RE: SOTW: BMW 525iX
Discussion
Martin 480 Turbo said:
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
Only if you fancy custom making a sump for it...You'd also have to check to see if the engine fits inside the iX front subframe. The two propshafts would probably need alteration/fabrication, too.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
It would probably be easier/better/cheaper to turbo the M50
fushion julz said:
Only if you fancy custom making a sump for it...You'd also have to check to see if the engine fits inside the iX front subframe. The two propshafts would probably need alteration/fabrication, too.
It would probably be easier/better/cheaper to turbo the M50
You are spot on as a bit of due dilligence in the E34 forum shows! No V8 conversions, but nice M5 ones, that should do okey?It would probably be easier/better/cheaper to turbo the M50
Martin 480 Turbo
fushion julz said:
I used to have a manual 525iX Touring (estate) version...
I bought that for £400, also...
My comments:
Check *everything* is in good, working condition...especially the 4wd parts as they are extortionately expensive if anything is required...
The whole front subframe, suspension, steering (it has a rack as opposed to the box of every other E34), wheels, diffs, sump are all different to standard E34 bits...
The good news is the engine (other than the sump) and gearbox are standard M50 parts.
The transfer box only takes 0.5lt of oil and can easily run dry if there is even a tiny leak...worth a regular change and top-up as the transfer box is hard to find s/h and costs over £1500 new! Front diff is also expensive, but fortunately takes a bigger quantity of oil...
CV joints and gaitors often need replacement.
Rear diff is a viscous job with the accumulator being driven off the back of the power steering pump...
If it has SLS rear suspension (all the Tourings had this) it is the same as on the M5 saloons, make sure the accumulator spheres, struts and fluid lines are not leaking or corroded...Also driven off the power steering pump.
They are a bit slow compared to a standard E34 525i as the 4wd system robs the power and the car is a fair bit heavier than the equivalent 2wd version...Autos are even worse!
Fuel economy also suffers...you would be lucky to see more than 26-27mpg even if driven carefully.
An interesting car that is ideal for slippery snow-covered roads and handles very well, in general...but expensive to run...Think BMW 'M' car expensive...
Great advice... You really need a great reason to buy this over a 2WD version as any ailment would make it a right off. Unbelievable parts prices, probably from BMW onlyI bought that for £400, also...
My comments:
Check *everything* is in good, working condition...especially the 4wd parts as they are extortionately expensive if anything is required...
The whole front subframe, suspension, steering (it has a rack as opposed to the box of every other E34), wheels, diffs, sump are all different to standard E34 bits...
The good news is the engine (other than the sump) and gearbox are standard M50 parts.
The transfer box only takes 0.5lt of oil and can easily run dry if there is even a tiny leak...worth a regular change and top-up as the transfer box is hard to find s/h and costs over £1500 new! Front diff is also expensive, but fortunately takes a bigger quantity of oil...
CV joints and gaitors often need replacement.
Rear diff is a viscous job with the accumulator being driven off the back of the power steering pump...
If it has SLS rear suspension (all the Tourings had this) it is the same as on the M5 saloons, make sure the accumulator spheres, struts and fluid lines are not leaking or corroded...Also driven off the power steering pump.
They are a bit slow compared to a standard E34 525i as the 4wd system robs the power and the car is a fair bit heavier than the equivalent 2wd version...Autos are even worse!
Fuel economy also suffers...you would be lucky to see more than 26-27mpg even if driven carefully.
An interesting car that is ideal for slippery snow-covered roads and handles very well, in general...but expensive to run...Think BMW 'M' car expensive...
LewisR said:
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.
I agree 100%. I put four Vredestein Snowtrac 3s on a set of spare alloys on my 328i and it was the best £400 I've ever spent. They are brilliant in cold weather even when it is not snowing, and unlike 4x4s with summers on, the car also stops on ice and snow. Quite a few of us on BMWLand have done this and none of us have ever looked back. I just spend an hour swapping the wheels over myself in November and March-ish.Google "EVO XFR Winter Tyres" and you'll see why I make such a fuss.
Wilseus said:
LewisR said:
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.
I agree 100%. I put four Vredestein Snowtrac 3s on a set of spare alloys on my 328i and it was the best £400 I've ever spent. They are brilliant in cold weather even when it is not snowing, and unlike 4x4s with summers on, the car also stops on ice and snow. Quite a few of us on BMWLand have done this and none of us have ever looked back. I just spend an hour swapping the wheels over myself in November and March-ish.Google "EVO XFR Winter Tyres" and you'll see why I make such a fuss.
I live in Colorado at the moment, from what I can see every flavour of 3 series and 5 series, excluding the Ms come in X versions here. To add insult to injury they even have a manual M5 current and previous versions.
Liquid Knight said:
Two estates here...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
...and on page 71 I mentioned a nice looking 535.
Hmmmmm....
535 powered iX? That would give the new Jag' a run.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
...and on page 71 I mentioned a nice looking 535.
Hmmmmm....
535 powered iX? That would give the new Jag' a run.
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