1985 BMW 7 Series Brochure

BMW L7
A most personal statement of style.

Advanced and innovative
technology: the
determining factor in
the development of
outstanding automobiles
and the cornerstone
of BMW’s quest for
automotive excellence.
BMW’s singular desire for automotive excellence and the production of
exciting alternatives in the up-scale
market dates back to its classic entries of the 1930’s.
From the beginning, BMW’s commitment was to the manufacture of automobiles noted for extraordinary
agility, remarkable handling and efficient design. The philosophy of
exceptional performance achieved
through balance, not excess, has
been at the heart of BMW’s rise to its
position, today, as the pre-eminent
manufacturer of exclusive performance automobiles for the driving
enthusiast.
BMW stands proud of its reputation
for understated luxury and engineering excellence.
Itis a pride that runs deep—to the very
heart of BMW. And at the heart of
BMW, there is motor sport. BMW has
always been deeply involved in motor
sport; this dedication has stamped
a distinct and lasting mark on all
BMW automobiles.
The BMW name is synonymous with
performance both on the highway
and the racetrack.
Drivers of production BMWs have enjoyed the exhilarating benefits of intensive motor sport competition for
over 50 years. No less than 31 World
and European championships, 115
national championships and a large
number of individual victories in all
kinds of racing categories and contests bear witness to BMW’s extraordinary success in motor racing.
The same story applies to BMW motorcycles with innumerable wins
scored by BMW drivers—166 national
championships and no less than 37
World and European championships
clearly prove the successful tradition
of BMW motorcycle racing.
While BMW’s past accomplishments
represent an extraordinary statement
of technological advancement—that,
to BMW, is still history. BMW works
in the future—to deliver the finest
automobiles possible—today.
BMW’s present automotive activities
offer a fascinating profile of the application of technology on the threshold of tomorrow.
Just consider the first computer-controlled engine introduced by BMW in
1979, and the spectacular success of
the BMW Formula 1 power unit which,
only in its second year of racing,
helped Nelson Piquet win the 1983
Grand Prix World Championship.
The high performance automobiles
and motorcycles bearing the BMW
symbol enjoy an extraordinary reputation for excellence—an excellence
defined by BMW’s unique character
and uncompromising quality.
So it is that the joy of owning a BMW
evidences itself immediately whether
behind the wheel or the handlebars.
This joy represents the product of an
organizational spirit characterized
by a common desire for achievement,
singular contribution by outstanding
individuals and a universal love of
competition.
This philosophy has produced exceptional results. During the last 15 years,
BMW has become the most successful
manufacturer of exclusive automobiles. Achieving this kind of success
demands more than a first-class
range of models or extraordinary
talent. It calls for consumers who appreciate automobiles tailor-made to
satisfy the true driving enthusiast.
And that consumer has come to be
distinguished as the BMW owner.
Just like the automobiles and motorcycles built by BMW, BMW drivers
are distinguished by their individual
nature. Precise and performanceoriented, BMW drivers enjoy competition, see life from a critical perspective and are both self-motivated and
self-confident.
As a special breed distinguished by
their individualism, it is not surprising that their car is a BMW. At least in
this relationship of man and machine,
it is obvious that each is made for
the other.
A most personal statement of style—
the exclusive BMW L7.
Outstandingly singular in its execution of hand crafted elegance and
performance technology, the BMW
L7 represents a new standard of luxury BMWs.
As the first and most elegant of the
new BMW L Series, the L7 stands as
the definitive statement of personal
accommodation. Each distinctive
feature reflects BMW’s success in
achieving a redefinition of luxury. In
a striking symbiosis unique to the L7,
the technical elegance and taste of a
handcrafted interior are achieved in a
world class performance sedan.
Truly distinctive in its level of refinement—truly unique in its blend of elegance and performance.
From the hand-stitched interior of
supple silver hides with the Supplementary Restraint System to the individualized performance afforded
by the EH electronic transmission,
the L7 leaves no doubt as to its stature. It is a contemporary classic.

