1985 BMW 735i SE Auto (E23)

• Supplied by Wolverhampton Motor Services in June 1995 to Eric Roberts of Walsall finished in Reseda Green
• Specified with central locking, electric seats/windows, air conditioning, cruise control and window blinds
• Remained with its first owner until 2014. Just 18,000 miles from new. Three former keepers
• Cylinder head rebuild and full service in 2014 at 16,434 miles. Cosseted in a private collection since 2016
• Ex-'Concours' contender and at 18,000 miles, it remains in remarkable condition
• Will have an oil and filter change, fluid levels check, road test and MOT prior to being offered for sale

The replacement for the 2500/2800/3.0-Series saloons arrived on the market in the middle of a downturn in sales for large cars but, despite a hostile commercial environment, the BMW 7-Series sold very well indeed, remaining in production from 1977 until 1986, and making huge gains over the earlier cars.

Some would say that the E23 7-Series was polished, yet less appealing than its predecessor, and in a classic sense that's undoubtedly true - but again, it was an important car in the development of the company. It bristled with up-to-the-second technology such as a check computer, climate control, ABS, driver's airbag and fuel injection in the top models, but some of the driving immediacy of the E3 was lost thanks to ballooning dimensions. Treated to a mid-life facelift in 1983 that standardised engine management and improved efficiency and driveability, but it still lacked warmth. Despite this, the 7-Series matured into an excellent luxury saloon with these later cars, as we have here, proving to be devastating all-rounders.

This remarkable car was supplied by BMW Dealer, Wolverhampton Motor Services, in June 1995 to a local Business Director, Eric Roberts of Montfort Road, Walsall finished in Reseda Green and specified with central locking, electrically operated seats and windows, air conditioning, cruise control, and window blinds. He continued to have it maintained by them for many years as shown in the original service book and it remained within the family, lightly used, until 2014 when purchased by another local family in Kidderminster. At this point, the services of Autobahn in Halesowen were engaged to carry out a full service and inspection, the result of which culminated in a cylinder head rebuild with new gaskets. According to the relevant invoice, the indicated mileage was 16,434 at this point.

In 2016, it was purchased as part of a private collection and the MOT of January that year documents the mileage at still just 17,950. A BMW Car Club Concours 'Masterclass' judging sheet can also be found within the history file with an impressive score of 766 out of 890 and, ironically, the car was judged down slightly in the Bonus Points section due to its low mileage!!. Also in the file is a dealership 'point of sale' display, thought to be from 2016, which reads: