BMW 7 Series (1977-1986)
The new BMW 7 Series was presented as the successor to the big 6-cylinder saloons with the BMW models 728, 730 and 733i in May 1977. The new series rounded off the modern range of BMW after the new models in the BMW 3 Series, 5 Series and 6 Series. It set new benchmarks in the luxury range for automobiles.
BMW 728
The BMW 728 was the entry-level model until 1979 and like the BMW 730 was still equipped with carburettor technology.
General Data
Model Year……………………………1977 – 1979
No. of Units…………………………..32,421
Price……………………………………DM 29,300
Technical Data
Type of Engine……………………….Six-cylinder in-line engine
capacity in ccm………………………2788
Power Output
Max. Speed…………………………….192 km/h (119 mph)
BMW 728i
In 1979, the entry-level model of the BMW 7 Series was launched on the marketplace with electronic petrol injection. The visual appearance was virtually unchanged and the BMW 728i offered an improvement in comfort and safety as well as a modest increase in power of 14 bhp. With more than 70,000 units until 1986 it was the most successful model of this 7 Series.
General Data
Model Year……………………………1979 – 1986
No. of Units…………………………..70,360
Price……………………………………DM 33,700
Technical Data
Type of Engine……………………….Six-cylinder in-line engine
capacity in ccm………………………2788
Power Output…………………………135 kW/184 bhp at 5800 rpm
Max. Speed…………………………….196 km/h
Dimensions…………………………….4860x1800x1430
Empty Weight (kg)…………………..1480
BMW 728 (E23) technical details;
- Engine
Motortype……..6-cylinder in-line engine
Bore x Stroke (mm)……..86 x 80
Capacity……..2788 ccm
Compression……..9,0:1
Valves……..Oblique hanging, arranged in a V-shaped
Carburetion system……..1 Doppelregister-Vergaser Solex 4A1 - Powermode
Clutch……..Hydraulically operated single-plate dry clutch with diaphragm spring and torsional vibration dampers
Transmission……..4-speed transmission; on request 5 speed manual gearbox ZF automatic gearbox 3HP-22
Gearbox ratios……..3.855 / 2.203 / 1.402 / 1.00: 1; 5-Gang: 3.717 / 2.403 / 1.776 / 1.263 / 1.00: 1; Automated: 2.478 / 1.478 / 1.00: 1
Reverse gear……..4,30:1; 5-Gang: 4,234:1; Automated: 2,090:1
Drive transmission……..3,64:1 - Electric system
Generator……..Drehstrom 770 W
Battery……..12 V 55 Ah
Spark plugs……..Beru 145/14/3 A; Bosch W 145 T 30; Champion N 10 Y - Suspension
Body/chassis……..Self-supporting all-steel body
Front-wheel suspension……..Independent suspension. Double-joint spring strut axle, coil springs, rubber auxiliary springs, torsion bar stabilizer
Rear-wheel suspension……..Independent suspension with trailing arms, coil springs and struts with rubber auxiliary springs
Wheel rims……..6 J x 14 H 2
Tyres……..195/70 HR 14
Front brakes……..4-piston fixed caliper disc brake
Front brake diameter (mm)……..280
Rear brakes……..2-piston fixed caliper disc brake
Rear brake diameter (mm)……..280 - Measures and weight
Length x Width x Height (mm)……..4860 x 1800 x 1430
Wheel base (mm)……..2795
Front track (mm)……..1508
Rear track (mm)……..1522
Empty weight (kg)……..1530
Permissible total weight (kg)……..2000
Fuel consumption (l/100 km)……..11.5 nach DIN 70030
BMW 730
The new 7 Series was presented as the successor to the big 6-cylinder saloons with the BMW models 728, 730 and 733i in May 1977. The new series rounded off the modern range of BMW after the new models in the BMW 3 Series, 5 Series and 6 Series. It set new benchmarks in the luxury range for automobiles. Already fitted with a wide range of equipment, this carburettor model provided an exciting alternative to the much more expensive BMW 733i.
General Data
Model Year……………………………1977 – 1979
No. of Units…………………………..17,712
Price……………………………………DM 33,600
Technical Data
Type of Engine……………………….Six-cylinder in-line engine
capacity in ccm………………………2986
Power Output…………………………135 kW/184 bhp at 5800 rpm
Max.Speed…………………………….200 km/h
BMW 732i
The BMW 733i occupied the leading position among the first three models of the new BMW 7 Series manufactured from 1977. It was the only 7 Series to be fitted with an injection engine until 1979. From summer 1979, it was replaced by the new BMW 732i equipped with Europe’s first digital engine electronics. This car heralded the establishment of BMW’s technological leadership in electronics that has endured to the present day.
