It's a 1989 coupe, the one on the left. I've had the 1988 on the right for ten years now, and while it still runs strong, advancing rust is going to eventually seal its fate (note the sagging rear bumper, for just one example.) The new one has about 145k miles and is in really nice shape - there's a spot in the lower rear valance that needs attention but that's the only rust I could find. It was repainted a few years ago, the paint looks very good and all the body panels still have the original VIN stickers. It needs a new ABS sensor on one wheel, but otherwise it's good to go and runs strong. It has recently installed Bilstein HD's and a Dinan chip. The interior is clean; a couple small cracks in the dash and the driver's seat cushion has some wear but otherwise it's very good and well taken care of.
The only real detraction is it's an automatic...I haven't made up my mind about that. While it seems to shift well and 90% of its driving will back and forth to work in big city traffic in the snow, I really prefer a manual. I'm contemplating swapping transmissions with the older one, or possibly sourcing the parts elsewhere. In the meantime I'll drive it as is, and see if I can get used to a slushbox.
Also, it doesn't have as many features as the other car - in 1988 the iX came with pretty much all the bells and whistles standard, but in 1989 or later they were 'de-contented' to lower the purchase price. As a result it doesn't have leather sport seats or sport steering wheel, trunk spoiler, etc. but I can swap those parts from the older car easily enough.
It does have the nifty 15" BBS wheels (including the spare), and power windows and locks (including an aftermarket wireless car start/door lock/alarm). The sunroof is manual, but I never use them anyway. There's a decent aftermarket stereo installed.
(that's my 1986 M535i lurking in the shadows in the back.)
If I can find a parts car for the right price I'm swapping to a manual.
