The BMW E30 325iX is the factory's first model with a permanent four wheel drive. It took 3½ years from idea to reality and was presented in 1985. Like the other E30s, the 325iX was designed by Claus Luthe in 1978 and built at BMWs Munich plant.
When the car was made available for export to The United States, the 325iX underwent a minor facelift. The taillights were changed and the chrome-plated bumpers, as well as the 3-groove side skirts, also got a new design. Finally the bumpers were also updated to amongst other things comply with US safety requirements (diving boards). The original model has subsequently been given the designation "vfl" (vor facelift).
The first 325iXs were delivered from the factory with Michelin TRX tires, if the order was on alloys. These rims were gradually phased out, as Michelin took a fairly high price for new tires and had influenced the design of the rims to be fitted with Michelin TRX tires only. The competitors saw this as a shady business strategy, but Michelin argued on the basis of legal liability in connection with the mounting of the high-performance tires. The Michelin TRX was mounted on quite a few fast cars from the eighties: Ferrari Testarosssa, Renault Alpine A310 V6, Citroën CX 25 GTI Turbo and others.
The 325iX engine is the solid M20B25, with a cast iron engine block and 6 cylinders in a row. The timing belt must be changed at 50,000 km or within a set time period of time.
The engine was not fitted with a turbo at the factory, although BMW had produced Europe’s first series-produced passenger car with a turbo 13 years earlier. This is probably related to the success of the E30 M3 in DTM and also that Audi with their Quattro Turbo had focused on Rally (the epic Group B class). Shouldn't BMW and Audi have agreed internally to refrain from competing with each other? Both factories have their roots firmly planted in the German steel industry, and war history, so an agreement to beat the French, Italian and English cars seems obvious (to me).
Below to the right is a video from 1988, featuring a kind of cross between an M3 and an iX, which is up against an Audi Quattro Turbo. If there are any doubts, the car featured is NOT produced by BMW itself, although obviously appreciated. And it has a turbo! Behind the wheel is Arild Martinsen.
325iX understeers a bit, because of the relatively heavy front engine. It has a 37/63 drag distribution on the wheels. 325iX are easy to handle and includes ABS disc-brakes all around. It’s quite safe to drive in for a car from the late eighties.
The driveline does not like to do wheel spins in gravel, when connecting to asphalt pavement. When towing the car, the rear wheels must not roll on the road, just as tire wear must be smooth and the tires of the same type. On original rims of the same size, of course. If this is not adhered to, sooner or later the driveline must be taken to a workshop.
Speaking of which, the automatic ZF transmission, which was available from 1987, has proved to be more gentle to the driveline, than the manual transmission. On the other hand, the manual transmission is the most in demand. And on the curved racetrack or backroad, the manual gearbox would be preferred.
It is worth remembering that in the U.S.A. the E30 325iX is perceived as a small and relatively fuel efficient car. In Europe it’s a more exotic and sought after classic.
In total 43.560 copies of the BMW E30 325iX were produced.
