The Semi-Legendary M7 is up for sale (sob...)

[Kenny Blankenship]

My priorities are changing and I can't keep so many BMWs. Unfortunately, this has to go on the chopping block.

I bought this car as a 1984 733i in 1998 with 150k miles. A couple years later I got the hare-brained idea to take this car to driving school. I was hooked and was learning my apexes, but got tired of being passed on the straights. After considering several options, I figured my best one was to drop an S38 in the darned thing. The rest is history.

The conversion was completed in 2001 when the chassis had 201k miles. The car now has nearly 290k miles. The modifications include:

* S38b35 engine (80k miles at the time of conversion)
* Euro headers
* G280 transmission (40k miles at the time of conversion)
* 4:10 big case diff with 50% LSD (rebuilt by Blanton about 7-8 years ago with new 4.10 ring and pinion from Maxmillian)
* Dinan springs
* 28mm front sway bar (stock 27mm)
* 22mm rear adjustable sway bar
* Custom valved Bilstein struts front and rear
* Recaro SRD driver's seat
* Bav Auto front strut bar
* Short shifter (can't remember if it's M3 or Z3)
* Euro bumpers
* Slotted rotors with Porterfield Racing Pads
* Custom exhaust with E36M3 cats and 745i muffler (yes, it passes the CA sniff test...)

I can provide either BBS RX or Style 8 wheels, both with Kumho Victoracer tires.

The car has been very reliable on the track. The only issue I've ever had is power steering pumps, as E23 pumps don't seem to like regular trips to 6800 rpm. In the last few years, I've learned that upshifting at ~6200 (redline of the M30) not only doesn't upset the balance of the car, it saves PS pumps.

Of course, I have driven it on the street and cross country...with street tires the car is not too harsh.

The car was repainted stock Arctic Blue in 2004 and is a bit worn. There are a couple of scrapes but the car has not been in an accident in my possession. The interior is in decent shape, the HVAC doesn't work but the pieces are there.

I have had great fun with the car. If I had won the lottery, I would keep the car but alas such is life.

This is a difficult car to price as you can imagine. I put out about $20k to put together this car. The memories are priceless. I think a fair price is $7,500...

And now the pics:

[wkohler]

Easily one of the coolest E23s out there. I really like this car a lot. Good luck with the sale, Eric! I hope it finds a great home.

[Kyle in NO]

If only I had unlimited covered parking...

[Coldswede]

I remember this car at Road America in 2010. I think more than a few people were surprised by it. Someones is going to get a great car!

Find it a a good deserving home Eric.

[ldsbeaker]

Whoooooaaaaaa!

[djazz]

Oh man. What other legendary cars are going up on the block? I guess an era really is ending.

[clongo]

Such a cool E23. I wish you were on the east coast! GLWS

[Mike W.]

No, say it ain't so... And I still haven't seen this car after having heard about it for years. I don't know if I should give you a GLWS or hope for the contrary so you keep it. Your price sounds fair, much less than the divorce it would cost me if I brought home another car when I'm already over the parking limit. But I've liked the E23s I've had and a one off car like this would be great to have.

[Adam W in MN]

Wow this is a shocker...... never thought that car would go up for sale!

[alijonny]

DAMN IT ALL! NOT ENOUGH DOUGH!

[Kenny Blankenship]

[OcCoupe]

[TonkaTruck]

I recently purchased a 745i from Eric, great guy. I am sad to see this.

[leadphut]

Too bad you provided terrible pics for such a nice car.

Hope it goes to a good home.

[BDK]

You should really list this on BAT,
signed
Vic Romano

[briansmith]

cool car!
Although surely not the "right" thing to do...would e28 sport seats swap right into this car?

[BDK]

^^^
I would put e34 sport seats in it...

[INTREPID 1]

I remember seeing this car at Cal Speedway a couple of years back during a NASA Driving Event and was very surprised by it performance. It is the ultimate sleeper. Good luck with the sale!

[Kenny Blankenship]

[535is-pa]

[wkohler]

People send them stuff and then they translate it into another language, read it and write an article about it.

[Mark in Toronto]

[Kenny Blankenship]

[wkohler]

People that comment on Jalopnik are idiots.

[mooseheadm5]

What kind of fool pays over $1k for a valve adjustment on an S38?