Quality is the sum total
of doing all things well.
BMW no longer stands alone in speaking of performance as the soul of
a true world-class high-line sedan.
As of late, many manufacturers have
taken the BMW philosophy as their
own. However, it only takes a ride in
one of their “performance” sedans
to affirm that building a BMW takes
more than a marketing decision—it
takes BMW’s decades of dedication
to excellence, exhaustive research
and race experience.
Under the hood of the BMW L7 is the
same basic 6-cylinder engine which,
in several variants, has powered
BMW race cars to numerous victoties in international road racing over
the last decade. It employs the clas-
La in-line 6-cylinder design noted for
its t: th r i ig h
istics. BMW then enhanced the basic
design with the application of innovative solutions employing the most
advanced technology.
Bosch L-Jetronic fuel-injection determines the precise amount of fuel to
be injected.
Hemispherical, swirl-action combustion chambers mix the fuel/air mixture, concentrating it around the spark
plugs in a remarkably complete
manner.
So well is this combustion process
accomplished that the power plant of
the BMW L7—small when compared
to the V-8 behemoths still found in
many conventional luxury sedans—
produces prodigious horsepower
despite its modest displacement.
Seven main bearings with 12 crankshaft counterbalance weights—unusual refinements in a luxury sedan—
give the whole operation a turbinelike smoothness that is distinctively
BMW.
All this, in conjunction with the new
BMW Digital Motor Electronics, helps
create a car truly capable of meeting
today’s demands for fuel efficiency
and cleanliness without ever violating the BMW concept that extraordinary performance is the only thing
that makes an expensive car worth
the money.

An interior that welcomes
you with supple silver
elegance.
The objective of a BMW’s interior design is to provide perfect all-around
visibility, optimum control of the L7’s
advanced systems, and safe and reliable response to driving conditions.
The L7’s elegant interior maintains
the occupants’ level of comfort, even
over extended periods of driving,
and of course, accomplishes it in a
motoring environment offering every
conceivable amenity.
With the rich texture and comfort of
natural hides, BMW’s L7 all-leather
front seats offer a firm yet accommodating design that reflects their
orthopedically-inspired shape and
construction. Not only do BMW
bucket seats afford excellent spinal
support for long trip comfort, they
provide exceptional lateral support
for control in hard cornering. A totally engineered performance automobile does not stop with a state-ofthe-art suspension design for good
handling—it provides for driver stability as well. Fully reclining the L7
front seats have power seat controls
with memory and hand-stitched
leather arm rests.
Now, not only can the front seats be
electronically adjusted in angle and
height, but should another driver
change the settings, the memory
feature will return to the original settings with the push of a button.
Trimmed in beautifully-finished kingwood, the dashboard and handstitched leather center console exhibit a handsome display of ergonomically designed and positioned
instruments and controls.
Power windows, power two-position
sunroof, driver’s side airbag, cruise
control, power-heated outside mirrors, heated driver’s side door lock,
2-speed and intermittent wiper/
washer and central power locking
begin the list of luxury features
standard in this interior. And it is an
interior full of sensory rewards—materials rich in tone and texture create
an environment that welcomes the
passenger with quality leather, full
carpeting and real wood trim.
Air conditioning and heating controls
afford an exceptional range and
power in the selection of temperature. As well, the air flow design
The art and science of performance
engineering honed to be keen edge
with state-of-the-art technology.
BMW offers the driving enthusiast a
cockpit with “intelligent” technologies that take over many routine
chores. Perhaps the most outstanding of these systems are the active
Check/Control, the Service Interval
Indicator, the EC Energy Control and
the On-Board Computer Il.

The automatic way to extra safety:
Active Check/Control.
The Check/Control keeps the driver
informed of the operational readiness of his car. Simply by depressing
a button before starting the car (when
the ignition is turned on), information
can be obtained on certain vital functions of the automobile—and instantly
warn the driver of problems.
The first known example of a car
evaluating its driver.
