The BMW 7 series was born in 1977 and quickly set the standard for luxury motoring.

1977 saw the release of the very first 7 series, the 728, accompanied by the 730 and 733i. All were four-door sedans with distinct new modern styling to match the European landscape from the surrounding Bavarian fields of its manufacturer to the glitter of Monte Carlo and its spectacular Mediterranean coastline.

The astute observer will recognise this specimen as a not a 7, but a 6 series, two-door sedan, the image chosen (albeit out of place) to reflect the "Monte Carlo-ish" European styling and luxury image of the 7 series, fashionably parked in a tropical coastal open street. (It rewards to note that the 6 series design does not differ far form that of the 7 in this period.)

The 728, 730 and 733i all were equipped with BMW M30 six-cylinder in-line engines. The 728 boasted 170hp, however the 730 moderately outdid it with 184hp while the 733i and its trumpcard of fuel-injection blitzed them both with a capacity of 197hp.

In 1978 the original 728 disappeared to be reinstated on the production lines and subsequently in the dealerships with fuel-injection, known as the 728i with 184hp. In the same year, the 732i (197hp) replaced the 730, while the newer 735i did the same for the 733i.

In 1983, BMW refreshed the 7 fleet releasing the beefed-up 252hp 745i, which sported a similar M30 six-cylinder (also in-line) engine and an impressive top speed of 225km/h. BMW also did some housekeeping for the other models, introducing 4-speed automatic transmission units where previously they had been 3s and including ABS braking systems as standard. Later, the 745i received a new engine, the six-cylinder in-line M102 which was of basically the same power but the models top speed seemed to be cheekily upped to 227km/h.

E23 Specifications

Fuel Consumption

In fuel consumption the E23 is, as larger cars are- a thirsty motor vehicle to run. However in seeking to dispel the common misconception that all newer cars are inherently more fuel efficient than their more seasoned counterparts, we did some investigating, pitting the challenge: Are the older 7s (E23s) less fuel efficient than BMW's latest luxury offering in the same class (the E65)? We came up with some interesting results:

The Test We pitted an E23 1983 735i against its equivalent, the E65 2002 735i. We compared on two grounds, fuel efficiency in the country, namely highway-like continuous driving (at a constant speed) and fuel economy in the city (constantly stopping and starting, turning, accelerating and decelerating). The Results On the first graph, we measured fuel consumption in conditions of continuous driving much like those encountered while assailing rural-type distances. The older 735i (E23) drank 8.5 litres for every 100km, while the newer 2002 edition 735i consumed just less, burning up 8.2 litres for every 100km.

In the city, the E23 won a decisive victory, while lugging around no doubt a heavier body with an older engine, it still pulled up on top for efficiency. The 20-year-old 735i required 14 litres for 100km of urban driving, while it's E65 counterpart drank a litre more, at 15 for the century kilometre mark. The Conclusion It would not be prudent to claim the older vehicle more fuel efficient than the latest BMW 735i. The E65 while outfitted with no doubt a lighter, more weight efficient body is also the recipient of a larger engine with higher fuel requirements than that of the 1983 735i. The 2002 E65 735i's V8 engine- obviously with eight cylinders is a heavier, more fuel consuming beast than the M30 in-line six which propels the E23 challenger.

The benefits of one of BMW's newest engineering creations is evident in the long-term saving over large distances the E65 2002 735i makes over conventional engines, while not large over the rival six cylinder of the E23 (300ml in the highway efficiency comparison), it is notable considering the difference in engine size. (A V8 makes efficiency savings over a 6 cylinder!) In the city-test, the older 735i came out a litre more efficient than the E65. One may probably attribute this to size of the V8 engine drinking all that fuel while accelerating the albeit comparatively light body of the E65. It is surprising however, that the older car would win- considering the heavier body of the E23. It emerges that there can be no clear winner, the older car is probably the recipient of a handicap (a six cyl. to fight an 8 in fuel efficiency), but it remains that the older E23 held its own well and can certainly be compared with the newer BMWs in terms of fuel efficiency .

Specific Profiles of the E23

E23 Sample Vehicle - 735i     Model: BMW 735i Year: 1983 Type: E23 Engine: M30 6cyl. In-line Capacity: 3.5L / 3500cc Photo: 2002, Australia

E23 Sample Vehicle - 733i     Model: BMW 733i Year: 1980 Type: E23 Engine: M30 6cyl. In-line Capacity: 3.3L / 3210cc Photo: 2003, Australia

E23 Sample Vehicle - 735i     Model: BMW 735i Year: 1985 Type: E23 Engine: M30 6cyl. In-line Capacity: 3.4L / 3430cc Photo: 2003, Australia

Summary

The E23 remains a coherent and stylish luxury saloon even two decades from its heyday, while behind in the luxury trappings of the 21st century, the first 7 series retains an aura characteristic of the late 70s and early 80s in affluent European culture. The smooth and sophisticated look of the 7 alludes to a prosperity and commitment to fashion endured by time, indeed in some ways the now aged E23 7 remains the quintessential BMW, from which BM's modern line-up was born. The E23 marks the beginning of the era, beforehand the 2002 model saw the end of classic category and with the 7 was spawned BMW's modernisation as a carmaker.

In 1986, BMW officially terminated the E23 and commenced the production of the E32 generation seven, BMW's new luxury family of saloons.

Explore BMW's next generation of 7 series luxury saloons in the bmwfirst.com feature of the E32 !