Inspection checklist 87’ 735i

[BeeW]

I'm checking out /buying an e23 this weekend to use as a winter car and eventual restoration present for my father.
I'm not new to BMW, I own a 250k mi e46 and grew up working on dad's e23, e36, e39, and e46. His e23 had an awful overheating at idle we could never fix, then the u-joint blew. Now it rots in the driveway (parts car!)

Anyway, I'm wondering what the big red flags are... Though the engine is bulletproof, Its a 33yo car, some problems are just par for the course. Like, the HVAC system will never work properly, the sunroofs are leaky, the AFM will wear out, the dual fuel pumps turn to lumps of rust, and the gauge cluster can randomly go bad.
How about the transmission, clutch slave and master cylinders? Anything to look for in the driveline? Cooling system? Electric? Should I be worried about grey-market issues?

What I mean to ask is... If you were going to buy an '87 735i 5-speed with 108,00 mi, and no service records from a guy who got it as a gift from his brother, what would your inspection checklist & test drive look like?

[StevenHenriksen]

It's an '87? I think the last E23's were in 1986 but I might be wrong. A 5 speed E23 is a hard to find, and a lot of fun to drive!
As long as it isn't rusting away everything can be fixed or restored over time.
Drivetrains are solid, easy to get parts for M30's and 5 speeds still. Clutch hydraulics are easy to replace.
Send the gauge cluster and AFM to Bavarian Restoration to get them rebuilt and functioning like new again.
There is enough info buried in threads on this forum to get the HVAC working properly again, although it can be a lot of work.
Fuel pumps can still be bought new, or retrofit a newer style Walbro 255. Replace the fuel lines while you are at it.

Good luck with it, post some photos if you have more questions so we can get a better idea of the condition of the car.

[shogun]

E32 production started in 1986/07

[BeeW]

It's an '87? I think the last E23's were in 1986 but I might be wrong. A 5 speed E23 is a hard to find, and a lot of fun to drive!
As long as it isn't rusting away everything can be fixed or restored over time.
Drivetrains are solid, easy to get parts for M30's and 5 speeds still. Clutch hydraulics are easy to replace.
Send the gauge cluster and AFM to Bavarian Restoration to get them rebuilt and functioning like new again.
There is enough info buried in threads on this forum to get the HVAC working properly again, although it can be a lot of work.
Fuel pumps can still be bought new, or retrofit a newer style Walbro 255. Replace the fuel lines while you are at it.

Good luck with it, post some photos if you have more questions so we can get a better idea of the condition of the car.

Good to know., It could be an 86. The seller knows absolutely nothing about cars, inherited it from his brother but doesn't like it and can't drive stick. 🤣
Kinda shady tbh, not getting my hopes up. The biggest thing is that it needs new door and fender. Attachment 680010 Some hack job.
Still waiting on pics of engine bay, but interior is quite clean. Claimed 108000mi on Odo, but that could be completely wrong. Screenshot_20201023-115749~2.jpg
Screenshot_20201023-115715_1.jpg
Considering the simplicity of these things, I'm probably just going to bring cash just in case. What would you say is a reasonable offer? I was thinking around $1000 due to body.

[StevenHenriksen]

I would personally not be interested if it was over $1500, so if you could get it for around a grand that would be a good deal IMO. Assuming it runs and drives at least well enough to go around the block a few times. Everyone has their own idea of what they are willing to pay for projects though. Too bad about the door and fender, rest of the body and interior looks decent from those pics.

[BONDOSPECIAL]

I think your idea for an offer is fair. I have a perfect condition fender in that color but unfortunately it's for the right front, not the left.

[yert315]

That looks like a nice car! It looks like a US-Spec e23 from the pictures. For what it’s worth, the 5-speed swap alone would likely be worth what you pay for the car.

[Hit Man X]

No 87s produced. Probably just left over 86s titled as 87s as E32s were en route for 87MY...who would want older body, less power, etc for same cash?

Next, all 86MY I have seen have heated front seats. This does not as they would be on the center console.

The sport wheel is early, my 10/84 has the later one. Yes can be added but something to check. That design went away early 84 production from memory, like OBC1.

Also, I have never seen a factory manual 86MY E23.

Get the VIN, go from there. Euro cars have a 0 (zero) for 10th digit.

[BeeW]

Get the VIN, go from there. Euro cars have a 0 (zero) for 10th digit.

Got the VIN 10th digit is the letter F. Its actually an 85'
Is there a site that i could get the build aheet? All the links I've tried are dead.

Seller is out of his mind, doesn't understand there were other engines worth more money. He just looked up 7-series BMW ads and is ignorant to learning anything about it. He must be pretty deep in it, thinks he's got a $5000 car on his hands.

Anyway I'm smitten, the test drive brought back lots of childhood memories. Guues I'm in the market for one of these now.

[Hit Man X]

Okay so a US spec car. US cars had really no options I am aware of aside from a LSD and auto/manual. A 265/6, if equipped, seems to be a high dollar manual now.

Build sheets as of this post are dealer only.

Car is not a 5k car, especially with running issues and body damage...plus no records for anything. $1500 MAYBE as Stevo pointed out early.