Just bought an '89 325iX - anyone know the car?

[jello_g]

Hi Kristina, welcome to Max.... I once had an 89 ix auto 4-dr just like yours... accumulated well over 300K and loved every moment of it despite its' shortcomings.

[Kristina]

Thanks it definitely looks like a blast to drive, hope we can get her going...

[lvan]

Lol funny read. Btw what kind of flag would that be? Anyhow welcome aboard.

[Kristina]

That's a great question, I don't have a clue, old owners not mine. lol

[Bullet Ride]

Just so you don't get too distracted by the 80's glam E30, I did include a suggestion about the transmission below the image.

[Kristina]

Ah yes - I see that now. that could definitely also be the case. Linkage I think should be fine, we have it up on the hoist and it is clicking through the gears and three wheels (weirdly) are turning in drive when it's in the air...

Can the trans oil filter be done without pulling it out? we sort of want to avoid that if we can, but looks like there's no getting around it.

does anyone also know if there is a way to test the input shaft seals and/or the clutch pack without dropping the trans?

[Ceeker]

your tranny pan has to drop to change the filter.
if you see oil leaking from the input shaft then the seal is gone. if difficult to tell then you need to degrease and pressure wash the under belly of the car and then wait to see any fresh oil drip down. At any rate regardless, you are most probably in for a tranny rebuild. and in this case needs to be removed. And as suggested; consider swapping a 5sp in.
yes there is a way of testing...you just did it...if it doesn't shift...your tranny is smoked.
you have reverse gear and that means time for rebuild.
not uncommon for seal to leak after many miles.

3 wheels turn due to the all wheel drive set up. once on the ground it will apply drive to the wheel which has traction but all should be moving if the transfer case is solid. you can do the jack test in reverse once on the ground to see if your transfer case is functional.

oh, forgot to mention. the transfer case and tranny are different between the IX auto and 5sp. you will need to swap this as well along with a different drive shaft. lets just say it isn't an easy job. :-)

[Kristina]

I'll have to look at the input shaft area again.

The tranny does shift, just doesn't put power to the wheels.

Interesting about the transfer case thing & three wheels... will have to check that, thanks

I knew about the tcase & different length driveshaft for the 5sp swap - will any e30 5sp trans fit?

[Ceeker]

Originally Posted by Kristina

I'll have to look at the input shaft area again.

The tranny does shift, just doesn't put power to the wheels.

Interesting about the transfer case thing & three wheels... will have to check that, thanks

I knew about the tcase & different length driveshaft for the 5sp swap - will any e30 5sp trans fit?

if you are NOT getting power to the wheels then you have a transmission problem. I know you're hoping it is just minor..but e30 auto trans are rather fragile if beat on for any length of time. especially when neglected.

no, the transmission and transfer case are IX specific. ONLY another IX transmission will fit unless you plan on converting the entire driveline to 2 wheel drive e30. and I don't think you want to do that..LOL

if you plan on getting a shop to do this be prepared to spend a king's ransom and make sure it is a shop which is bmw specific that has familiarity with this model car.

[Kristina]

Yeah for sure it is a trans problem, I just meant it is physically shifting into gear - have dealt with cars that won't go in or grind/jam.

OK so I'd need to get a 5sp trans/t-case out of another iX if I did the 5sp swap. And no not interested in a 2wd conversion lol.

[Ceeker]

Originally Posted by Kristina

Yeah for sure it is a trans problem, I just meant it is physically shifting into gear - have dealt with cars that won't go in or grind/jam.

OK so I'd need to get a 5sp trans/t-case out of another iX if I did the 5sp swap. And no not interested in a 2wd conversion lol.

auto's will shift unlike a 5sp where it will jam. you have worn clutches or loss of hydrolic pressure.

yes, a t-case and tranny from 5sp. along with pedals, brake res. slave cyl. pressure plate, clutch, flywheel. lines and drive shaft. not entirely sure about the axles from the t-case to the diff. those might be the same.

[Kristina]

Oh really! Shows you how much I know about auto transmissions, everything I've ever owned is manual lol. I learned something new...

I think axles are the same but will double check. may or may not be worth the money/trouble for the full 5sp swap.

[T.Dot_E30]

Welcome to max....

But i'm afraid unless you find a cheap auto somewhere, this will become a parts car, iX 5spd parts are not exactly easy to find. Unless of course you wanted to dump money into it, then yea a 5spd swap is possible.

[Ceeker]

Originally Posted by Kristina

Oh really! Shows you how much I know about auto transmissions, everything I've ever owned is manual lol. I learned something new...

I think axles are the same but will double check. may or may not be worth the money/trouble for the full 5sp swap.

I have both available and a good working auto tranny..the cheaper route is to just swap a good used auto back in.

[Ceeker]

oh, and unlike some of the comments on here. good working IX models are rare and desirable; with a working maintained transfer case and drive line. because the t-case is known to grenade from neglect and abuse it makes the car harder to find in good condition and therefore people won't spend the $ to fix them and end up parting out. But if you have one that is in really nice shape..don't strip and scrap it. Fix it or sell to someone who will fix it.