This is seriously cool. I’ve always wanted to build a 325ix from an E46 chassis and here’s one for sale in Phoenix, AZ for $20,000. I do have some questions though as I thought all cars for rally in the US required mig welded cages, not tig, but the seller says it comes with a log book so it must have passed. And the cage does look beautiful
The other thing thats nice is the car is pretty much ready to run with all the safety gear installed. And it looks like an incredibly clean build.
Check the trunk for example:
The most interesting part is the suspension which was custom built from Bilstein 5100’s. I am very curious which length 5100’s and valving but they look great.
The front’s on BMWs are always the tough part though and they did a great job making them fit.
It looks like the car has some decent travel as well given the amount of droop shown on the jack stands.
It looks like the little details were taken care of as well with a hood scoop…
Hood air vents… Its not like BMWs run hot but it can’t hurt.
Enough of my commentary as the seller has put up a great ad with a ton of detail:
“AsGreat starter rally race car built for the Rally America “OPEN LIGHTS” class, and can easily converted to “OPEN” class with addition of supercharger. Log book included. FIA spec built cage by American Motorsports in Phoenix AZ. The car has never been raced or wrecked. 79,000 miles on car before it was rebuilt for rally. There has been a lot of suspension work designed specifically for this car. About $45,000 invested, looking to sell for $20,000/obo. Here are some details on the car:
2005 BMW 325xi – AWD with 63/37 Rear/Front torque split transfer case
5 speed manual Getrag transmission
Fully TIG-welded FIA spec roll cage with log book
Seam welded rear around suspension, subframe, and trunk
Lexan windows for all but the windshield for weight reduction
Front suspension: about 10″ total wheel travel
Turner Motorsports front strut tower reinforcement kit
Hippo heavy duty racing CV boots
Front sway bar delete
Bilstein custom front suspension – 46mm motorsports strut – 1800 valving – adjustable ride height with coil over adjustment
Eibach coil-over springs – 2.50ID x 8.00″ – 175 lb/in main spring 1, 2.50ID x show contact info b/in main spring 2 (compound spring setup to reduce harshness on high wheel rate bumps, stronger spring for larger impacts and jumps)
Custom hardware for coil-over springs including thrust bearings for adjustment while weight is on suspension.
Upper strut mounts – 6061 T6 aluminum
Custom design/fabricated lower mount to knuckle
Rear suspension: about 10″ of total wheel travel
Bilstein 5100 shock abosorbers
Bilstein upper shock mounts
Stock Eibach springs
Reinforced upper shock mounts and spring mount integrated into roll cage
Modified spring perches to make room for 5100 shocks
Reinforced lower shock mounts – TIG mounted sleeves for double shear configuration
Turner Motorsports rear subframe reinforcement kit
Brakes:
EBC slotted racing rotors
Hawk racing brake pads with operating temperature of +2200°F
Rebuilt/powder coated front/rear Brembo (OEM) calipers with high temperature seals to withstand high temperature brake components
Stainless steel brake lines on all four corners
Functional brake cooling ducts in front (OEM)
Corbeau racing seats with aluminum mounts
Corbeau 5 point harnesses – FIA stamped valid through Feb 2016
FIA compliant foam installed on roll cage as required
Low density foam for driver/passenger leg protection
Brantz 2S Pro rally computer with OBDII interface, BR57 speed sensor kit, and remote (Brantz is from Europe, commonly used in WRC)
Kiddie fire extinguishers mounted with brackets for rule book compliance
First aid kit/spill kit
Warning triangles with ballast removed for light weight
Spare tire/jack modified for light weight and easy accessibility in trunk
Braille racing battery – weights just 15 pounds
Fully functional roof air scoop with integrated damper for easy opening and closing from within the cabin
Cooling vents in hood
Aluminum racing rear wing with aluminum adjustable mounts
Custom racing exhaust for light weight and high flow
-not installed – Ksport hydraulic hand brake with stainless steel lines and fittings to jump into brake system.
The drivetrain for the car has remained bone stock and is unmolested. That means the car is as reliable as from the factory with no check engine lights or issues with engine or transmission. The engine oil has been replaced with 20W-60 racing oil as specified from BMW. The car has 5 205/60HR16 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires on BMW stock wheels supplied by BBS. I have 4 15 inch BBS wheels which are for the older E30/36 BMW cars but they do not clear the brakes. You can take them or leave them. I am leaving the rims and tires stock so the buyer of the car can pick out rims and tires. 15″ racing wheels by Braid for example can be ordered and will clear the brakes to get the standard 15″ tires on the car (would cost about $250/wheel and I have the contact info to supply you if you need it). The car has not been weighed but I estimate about 3000-3200 lbs as it sits with factory exhaust.
Spares: OEM parts: sway bar with mounts, glass windows for all Lexan windows, 1 spare Lexan window for drivers/pass windows, front struts, front calipers/pads/rotors/lines, rear calipers/pads/rotors/lines.
Serious inquiries only. Built car to race but life changing events have changed my plans.
Also have to offer:
Bell Apex racing suites (L, and M sizes in grey/black)
Bell Sportmag helmets with intercoms installed – will throw in communication controller. Battery powered, not required to be wired to car, but held in co-drivers suit.
You can find the original ad here while its still for sale.