Another unique BMW feature is the
Service Interval Indicator—a computer-driven system addressing the
previously unconsidered fact that
different people drive differently.
With the aid of electronic sensors
located around the car, the indicator
monitors individual variations in driving habits—as measured by factors
such as engine speed and temperature and the frequency distribution
of weekly driving time—along with
the distance driven.
Exact fuel consumption information,
not just averages.
Unlike other indicators, Energy Control fuel consumption indicator is
engineered for precision rather than
approximation. With a remarkable
degree of sophistication and accuracy, it provides the driver with an
excellent indication of how much
fuel the car is consuming at a given
moment.
The BMW On-Board Computer Il
allows the driver to concentrate on
more important matters—such as
driving.
The nine-function On-Board Computer II displays such information as
time and date, outside temperature
(warning when outside conditions
may be freezing), computed fuel
mileage with the driving range left
on the remaining fuel, a stop watch
function and an incorporated antitheft device.
Aradio not worth stealing but well
worth owning. The BMW anti-theft
radio.
BMW’s AM/FM ETR stereo cassette
anti-theft radio is designed to be unusable unless in the car of its rightful
owner. With this new design the radio, if disconnected, will not operate
when reconnected until a five-digit
security code assigned to that radio
is entered.
BMW’s L7 Standard Supplementary
Restraint System.
The Supplementary Restraint System combines the three-point seatbelt and an airbag system. While the
safety belt is certainly a proven and
indispensable feature contributing to
safe driving, the airbag is designed
to provide additional protection to
the driver.

An interior pg pr in
the tradition of old
world craftsmanship
in an automobile built
on the technology
of tomorrow.
The craftsmen of BMW approached
the challenge of creating the L7 with
great pride. Creation of an automobile worthy of the L7 design objective would establish the definitive
BMW statement of technical elegance and ultimate luxury.
To experience the L7 is to know the
supreme success with which the
prideful craftsmen of BMW achieved
their goal.
BMW has integrated all cockpit controls and instruments into an optimized expression of ergonomic principles. The driver’s line of vision,
seat, steering wheel, gear-shift lever,
controls and instruments are placed
exactly where they should be to optimize communication between the
driver, the automobile and the
surroundings.
At BMW, the cockpit receives as much
attention as the chassis and driverain: to do otherwise would ignore
he most vital performance component—the L7 driver.
The cockpit of the BMW L7, thanks to
extensive ergonomic testing and research, conveys a feeling of total yet
effortless control. The main instruments are integrated in a cluster
directly in the driver’s line of vision.
All gauges are marked clearly and,
at night, illuminated by an opticallybeneficial orange light.
The instrument panel, constructed in
a concave manner, curves towards
the driver. Thus, regardless of the
position of the driver or the driver’s
arm length, all controls can be reached
comfortably, quickly and safely.
At BMW, the goal is the perfect integration of man and machine. This explains why, when you take the wheel
of a BMW for the first time, you’re
not just sitting ina BMW; you’re
connected to it.
Luxury that goes deeper than a
plush carpet.
Custom stitching is evident throughout the L7. Seats, center console,
front arm rests—their silver natural
hides form a masterpiece of meticulous workmanship.
To ensure the fullest degree of comfort, the orthopedically-designed
fine leather seats feature finger-tip
control for effortless adjustment.
The memory feature eliminates the
i dj when
incor ofr
there is more than one driver.
The BMW L7 employs a heating and air conditioning system with individual control
vents for both front and rear occupants (5).
Heated outside rearview mirrors are adjustable from the driver's side (7).
t , y in both
angle and height, accommodate each driver’s requirements (9).

BMW’s new EH electronic
transmission—the automatic transmission that
lets you select the type of
driving you want.
At a time when automotive system designs have been scrutinized in search
of increased efficiencies, the transmission has largely been left to function in a most traditional fashion—
until now.
BMW, in seeking to increase efficiency
and optimize performance, focused
its capability for innovation on the traditional transmission. The result has
been, as should be expected, a most
untraditional and inspired solution.
