1987 735i L7

[Capt. Slack]

I got the L7 a few months ago from a parking lot vendor for $2300. It's the first BMW I've ever really messed with, although did maintained a couple of other German cars (VW bus, Porshe 914) during my school days.
So far- not bad. I've chased down a couple of electonic demons affecting the AC, fog lamps and dash lights. Replaced the heater core valve, the battery, and found a good solution for those crazy $1200 TRX stock tires.
Amazingly almost all of the "Bells and Wistles" in the car work. The interior/ exterior condition is very good. The antenna is broken off in the trunk, but the blapunkt (aftermarket w/CD?) recieves fine. There is a gas smell especially when the tank if full. I understand there is a problem with the tank spout interface area rusting through- this could be the case- I'll go down that road later.

It's a blast to drive- although it idles rough and the steering seems stiff to me.

The problem is this particular year/ model seems to be in some sort of classification grey area. I know it's an E23 but manuals, tech info, ect want to say that 87 was the start of the E32 in the 7 series. I am at the point now that I want to collect as much technical and operational info as possible. I love to work on this thing (and a perfectionist of sorts) I just don't want to blow time and money on generic infomation. I'd like to make her purr someday.

I would like to hear what you guys know about the 1987 L7.
Thanks

[Xchekker27]

Hey Cap'n,

The L7 is most definitively an e23. The L designation was for luxery and besides the L7 badge on the trunk, the easiest way to identify an L7 from a 735i is the miles and miles of leather. The headliner, dash, glove box, center console, under steering wheel cover and door panels that were not normally leather covered on the garden variety 735i are covered in the L7. And that is basically the ONLY difference between a 735i and L7.

For the best e23 resources, go to:

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/e23

http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e23

Join the boards and don't be afraid to ask questions. The archives on both sites are extensive and I bet that whatever problem you are having has been discussed at one time or another. Just putting the search term "L7" in either site will give you more information than you expected.

Solutions abound! Enjoy your fancy e23!