1982 BMW 735i

Highlights

• Beautiful metallic red paint

• 3.5-litre straight-six

• MOT and road tax exempt

• Has long MOT regardless

• Lashings of brown velour

Overview

Get on the blower to your tailor and order yourself a new pinstripe suit: we’re heading back to the heady world of 1980s executive saloons. Enter the 7-series, which had been put into production in the late ‘70s and represented the pinnacle of BMW’s range at the time. It’s exactly the kind of car you can imagine Rick Mayall’s Alan B’stard MP rolling around town in as he plots his political ascendency. 

And what a place to plot in. The interior of this 735i features lashings of sumptuous brown velour, wood veneer trim pieces, and luxuries like electric windows and an electric sliding sunroof. And then there’s a suspiciously spacious boot at the rear, which is always a stipulation of those of dubious morals in political ascendency. 

Now that this E23 has reached a grand old age, it is classified as a historic vehicle, and therefore free from red tape and regulations, such as Road Tax and MOTs. But the current owner has decided to continue to have the car tested, and it currently bears an MOT certificate valid until May 2026.  

We’re told that the car previously spent a decade in a shed, before being extracted and restored. There is an accompanying collection of photographs detailing some of the work completed. This included respraying the paintwork, which is a magnificent shade of metallic red. The interior remains largely original, with some light wear and tear to the upholstery adding a little character. 

In all, this luxurious six-cylinder saloon is a magnificent example of the model, which is able to be used and enjoyed as either a showpiece or a very classy everyday classic. 

History and documentation

• Registered Oct 18th 1982

• Original owner’s manual

• Collection of invoices for parts and servicing 

• The vendor informs us that there is a large box file of further invoices

• Previously restored, having reportedly spent ten years in a shed 

• Some photographs of the car’s restoration on file 

• Two keys

• Current MOT with no advisories expires May 1st 2026

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

• Eleven former keepers

• Private plate AVO79Y included in sale

• MOT and road tax exempt

• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Brown velour interior, with wood trim and matching carpets

• There is a little wear to the driver’s seat bolster 

• Matching brown carpets

• Veneered trims on the dashboard and door cappings

• Analogue instruments

• The seller reports that the tachometer doesn’t work

• Stereo not currently working - original Blaupunkt stereo cassette player 

• The upholstery on the rear seat squabs has stretched a little 

• Electric windows

• The rear windows don’t currently wind down fully

• Electric sliding sunroof with tilt function

• Headlining in good condition, with no obvious sagging or damage 

• Very spacious boot to the rear, with fitted carpet 

• Original toolkit stowed under the underside of the bootlid 

Exterior

• Fabulously shark-nosed four-door saloon

• Finished in a very attractive shade of metallic red paint 

• The paint remains very good throughout, having previously been restored  

• The only issue noted by the vendor is a small bubble on the offside front wing 

• Otherwise, the paint is extremely well presented 

• Some very small scratches and chips can be found, but nothing major that we could see

• The body panels appear to be very good, and free from obvious dents and damage 

• The seller notes that the sliding sunroof channels are free from corrosion 

• 15-inch BBS alloy wheels

• The wheels are very well presented, with no scuffs or scratches that we could see 

• Two further sets of original wheels are included in the sale 

• Chrome trim pieces and badges

• Four separate round headlights, with wipers 

• Heated rear windscreen

• From what we could see, the under side of the car looks clean and tidy 

• Twin exhaust tips

• The seller tells us that the front splitter and rear spoiler are both rare original BBS items 

• One of the headlight lenses has a hairline crack, and a replacement  is included in the sale 

Mechanical

• 3,453 cc six-cylinder engine

• Produces 215 bhp, and 229 lb ft

• Automatic transmission

• Rear-wheel drive

• Engine bay very clean and tidy

• There is a little corrosion to some of the suspension components 

• The alternator has reportedly been refurbished

• A full service was carried out in May 2024, including new engine oil, oil filter, spark plugs, and coolant

• The seller notes that there is a slight drain on the battery, so a cut-out has been fitted 

• Front brake flexible hoses replaced in 2021

• The only MOT advisories are for a slight oil leak and corrosion on the rear brake pipes 

• The seller tells us that the car pulls very well through the gears, with a throaty roar from the engine, and will happily cruise at 70 mph 

• No warning lights reported 

Summary

Large, luxurious saloons have always been a staple of the executive classes. So with this E23 marking the birth of the 7-series dynasty, you can experience what it was like to be a captain of industry back in the 1980s. It remains extremely stylish today, with that shark-nosed front end looking both retro and futuristic at the same time, and the smooth purring straight-six engine under the bonnet providing plenty of go when you need it to.  

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Leven, Fife.