The BMW 733i was one of the launch models of the first-generation 7 Series, known internally as the E23, and it established the top end of BMW’s new luxury sedan line when the series debuted in 1977. Positioned above the 728 and 730, the 733i was the flagship of the original range and helped define the formula BMW would later refine in the 7 Series: a luxury four-door with a strong emphasis on driver involvement rather than softness alone. BMW’s classic archive notes that it was presented in May 1977 and produced through July 1982.
Historically, the 733i is especially significant because it was the only original E23 launch model fitted with fuel injection, using Bosch L-Jetronic. That gave it a more advanced technical identity than the carbureted entry models and made it the natural choice for customers wanting the most capable version of BMW’s new flagship sedan. In many markets, BMW later replaced the 733i badge with the 732i from 1979 onward, but the 733i nameplate remained an important early chapter in the E23 story and is closely associated with the debut of the modern 7 Series.
In North America, the 733i also became the first BMW 7 Series sold there, arriving for the 1978 model year and helping introduce U.S. buyers to BMW’s large-sedan philosophy. Among enthusiasts, it is remembered as the original executive BMW: refined, handsome, and firmly rooted in the brand’s sporting character.