BMW 733i (E23)
BMW's first 7 Series arrived as a whole new flagship family, and the fuel-injected 733i sat at the very top.
1977 BMW 733i (E23) (52829280477).jpg · Rutger van der Maar · CC BY 2.0
Research pending
A matching completed auction sale has not been verified for this exact year, body, trim, engine, transmission and market.
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More than a set of wheels.
BMW presented the first E23 7 Series in May 1977 as the 728, 730 and 733i. The 733i was the only launch model with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, making 197 PS from 3.2 litres. It mixed a 205 km/h top speed with central locking, heat-insulating glass and electronic monitoring features that showed how luxury cars were becoming rolling computers.
Look a little closer.
The three launch engines were easy to compare: 2.8 litres and 170 hp, 3.0 litres and 184 hp, then the 3.2-litre 733i with 197 hp.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
A flagship that could check itself
BMW used the first 7 Series to group comfort and early electronics in one cabin. The range's Check/Control unit watched fluid levels, lamps and brake-pad wear, while the 733i added electronic fuel injection, contactless transistor ignition, central locking, heat-insulating glass and a leather steering wheel. These systems were a preview of the information-rich dashboards that later became normal.
Source: BMW Group PressClub · Luxury and elegance: 30 years of the BMW 7 Series ↗Why this profile stops at summer 1979
BMW's narrative says the European 733i was replaced in late August 1979 by the 732i, which kept the same displacement and output but added digital engine electronics. BMW Group Classic's metadata gives a wider 04/1977–07/1982 span, probably reflecting production or sales outside the core European launch sequence. This profile therefore labels the 1977 European launch car and does not merge later market versions into it.
Source: BMW Group Classic · BMW 733i (E23) ↗Where these facts come from
- BMW Group Classic · BMW 733i (E23)
- BMW Group PressClub · Luxury and elegance: 30 years of the BMW 7 Series
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed October 1, 2026.