BMW’s expertise in automotive electronics created the EH electronic
transmission which integrates transmission and engine functions to offer
peak economy and total performance
capabilities with the same
transmission.
Electronic transmission control and
the BMW total performance concept.
The sophistication of the system is
evident in the integration of the
transmission control into the DME
(Digital Motor Electronics) computer.
A key feature of the EH electronic
transmission is its ability to offer a
variety of shifting modes. A position
selector on the console offers three
shifting modes. The “E” or economy
position programs the points at which
the transmission shifts for maximum
fuel economy. The “S” or sport position upshifts come at higher road
speeds with the fourth gear, overdrive, excluded. The “3-2-1” position
gives full manual selection of first,
second, and third gears via the normal selector.
a
Front seats offer not only a ipod The driver using an EH electronic
function as well. With the push of abutton transmission benefits from the standthe seats will return to a pre-programmed point of performance, efficiency and
setting (3,5,6). safety.
By the integration of engine functions into the EH electronic control
system, shift points are far smoother
than with traditional transmissions,
regardless of what shift mode is selected. With the safety overrides, the
dangers of costly repairs due to overrevving are greatly reduced.

Aback seat so accommodating you a actually
let someone drive.
The L7 rear seats benefit from an orthopedically-inspired design and offer a center fold-down arm rest. Rear
knee room is exceptional, thanks to
the special contour of the rear seat
back rest. The rear seat bench has
been modified in accordance with
the highest ergonomic standards in
order to provide optimum spring action and suitable distribution of pressure over the entire seat area. Threepoint seat belts are provided for the
outboard positions with a lap belt in
the center position.
The L7 trunk offers 13.4 cubic feet
of fully carpeted and lighted trunk
space. A deluxe tool kit is standard
as well.
A warranty engineered to perform
like a BMW.
Of course, a car built with such attentiveness to detail and quality
deserves to be accompanied by a
warranty of equal caliber.
Every new BMW is protected by a
warranty that represents one of the
finest owner protection packages—
three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty covers defects in materials and
workmanship with a six-year limited
warranty against rust perforation.
Acar so meticulously crafted deserves to be meticulously
maintained.
An authorized BMW dealership reflects an intense level of pride in the
BMW product and a total commitment to serving the needs of the
BMW owner, including BMW CC
financing or leasing programs.
BMW service technicians undergo
rigorous training to maintain their
level of proficiency by attending annual updates and taking advantage
of a broad offering of technical
courses available at BMW training
centers. Quality of repair is a function not only of technician skill but
quality of replacement parts as well.
Genuine BMW rep: it parts
guarantee that a BMW once repaired
remains faithful to the BMW commitment to driving excellence.
It is true that to do a job well requires
having the right tools. BMW technicians, in addition to having the skills
and genuine BMW replacement parts,
have tools specifically designed for
BMWs and available only through
authorized dealers.
BMW service and BMW parts are
available at more than 400 authorized dealers coast to coast in the
United States—and in more than
100 countries around the world.
a)

BMW understands that
the beauty of a high
ance sedan
not stop at the skin.
No BMW rests on the excellence of a
single component; rather a BMW’s
excellence is defined by a balanced
integration of all its components.
This is the BMW concept of total
performance.
Thus, the 3.5 liter six powers a chassis that is singularly extraordinary in
its execution of the sum demands of
the driving experience.
Whether endless interstate, snaking
back roads or something in between,
the L7 suspension exhibits an extraordinary road-holding capacity. With
BMW’s unique double-pivot Mac-
Pherson strut front and semi-trailing
arm rear design, the L7 4-wheel independent suspension offers what is
widely accepted as one of the most
responsive suspension designs.
Tailored to match the new suspension geometry, the BMW’s 4-wheel
disc ABS brake system is perfectly
designed to enhance the automobile’s performance and benefit from
the superior chassis.
The most important feature of ABS
is that, while applying maximum
braking, the driver can still steer
the automobile to avoid obstacles
or change direction.
