R reg 7 Series!

Today I saw an R registered 7 Series heaving along
the A617 between Chesterfield and the M1.

Not R reg as in 1998 either........

Was a light metallic goldy green colour, steel wheels
(looked like it had the chrome wheel rings), no boot
badge to say which model. Reg number was
VAA???R, didn't get the numbers.

Now, according to my ancient 1978 Glass's Guide,
these came out in mid 1977 and the first "S" was
August 1977 so this has to be one of the very first
ones.

Looked pretty tired to me - anyone know of this one?
If any old E23 needed to be rescued, that must be it. I
have never seen another R plate E23, ever.

yeah, there was an old T reg one that was finding difficulty in getting a new home, and that was superb 730 carb car.
These early cars, regardless of their less desirability over the last of the line, should be saved.
Early shark nosed e23's are very scarce

M3AG wrote: yeah, there was an old T reg one that was finding difficulty in getting a new home, and that was superb 730 carb car.

728, surely? Owner wants £2900 for it.

the one I saw a while back was bronze, and in superb order, sold for £650 I believe

The one at £2900 is, without doubt in superb order, I have seen it, and have several photo's of it, as I was asked to do a valuation for insurance purposes. And it is in more or less concours condition, it has several wins to its name, and comes complete with genuine BMW accesories, and extras.

Shame these cars have a limited appeal, as if that was a 6, it would sell quite rapidly!

Von Paulus wrote: ...What a God awful heap they were and I am amazed to see one still going. And vaguely appalled...

Right up there with the Austin Allegro and Morris Marina?

Von Paulus wrote: Well, maybe not THAT bad.............. Make it a Vanden Plas 1500 and I might change my mind. Best memory of my 733i. Around 1987...Andover to Newbury in 20 minutes flat, doing about 100 through "El Alamein".....

Ah.... an age before the Gatso came along.....

*misty-eyed sigh*

Von Paulus, I agree that the e32 was a quantum leap in modern sedan design and set the benchmark for at least a decade .................. but you are very wrong about the e23, especially the 'facelift' '84 onwards model with switchable box. In my opinion, an L7/highline 735 e23 would be worth much more on the open market than a comparable e32 because of it's rarity value.

The following is a bit of cut 'n paste from a write up I produced from which you will see what the e23 contributed to BMW's late 80's and 90's generation of cars.

"The E23 was ahead of it’s time and was the development test bed for BMW’s future models. Things we take for granted now, were all there in these advanced cars;
ABS, A/C, PAS, OBC, cruise control, check control, electric windows, roof, mirrors, electric seats with memory and heated options, airbags (US market) and ‘Motronic’ (digital engine management).

E23’s are now becoming rare but most parts are still readily (and incredibly) available from BMW and specialist suppliers. They are still a pleasure to drive with a performance to match their later cousins as they are lighter and essentially match the 2nd generation 7, the E32, in power as they share the same M30 engine."

But the E23 wasn't a step forward - 'new bottle, old
wine' would be one way of putting it.
1977 - four speed gearboxes, carburettors. Hmm,
advanced technology. In 1969, an Austin Maxi had
five gears! In 1965, a Mini could be had with a four
speed automatic gearbox.
Switchable auto in 1984? Christ, Renault 30's had
that in 1976.

As a parellel, let's discuss TV's. A new widescreen is
an amazing thing. A late sixties GEC colour TV is a
funky looking thing to have in your house. I have one,
complete with the big chrome knob to change
channels.
A mid eighties Thomson is not. It's just an old TV
one step away from the local dump.
The E23 doesn't ride well. When new they were
lambasted for a poor ride (terrible with the TRX) and
a W116 S Class however does. An E28 drives and
rides better than the E23.

My E38 rides reasonably well on 17 inch wheels but
admit that if you wanted a car that rides really nicely,
you buy a Lexus.

I was talking to an Aussie guy called Pete at the Ace
Cafe last week who has a 1983 (A or B reg) 735i SE
with leather trim and air con. He cannot get £350 and
the tales of the timewasting idiots (including one
member of this forum who I won't mention) he's had
messing him about is unreal. Thank God I don't get
involved at this end of the market because I'd end up
shooting someone.

Sorry, but when you cannot sell a working, MOT'd car
for £350, that means they're unwanted.

Von Paulus wrote: eta. wrote: an L7/highline 735 e23 would be worth much more on the open market than a comparable e32 And in both cases, still less than my shirt.

...which is probably made by Turnbull & Asser, so no surprise there, then

Horsetan wrote: ...which is probably made by Turnbull & Asser, so no surprise there, then

Good Lord no!

Gieves&Hawkes, Caliban, Hacket - or Paul Smith
for something wild.

I think I spent more on a pair of tyres than any of you
guys did on a whole E23.
Pirelli P7000's at £175 each - God, that really stung.

Still cheaper than TRX's though!