The BMW 735i was equipped with a 5-speed gearbox as standard for the first time in 1979. The 3.5 litre engine, familiar from the BMW 635CSi, also provided superlative driving performance in the new luxury saloon.
General Data
Model Year……………………………1979 – 1986
No. of Units…………………………..57,992
Price……………………………………DM 37,700
Technical Data
Type of Engine……………………….Six-cylinder in-line engine
capacity in ccm………………………3210
Power Output…………………………145 kW/197 bhp at 5500 rpm
Max.Speed…………………………….205 km/h
BMW 733i
The BMW 733i occupied the leading position among these first models. It was the only 7 Series to have an injection engine and offered additional power of 27 hp compared with the BMW 728 entry-level model fitted with a carburettor engine by paying an additional DM 10,000. Starting in summer 1979, it was replaced by the new BMW 732i.
General Data
Model Year……………………………1977 – 1979
No. of Units…………………………..28,582
Price……………………………………DM 38,600
Technical Data
Type of Engine……………………….Six-cylinder in-line engine
capacity in ccm………………………3210
Power Output…………………………145 kW/197 bhp at 5500 rpm
Max.Speed…………………………….205 km/h
Dimensions…………………………….4860x1800x1430
Empty Weight (kg)…………………..1660
BMW 735i
The BMW 735i was equipped with a 5-speed gearbox as standard for the first time in 1979. The 3.5 litre engine, familiar from the BMW 635CSi, also provided superlative driving performance in the new luxury saloon.
General Data
Model Year……………………………1979 – 1986
No. of Units…………………………..61,010
Price……………………………………DM 43,750
Technical Data
Type of Engine……………………….Six-cylinder in-line engine
capacity in ccm………………………3453
Power Output…………………………160 kW/218 bhp bei 5200 rpm
Max.Speed…………………………….212 km/h (132 mph)
BMW 735i (E23). technical details:
- Engine
Motortype……..6-cylinder in-line engine
Bore x Stroke (mm)……..93,4 x 84
Capacity……..3453 ccm
Performance……..160 kW/218 BHP bei 5200 rpm
Compression……..9,3:1
Valves ……..Oblique hanging, arranged in a V-shaped
Carburetion system……..Electronic fuel injection (Bosch L-Jetronic) - Powermode
ClutchHydraulically operated single-plate dry clutch with diaphragm spring and torsional vibration dampers
Transmission5-speed overdrive manual transmission; on request ZF automatic gearbox 3HP-22
Gearbox ratios3.822 / 2.202 / 1.398 / 1.00 / 0.813: 1; Automatic: 2,478 / 1,478 / 1,00: 1
Reverse gear3,705:1; Automatic: 2,090
Drive transmission3.25:1; Self-locking differential - Electric system
GeneratorDrehstrom 65 A, 910 W
Battery12 V 66 Ah
Spark plugsBeru 145/14/3 A; Bosch W 145 T 30; Champion N 10 Y - Suspension
Body/chassis……..Self-supporting all-steel body
Front-wheel suspension…….. Independent suspension. Double-joint spring strut axle, coil springs, rubber auxiliary springs, torsion bar stabilizer
Rear-wheel suspension…….. Independent suspension with trailing arms, coil springs and struts with rubber auxiliary springs
Wheel rims……..Light alloy sports wheels 6 1/2 J x 14 H 2
Tyres……..205/70 VR 14
Front brakes…….. 4-piston fixed-calliper disc brake; Inner-vented brake discs
Front brake diameter (mm)……..280
Rear brakes……..2-piston fixed caliper disc brake
Rear brake diameter (mm)……..280 - Measures and weight
Length x Width x Height (mm)……..4860 x 1800 x 1430
Wheel base (mm)……..2795
Front track (mm)……..1502
Rear track (mm)……..1517
Empty weight (kg)……..1530
Permissible total weight (kg)……..2000
Fuel consumption (l/100 km)……..10.8 per bei constant 120 km / h - Special bodies:……..Highline equipment. Executive Facilities. armored limousine (1983 – 1986). U.S. since 1985: L 7.
BMW 745i
The BMW 745i was launched in 1980 as the flagship of the first BMW 7 Series fitted with a turbocharged 6-cylinder engine generating 252 hp. The BMW 745i was also the world’s first series production automobile to have fully electronic four-channel ABS on board as standard.
General Data
Model Year……………………………1980 – 1986
No. of Units…………………………..16,031
Price……………………………………DM 52,000
Technical Data
Type of Engine……………………….Six-cylinder in-line engine
capacity in ccm………………………3210
Power Output…………………………185 kW/252 bhp at 5200 rpm
Max.Speed…………………………….221 km/h
