325ix BAUR

[Baur]

What is needed urgently in every 325iX is more power and torque. Because the car has a higher weight and more gears to drive, you better opt for an improvement of the engine to 2,7 litres and around 200 hp.

Even with 2,7 litres it has more torque available, but nothing compared to the 850. Quick overtaking you better consider shifting gears.



Technical aspects of the 325iX

The four wheel drive system of the BMW is a direct derivation of the Jensen FF (Formula Ferguson) system of 1966, which was built in this luxury coupe at substantial additional cost.



The 325iX has a 37%/63% split in torque between front/rear as the Jensen FF already had. Instead of the 2 mechanical limited slip differentials of the FF BMW decided to go for viscous couplings for the transfer case and the rear differential. The front differential naturally is not of the limited slip type, otherwise steering would be influenced negatively.



Because of this arrangement no right-hand drive cars had been built (or left-hand drive Jensen FF’s) as this would have menat building a new transfer case and a new front axle.



As in 1966 when the motor press reported overwhelmingly on this Jensen FF, both cars can go up a 1in3 hill on grass without any problems. BMW used this feature in their introduction training video of the 325iX.

The same applies for snowy hills where a 325iX can still climb when others (naturally especiallly the front-wheel drive cars) cannot.



Sure, one feels that this car was developed early in the 80’s. But it still does perform so well, that I cannot see why I should change to a newer car. I like a car when I still feel, that I am driving. And this feeling is generally been lost with every BMW of the 90’s or newer.

These newer cars may be more perfect, but do you really need it?

And the good news really is, how many parts after this long period after the end of production are still available from BMW. One cannot say this of other manufacturers (e.g. Audi, the French companies, the Italians etc. besides Mercedes naturally).



A last look at the car



Sitting in the evening sun, chaning its silver color a little to gold.



Parking in supermarket parking lots always – if ever – is done in a distance from other cars.

Changing roof color – a very last look



In order to change the somewhat masculine appearance of the car in its original color combination, I have now tried to soften this appearance somewhat by using the red color on the roof.

But I can be converted back to original.