[BMWWGN]

These rare M88 powered 745i's seem to be increasing in price/value, no doubt due to their uniqueness and extremely rare status.

£13k for this one incl. shipping from South Africa.
1984 BMW 745i Auto M-Power Homologation VERY RARE For Sale on Car And Classic UK

There are a few examples here in New Zealand, one of which was reportedly sold recently to an EU buyer for around £10k.

I can't help thinking that one of these would make a perfect garage-mate for my SA-spec E28 M5!mmmmmm

 

[Stoffie]

That's been on there a while. But as far as I can see, that's not an M88/3 judging by the valve cover...

Beautiful and interesting car though

 

[BMWWGN]

That's been on there a while. But as far as I can see, that's not an M88/3 judging by the valve cover...

Beautiful and interesting car though

I believe the early examples of these may have had a different inscription on their cam covers, but all 209 examples had the M88/3 powerplant.

 

[Stoffie]

Still, that valve cover is not a standard M88/3 one for sure. Looks more like an S38B36 cover with the part that covers the plugs removed...ofcourse it could still be an M88/3 underneath, just saying, it doesn't look right

I believe the early examples lacked the 'M Power' inscription.

 

[BMWWGN]

I think you're right - it does look like an S38 cover.

Here's a picture of one of the NZ cars - 1987 model - for comparison
[source: M-Registry]

 

[Stoffie]

Yep, that's what an M88/3 is supposed to look like. Not sure what's going on with that concoction under the hood of that SA 745i. Doesn't seem like that valve cover would bolt onto an M88/3 head. Or maybe it's another head on an M88/3 short block ? Does have the dizzy cap and leads though...and all the rest of the parts pretty much add up.

 

[raymondw]

Yep, that's what an M88/3 is supposed to look like. Not sure what's going on with that concoction under the hood of that SA 745i. Doesn't seem like that valve cover would bolt onto an M88/3 head. Or maybe it's another head on an M88/3 short block ? Does have the dizzy cap and leads though...and all the rest of the parts pretty much add up.

The S38B36 valve-cover doesn't fit on an M88/3 as the dual-row timing chain builds a bit wider. With other words, the camshaft house and the cylinder head are S38 and thus not M88. My assumption is that the original M88/3 blew up some time ago and was replaced with an S38B36, that apparentely are much easier to source.

The car looks nice, but with an S38B36 install, it appears that budget was/is an issue. Historically this isn't correct either. If it would contain the original M88/3 engine with matching numbers, then the car is worth the asking price, but with an S38B36?? No way.

 

[BMWWGN]

I've received the following additional info from the seller, which explains the different cylinder head/valve cover configuration, and also confirms Raymond's view that this car is too far from original to be asking that price:

The car has had an immense amount of expenditure in her present owners hands;
1. The car was totally stripped and resprayed in pearlescent Blue which reflects a tinge of Green according to the sunlight condition. She was also re-upholstered in Cream leather.
2. The engine was totally rebuilt, including new head/s from ex-Tony Vianna racing stock, complete with new hoses, pipes and wiring.
3. The automatic transmission was rebuilt by a ZF-specialist workshop.
4. The brake calipher, pads and discs were all replaced / refurbished.
5. Suspension was restored as required.
6. The electrical system was gone through and even the four headlights were replaced with new - the old units come as spares.
7. New tyres fitted two months ago.

The present owner is a BMW fanatic, from what I can ascertain the body-mileage was some 105,000 kilometres when he decided to commence with the restoration, when everything was completed he zero'ed the clock on the odometer which now reflects some 5,000-odd kilometres.

Zeroing the odometer seems most irregular and a strange thing to do with such a rare car.

 

[batmobile]

So it has to be completely restored in the engine and te body, stripping down to zero both.
I would offer no more than 4k for this car, assuming that a perfect one could be no more than 12k worth.