're a large facility that usually deals with four wheel drive trucks but they were able to take care of me too.

An important information source is the iX registry, at https://www.325ix.com/ixregistry/iX/ I don't know how active it is anymore but they have extensive FAQ and repair info sections online - I recommend reading them. The newsletters are also on the website and are worth looking through for tips and tricks.

Edit: I forgot to say that since it's a euro spec car, of course you need to make sure the importation and title paperwork is all in order.

[Roberto]

Thanks for the great tips. I will report back.

[Chicagotrader92]

I think you should do it. But, keep in mind there's a 50% chance the mileage is actually accurate. No red flags and the condition is great, but only has 1 Carfax entry and no documentation.

[stuartinmn]

This car wasn't legal for importation to the US until 2016, so it's likely it doesn't have much history here that would be noted on a Carfax.

[Roberto]

Well, the seller hasn't responded to me in a couple of days. Last thing he said was he might list on BaT... so we'll see what happens.

I hadn't considered the fact that importation only started in 2016 but that makes something click in my mind because I remember these seemed a lot rarer stateside in the late 2000s. Also it seems like prices for Touring models have dropped significantly in the last year or so for some reason. Maybe supply increasing stateside has something to do with it...

Even if this one doesnt work out I think i'm hooked on the idea now and will keep my eye out for another, either ix or just 2wd. I have a family friend in germany too.... would be a good source for parts and/or importation. He's a car enthusiast (volvo) so he will understand.

Thanks again for your input!

[Roberto]

Just heard back....its going to BaT. I guess i missed my opportunity to get a 'deal'.

Well maybe BaT crowd will be averse to an automatic...i'll definitely be keeping my eye on it. I was going to offer ~17k... the only other 325ix touring on BaT are either from Europe and need to be imported and 5 spd, or 5 spd US. No precedent I can find recently for an automatic ix. There are only a few auto 325i touring and go for under 14k....none recently. Who knows maybe ill get a deal after all...

[stuartinmn]

At this point e36 tourings are also old enough for import to the US. They weren't available in all wheel drive, but then again with enough effort you could drop in an M3 drivetrain and that would be pretty cool.

[Roberto]

To be honest, I never saw an E36 touring until right now... I have to say I am partial to the E30 looks over the E36.

Ive seen some S52 swapped e30 tourings that strike my fancy... that would be an awesome project too.

[MLastovo]

It's on BaT.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-bmw-325ix-38/

[Mike W.]

Noticed this in the BAT listing,

The vehicle has not been inspected by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair.

Which means it may or may not be nearly impossible to register in California.

[Roberto]

I watched it until the end but in the time between when I started this thread and now I decided not to spend so much money...and look for a better lower cost opportunity.

BaT is kind of weird, some listings get torn to shreds for missing basic info, and some no one comments on the elephant in the room.

I also realized most of the cost of e30 touring is the hype. I think I'll wait for a crustier one to come around and clean it up and probably just go with rear wheel drive.

The whole California CARB situation is new to me this year since recently moved here. Seems like a lot of people with non compliant cars register in this county in South Dakota that allows it.

[Theotherotter]

I remember around 2016 there was a green 325iX Touring on BaT that sold for about $8000. It was a bit rusty but mechanically looked reliable. Would have made a nice 4-season northern car that you wouldn’t have to really worrry about. Maybe patch rust a but and just keep it oiled.

[Mike W.]

The whole California CARB situation is new to me this year since recently moved here. Seems like a lot of people with non compliant cars register in this county in South Dakota that allows it.

I haven't talked to them in a while, and my impression from talking was that they were tight, very tight, but not chickenshit, they weren't looking for ways to fail things, but they did want things absolutely by the book. If it doesn't have a BAR sticker, they would take it, do to it as they thought best, and charge you to work on it, then return it to you. A frightening proposition that prevented me from even thinking about a non BAR approved gray market car. As far as registering it in SD, it might work if it's a hobby car and garaged, but if you intend to daily drive it or even regularly park it on the street, I would expect the local, boys in blue, to notice and eventually write you up.

[Roberto]

To me the great irony is that CA has such strict emissions regulations but no safety inspection. I guess old ball joints never fail in CA.

[Roberto]

I remember around 2016 there was a green 325iX Touring on BaT that sold for about $8000. It was a bit rusty but mechanically looked reliable. Would have made a nice 4-season northern car that you wouldn’t have to really worrry about. Maybe patch rust a but and just keep it oiled.

Yeah! It seems like a sub 10k e30 touring or two pass by on BaT every year in decent shape. Local Craigslist and facebook marketplace listings seem consistently overpriced. Maybe just fishing for suckers...i dont know.

[Theotherotter]

Here we go:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989- ... i-touring/

But this is actually the one I was thinking of:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988- ... touring-2/

[Roberto]

There was another this year, in a nice color too, laguna green metallic, for around 6.5k.

I just need to be patient. Good lesson to remember.

[stuartinmn]

Those were pretty good looking cars, but of course they sold a decade ago and prices have gone up since then.

[Roberto]

I have to admit guys, I just figured out where to select 'notify me when reply is posted'. Only took 15 years