Used 1988 BMW (E30) 325iX Coupe Alpine White/Cardinal Red 5-Speed AWD for sale in Lafayette, CO

1988 BMW (E30) 325iX Coupe
Alpine White Exterior (L0146)
Cardinal Red Interior (P0296)
160,900 miles
M20B25 2.5-Liter Inline 6-Clyinder Engine
5-Speed Manual Gearbox
Sport Seats
Heated Seats
M Tech I Leather Steering Wheel
Early-Style Mushroom Shift Knob
Map Light Mirror
Alpine CDE-153BT Head Unit
Premium Sound with Upgraded Speakers and Pioneer Subwoofer
Tape Holder Center Console
13-Button Onboard Computer
US Ellipsoid Projector Headlights
Fog Lights
“IS” Front Lip
Crack-free Dashboard
15” Style 5 iX Basket Weave Wheels
Kumho Solus TA11 Tires (just replaced)
Recent Significant Maintenance
California/Colorado Car

Background

The 1984-1991 BMW 3 Series, known generationally as the E30, is the one model more than any other that earned BMW the Ultimate Driving Machine reputation. E30s are one of our specialty vehicles at Glen Shelly Auto Brokers. I have restored, rebuilt, and sorted a dozen E30’s over the years and currently own a 1989 325iX as my daily driver. The “iX” was released to the U.S. market for the 1988 model year, and it came with nearly every available option in the E30 catalogue. Released only in a manual Coupe, the 1988 325iX stickered for a little more than the E30 M3. Like the M3, the 1988 325iX option list included sport seats, the M Tech 1 steering wheel, 13-button onboard computer, premium sound, and a rear spoiler. The iX was BMW’s first all-wheel drive model and is simply unstoppable in the snow. What makes it so good isn’t the all-wheel drive; it’s the E30’s perfectly balanced and telepathically communicative chassis. It is light, tossable, and wonderfully controllable. Adding all-wheel drive to the mix only makes the iX that much better. Limited production numbers and exposure to the cold weather climates they often live in have decimated the iX’s population, making clean examples very rare.

Summary

This 1988 BMW 325iX, finished in Alpine White over Cardinal leather is an outstanding example. Being a launch year model it is outfitted with virtually every option that was available. The list includes heated sport seats, an M Tech I steering wheel, 13-button on-board computer, premium sound, tape holder center console, map light mirror, and front and rear iS lip and spoiler. It was originally delivered in Southern California to the first owner and was eventually purchased by the owner of the independent repair shop that serviced it. It remained in that family until coming to Colorado when their son attended University of Colorado, Boulder. He decided that it was too nice to expose to Colorado winters sold it to us in 2019. We did a round of maintenance of which the larger items included a timing belt service, replacing the heater core, rear differential and driveshaft, shimming the front drive shaft, and power steering lines. Then we sold it to a Glen Shelly regular who enjoyed it until trading it for an E36 M3/4/5 earlier this year. In preparation for sale we did an extensive round of maintenance including replacing the cylinder head with a timing belt service, spark plugs, drive belts, water pump, clutch, resurfacing the flywheel, rear main seal, and fresh shocks and struts at each corner. As it sits, it is a turn-key 325iX. Other than a small tear in the driver’s side bolster, the cosmetic condition is also exceptional. We would like to find a new steward for it to enjoy for the next chapter of its story.

Exterior

The Alpine White paint is in very nice condition, with no glaring defects thanks to having spent the majority of its life in sunny California. The body panels are straight, and the panel gaps are even; close inspection reveals a handful of shallow door dings, but they are not glaring by any means. The undercarriage is bone dry thanks to California’s climate; there is a small rust bubble directly below the driver’s side of the trunk seal from a past tail panel repair. The trunk lid, doors, hood, and fenders all have their original VIN tags present. The bumpers are clean; the surrounding trim has some minor warping but is not significantly UV-faded. The windshield is BMW glass with minor pitting and one small chip; the rest of the glass appears to be original and is in excellent condition. The headlights are Hella US-Spec Ellipsoids with moderate pitting. The turn signals, markers, and taillights are clear and crack-free, with the exception of a short hairline crack on the driver’s side taillight. The wheels are 15” “IX” weaves; they are straight with some minor curb marks. They are wrapped in freshly replaced Kumho Solus TA11 tires.

Interior

The interior is in very good condition. Cardinal Red Leather is a very desirable interior color and complements the Alpine White exterior especially well. It is made even better being optioned with heated sport seats! There are no odors or any evidence that it has been smoked in. The carpet is clean and has no tears. Overall the seats are clean, however the driver’s outer bolster does have a short tear. The dashboard is one of the nicest we have seen in an E30, with no cracks or notable imperfections. All gauges work correctly in the instrument cluster; the brake lining light bulb is out. The steering column stalks and switches all work. The sunroof and both power windows work properly. The map light mirror works and is a desirable option. The M Tech 1 steering wheel has no torn stitching; it has moderate wear, but the leather is still intact and serviceable. The premium sound system has upgraded speakers with an Alpine amplifier, Pioneer subwoofer, and an Alpine CDE 153BT head unit; it sounds fantastic. The telescoping antenna functions as well. The trunk carpet is in good shape and the toolkit is mostly complete.

Mechanical

As detailed in the summary paragraph, we have reset the clock on common routine and preventative E30 and iX maintenance items. It will certainly need continued care, as any E30 will, but we’ve given you a good head start. The M20 engine fires on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strongly to redline. It does not leak or spot and runs cool. The transmission shifts smoothly, the shifter is tight, and the clutch take up is correct, thanks to just being replaced. The transfer case is healthy and four-wheel drive functions correctly. The drivetrain is quiet with no excessive whine or vibrations. We shimmed the front driveshaft to achieve more spline engagement, a preventative measure we do to every iX. The suspension is firm yet compliant, with no creaks or noise—iX’s always ride the best thanks to their taller ride height. All suspension bushings are in good shape and the shocks and struts have been recently replaced. It passes and we pay for emissions in the State of Colorado. We would like to find a new owner who will enjoy and care for it for years to come!

VIN Decode
VIN: WBAAB9302J2550608
Prod. Date: 23.10.1987
Model: 325IX
Series: 3
Generation: E30
Body Type: 2 Doors
Type Code: 1293
Engine Code: M20
Power: 168
Fuel Type: Gas
Displacement: 2.50
Drive Type: AWD
Steering Side: Left
Color: ALPINWEISS (L0146)
Interior: CARDINALROT LEDER (P0296)
Transmission: Manual

Options:
324 Light-alloy wheels ellipsoid spoke 107 with mixed tires
401 Sliding/vent roof, electric
410 Window lifts, electric at front
481 Sport seats for driver and front passenger
494 Seat heating for driver and front passenger
530 Air conditioning
540 Leather-covered steering wheel with multifunction keys
551 On-board computer II with remote control
562 Additional headlight
675 Rear seat area audio system
708 M sport leather-covered steering wheel II

Glen Shelly is a low volume auto brokerage focused on only the highest quality vehicles. We are airline pilots, mechanics, and auto enthusiasts who bring a high level of professionalism and attention to detail to the automobile business. Our philosophy is to keep our inventory small so that we can focus on thorough mechanical and cosmetic preparation of the vehicles we select. We have over 20 years of experience restoring and repairing automobiles and are intimately familiar with our cars. We do the inspections, service, detailing, and corrective maintenance using only OEM parts and service manuals. We offer an informed and low-pressure sales environment resulting in a premium buying experience for you. Find out more about us at