Re: 86 735 M series???

[Jim Moran <bavarian@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jim,

Believe it or not, BMW did make an M version of the E23 Seven Series.  However,
it was produced for the South African market, was a right hand drive car, and
badged ///M745i.  Usually, 745's were turbo charged, but the turbo wouldn't fit
on right hand drive cars.  So, Bernd Pertschneider (sp?), who was marketing for
BMW SA at the time, came up with a special model that had the DOHC 3.5 liter
M88/3 engine (from the M635CSi) installed in the E23 7 Series chassis.  So, the
clues to a real M 7 Series are:

1.  Right hand drive.
2.  South African production.
3.  DOHC 24 valve M88/3 engine with 6 throttles.

Jim Moran
'88 M6

> Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1998 20:06:12 -0400
> From: Jim Avery <jimavery@domain.elided>
> Subject: 86 735 M series???
> 
> I am looking at a 1986 735 that has "M" emblems front and back.  The
> dealer says it's a rare car. (I didn't think BMW made a 735 il M
> series-)  Did the previous owner simply stick M emblems on his four
> door?   Am I being bamboozled or is this car a rare find?  How can you
> tell for certain?
> 
> Odd thing is, that I was looking for a 2002 when this big, power
> everything leathered-out rocket ship caught my eye.
> 
> 
> Jim Avery

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