BMW 7 Series (E23)

BMW 7-Series (E23)
Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Production	1977–1987 285,029 built[1]
Designer	Paul Bracq Manfred Rennen (1974)
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car (F)
Body style	4-door sedan/saloon
Layout	FR layout
Related	Chevrolet Caprice
Powertrain
Engine	2.5 L M30 6-cyl 2.8 L M30 6-cyl 3.0 L M30 6-cyl 3.2 L M30 6-cyl 3.5 L M90 6-cyl 3.5 L M88/3 6-cyl 3.2 L M102 6-cyl turbo 3.4 L M106 6-cyl turbo
Transmission	4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,795 mm (110.0 in)[2]
Length	4,860 mm (191.3 in)[2] 5,014 mm (197 in) (US bumpers)
Width	1,800 mm (70.9 in)[2]
Height	1,430 mm (56.3 in)[2]
Curb weight	728i: 1,470 kg (3,241 lb) 728i: 1,490 kg (3,285 lb) (auto) 732i: 1,500 kg (3,307 lb) 732i: 1,520 kg (3,351 lb) (auto) 733i: 1,560 kg (3,439 lb) 733i: 1,580 kg (3,483 lb) (auto) 735i: 1,540 kg (3,395 lb) 735i: 1,560 kg (3,439 lb) (auto) 735i: 1,609 kg (3,547 lb) (US) 745i: 1,590 kg (3,505 lb) L7: 1,626 kg (3,585 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	BMW E3
Successor	BMW E32

The BMW E23 is the first BMW 7 Series luxury car, produced by the German automaker BMW. Replacing the BMW E3 large sedan, the E23 was produced for ten years from 1977 to 1987 and was replaced by the BMW E32 7 Series in 1986. The L7 continued to be offered in the United States for another year even though the last E23 built in Germany was produced in August 1986, eventually getting fully replaced by the long wheelbase versions of the E32.

Design and features

1983–1986 BMW 735i (Australia). Note the wider and more angular twin-port grille compared to the 1977–1983 cars.

All E23 7 Series models (with the exception of the 745i) were built with the 12-valve M30 six-cylinder engine as used in the older E3 and E9 cars. Although most E23 engines were fuel-injected, two models (the 728 and 730) were available with a Solex four-barrel carburetor until 1979, when they were replaced by the fuel-injected 728i. Early fuel-injected models used the Bosch L-jetronic system while later models used the more advanced digital Bosch Motronic system.

The E23 7 series cars were very upscale and sophisticated for their time. They were the first BMWs fitted with service interval indicators, a 'check control' that alerted the driver to various system faults, and complex climate control systems. On-board computers and anti-lock braking system (ABS) were optional on early models but later became standard features. Also, later models (1985–1986) offered an optional driver's airbag. A variety of options included leather upholstery, several types of wood trim, power seats, seat heaters, and power windows and mirrors. Four-speed and five-speed manual gearboxes were available (depending on the year) and an automatic transmission was also available.

A minor styling update in 1983 affected the 'nose' of the car (the front 'kidney' grilles, valance/spoiler, bumpers etc.) as well as the dashboard and instrument panels which received updates plus (in the UK) the 735i received the Motronic 3430 cc engine (replacing the 3453 cc) and rear suspension modifications as well as numerous other minor changes. In the US, 1984 saw the arrival of the optional 4-speed automatic transmission (replacing the 3-speed unit previously offered), upgraded wood trim above the glove compartment and on the ashtray (previously plastic in all US models), electrically adjustable power seats and larger Michelin TRX radials with special TRX wheels (later standard on all 1985–1987 735i/L7 models) on the 5-speed manual models.

Notable versions

Turbocharged 745i

The 745i was a special high-performance model offered in left-hand-drive European markets between 1979 and 1986. It was originally fitted with a specially prepared 3.2 L (3205cc) variant of the M30 six-cylinder gas engine and a KKK K27 turbocharger producing 252 hp at 0.6 bar of boost. This engine was designated with the BMW engine code M102. In 1982 the engine grew to 3.4 litres, changed over from Jetronic engine management to Motronic, and was known as the M106. Due to higher displacement and better engine management, the M106 developed the same power as the M102 at only 0.4 bar boost.

These cars were all built with automatic transmissions (although there is documentation supporting how the ECU was modified at the factory to work with Getrag 5 speeds) and could be ordered with exotic options such as heated front and rear power reclining seats, auto-on aux interior gasoline fired heaters, leather covered cellular telephones, rear-armrest radio control, water buffalo hide upholstery, and burl wood trim. The water buffalo interior model was the Executive trim option, while the High Line trim package offered ivory leather interior trim including a leather dash board, sun visors, headliner, and other leather bits not offered on the Executive.

BMW designated this particular model as 745i instead of 732i Turbo due to the theoretical assumption that the turbocharged motors have about 1.4 times more power than naturally aspirated motors. Thus, 3.2-litre (3205cc) turbocharged motor has "power equivalent" of 4.5-litre (4487cc) motor without forced induction.

South African 745i SA

A 745i without turbocharger was built specifically for the South African market. The right-hand-drive version was not possible with the turbocharged motor due to the proximity of turbocharger in the right-hand side of engine bay. Instead, it was fitted with the upgraded version of 290 hp (220 kW) dual-camshaft 24-valve M88/3 M1 Motorsport engine with a Bosch ML-Jetronic fuel injection system. This particular motor was also fitted to the first-generation M5 and M635CSi. A production run of 209 South African 745i was built from 1983 to 1987: 192 were built with automatic gearbox and 17 with 5-speed manual gearbox.^[3]

BMW South Africa ran one of these 745i models in Class A of the South African Modified Saloon Car Championship, the only BMW-Sanctioned motor sport application in the history of BMW 7-series cars.

North America and Japan

1984 BMW 733i with federal bumpers

Only the 733i, 735i, and L7 were offered by the factory in these markets. As usual, BMW sold only upscale versions in these markets, usually including leather upholstery, cruise control, wood trim, power windows, power sunroof, and other options as standard. North American versions were fitted with larger bumpers (to comply with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards), smaller sealed beam headlights, and various forms of emissions equipment that were not found on European-market cars. The engines used in these markets had lower-compression pistons and thus were less powerful than European-market versions. Some features such as ABS were available in markets outside North America before they were fitted on American models. Many turbocharged 745i models made their way into America during the height of the grey market in the mid-1980s.

The L7 was a more luxurious version of the 735i for the American market only. It featured special leather upholstery with leather dashboard and door padding (rather than wood trim), a power glass Moonroof. and a variety of optional features as standard. All L7 models were built with automatic transmissions and a standard driver's air bag.

Americans were able to obtain the more powerful 745i via the grey market.

Special uses

In 1982, the American Robert Cumberford built the Cumberford Martinique, an open two-seater with engine and transmission from a BMW 733i, and steering and suspension from the Citroën CX.^[4] Pricing was 60% higher than its closest competitor, from Clénet Coachworks, and only two cars were built.^[5] Both still exist, one in France and one in San Diego.^[6]

Models

BMW 728i

The following models were produced in this series: ^[1][7][8]

Note: ‡ For government agencies and on special order only^[1]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to BMW E23.

• 1985 735i Automatic Road test
• BMW 7 Series at DMOZ