One-owner 1991 BMW 325ix

A friend approached me with a 325ix he was interested in recently. All-wheel drive in the epic E30 chassis has always intrigued me, making a great all-season performer. The one my friend was looking at left plenty to be desired in terms of care and was an automatic; today’s ix was produced in the E30s final year and is looking beautiful and well cared for after its 22 years with the original owner. Inside and out it shows that the 116k miles it’s covered were careful and maintenance was performed with zeal and punctuality. Cleaner and more original than most E30s we see, let alone ix models, it could command a bit of a premium over most E30 325s on the market.

Year: 1991
Model: 325iX
Engine: 2.5 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 116,700 mi
Price: Auction, reserve met

Click for more details: One-owner 1991 BMW 325ix on eBay

For sale is a 1991 BMW 325ix. This vehicle is brilliant red over black leather. This is a one owner vehicle that was ordered by the customer and sold new by the BMW Store here in Cincinnati. The vehicle has been maintained by the dealer or a local independent BMW shop its entire life.

Driving impressions:

The engine starts immediately and idles smoothly. The car pulls strong through all the gears. Gear shifts are very crisp and positive, no slop or play is evident in the gear selector. The suspension is tight with no rattles, knocks, or creaks. The car tracks straight down the road and stops well with no pulling left or right.

Vehicle appearance:

The condition of the car is truly incredible for its age and originality. The vehicle has never had any accidents or paint work. The body panels are rust free. The underside is rust free with just some surface oxidation on some hardware and axle/suspension components. The leather is very nice. No cracks or tears at all. Just light wear on the driver’s bolster. The headliner is very clean and has no sag. The carpets are very nice with minimal fading and no stains. The original floor mats are faded. The dash, door panels, and center console are as new. The tool kit is complete and looks to have never been used. The ski pass-through also appears to have never been used. The trunk carpeting is spotless.

Accessories:

All accessories work. Windows, central locking, sunroof, and heated seats work perfectly. All electrical components function as they should, including the clock and trip computer. The original radio is present and works perfectly, as does the electric antenna. All aspects of the climate control system function as they should. The blower works on all speeds and air flow can be directed through the vents as it should. The A/C blows very cold, thanks to a recent A/C compressor replacement. The heat blows hot.

Misc:

The leather packet including manual, service book, warranty card, and radio manual is present and complete. The vehicle has four keys. The wheels are obviously aftermarket, and ugly. Unfortunately, the originals are not available. Recent work includes and oil/filter/lubrication service. Replacement of the front lower ball joints, and an OE muffler was installed. Though service history is not present (lost in a move) an itemized list of service/replacement items is present, going back to 1995. The timing belt and water pump were replaced at 95k miles in August of 2007 (now due by time). Additionally, the head gasket leaks, though not badly. These items can be addressed at our current shop rates if the new owner would like this addressed prior to vehicle delivery. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, with the exception of what my reserve is.

Apparently the reserve wasn’t overly high, as the car has crossed the $6k mark with the reserve off and quite a few bidders. The aftermarket wheels could be worse, but they could be better. Beyond that, take care of the head gasket ASAP and this will be one of the nicest 325ixes out there.

-NR