RE: SOTW: BMW 525iX
Discussion
Hmm, interesting slant on the whiffy old BMW theme 
I like this, however, apart from the rarity and novelty it is a heavier, slower, not that fast version of a decent RWD saloon which is also available with a lovely V8 in the form of the 540i which is what I would be looking for as I suspect it wouldnt be any worse than this on fuel.
As for a winter shed, did we have any snow, are we due any, its only a few days a year, not sure it is worth saddling yourself with this just in case unless you live in the highlands, though a BMW moving under its own steam in an inch of Snow would confuse people in a most satisfying manner.
not for me, sounds like a right old Thirsty Slug without the drifty benefits of an E34, sounds like a good name for a pub that actually the "Thirsty Slug"
Still, being SOTW, this 4wd may turn out to be a 2wd actually Riggers has left now hasnt he.
I like this, however, apart from the rarity and novelty it is a heavier, slower, not that fast version of a decent RWD saloon which is also available with a lovely V8 in the form of the 540i which is what I would be looking for as I suspect it wouldnt be any worse than this on fuel.
As for a winter shed, did we have any snow, are we due any, its only a few days a year, not sure it is worth saddling yourself with this just in case unless you live in the highlands, though a BMW moving under its own steam in an inch of Snow would confuse people in a most satisfying manner.
not for me, sounds like a right old Thirsty Slug without the drifty benefits of an E34, sounds like a good name for a pub that actually the "Thirsty Slug"
Still, being SOTW, this 4wd may turn out to be a 2wd
actually Riggers has left now hasnt he.doogz said:
What's it like getting parts for these?
Is the suspension similar to the 2WD models, or are there bespoke bits here and there? What about front driveshafts? Hard to come by?
All different,even the brakes are one offs.Is the suspension similar to the 2WD models, or are there bespoke bits here and there? What about front driveshafts? Hard to come by?
I used to look after one ages ago and the opinion was it's not worth the hassle.
J4CKO is right...a 540i would be more economical on both fuel and parts. However, the iX does handle well and has better steering than any other E34 (M5 included).
The eBay iX has a fault...The photo of the odometer shows the check control panel lit...indicating some sort of fault (may be just a light out)...It doesn't have a trip computer (although these are an easy rero-fit ot any 525i and above as the wiring is all in place) so it can't be a mpg or milage function displaying (the check-control panel in the dash also doubles as a repeater display for the OBC).
The eBay iX has a fault...The photo of the odometer shows the check control panel lit...indicating some sort of fault (may be just a light out)...It doesn't have a trip computer (although these are an easy rero-fit ot any 525i and above as the wiring is all in place) so it can't be a mpg or milage function displaying (the check-control panel in the dash also doubles as a repeater display for the OBC).
This really has me thinking, as im looking for a winter shed at the moment. Having chopped my B7 RS4 in for a C63 AMG a few months ago... its clear the C63 isn't going anywhere if it snows. I think this is a bit too 'sheddy' for me, but there must be some half decent 4 wheel drive cars out there for £2-3k..?
doogz said:
What's it like getting parts for these?
There's a whole load of stuff that's dealer-only. Things like front brake discs are bespoke to this model, and from memory dealer-only. Plus all the 4WD gubbins too.An interesting curio, but sadly the the running costs are at odds with the shed-money purchase price.
RobBentley said:
This really has me thinking, as im looking for a winter shed at the moment. Having chopped my B7 RS4 in for a C63 AMG a few months ago... its clear the C63 isn't going anywhere if it snows. I think this is a bit too 'sheddy' for me, but there must be some half decent 4 wheel drive cars out there for £2-3k..?
How many more times do I have to say it? You'll get anywahere in a RWD luxo-barge shed in snow with a set of winter tyres. They really are that good! I had them on my E39 528i and did a number of long UK journeys in snow when BBC 5Live was advising us not to travel full-stop & drivers of HGVs were calling in saying how long they'd been stuck on the M11. I also took it to Austria, where I worked, where they have proper winters. Not once did it even get anywhere near to getting stuck.Google "EVO XFR Winter Tyres" and you'll see why I make such a fuss.
LewisR said:
RobBentley said:
This really has me thinking, as im looking for a winter shed at the moment. Having chopped my B7 RS4 in for a C63 AMG a few months ago... its clear the C63 isn't going anywhere if it snows. I think this is a bit too 'sheddy' for me, but there must be some half decent 4 wheel drive cars out there for £2-3k..?
How many more times do I have to say it? You'll get anywahere in a RWD luxo-barge shed in snow with a set of winter tyres. They really are that good! I had them on my E39 528i and did a number of long UK journeys in snow when BBC 5Live was advising us not to travel full-stop & drivers of HGVs were calling in saying how long they'd been stuck on the M11. I also took it to Austria, where I worked, where they have proper winters. Not once did it even get anywhere near to getting stuck.Google "EVO XFR Winter Tyres" and you'll see why I make such a fuss.
RobBentley said:
This really has me thinking, as im looking for a winter shed at the moment. Having chopped my B7 RS4 in for a C63 AMG a few months ago... its clear the C63 isn't going anywhere if it snows. I think this is a bit too 'sheddy' for me, but there must be some half decent 4 wheel drive cars out there for £2-3k..?
Best "I have loads of money and a C63 AMG to prove it" post ever 
Friday arrives and puts me at ease with PH again. All that Diesel and
EPAS wallawalla goes away with the right tool for the weekend.
Propper shedding here. Again and again ridiculously low values
on RHD BMWs. The IX types are very sought after in Bavaria and Austria
(don't ask me why) and due to that fixed torque overload at the rear
enjoyable to drive, even in the dry.
A 540ix Conversion should not be too far away?
martin 480 Turbo
EPAS wallawalla goes away with the right tool for the weekend.
Propper shedding here. Again and again ridiculously low values
on RHD BMWs. The IX types are very sought after in Bavaria and Austria
(don't ask me why) and due to that fixed torque overload at the rear
enjoyable to drive, even in the dry.
A 540ix Conversion should not be too far away?
martin 480 Turbo
RobBentley said:
This really has me thinking, as im looking for a winter shed at the moment. Having chopped my B7 RS4 in for a C63 AMG a few months ago... its clear the C63 isn't going anywhere if it snows. I think this is a bit too 'sheddy' for me, but there must be some half decent 4 wheel drive cars out there for £2-3k..?
Leggy versions of:Audi allroad
Volvo XC70
Mazda 6 MPS
Audi A3 Quattro
Subaru Forester / Legacy
If you can deal with the fuel costs this would prob be unstoppable with a set of winter tyres on:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
or...
Fiat Panda 4x4!
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