SOTW: E32 BMW 735i
Shed goes weak at the knees for a large, elderly German
Mmm... German luxury goodness...
The E32, the second generation of the 7-series, was released in 1986 and produced until 1994, with a range of straight sixes, V8s and V12s. The 208bhp 735i was the second-most humble in the line-up after the 185bhp 730i. It was replaced in 1992 with a 3.0-litre 730i V8 (this was when BMW model names actually matched the swept capacity of their engines - oh, for such simple times), which gained 7bhp over the old 735i, but was rather more temperamental. Further up the range was the V8 740i with 282bhp, with the 296bhp V12 750i sitting at the top of the range.
Move, lesser autobahn users!
Most incredible was the fact that all the electrics were still working. The windows, mirrors, sunroof, remote central locking(!), trip computer and dual-zone air-con all worked as Munich intended. Finding another 20-year-old car with that much kit - all of it working - for under a grand has got to be almost impossible.
The only thing that stopped us was the brooding presence of Garlick's V8 P38 Rangie in the car park - PH Towers ain't big enough for two luxo-barges. More's the pity.
Ad below the pics:
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I have a lovely example of an E32 7 Series for sale, previously my own private car.
There is the still strong performance from the 3,430cc M30 "big-six"; giving 211bhp/225 lb.ft, 0-62mph in 8.3 secs and 143mph. Over the course of my ownership it has averaged over 23 mpg. As you can see in the pictures, the only known weak point of the six-cylinder cars (radiators at about 100k miles) has been attended to. In addition to the comprehensive (relative to the age of the vehicle) specification, the stereo has been upgraded to a 12CD bootchanger set-up.
In terms of ownership details, I am the sixth registered keeper, it was first registered new on the 1st January 1990. The current MoT certificate runs from March 27th 2009 until March 26th 2010. All the original handbooks are present. The service history is all with BMW save the latest one which was carried out in July 2008 at 85,771 miles by an independent garage. All relevant inspections, brake fluid and coolant changes have been carried out as per the service routine. Four green lights are currently showing on start-up. All the electronics are in working order.
I am offering it for sale at £899 to PHers and their friends, colleagues & relatives.
Please contact me with any queries you may have. Thanks,
Len
Director
Illustrious Automotive Ltd.
I used to have a 730i a few years back - the 188bhp lump probably wasn't the best for this big barge, but, it was adequate for it to hold it's own.
The later V8s and the V12s have the nice, wider kidney grill, which adds to it's menacing front end.
Along with the E24, E30 and E34, in my personal opinion, the E32 has some one of the best shapes ever to grace a BMW.
A true 80s icon.
You can easily fit two large bodies in the boot, which can come in handy!
They are solid, safe, reliable and comfortable cars - with immense presence. They were built properly, not like the way they are built now. I went in a E65 7 series a few months back, and although it was a very refined machine with all the toys you could dream of, it didn't quite feel as special as these - it had a really 'platic' feel to the interior, compared to the E32, and didn't seem as well put-together.
Well done SOTW - one of my favourite ones of the year so far, and one of my all-time favourite cars.
If this car genuinly looks as good and drives as well as the article suggests, then it's an absolute steal at that price. I reckon you could run it for a good two years and not lose a penny.
I'm still thinking about selling my TV and having the 7 instead, all to myself...
"It was replaced in 1992 with a 3.0-litre 730i V8 (this was when BMW model names actually matched the swept capacity of their engines - oh, for such simple times)"
Ever since I can remember BMW have always had the odd model here and there where the engine size doesn't match the badge. BMW did a 316 with a 1.8 (& possibly vise versa). A late '70s 525e with a 2.7 engine. The original 7 Series was sold in Germany as a 745i which had a turbocharged 3.5 I6. There was a 633 CS had a 3.2.
Even the car featured here SHOULD be a 734i.
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