1977 BMW E23 730

[rob0r]

Well this was a surprise to say the least.

I've been after a parts car for my mint E23 728i ( tinyurl.com/7unnzwp ) because I ruined the struts by making them ground the car out and I need new locks all round. E23 parts are hard to come by and parts/donor cars are very few and far between. I have a suspicion that these are perhaps rarer than E12 5 series and E24 6 series or any BMW of the late 70s/early 80s. I popped down to the local BMW place and got an E30 track rod end, while I was there I asked about E23 parts/spare car. It turned out they had an MOT'd early 730 for not much with MOT... I couldn't help myself.

It actually cost me even less as I part ex'd my old E28 ( tinyurl.com/7nu7gsf ). I can live with that as I don't have to A) fix and sell it or B) break it. There's not a lot on it worth a great deal and it needs a lot of work, plus it's one less headache off my workload!

The car itself is pretty cool and proper povo spec, it feels far more retro than the later E23 728i I've got. The suspension is proper boat spec (really soft!) and the engine is smooth 3L six with a nice big carb. This one is auto compared to the manual 728i. It's wind up windows all round, no central locking, no sun roof, beige cloth seats and it only has one wing mirror - very povo for a 7!

I have 17" BBS style 5s in stock and it will get much closer to the ground. The MOT is up in September so I will roll it until then and see what I think... It will probably ending up donating it's struts and locks to the 728i at somepoint unless it proves itself to be something special or I find another cheap E23/E23 bits.

Providing the car doesn't implode in the next month or so it will be my ride for RRG. I was wanting to take my E21 but I've majorly lost the love for it, things are going wrong and I'm rushing it, so I'll step back and play with the E23 for a bit.











Retro-tastic dash setup

[renofan]

That looks really good. It would be a shame to break it though. Love the interior.

[GT4ME]

PM'd

[rob0r]

Don't worry, I'm not even thinking about breaking it right now. It's getting taxed tomorrow

[mclellanmac]

That thing is really very cool, I hope it survives!

[bmwe23matt]

Ive got 2 e23s , love them , ones a 735i and other a 728ise , really underrated cars , ive got some spares a well , what you need

[Mark]

Immensely cool. Glad you still have my old 728. Funnily enough, I got an email from a guy I sold another 728 to, a few years back. He still has it and the only thing he's done is change the oil. Still runs and drives like it did when I sold it.

Spotted an e23 on Facejacker a few months back too.

[rob0r]

Matt, front struts and locks would be ideal.

Mark, yeah I've still got it and it's still the best condition car I have . I rebuilt the front calipers, grounded car with too low coilovers and its been sitting waiting for new struts which I'm struggling to find. This car was supposed to donate some bits but I'm having too much fun blatting about in it. The fuel consumption is horrendous though!

[tali100]

Wow that is cool- S -reg one of earliest-needs to be kept original
Seems to have A/C?
Can't recall seeing one with wind ups all round either (although i can't see winders in your pics)
I think cloth is more velour on all 7s

[rob0r]

Jul 9, 2012 17:40:54 GMT tali100 said:

Wow that is cool- S -reg one of earliest-needs to be kept original

I fear I may disappoint you ;D

It's not got AC and it is window winders all round.

[tali100]

Jul 9, 2012 19:48:52 GMT rob0r said:

Jul 9, 2012 17:40:54 GMT tali100 said:

Wow that is cool- S -reg one of earliest-needs to be kept original

I fear I may disappoint you ;D

It's not got AC and it is window winders all round.

Options on it seem to be Metallic paint and auto box.

[dbdb]

Jul 11, 2012 23:32:38 GMT tali100 said:

Jul 9, 2012 19:48:52 GMT rob0r said:

I fear I may disappoint you ;D

It's not got AC and it is window winders all round.

Options on it seem to be Metallic paint and auto box.

The rear seat head restraints were exra too.

David

[grifterkid]

Holy plop-plops, that is so damn darn fresh...!!! I do love an early 7-series and this one looks a real peach.

It's amazing to think you had to pretty much spec' a car right up to get something pretty plush out of the showroom, not like nowadays when you can get shed loads of gear on a boggo Hyundai shopping cart...

If you ever fancy moving it on give us a shout... That is bloody gorgeous...

[dbdb]

Jul 12, 2012 15:20:03 GMT grifterkid said:

Holy plop-plops, that is so damn darn fresh...!!! I do love an early 7-series and this one looks a real peach.

It's amazing to think you had to pretty much spec' a car right up to get something pretty plush out of the showroom, not like nowadays when you can get shed loads of gear on a boggo Hyundai shopping cart...

If you ever fancy moving it on give us a shout... That is bloody gorgeous...

It's lovely isn't it. I really like it standard, but I'd guess it won't stay that way.

David

[rob0r]

I think you guys worry too much . I'm not going mad on the car, the interior and body are going to remain 100%, well it might get cleaned. To give a few hints, here a couple of my older rides...



(Excuse the air filter...)

[rob0r]

Phase one lowering complete! I trimmed the springs 2 coils on each corner and it now handles and rides 10x better. The boatiness has gone but the suspension still has plenty of travel.







I knew the speedo was reading low miles when I bought it but I really didn't think much of it, I assumed the clocks had been swapped at somepoint. However I've been seeing the condition of the underside, the interior, the engine bay and a lack of serious rust anywhere and I'm starting to believe the speedo is correct . I had my BMW specialist friend check it over and looking inside the engine he agrees with me too...


E23s are known to rot, this is one of the earliest and it's still in very good condition. The only bad/rust spots could have come from just sitting around anyway. I'm wondering if the tyres are 35 years old!!

Talking of tyres, they are due to be replaced anyway. This is a perhaps a sign of whats to come

[rob0r]

For the record, any notion of breaking this car have truly gone out the window...

[Robinxr4i]

Jul 17, 2012 10:45:49 GMT rob0r said:

Talking of tyres, they are due to be replaced anyway. This is a perhaps a sign of whats to come

OH YES!

[grifterkid]

STUNNING, STUNNING, STUNNING...!!! What a peach... After a full 'deep-clean' that is going to look fresher than a lorry load of Polo's (the circular mint that is!)...

[mclellanmac]

Jul 17, 2012 10:47:20 GMT rob0r said:

For the record, any notion of breaking this car have truly gone out the window...

Fantastic news! This really is a stunner!