BMW 728 (E23). An impressive experience.

Auto Motor Klassiek » Driving with a smile » BMW 728 (E23). An impressive experience.
Purchasing classics there

In 1977, BMW made its definitive return to the top class of the automotive world with the BMW 728. The 7-series made its debut as Baureihe E23. The predecessor E3 (2500-2800-3.0-3.3) had already taken care of a large part of the Stairway to Carheaven. The 7 Series was the crowning achievement.

I had a wonderful opportunity to experience the “Sharknose” for myself. The day before, one of my best friends, Tino Renkema from Leeuwarden, had become the proud owner of a 728 BMW 1979. Of course we went out together. The sun was shining and a drive through the beautiful north of Friesland beckoned. These were the ingredients that made the expectant heart beat faster. The main ingredient did not confirm why much later.

Everything was right about the BMW 728

The BMW 728 from 1979 lived up to its reputation. This started at the entrance. After taking a seat, it was again striking to see that you as a driver are immediately in the right place. The nice chairs are perfectly placed. The curved four-spoke steering wheel, with those characteristic large dials behind it, feels great in the hand. You sit in that typical BMW cockpit with the dashboard turned towards you, few frills, generally logical ergonomics with a few tricks and efficient design.

The BMW 728 has great technology

You experience that BMW stormed executive heaven in a pleasantly efficient way at the end of the 7s with this 30-series. And there's more: the great technology. The incredibly fine longitudinal Reihen-Sechs did its job exemplary. The M28B728 engine in this BMW 3.500 of the first series was equipped with one double Solex carburetor. It was a machine of the gossamer, creamy kind. The source of power was never intrusive. It was your turn, the engine followed faithfully. Until you pressed the accelerator a little longer. Then the in-line six took control, especially from 4.000-728 rpm, for increasingly faster acceleration. The fine sound penetrated the interior a little more strongly through the sliding/tilting roof. And the BMW XNUMX remained completely controllable in the meantime.

Beautiful chassis

What was also striking was how the excellent chassis absorbed every bump, short or long. You enjoyed exceptional comfort, while the BMW 728 never felt floaty. Instead, the dynamic nature remained ever present. In addition, the controls were very pleasant. The BMW 728 easily changed direction with great feeling. Shifting and clutching never felt like you were driving a car that is now almost 45 years old. The clutch felt wonderfully firm and the gearbox worked extremely precisely.

Lots of added value in executive class

Tino Renkema was very happy with his BMW 728. And I was extremely pleased to drive my first sixty kilometers in this great car. According to the new owner, this E23 deserved “some cosmetic refinement.” There were also a few electronic glitches with this old lady. However, these upcoming small improvements were insignificant compared to the phenomenal image that this BMW 728 conjured up in my mind time and time again on a beautiful Sunday morning in Friesland. He confirmed that BMW also made driving in this class great in 1979. And added a lot, a lot to that top class.

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5 comments

  1. BMW drivers are tailgaters, cut-offs, and rarely drive the prescribed speed. Apparently they have a problem. With the exception of 10%, but these are almost always old people.

  2. I have been driving a BMW since I was 18, I started with a 2002 TII super thing, my last 7 series of this type was a 745 I Turbo, super car, now I drive a BMW i7 eDrive50, which is a supersonic car, next to it I drive an X5. the first series, nostalgia

    • I am glad that I never sold my orange BMW 2002 TII and that it still attracts a lot of attention in its original, completely restored condition. Also had a 323 i 1977er. Now 78 years old and also in possession of a BMW K1100RS built in 1993. My wife has a Capture for daily use.

  3. A stripped-down 725 had been devised for the Dutch government, which should be cheaper and therefore fit within the budget. However, I can't really imagine that it was actually cheaper to produce such a small series, but maybe BMW was just playing along.

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