Looking at a 1988 325ix

[1996 328ti]

I've always wanted an ix. I have the opportunity to buy a ix in excellent shape. The E30 convertible will have to go. Or not.

[mooseheadm5]

RUN AWAY!!!! Parts for these cars are VEEERRRRY expensive. Control arms fit that car only. Front diff and transfer case are failure prone. Engine is ix only (internally the same as 325i, but the block is different.) Oil pan is (obviously, as the front axle runs through it) different. I would never own one and that says alot coming from a BMW mechanic.
-P

[1996 328ti]

I'll see what my mechanic has to say. One family has owned the car.
Engine looks clean. I can't find any rust.
He doesn't want me to get an E30 M42 anything.

[Kraln]

awd cars are expensive when they go bad - what are you looking to use it for?

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by Kraln

awd cars are expensive when they go bad - what are you looking to use it for?

I'm looking to drive it.
Maybe an alternate track car. It's only $2000.

[fourbysix]

it's time for someone to step up to the plate
buy it
lift it
hd springs
gravel tires
turbo
cage
harness
=
rally car
rad-tac-u-lar

[marleymon]

You can't go wrong for 2k. I've heard they are badass in the deep snow. I need one up here, but I've had no luck finding one without major cancer.

(i stole this from the other forum...but this is the winter ride I'd like to have)

[Ji Money]

Hey check this car out. 2001 X5 3.0 manual. $16k. Man I wish I had the money for this ride.

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/car/269152308.html

[pnosker]

I don't know what's wrong with the 318i, my dad's ran till 250k miles... just needed to replace the timing chain every 125k.

[2002mcs]

I have had an 88 ix for the past five years and would drive nothing else in the Wisconsin winters. Me and some other ix buddies have gone out to empty parking lots at 1AM during a snow storm just to play in the unplowed snow!

I have 157k on the car and besides the typical E30 rust issues it has been relatively dependable. Make sure that the transfer case is not leaking and full of fluid if it isn't. Nice ones are becoming hard to find and $2k is a steal if it is rust free with no other stories. The 88's are the best year if you don't mind the big bumpers. BMW loaded that year up with the best options: Recaro sport seats, on board computer and sunroof. Most of the later years ended up being sold with cloth interiors and auto trans.

Go for it.