This site is dedicated to one of the finest automobiles ever created, the 7-series BMW. Much of the information contained herein is specific to the "European" turbo version of this car, although some areas may be applicable to many other E23 7series, such as the 735i, 733i, 728i, as well as some other BMW models.
The 745i was built from 1980 through 1986, and was never imported by BMW of North America. Several were brought over by foreign diplomats stationed here in the states, and even more were brought over by private owners and importers. The cars had to be "federalized" in order to be legally imported, which included the addition of rear side marker lights (and in some cases front side markers as well), catalytic converter, updated motor electronics, and an O2 sensor.
The 745i was equipped
with the M102 engine, which is virtually the same engine (M30) as the normally
aspirated cars, originally the 3.2 liter,later increased in mid 1983 to the
3.5 liter, with a lower compression ratio and a few other minor changes.
The designation 745i indicates the theoretical displacement of the
engine, when the engineers factored in the boost, it came out the equivalent
of a 4.5 liter normally aspirated engine. The addition of an air to
air intercooler and a few other goodies completed the package.
This car has the same luxury appointments as all 7 series cars, superb handling, as well as the associated complexity of BMW's flagship. It is not uncommon to find these cars with electric rear seats, auxiliary gasoline heater timed by the OBC, and rear seat radio controls, after all in the Vaterland these cars are limousines. The high point of these cars is the phenomenal acceleration above 2600 RPM where the boost created from the KKK model K-27 kompressor really starts to kick in, the low point is fairly anemic acceleration from a dead stop, due to the reduced compression ratio.
The 745i's have been much maligned as maintenance nightmares, but aside from the high maintenance nature of any 7-series, the only additional maintenance is the turbo and it's affiliated systems. Parts are becoming scarcer all the time, but I have yet to experience a problem getting any needed parts.
This page (obviously) is in the very early stages, if you have suggestions, corrections, photos , links, or other contributions please E-Mail me.
Care and Feeding of your 745i Turbo Removing & Reinstalling Heater/AC Blower
Caveats about the ZF autotrans Insuring, Titling, and other red tape
Other 745i and BMW Links Deciphering the early Onboard Computer
745i For Sale Page NEW!!!!!
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Me
Visitors since
November 19, 2000
This page clumsily created and
maintained by Kevin Heiner, a confirmed 745i
junkie.