1978-1987 BMW 7-series
The 1978-1987 BMW 7-series was the Bavarian automaker's first foray into the German four-door luxury market previously dominated by the mid- and top-range Mercedes. It was BMW's most ambitious car since the V-8-powered 501/502 "Baroque Angels" of the early '50s.
1985 BMW 735i sedan. See more pictures of BMW cars.
Manual and
automatic transmissions were available throughout. Though we concentrate here on the
American 733i/735i, you may run into "gray market" 728s/730s, which
are fine as collector cars but create some added problems for collectors
stemming from their "unauthorized status" Stateside. They are easily
spotted by closer-fitting bumpers, one of the few major differences from their
American cousins.
The 1978-1987 BMW 7-series was significant for successfully taking BMW's "sports
sedan" ethic upmarket. It made way for the sleeker, much-improved
new-generation 7 Series of 1987-88.
Pluses of the 1978-1987 BMW 7-series:
- Fine handling for size
- Spacious
- Handsomely appointed
- Available with stick shift -- unusual for this sort of car
Minuses of the 1978-1987 BMW 7-series:
- Not as quick or agile as second-series 7s
- Still more "used cars" than sure-fire collector's items
- Ratty examples can cost a bundle to restore
- Engines need lots of TLC to hold up
Production
of the 1978-1987 BMW 7-series:
NA
Specifications
of the 1978-1987 BMW 7-series:
Wheelbase, inches: 110.0
Length, inches: 191.3/197.4 (European/U.S.)
Weight, pounds: 3,375-3,770
Price, new: $23,575-$42,500 (U.S.)
Engines for the 1978-1987 BMW 7-series:
| Type | Size | Horsepower | Years |
| ohc I-6 | 3,210 cc | 177 | 1978-1984 |
| ohc I-6 | 3,430 cc | 182 | 1984-1987 |
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