Lowering a 525ix touring... possible?

[cdnalpina]

I drove my 525ix touring into work today (thank God I have it as we got a bunch of freezing sluchy crap last night that made the roads a skating rink). Anyway, the ride height is quite a bit higher on the car compared to a regular touring, especially in the front.

I went onto RealOEM to see about parts cross referencing and it looks as though I can use the same struts as a domestic 525it in the rear but the fronts are 525ix touring specific, according to the site. I assume that the springs are the same all around as a regular 525it, though I could not find part numbers on there to know for sure.

Just wondering if anyone has gone aftermarket at all with an all wheel drive on here (I know this is a stretch as they are not very common) or if I should just abandon this idea...

Cheers,

Rob

[nmp411]

got any pics of ride height? And maybe even the strut setup with the half shafts?

[cdnalpina]

This is the best picture that I have on hand...

http://mydrive.roadfly.com/photos/pic.php?u=132941UQjJM&i=12499

[Deviate]

That looks pretty close to where mine was in terms of ride height before I lowered it...

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e163/Deviate_3s/04-01-09_1254.jpg

[nmp411]

I would *assume that it wouldn't be a problem using regular lowering springs. I can't really see why it would.

[cdnalpina]

I would love to lower mine, the only concern is if I can use a regular aftermarket 525it front strut. It can be frustrating owning something uncommon. Guhhh

I just looked on RealOEM again and it shows that a domestic 525it has an insert for the front strut, whereas when I look up the 525ixt, it does not show a separate insert. I may be screwed here - at least strut wise...

[93FIM5]

You should just sell it I would love to have a awd touring here in Colorado. Please sell.

[NapaBavarian]

Were those imported to Canada when new?

[DarkSideofWill]

Were those imported to Canada when new?

I'm also curious about this.

[zubbie]

I'm also curious about this.

They were not sold in Canada. I believe this one is an import (german or JDM)

[cdnalpina]

This is a J-spec car. The 525ix was only available in Europe, sadly. If you recall, the E30 325ix was the only 'x-drive' (per say) that you could get in North America in the late 80s, early 90s. The 5 is nice, much bigger and this has the M50 engine in it, coupled with a 5 speed auto.

As for bringing it into the USA, I would have to check with my buddy who is a registered importer as to what it would take to make it compliant. It has the air bag which is a big one. You could put your domestic lights in it to pass for that. Might need different tail lights as I am sure the current ones are not DOT stamped but if you have a friend with an E34 domestic touring, borrow his for the certification. There may well be a means to get it done relatrively cheaply. The only thing I am not sure about is that it is all wheel drive. While the E30 325ix is a domestic example, it is on the wrong frame - so not sure what hurdles may lay ahead with that (if any).

I'll chat with him and see what he thinks it would take and post back. I really do love the car but I need to reduce the fleet a bit here and this would be one on the block. I am going to do some mods to it in the interim: shadowline, tint the windows, smoked hellas, smoked tails and refinish and repaint the Alpina 17" wheels.

[93FIM5]

Now you have my interest, I have a friend with a touring that I would be more than happy to borrow lights off of. Find out what it takes or if its even possible to get into the US at a reasonable price. What type of miles are on it and overall condition?

[Vilikki]

How much driveshaft angle will change? Front driveshafts are quite expensive to iX...

[93FIM5]

Yea Vilikki is right I know on the E30 325ix (The drivetrain is different but the principal applies) that lowering the car too much puts alot of strain due to the angle on the CV joints for the front halfshafts so thats one thing to take a look at before proceeding.

[Vilikki]

Yea Vilikki is right I know on the E30 325ix (The drivetrain is different but the principal applies) that lowering the car too much puts alot of strain due to the angle on the CV joints so thats one thing to take a look at before proceeding.


I know it looks quite a like elephant with those original springs but it`s nice to drive. e34 looks nice when it`s low :)

[cdnalpina]

Now you have my interest, I have a friend with a touring that I would be more than happy to borrow lights off of. Find out what it takes or if its even possible to get into the US at a reasonable price. What type of miles are on it and overall condition?

Good points on the lowering with the front drive shaft - never thought of that. Guess I will keep her as is, will focus on other tasteful mods instead.

The car itself is the best condition car I have brought over from Japan. The interior looks like it has never been sat in and the body is almost 100% unmarked (a couple of very minor dings). The car currently has 68,8XX kms on it and this is definitely authentic. I have past service records for the car to back this up (just gotta find the file for it) - with a history of what was changed (which was not much), and the service done (which was regular). The trunk latch mechanism was one item that was replaced.

It also has two sets of wheels, both with new rubber on them. Set of OEM bottle caps with Blizzaks and a set of 17" Alpina Allrad wheels with Continental Conti Extreme Contacts.

I also have two performance chips I am trying on the car. Currently I am running a Kellener's performance chip - response from the car is pretty decent, especially in sport mode. I also have an E.A.T. chip for it that I have yet to try - going to see which the car responds to better and leave the better one in.

The one thing I need to get done (which is on the list) is the infamous delamination of the door panels. All in all it is not bad at all on this car, but it is starting to happen. So, going to get that sorted out soon - I hate it when things are not right on a car, drives me crazy.

I also have a knock off AC Schnitzer front valence (I now know that it is a knock off, thanks to the ACS thread) that I am going to paint up and install on the car - should look pretty sharp.

PM me for more info if you like. I have that call into my buddy to get more details on what would be expected (haven't heard back yet).

Funny thing on Vilikki's comment about the ride. I was just remarking at that this morning - what a nice comfortable ride the car has, especially over bumps and rollers. The car corners surprisingly well - currently on the Blizzaks. I remember when I drove it back form Van I had the Alpina's on it (and a car full of car parts and a 5 month old English Mastiff) and the car handled and cornered beautifully, despite the full load. Fuel economy is amazing - one of the best in my fleet.

Definitely a fun ride and ideal for a Colorado type climate, especially if you ride. Would be even more fun with a little turbo action - something else I was thinking of doing if I kept it...

[moroza]

If it were me, I'd find a set of cheap E34 stock springs, take yours apart, and see for yourself. If not for the distance, I'd give you some of mine.

[cdnalpina]

I actually have a 535i parts car I could pilfer from (haven't got around to mucking with it yet). Good call and thanks for the advice and gesture!

[93FIM5]

Would be even more fun with a little turbo action - something else I was thinking of doing if I kept it...

Thats exactly what I would want to do, mainly to keep all those 540it/6 speeds off my back up here in Colorado :evil2. It would make an extremely useful all around driver. Hopefully its some what economic in terms of the importing and all around cost compared to say picking up a used X3 (Have to talk the GF out of this and into the touring!). Well PM me when you get some more info. Thanks again!