E23 735i Euro Bumper Swap

[M635]

Okay here's the story,

Recently I picked up an E23 735i that I found sitting in an industrial area. This car has been sitting for two months awaiting an attempted restoration, but the feller didn't have the time. The car was filthy, ugly, full of garbage (and some money; $15 worth in coins haha). The original plan was to take the car, strip it, and sell it as parts/scrap it. After we jumped the battery, air'd up the tires, and began to drive off, there was nothing, absolutely NOTHING wrong with it! It purred the whole way, no jutter's or funny noises. So I began thinking, heck this ain't that bad at all. After a complete clean up, wash, and detail job, I fell in love with it! haha, and now decided to keep it and fix it up. It's sooo roomy! Definately fit's my needs! (My dad is not quite too sure about it, he's not into it as much as I. But I will change his mind. )

Specs of the car; It's an '86 E23 735i, Polaris silver exterior, and black leather interior. I'm quite impressed with the interior, it turned out to be very clean. The dude installed new shocks and springs, brand new tires, and Pioneer CD deck (surprisingly it works!) Just needs a little body work, rust spots around the wheel wells. Going to do a complete body restoration, then buy some euro bits.

Now the question is, if I want to remove the NA bumper's, and install euro bumper's, will I need to do any mods? or will it be a direct fit (even if it's older than '86)? I am also going to do the euro grills with lamps, so it should be fun. Still deciding on wheels though, I have some in mind, but I have my eyes glued to some 18" M-Parallel's. After that if I feel like it, I may consider upgrading the motor to a 4.5L turbo, make it an E23 745i.

So let me know!

[MGuy]

The 745i turbo is actually a 3.5L, same block as the M30 (the designation is M106, I think). The Euro parts may or may not be either hard to find or expensive. Good luck in your search.

Not sure 18"wheels would look quite right on it though. Maybe go for 16s and a drop? That's +2, anything more could mess up your suspension geometry if you aren't careful.

[M635]

I already did my research and stuff about the 745i, and understand that it's a manifold upgrade with the head and other parts. But yes, it would be a 6-cylinder 4.5L M30 based motor.

I've been pondering around bimmerforums.net, and they have quite a few Euro 745i's for parts or for sale. Been talking to a few people.

For the wheel's, I did find a really, I mean REALLY nice black 745i on Cardomain.com with 18" M-Parallel's. Looks really great! But of course I would have to do my suspension. I've been told that 17" may be better than the 18".
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This being said, I don't think I am going to continue the restoration project because i checked the car out some more, there's more rust than I expected and really not worth it. So today, my dad and I took our tools, opened the car, and began removing parts. Yes that's right, I'm going to take everything out that I could use for extra parts, and once I'm done, going to the scrap. I'm probably just going to pick up a E23 735i that's already a Euro built one. Probably much easier for me, plus I would have box's full of parts!

So I guess I don't need the suggestion's and help anymore haha.

[carter]

Originally Posted by M635 I already did my research and stuff about the 745i, and understand that it's a manifold upgrade with the head and other parts. But yes, it would be a 6-cylinder 4.5L M30 based motor. .

Hey... nice idea though. I've seen some sweet e23s. I know a guy in Cali with what he calls a M7. e23 + S38.
MGuy is right. The M106 is just a turbo M30b34... 3.5L. e28 and e24 guys want them as they drop right into their cars. A fairly reliable mill but without regular maintenance can be a nightmare to get back to top shape. They only called it 745 as a marketing gimmick because it mimicked the power of a V8 with 4.5L. If you have a good strong b34 grab a cheap turbo (I'd suggest TCD) and install it and then buy a 745 badge. You'll be way better off than an cranky old M106, that is, if you can find one.

[direction88]

Pictures Greg?! Go with the 18s its not like you are going to be hitting the track in the thing and it will look amazing. Most importantly though PICS!!!

[MGuy]

Originally Posted by carter Hey... nice idea though. I've seen some sweet e23s. I know a guy in Cali with what he calls a M7. e23 + S38.

There is a factory, of sorts, "M7" (though it was never badged an ///M - the Motorsport div wouldn't tolerate their badge on the big 7). The South African e23 745i was equipped with the M88/3 engine that was used in the E28 and E24 Euro ///M-cars. Unfortunately of the 200-odd cars built most had auto-'boxes. The reason was that the turbo 745i couldn't be made in RHD due to the location of the turbo gear. The wily South Africans decided that they had to have a 745i, so they dropped in the M88 (and got about 30 more hp in the bargain).

I'd love to find one of those.

[M635]

Originally Posted by direction88 Pictures Greg?! Go with the 18s its not like you are going to be hitting the track in the thing and it will look amazing. Most importantly though PICS!!!

haha funny you should ask that...

I was going to take picture's when it was all put together. But I changed my mind from the car and already began taking parts out. Already took the dash out, cluters, interior headliner trims, front headlight's, grills, and so much more.

Today I removed the CAT, just cut it out with a blow-torch (going to sell it) started up the damn thing ahah, sounded like a friggin' hot rod! SOO LOUD! We took took for a quick spin, approx. 3 minutes, didn't want to piss off the other body shops. Once we parked it, a cop pulled around my uncle's shop where the 7 was parked Looked at us, then saw the car, and drove off. Probably thought ; "A peice of crud like that can't possibly sound like that!"



Oh well, I will get picture's once I'm completely through with it. I'm currently stocking BMW parts in my storage room. Dang it feels so nice!

BUT! I am going to definately find a Euro 735i. I believe there is one on Craigslist right now that I want to buy. So I'm going to check that out. It saves me the hassle from finding bumper's and grills, getting them shipped over, then installing them. Nah, going original, plus with literally a complete car of parts, I don't need to worry about anything (going to keep the motor and tranny). But what I had planned for the 7'er I got, will definately happen with the next one!

[M635]

I am posting to say that the E23 has been sent to the scrapper. LOL I do have picture's when this beast picked the car up off my uncle's flat-bed. But, I do have many parts left that I wouldn't mind selling.

[smithwison4]

Nice story I think euro bumper will be the correct option.and even it is cheaper compare to others.