1983 E23 BMW 735i
Discussion
Bit of an impulse buy this one.
Really fancied something with more seats than my MGB for next years run to Le Mans. When I saw the car on this thread, I couldn't resist. I bought the car on eBay and got the train down to London the next morning to pick it up.
The car is a 1983 BMW 735i, with a 3.5l straight six engine. Before me (and the garage), it had the same owner for 27 years. The car is solid and tight, and rust free. Someone spent £6.5K restoring the car a few years back.
It has the optional extras, electric reclining rear seats and an Limited Slip Diff. The wheels have been changed from Metric to Imperial size.
There are a couple of minor things to get sorted, firstly the windscreen washer motor switch need replacing and the intermittently working speedo needs attention too.
The car has great road presence, it's meant to be a weekend car but I seem to be using it all the time at the moment!
Really fancied something with more seats than my MGB for next years run to Le Mans. When I saw the car on this thread, I couldn't resist. I bought the car on eBay and got the train down to London the next morning to pick it up.
The car is a 1983 BMW 735i, with a 3.5l straight six engine. Before me (and the garage), it had the same owner for 27 years. The car is solid and tight, and rust free. Someone spent £6.5K restoring the car a few years back.
It has the optional extras, electric reclining rear seats and an Limited Slip Diff. The wheels have been changed from Metric to Imperial size.
There are a couple of minor things to get sorted, firstly the windscreen washer motor switch need replacing and the intermittently working speedo needs attention too.
The car has great road presence, it's meant to be a weekend car but I seem to be using it all the time at the moment!
Edited by Parabola on Thursday 30th December 01:00
Trying not to let it get to me. I'm going to get the scratches sorted then spend a day clay/polish/waxing it.. ready for it to get covered in dust at Le Mans!
I popped into my local BMW garage's parts department, they kindly printed me out the full options list from when it was first bought. It really is fully loaded.
I also found on eBay, the original model price list booklet, The cars Air Conditioning was a £1601 option.. and that was in 1983! Also the Colours and Upholstery leaflet- so I know exactly what shade of pond green the velour interior is!
I'll scan and upload them if anyones interested.
I popped into my local BMW garage's parts department, they kindly printed me out the full options list from when it was first bought. It really is fully loaded.
I also found on eBay, the original model price list booklet, The cars Air Conditioning was a £1601 option.. and that was in 1983! Also the Colours and Upholstery leaflet- so I know exactly what shade of pond green the velour interior is!
I'll scan and upload them if anyones interested.
Quick update.
Dropped the beast into my garage on the Monday before Le Mans. Major problems with overheating and brakes (nothing too important for a long drive to sunny France then!)
It's an independent Alfa Romeo specialist (they look after my 156) but the main guy there used to run an E23!
They kept the car overnight and diagnosed a problem in the cooling system with the viscous clutch. Part arrived Tuesday and was fitted straight away.
The brake issue was a problem with the actuator sphere (no, I'd never heard of one either) BMW wanted £300 for this part, they are available for under £100 elsewhere but would take longer to arrive!
Le Mans ferry was booked for 8am Thursday, I'm in Manchester.
Luckily, the part arrived Wednesday morning, was fitted immediately (Thanks John, MVC Alfa Manchester!) picked the car up lunchtime and set off down south.. car running like a dream!
Gave the car a quick wash at my Mum's house in Stratford Upon Avon on the way down. The electric windows stopped working!
At least we still had a sunroof or reasonably efficient air con!
Car felt great on the trip. Only downside to the weekend was not being allowed into the display area of the Classic British Welcome at Saint Saturnin because we 'Weren't a classic!"
Some cameraphone snaps..
Waiting for Portsmouth- Le Harve ferry
Campsite
In good company
Picking up fuses to try and sort electric window problem
Fueling up at Arnarge for journey home
Dropped the beast into my garage on the Monday before Le Mans. Major problems with overheating and brakes (nothing too important for a long drive to sunny France then!)
It's an independent Alfa Romeo specialist (they look after my 156) but the main guy there used to run an E23!
They kept the car overnight and diagnosed a problem in the cooling system with the viscous clutch. Part arrived Tuesday and was fitted straight away.
The brake issue was a problem with the actuator sphere (no, I'd never heard of one either) BMW wanted £300 for this part, they are available for under £100 elsewhere but would take longer to arrive!
Le Mans ferry was booked for 8am Thursday, I'm in Manchester.
Luckily, the part arrived Wednesday morning, was fitted immediately (Thanks John, MVC Alfa Manchester!) picked the car up lunchtime and set off down south.. car running like a dream!
Gave the car a quick wash at my Mum's house in Stratford Upon Avon on the way down. The electric windows stopped working!
At least we still had a sunroof or reasonably efficient air con!
Car felt great on the trip. Only downside to the weekend was not being allowed into the display area of the Classic British Welcome at Saint Saturnin because we 'Weren't a classic!"
Some cameraphone snaps..
Waiting for Portsmouth- Le Harve ferry
Campsite
In good company
Picking up fuses to try and sort electric window problem
Fueling up at Arnarge for journey home
Edited by Parabola on Thursday 23 June 17:40
I also bought the BMW Model Price List for 1983, from eBay.
When I've a little more time, I'll work out exactly what my car would have cost new.
My basic price was £18830 in 1983. For reference, my parents 3 bed semi detached house in a decent area cost £13000 just 5 years earlier!
The air conditioning in my car was £1601! Looks like this was a pretty well specced example. I think it my have been a demo car for the first couple of months of it's life.
When I've a little more time, I'll work out exactly what my car would have cost new.
My basic price was £18830 in 1983. For reference, my parents 3 bed semi detached house in a decent area cost £13000 just 5 years earlier!
The air conditioning in my car was £1601! Looks like this was a pretty well specced example. I think it my have been a demo car for the first couple of months of it's life.
Johnboy Mac said:
You're hooked now let me tell you. 
I did the same, got all the road tests, brochures, data etc, anything that justified spending loads of money on a twenty year old + production car.
Yep! Just ordered the sales brochure from eBay. Now just need to find the correct handbook. I did the same, got all the road tests, brochures, data etc, anything that justified spending loads of money on a twenty year old + production car. Just had a little trip to Munich for a Kraftwerk gig.
Spent the day after nosing round BMW Welt (World), the museum and a factory tour.
They had an E23, but on the top of a stack of four cars!
A few snaps.. The factory tour was amazing.. but no cameras were allowed!
BMW Welt (World) is in the foreground. It's basically a huge showroom.
The museum is the round building with BMW logo on roof.
The tower is the head offices, and the factory is the main complex in centre of photo
Spent the day after nosing round BMW Welt (World), the museum and a factory tour.
They had an E23, but on the top of a stack of four cars!
A few snaps.. The factory tour was amazing.. but no cameras were allowed!
BMW Welt (World) is in the foreground. It's basically a huge showroom.
The museum is the round building with BMW logo on roof.
The tower is the head offices, and the factory is the main complex in centre of photo
Embryonic said:
What was the issue with the windows in the end?
Not sure actually. I forgot to ask when I picked the car up yesterday. Will find out for you next time I speak to him.The scratches have been sorted now, had a good service and cleaned the cooling system, the windows work again.
The green beast passed it's MOT!
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