VIDEO: BMW's 733i reviewed 30 years on
by Siddharth Raja on Aug 16th 2007 at 8:04PM 
BMW's original E23 seven sedan recently turned 30 years old so we thought it'd be interesting to post this informative video on the background of the car and what it'd be like to own one today. Part of the history behind this car is that it was released at a time when emissions controls were being implemented and the idea of a large sports sedan was unfeasible.
Produced by Gunnar Heinrich of Automobiles De Luxe, the eight-minute video makes what could be an otherwise mundane clip about a '70s sedan rather enjoyable to watch. The accompanying soundtrack is also good for a laugh.
[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Graham 8:28PM (8/16/2007)
My E3 is lighter, faster, and less complex than its E23 replacement. We call E23s parts cars. :) Though i can't fault a love letter to a generally unloved car. Keep 'em on the road.
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Don 4:51PM (8/17/2007)
What's this "we" crap? I like the E23 just fine. A fine car from a finer time.
BartMack 8:43PM (8/16/2007)
Excellent flick... though the 2 Gunnars did scare me a little :shudder:
BTW has anyone checked Carfax on those front doors? I distincly detect more than one shade of silver gleaming luridly at me there lol....
Overall- awesome. I wonder if my 335ci will survive so well to be a screen star in as many years.
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Scott 9:21AM (8/17/2007)
Don't you mean 335i coupe? (I get it, you disagree with BMW's marketing branch.)
BartMack 1:47PM (8/17/2007)
lol -they make up a set of rules for naming conventions, and then turn around and totally ignore them, sheesh. But yes, I meant coupe =)
Chris 9:04PM (8/16/2007)
I'm glad he found some time away from spamming autoblog forums with idiotic comments and his website link.
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sean 7:38AM (8/17/2007)
Have you thought about doing the same?
john 9:16PM (8/16/2007)
No Jaguar XJ6s (available with manuals abroad)? No Mercedes 6.9s? No Maserati Quattroportes?
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bmw122487 9:54PM (8/16/2007)
I don't think BMW has ever built a bad car.
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reader.... 10:15PM (8/16/2007)
Did he just say "Porsch" ???
This guy has zero cred.
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Don 4:53PM (8/17/2007)
Lol. This is a blog...none of us have "cred". Lol.
Robert 12:17AM (8/17/2007)
Thank you Autoblog! I doubt anyone enjoyed this post as much as I did. I own that car, same year, same color, same 5spd, same smooth wood.
I think Gunnar describes it well. They have enough power to be fun, though not fast. From some angels they look phenomenal, while others just bland or worse. What I love about mine is it functions very well as a daily driver with abundant room, comfortable seats, and modern conveniences while also possessing that wonderful BMW feel of a car you are driving, not just being transported in. It also helps that they are dirt cheap. Even maintenance costs for a car so old hasn't been bad, especially if you stay on top of things.
I have no illusion of it becoming a classic like the E24 is. I'm happy with what it is and would gladly drive it another 24 years after everything has gone fuel cell-electric.
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typhoon5000 7:28AM (8/17/2007)
It seems like someone has been watching alittle too much Top Gear, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Nice vid though.
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reader.... 11:58AM (8/17/2007)
agreed.
He is NO Jeremy Clarkson.
I figured emulating Clarkson would be easy, but maybe not.
The video drags on too long.
Chris 11:17AM (8/17/2007)
I don't see my non-existent blog link anywhere in my post fool. Gunnar is a tool.
george 7:45AM (8/17/2007)
I'd love one of the these. In my freshman year of college in Virginia, my dorm was next to the health center and I had a perfect view of the doctor's '84 7 Series, 5 speed in this same colour. It wasn't perfect, but he'd had it from new, it was rust-free, and the back seats looked untouched. With a good cleaning it could've been brought back to life. On several occasions I'd pass by the car on the way to do my laundry and consider slipping a note under the windshield wipers to the effect of "wanna sell this beast?" The only problem would've been financing the purchase if he called back... Anyway, great video.
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syed 8:18AM (8/17/2007)
watching that video was like watching a 5th rate Top Gear imitation done on expired barbiturates. Terrible video. Great car.......
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Todd 11:13AM (8/17/2007)
Great video, terrible car?
Aside from Gunnar's squeeky voice, I thought it was very well done. Patterning the style after Top Gear is a great call, and he copied them better than Fifth Gear copies Top Gear.
If Gunnar did a weekly show, I'd download it.
C36AMG 9:25AM (8/17/2007)
wut a copycat. great car otherwise
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Newscutter 11:39AM (8/20/2007)
Had a '79 728 when in Germany. Drove it from 90-92, graduated high school, and came back to States (Army kid). LOVED it. Mine was dark blue, cloth interior, all controls labeled in German. Took it everywhere -- lots of Autobahn mileage. One of my fondest memories of my 11 years total in Europe is making a high-speed run home from a ski trip with no traffic, smooth road, sun setting, and finding Bach on the radio in "big blue". I felt very "German". Car was over ten years old when I got it but you'd never have been able to tell except for slight rust on the underside of the trunk lip. And the sound that engine made when revving down from triple digits!! Ohhhh.......
MCS
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