1986 325ix advice please

[Gouldx87]

Hi guys

II have found a nice 325ix in really good shape for being an 86. It was imported to Canada from Germany and it only needs a heater core everything else works. I want the car to be a summer ride that me and my old man will fix up and clean up... I have a good job so I'm not terribly concerned with the price of repairs but I was hoping you guys could tell me what to look for to make sure I don't get a crap e30 I'm willing to wait for another if the ix is a bad idea

Thanks for your help in advance

[Ceeker]

make sure the transfer case is working. do a jack test. Rear wheels up in the air and put the car in drive and see if the front wheels pull the car. that's a good sign. if not, bad transfer case or front drive shaft. control arms are far more costly on an IX then a regular e30. rust/rot behind the wheel moldings, lower fender heels. Moisture gets trapped in these areas making it common rust area. and the usual e30 stuff..LOL. sway bar links, tie rods, shocks. exhaust. rear license plate light area often rots out. aux fan seizes up due to a/c system failure. they stop using it therefore the fan seizes.

ALWAYS do a timing belt service and waterpump immediately if purchased regardless of what owner tells you.

[Gouldx87]

Thanks for the advice...for a first time owner do you think it would be a better idea for me to look for a rwd 325i rather then the awd? i am fairly good at doing repairs myself but i haven got any experience working on BMW's just a long time fan

[davericher20]

Rwd will be more fun performance wise, but that's not to discredit the awd. It will also be easier to work on if you ever had to pull the drivetrain.