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Exterior photo of 1991 BMW 325iX

1991 BMW 325iX

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Details

Price: SOLD

Mileage: 132,300 Miles

Engine: M20B25 Inline 6-Cylinder Engine

Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Transmission

Exterior color: Brilliant Red Exterior (Brilliantrot 308)

Interior: Nature Leather Interior (Natur 0295)

Additional features:

4:10 Limited Slip Differentials

Sport Seats

Original Heated Comfort Seats Included

Map Light Mirror

Husco Armrest

Cup Holder

Kenwood KDC-X300 Stereo w/ Bluetooth

BMW Premium Sound System

6-Button OBC

Ski-Pass Through

Recent Timing Belt

Bilstein Sport iX Shocks

R134 Air Conditioning Conversion

All Mx Up to Date

1-Inch Receiver Hitch for Bike Rack

2” Stack of Mx Records

15” iX Style 5 Wheels

Fresh Michelin Premier A/S Tires

Second set of iX Wheels / Winter Tires

Excellent Condition

Clean Carfax

Background

1991 BMW 325iX exterior photo

The 1984-1991 BMW 3 Series, known generationally as the E30, is the one model more than any other that earned BMW the Ultimate Driving Machine reputation. E30s are one of our specialty vehicles at Glen Shelly Auto Brokers. I have restored, rebuilt, and sorted a dozen E30’s over the years and currently own three 1989 E30’s, including an iX, an IS and a Touring. The “iX” was released to the U.S. market for the 1988 model year and was BMW’s first all wheel drive model—it is unstoppable in the snow. What makes it so good is not the all wheel drive; it is the E30’s perfectly balanced and telepathically communicative chassis. It is light, tossable, and wonderfully controllable. Adding all wheel drive to the mix only makes the iX that much better. Limited production numbers and exposure to the cold weather climates most have lived in have decimated the population of clean iXs, making good ones few and far between.

Summary

 exterior photo

I first purchased this 1991 325iX in November of 2015 from through an E30 enthusiast. Other than a brief stint in New York, it has always lived in Southern or Western states, free of rust-belt exposure. Once I got it, I manual-swapped it with a 96K-mile Getrag G260 iX gearbox and manual transfer case that we re-sealed and installed with a new shifter components and a clutch kit. I also shimmed the front drive shaft to allow more spline contact, which extends the service life considerably. Then I gave it a complete mechanical refreshing bringing all items up to date including the timing belt, water pump, cam seal, valve adjustment, valve cover gasket, accessory belts, a driver’s door lock cylinder, Bilstein sport shocks, and front control arm bushings. I have detailed records from the previous owners dating back to 1999. Service booklet stamps and the Carfax pick up before that. A 2-inch stack of records and receipts comes with the car. The Brilliant Red paint is in very good condition, as is the Natur Leather interior. I swapped in a set of matching sport seats (the original heated comfort seats are included with the sale). The driver’s bolster has a large tear, which I can have repaired for an additional $500, but I wanted to give the buyer this option. Other E30 bling items are a map light mirror, husco armrest, dual cup holder, and ski pass-though / bag. My personal E30 is an iX sedan and there is no better snow car than an iX. The sedan adds much needed versatility, making the back seats more accessible and usable. This one isn’t cheap, but in a population of rusty and neglected 325iXs, this one is a very clean and low-mileage example—it is priced accordingly.

Exterior

1991 BMW 325iX exterior photo

I’m a sucker for a shiny red E30 and this one pops in Brilliantrot. The paint is in very good shape, but it does have imperfections if you scrutinize it. A gallery of pictures is on our website if you are reading this elsewhere. There are no areas of failed clear coat and minimal UV fade (common issues for red). There is minor discoloration on the hood and light crazing on the hood clear bra. The trunk lid and driver’s side rear C-pillar have clear coat damage from bird droppings. There is a small scuff on the passenger front fender, along with a small ding in the passenger side door. All paint is original except for the driver’s front fender and front bumper (which I had repainted). The Carfax is clean and all VIN tags are in place except for the driver’s fender due to my repainting it. There is no rust; it was clearly preserved from winter exposure. All common spots like the battery tray, floor boards, fenders, and lower windshield cowling are clean. All trim is in place and the headlight and tail light lenses are crack-free. The left front fog light lens has a crack. The windshield is crack-free and the side and rear windows are lightly tinted. The Style 5 iX basketweave wheels are in excellent shape with minimal curb rash. All center caps are present. They are wearing Michelin Premier A/S Tires with 90% tread remaining. A second seat of wheels and winter tires are also included with the sale.

