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printfavorite this post 1979 BMW E23 733i Project Car - Mostly Complete - $2750 (Madison) hide this posting unhide
1979 BMW 733i
condition: good
cylinders: 6 cylinders
fuel: gas
odometer: 151700
paint color: blue
size: full-size
title status: clean
transmission: manual
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History -
I am the only owner and only driver of this American-spec, 4-speed manual, 6 cylinder E23 733i. I bought it new in 1979 from Helmut's BMW in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The price was about 30K way back then when a dollar was worth a lot more than it is today. Helmut's BMW did all the servicing as recommended (until we moved to Virginia in 1989). The car was always garaged in Connecticut. It has never been in any accident. We used it regularly up until about 1988 when we bought a 1988 735i in Europe and made that our regular ride.
When we moved to Virginia in 1989, the 733i continued to be always garaged. Whatever dealer-level service was needed was done by Blue Ridge Motorworks (an independent, knowledgeable BMW shop in Charlottesville), although there wasn't much needed except oil changes. More to the point, the car wasn't being used much anymore.
Around 2010 (and after 10 years in garaged storage with no use), I decided to restore the 733i for "old time's sake" and with the idea of it being a "Project Car" with antique plates that I'd use once in a while.
The car currently has 151,700 original miles on the working odometer. Starting about 4 years ago, much has been done to restore the car. Specifically, this includes the following -
Replaced the radiator with an OEM unit.
Replaced all hoses and clamps.
Replaced all the belts.
Replaced thermostat and coolant cap.
Bought and installed new tires. (They're now a bit cracked from storage, but they are essentially new with maybe 500 miles on them.)
Replaced all the fuel lines from tank to engine.
Replaced the fuel pump and filter canister.
Replaced spark plug wires.
Installed new wipers.
Removed the fuel tank, cleaned it out with a pricey marine cleaner solvent, and coated the interior with an aluminized coating especially made for fuel tank interiors.
Removed, disassembled and cleaned the throttle body.
Removed injectors and sent them off for an ultrasonic/chemical cleaning and then reinstalled them with new o-rings. All the upper gaskets and the spark plugs were replaced at that time. Once reassembled, the engine ran smooth and strong.
The leather remains in good condition. It is scuffed in places, but there are no rips or tears or splits. The carpets are also pretty good. The driver's side has a tear in the carpet, but otherwise the rest of the carpeting is good with no stains or excessive wear. Trunk carpeting is complete but is stained in one area. Spare tire is reasonable and is on a matching alloy wheel. Trunk lid tool kit is complete.
The glass is all original and has no cracks or chips.
The electric sun roof works - it both tips up and rolls back as it should. Likewise, all the four electric windows work. (I noticed recently that the driver's side window seems to, at times, lift out of the carrier inside the door as the motor is running it down; this means opening up the door panel and cementing or otherwise attaching the glass back into the carrier; I have had to do that once in the past. It's easy.)
The tach, speedometer, fuel and temperature gauges all work. (The clock does not work at the moment.)
Several years ago, I swapped out the original Blaupunkt radio/cassette unit and installed an up-market Blaupunkt Santa Fe radio/cassette unit. The original radio (which worked fine) can be part of the deal if you want it. The electric antenna works and is controlled by the radio.
I have two OEM rear deck premium speakers that BMW offered for this auto. They will come with the car. A new battery was installed about a year ago; the engine starts immediately.
The body is in very good condition given its age. The paint is original and, while there are some real-world, parking-lot dings, the paint still takes a good shine. There is one small rust area just behind the right front wheel that is accessible from both sides, so it's an easy fix if desired. Otherwise, there is no rust anywhere that I can see.
Here's what remains to be done -
The front struts need replacement. This was the next thing I was going to do.
Although they were cleaned and replaced (see above), one of the injectors (#4 cylinder counting backwards from the front) recently apparently has clogged. As a result, the engine runs a bit lumpy. I believe it is the injector since when I pull the plug wire to the #4 cylinder, it does nothing to the way the engine idles (pulling any other plug immediately makes things worse, as it should). Since the plug is good and the spark is strong, the cause is almost surely that no fuel is getting into cylinder #4. The fix is to replace or clean the injector - a very modest cost.
The condition of the A/C is unknown. The magnetic clutch on the compressor works and the sight glass shows freon moving. However, the system needs a recharge. I did buy a rebuild kit for the compressor and a new A/C dryer canister but did not install them. These pricey pieces will also come with the car.
Misc. points - Several years ago, I bought a set of used Euro-spec headers to replace the US-spec headers which were designed as part of the US-required emission control setup on the car. (Note: All the emission hardware has been removed or is disabled). I don't know whether the Euro headers are worth putting on, but these Euro-spec headers will also come with the car.
Except for a decade of caked-on dirt and brake dust, the wheels are in very good condition with no dings or "curb rash".
I have two OEM rear deck premium speakers that BMW offered for this auto. They will come with the car.
Here in Virginia, this 1979 733i qualifies for antique plates. It has antique plates on it at the moment, but they have been decommissioned and need to be reinstated if that is what you'd wish.
NOTE: I do not want to spend a lot of time negotiating about this vintage auto. It's not a daily ride at the moment, although it could easily be. It's a wonderful project for someone who will love it and has the time and resources to complete this mostly-done restoration. Once done, it will be a terrific daily driver, or a vintage, just-for-fun ride.
Please ask any questions you might have.
- do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers