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1988 BMW 3-Series 325iX

Make: BMW
Model: 3-Series
Year: 1988
Mileage: 230,000
VIN: WBAAB9307J2550488
Color: Red
Transmission: Manual
Drive type: AWD
Interior color: Black
Vehicle Title: Clear
Item location: North Providence, Rhode Island, United States

1988 BMW 3-Series Additional Info:

Adult Owned Rare and most desirable among collectors!

1988 BMW 325iX


Manual transmission, AWD, fully loaded, leather interior, power windows, sunroof, custom exhaust. Car runs great, very reliable, fun to drive, absolute beast in the snow! Everything works, well maintained, and just put in a NEW TIMING BELT. Only mechanical issue worth noting is that one of the inner front CV boots is torn. I have spare front axles and control arms that need to be rebuilt and come with the car!


Very rare car that I hate to sell, but I'm moving south and it is just impractical for me to take it with me. It has been a joy to own, but this is the end of the road for the two of us. I hope that the next owner will treat her right and enjoy the experience as much as I have. If you have been looking for an e30 iX, then this is really the one you want. 1988 was the only year that the car came fully loaded, as a coupe, and with a manual transmission. As I've said, very rare, BMW didn't import very many to North America, and it will only go up in value.


  • Odometer stopped working at 201k (I have replacement gears for next owner)/ estimated mileage is 230k
  • Comes with a binder full of maintenance records from previous owners as well as myself. I'm the fourth owner.
  • Virtually rust free, a little rust where the old muffler hanger was, a bit under the battery tray. Originally purchased in Tennessee. Underbody is clean. Some paint chipping, could probably use a respray. Dings and dents, but a solid ten-footer that really shines with a good detail.
  • RI inspection good until 06/19
  • M20 inline six with 5 speed manual transmission.
  • 173 ECU with a Racing Dynamics 91 octane chip from the 80's (original 153 ECU included)
  • **Timing belt was replaced in May 2017**
  • Oil changes every 4 months since I've owned the car, always Mobil 1 Synthetic
  • Rebuilt Front Differential in 2016, entire drivetrain (Diffs/TC/Trans) flushed, inspected and refilled with proper fluids
  • Brakes are good (estimate 65% life left). Brakes and rotors (Front and Rear) replaced about two years ago.
  • 15 inch BBS basketweaves, iX specific, ET41
  • Brand new Dunlop Direzza 205-50-15 in May 2017
  • Comes with a set of Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires (1 season of use)
  • Also comes with a worn set of Dunlop Direzza 205-55-15, if wanted
  • Tune up in April 2017 (NGK spark plugs, air filter, fuel filter, new V-belts)
  • New clutch master and slave 2017
  • New passenger front wheel bearing 2017
  • Custom 2.5 inch exhaust with Borla 1 in/2 out muffler. Retains stock look, but sounds amazing!
  • Pioneer stereo (Hands Free/Bluetooth/USB/AUX/CD/Remote)
  • Sony Amplifier and custom 10inch speaker box mounted in trunk
  • Z3 stubby antenna (original power antenna included)
  • Keyless entry/ spare keys/e46 style remote(s)
  • Interior is pretty mint, leather sport seats in great condition. One small tear on drivers bolster. Typical e30 dash cracks.
  • Power windows (working)
  • Pop-out rear windows
  • Motorized sunroof (working) and optional wind guard (rare)
  • Custom tri-stitched M-Tech shift boot and e-brake boot
  • Weathertech rubber floor mats
  • New front sway bar end-links 2017
  • M3 offset control arm bushings
  • Control arm ball joints replaced a couple years ago. Comes with a spare set of control arms that next owner could refurbish with new ball joints (control arms are specific to the iX)
  • Front axles rebuilt a couple years ago, one boot is torn right now. Comes with a spare set of iX-specific front axles that next owner could refurbish. I've noticed a clicking noise in tight turns recently, so it's probably time rebuild the spare set and put them in.
  • Full factory toolkit is all there, as well as jack
  • COMES WITH BOXES OF EXTRA PARTS (new valve cover gasket, si board, ECU, extra mirrors, IS spoiler, Volvo front lip for summer, too much to list)
  • IMPERFECTIONS: broken hood latch cable (have to use a long screwdriver to open latch at front), broken glovebox latch (common, easy fix), A/C belt not hooked up, don't know if it works (should probably be converted to r134 if it does), various surface dents but body is straight (I believe one of the previous owners was in a hail storm), driver side fog light is cracked, passenger tail light has a crack, small hole in rear seat, very small rear in drivers seat bolster, previous owner did a small repair under passenger windshield corner (don't know if it was for rust or to seal the windscreen), rear differential seeps a little fluid (never gets low in between maintenance, seals must need replacing, but I check it every couple of months to be safe), AWD working, but t-case was making a little noise and I pulled the front driveshaft to inspect. Splines are mint. Output shaft bearing is making the noise.
  • Car is not perfect and I know I'm forgetting things, but I'll be happy to answer any questions and update this post as needed.