ABS also stops the car from swerving on road surfaces with varying
surface conditions; for example,
when the righthand wheels are running on the soft shoulder of the road
or the surface is not quite dry.
In addition to the increased stopping
surety of the 4-wheel disc ABS system, BMW’s diagonal-twin circuit
brake design ensures that should
one brake circuit fail to operate, one
front wheel and the diagonally-opposed rear wheel will still have their
full braking power.
The crucial link point between the
performance automobile and the
road is each tire. Available are 205/
70 VR 14 high performance tires on
forged light-alloy rims.
The L7 is available with the new
EH electronic 4-speed ZF automatic
transmission with electronic control.
The EH electronic transmission can
increase fuel efficiency up to 10 percent. A 5-speed manual transmission
is available at no extra cost.
es) ABS anti-lock braking represents a revolu-
) tionary advancement. The driver benefits
= from a vehicle that stops more surely and
“ can be steered under maximum braking.
©); The ABS fem consists of a speed sensor
‘for each wheel and an siecome brain ui tg
process the speed data ractil
associated hydraulic unit the rt op can
then control the braking force acting on
each wheel (4,5,6).
A unique MacPherson strut front suspension and i-trailing arm rear
deliver exceptional road-holding and stability (3). Perfected on racecourses like the
Nurburgring, where precision is crucial and
agility, and durability are more than just matsion is fully independent on all four wheels.

Technical Data L7 — 1986
Dimensions Four-door sedan, rigid steel safety cell passenger compart- Trunk capacity approx. 17.0 cu.ft. Fuel capacity approx. 22.5
1 ment, crush zones front and rear. Length 197.4”; width 70.: 9” U.S. -- including 2.1 gal. reserve.
and Weights height (unloaded) 56.3”. Wheelbase 110.0"; track front 59.1” Gvw ‘4575 Ibs.
rear 60.0”. Turning circle 38.1 ft. Door cutouts front 39.8”; GAWR front 2230 Ibs.
rear 34.8”. Bucket seat width 21.3"; rear bench seat 57.7”. rear 2470 Ibs.
Width at elbow height front 59.4”, rear 59.4”. Service load 1035 Ibs.
Engine Six-cylinder f troke in-line engine Breakerless ignition system controlled by DME. Three- phase
nally mounted and inclined, ight alloy cyaadert “da with alternator—80 amp, 1120 watt. Battery 12 volt, 66 amp hrs.
Power design, al swirl-action Hy single-plate dry clutch, torsional
Trans- t wit ha igs, inclined over- Pp and . Optional 4-speed ZF
be os head valves in V-arrangement, roller chain drive, control Cruise control
mission dampened crankshaft with 7 main bearings and 12 counter- is standard.
P f balance wore pressure oil circulation, full-flow oil filter Gearbox:
ertormance with regulation valve, viscous speed-related fan drive with acre nl tadion’é dit onsoachst
thesmestat control olrouk: 13.83, 2.20 I1.40 IV 1.0 V0.8! R3.46
Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, 3-way catalyst with Lambda 4 .
sensor, Digital Motor Electronics (Motronic) Final drive ratio 3.46:1 (hypold gears)
Capacity 209 cu.in. Two-piece drive shaft with flexibly mounted central bearing
Stroke ig and 2 universal joints; rear-wheel drive through double uni-
Bore 3.62” versal joint shafts with maintenance-free constant velocity
Power 182 hp (SAE net) at 5400 rpm joints. Acceleration: 0-50 mph in 6.0 seconds, manual trans-
Torque 214 ft.lb. (SAE) at 4000 rpm mission. Unleaded gasoline: 91 RON (87 AKI).
