I am about to buy an 84 735i and do some restoration.
How does everybody feel about their cars? What are pros and cons?
Auto vs. Manual, etc.
Thanks!

have a look here
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/e23/

My '83 is OK from a reliable transportation standpoint but the motor doesn't offer much punch. I use mine for transport to & from work when there is snow & ice on the ground and when the '01 is in the shop for one reason or another. I am told the 2nd generation motor ( 89 & on? ) is a better choice for performance and the later transmissions offered a 4th gear (auto) which made for a more capable car over all. Still, I have no compalints for a car I paid $1,200.00 for.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/140000-140999/140822_130_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/140000-140999/140822_135_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/140000-140999/140822_129_full.jpg

HVAC, HVAC, HVAC. That is by far the most painful issue with the E23. Very complicated and hard to maintain.

Otherwise they are fantastic. I have two. Suspension is heartier than an E28. Check the usual issues for the 80's cars (cooling system, all vacuum hoses, driveline, diff mounts). The engine and manual transmission are horses. The manual transmissioned cars are more lively than the automatics because of the extra gear. The autos are slow off the line. And don't you dare rev that automatic in neutral!!!

The handling is a little bulkier than the 5 series but you would be surprised how fast you can go once you figure out how much they can lean. You just have to set the car up earlier in the turn. They are superior cruising vehicles. All you have to do is take it on a 500 mile trip...

Bimmerhead: love the red interior.
These cars have been forgotten on the road and I think are rarer to see than a 635.
Since they are 7 series, is the engine bay amenable to an 8 cyl. swap?
Shogun: thanks for that link!

I am about to buy an 84 735i and do some restoration.
How does everybody feel about their cars? What are pros and cons?
Auto vs. Manual, etc.
Thanks!

OK, I'm a bit confused - did they put the 3.5 into the E23 a year before putting it into the E24 and E28?

I had a 1985 535i, and its predecessor (1984) was a 533i...?

My '83 is OK from a reliable transportation standpoint but the motor doesn't offer much punch. I use mine for transport to & from work when there is snow & ice on the ground and when the '01 is in the shop for one reason or another. I am told the 2nd generation motor ( 89 & on? ) is a better choice for performance and the later transmissions offered a 4th gear (auto) which made for a more capable car over all. Still, I have no compalints for a car I paid $1,200.00 for.



Of course, "punch" to Simeon is something in the neighborhood of 500HP... :-O

OK, I'm a bit confused - did they put the 3.5 into the E23 a year before putting it into the E24 and E28?

I had a 1985 535i, and its predecessor (1984) was a 533i...?

Euro 7s always had the 3.5 available. For the US, it was the same as the E28 and E24 which was 1985.

If it really is an '84 735i, then it must be a Euro.

Since they are 7 series, is the engine bay amenable to an 8 cyl. swap?
Shogun: thanks for that link!

It's been done on an E28, but it wasn't easy. So if it can be done on an E28, it can be done on an E23. Remember though the E23 never had an 8 cyl version like the E32 did.

bumping an old thread.
i currently have 3 E23's i wish to bring 2 onto the road and one for parts
they are great cars, just the brakes are a PITA if they go.
and i love mine becuase i have the euro models:D

Any source for interior wood paneling? I just bought a second one to restore!~