Interior

 interior photo

Overall, the interior is in excellent condition. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. The carpet has no tears or stains. The dashboard is crack-free. We added matching Natur Leather sport seats, but the original heated comfort seats are included with the sale. The sport seat leather is in fair shape, the worst blemish being a large tear in the outer bolster. I can have this repaired for an additional $500, but wanted the give the buyer the option to buy the car cheaper. The rear seats are in very good condition and have the ski pass-through. The steering wheel is in good shape, with only minor leather wear. All instrument cluster functions work, including the odometer. The SRS system throws a warning on the overhead check panel, but when we tested the module it threw no codes. I would disable the module if I were going to keep it. The 6-button onboard computer works. The factory stereo has been replaced with a Kenwood KDC-X300 stereo with Bluetooth and matching illumination. It sounds great through the premium sound speakers. The shifter and boot have minimal wear, as does the leather cup holder and Husco armrest pad. The window and sunroof switches work, as does the central locking system. We installed a replacement driver’s door lock cylinder coded to the original key. The heat blows warm and the air conditioning blows cold. The trunk carpet is clean and the tool kit is complete with an aftermarket screwdriver.

Mechanical

 engine photo

I have extensive records dating to 2000, along with the original window sticker. The records show regular services and frequent maintenance. All work regarding the manual swap in invoiced and included with the records binder. The work was performed by us or E30 specialists Auto Sport Werks, along with a hose of other maintenance necessary to bring the car up to my standards. The list of recent maintenance (within the last two years) includes:

  • Timing Belt
  • Water Pump
  • Cam Seal
  • Valve Adjustment
  • Valve Cover Gasket
  • Spark Plugs
  • Manual Gearbox and Transfer Case from a 96K mile iX
  • Rear Main Seal
  • Resurfaced Flywheel
  • Clutch Kit
  • Pilot Bearing
  • Pivot Pin
  • Shift Joint
  • Shift Bushings
  • Transmission Seals
  • Reverse Light Switch
  • Brake Reservoir
  • Right Tie Rod
  • Driver’s Door Lock Cylinder
  • Front Control Arm Bushings
  • Bilstein Shocks / Mounts
  • Ansa Muffler
  • Right Front Control Arm

The engine starts on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strong to redline. The clutch take up is correct and the shifter is tight and precise—not the spoon in the bowl of spaghetti that some E30s are. The suspension is firm and compliant and the brakes are strong. There are no driveline or wheel bearing vibrations. The exhaust is rust-free.

A considerable amount of time and money has been spent on this E30 and it shows as a result. We would like to find a new owner will appreciate what it is and enjoy it for years to come.

VIN Decode

 exterior photo

VIN Decode

  • VIN: WBAAE0314MED52758
  • Type: AE03
  • Model: 325ix – USA
  • Development Code: E30 (16)
  • Chassis: LIM
  • Steering: LL
  • Doors: 2
  • Engine: M20
  • Displacement: 2.50
  • Power: 168 Horsepower
  • Drivetrain: AWD
  • Transmission: Automatic (manual-swapped)
  • Color: Brilliant Red (Brillantrot - 308)
  • Upholstery: Nature Leather (Natur Leder – 0295)
  • Production Plant: Regensburt
  • Production Date: 8/1/1990

Options

  • 240 Leather Steering Wheel
  • 401 Sliding / Vent Roof Electric
  • 411 Window Lifts Electric
  • 464 Skibag
  • 494 Seat Heating Front Driver / Passenger
  • 530 Air Conditioning
  • 540 Cruise Control
  • 556 Exterior Temperature Display
  • 675 BMW Sound System
  • 925 Shipping Protection Package