Compression ratio 8.0:1
Chassis Front-wheel with double-pivot Dual-diagonal circuit-power braking system with hydraulic
strut, virtual steer axis with small positive kingpin offset, booster and rear axle brake pressure regulating device. Antiand Brakes eccentrically-mounted coil springs to reduce binding under lock braking system with dash-mounted warning light.
load, roll stabilizer, urethane bump rubbers.
semi- -trailing arms with Front: ventilated single-piston floating-caliper disc brakes
patented track change link, telescoping ral ios sennge: with automatic adjustment, diameter 11.0”
‘ollapsible safety steering column with axial adjustment o! a , i, ‘, ane,
seating wheel, aycreule speed-related, power-assisted Rear: Hosting capes, Sac prakes with automatic adjust
steering system, 3-part track rod, overall ratio 17.6:1. :! .
BMW-style ae atoy rims: 6 1/2J x 14. Steel-belted radial i Pp 7.8” with selftires: 205/70 VI servo shoes acting on rear wheels.
Equipment Exterior: gy ing 5-mph with rubber ice. Active Check/Control to monitor brake lights, low beam,
on hy shock Liageabl fluid level, oil a coc levels, tailwrap-around bumpers, rubber strips along sides of body. lights, license plat On-Boar for trip
Quad headlights with halogen beams and ignition override. information, "range, anti-theft protection. "Stalk control for
foglights, backup lights, high- mounted third brake light. with singl pe, inter-
Tinted glass all around, dark green border on top of wind- mittent and 2-speed
shield. Dual electrically-adjustable outside rearview mirrors AM/FM stereo cassette anti-theft radio with automatic rearwats Leet on convex glass; heated outside marore and mounted antenna.
river's door lock. Central locking system on all doors, gas a ¢ J,
filler flap and trunk lid. Electric dual- position sunroof, twin Front: four-spoke leather covered telescoping steering
chrome-plated exhaust pipe tips, cavity seal, undercoatin wheel with airbag and 4 horn contacts. Reclining deep
P Ls mbes y g- leather seats with added back support and adjustable head-
Heating and air i with ji rests. Each has height and
feature. Fresh air heating system with airflow output control with memory, easy longitudinal adjustment on roller bearusing rotary knobs (push-button direction control), 4-stage ings, heated driver’s seat. 3-point automatic seat belts, hand
blower. Defroster for windshield, side and rear windows. Air grips for passenger, center front armrest.
distribution at floor level.and five dashboard grills; adjusta- Rear: contoured leather seats with headrests and fold-down
ble grills for each ro ae occupant; additional outlets for center armrest, 3-point automatic seat belts, 2-point seat
rills on belt in center. Map reading lamp, roll-up rear window
top of central tunnel; fluminated heated controls, flow- sunshade.
through ventilation. P
Fully carpeted interior, rear shelf; illuminated lockable glove
Raed easily readable and clearly mounted instruments compartment. Additional storage in front door pockets, cenarranged ina ter console and armrest. Illuminated ashtray on dashboard
ante around the driver. Electronic speedometer with and each rear door; anti-glare rearview mirror. Doorlocks
odometer and trip recorder; electronic Tacomas fuel and with safety wedges, childproof safety locks on rear doors.
gauges; fuel digital Interior lights with contacts on all doors, dash-mounted
clock. Service Interval Indicator. Warning lights or fuel re- switch; illuminated front passenger mirror and time delay
serve, handbrake, brake fluid, brake lining wear, alterna- courtesy light. Engine and trunk lights, fully carpeted trunk
tor, oil pressure, “Fasten Seat Belts,” Oxygen Sensor Serv- in grey tufted fleece; deluxe tool kit in trunk lid.
Four-speed ZF ic control
Optional with sport and economy settings, limited slip differential,
Equipment TRX wheels and tires.
Sole U.S. Importer:
BMW of North America, Inc.
Montvale, N.J. 07645
BMW reserves the right to make changes in specifications,
and optional eq
without prior notice. Further
information can be obtained from your BMW dealer.
GVWR = gross vehicle weight rating
GAWR = gross axle weight rating
© BMW AG, Munich, West Germany
Not to be reproduced wholly or in part
without written permission of BMW AG, Munich
511071325 2/85 VM
Printed in West Germany 1985