325IX

The BMW 325ix — a compact car explained

The BMW 325ix is a compact car built from 1986 to 1991 across 2 generations.

Data · NHTSA & EPA · 1986–1991 · 5 model years · Updated Sep 10, 2026 · Not yet rated
Quick answer

The BMW 325ix is a compact car built from 1986 to 1991 over 2 generations. Engines offered: V6. Too new for a verdict, since complaints and recalls take years to accumulate — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).

1986–1991
Years
0
Recalls
18
Top MPG
—★
NHTSA
0
Complaints

What the 325ix is

The BMW 325ix is a compact car that BMW built from 1986 to 1991 — 6 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 1990. It has been offered with V6 power. Its closest siblings in the BMW range: M4, i8, M2.

325ix generations, and what changed

These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the 325ix's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the 325ix that gives 2 distinct generations below.

FIG.03·BMW 325ix by generation
GenerationLengthWheelbaseWeightvs previousWeight change
1988-1989445 cm257 cm1364 kg--
1990-1991432 cm257 cm1340 kg-13 cm-24 kg
ROWS 2·SOURCE Transport Canada vehicle specifications, 1971 onward

BMW 325ix tire size, oil type & owner specs

The fitment 325ix owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.

Wheels & tires
Wheel sizeby VIN
Tire sizeby VIN
Bolt patternby trim
Tire pressure32–36 PSI
Engine oil
Oil typeFull synthetic
Gradeon oil cap
Capacityby engine
Battery
Main battery12V · group by trim
Key-fob cellCR2032
Wiper blades
Front bladesby generation
Rear bladeif equipped
Fuses
Fuse boxeshood + dash
Diagramon box lid
Light bulbs
Headlightby trim
Tail / brakeby trim
Fogif equipped

Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.

What engines does the BMW 325ix have? Power & range

The BMW 325ix is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.5L 6-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the BMW 325ix, against one or two on most rivals.

FIG.06·BMW 325ix Powertrains
EngineDisplacementTransmissionDriveFuel
V62.5L · 6-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegular
ROWS 1·SOURCE EPA + NHTSA vPIC

Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.

The 325ix by the numbers

What the federal and market records say about the BMW 325ix. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.

FIG.05·BMW 325ix by the numbers
Topic325ixDetail
ReliabilityNot yet ratedBest and worst years
Insurance$1,496/yrEstimated full coverage
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA, EPA, HLDI and market listings

Frequently asked questions

What kind of car is the BMW 325ix?

The 325ix is a compact car, built from 1986 to 1991 across 2 generations. Engines offered: V6.

How many generations does the 325ix have?

2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1990. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car.

What is the BMW 325ix warranty?

New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 4 years / 50,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.

Is the 325ix reliable?

The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.

How do I check a specific 325ix?

This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.

More in BMW

More BMW models
ModelYearsRecallsBest MPGForCar score
BMW M31988–20267829 mpg4.0/5
BMW X52000–202619827 mpg4.0/5
BMW X32004–202613030 mpg4.0/5
BMW M42015–20262430 mpg4.0/5
BMW M51988–20264320 mpg4.0/5
BMW i82014–2020828 mpg4.5/5
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA + EPA
Data sourced from NHTSA (recalls, complaints, safety ratings) and EPA fueleconomy.gov (MPG). Best/worst-year analysis is ForCar's own aggregation of complaint volume. Last updated Sep 2026. — ForCar Editorial Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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