The BMW 733i spans 1981–1984 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1984, 1983, 1982 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1981, 1982, 1983. It delivers up to 24 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The BMW 733i is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1984 across multiple generations.
How to read a BMW 733i VIN — every digit explained
Every BMW 733i carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a BMW and the country it was built in (real BMW codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this 733i.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- Germany3MF · 3MW · 5UM · WAP · WB1 · WB3
- USA4US · 5UX · 5YM
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your 733i, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the BMW 733i have?
The BMW 733i has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1984. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the BMW 733i
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 4 tracked years, the worst years are 1984, 1983, 1982 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1981, 1982, 1983.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 733i | — | Best | |
| 1982 733i | — | Avoid | |
| 1983 733i | — | Avoid | |
| 1984 733i | Visibility | Avoid |
What are the most common BMW 733i problems?
The most-reported BMW 733i problems are Visibility (1 reports) — out of 1 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
BMW 733i specifications & dimensions
The 1981 BMW 733i measures 197″ long on a 110″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,594 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the BMW 733i window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 197″ | 71″ | 56″ | 110″ | 3,594 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
BMW 733i cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the 733i holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 81 cu ft of passenger volume and 13 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
BMW 733i tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the BMW 733i get?
The BMW 733i returns up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,600/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1984 BMW 733i (2.7L 6-cyl) gets 21 mpg combined and costs about $2,950/yr to fuel, emitting 423 g/mi CO₂ — about $3,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 733i | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.7L 6-cyl |
The 1984 BMW 733i (1.8L 4-cyl) gets 24 mpg combined and costs about $2,600/yr to fuel, emitting 370 g/mi CO₂ — about $2,000 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 733i | 21 | 27 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the 733i stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this 733i's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the BMW 733i have? Power & range
The BMW 733i is offered with 2 powertrains — 2.7L 6-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 2.7L · 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | — | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 1.8L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | — | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a BMW 733i cost to own?
A BMW 733i tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used 733i is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this 733i loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $13,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the 733i ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the BMW 733i safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the 733i yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a BMW 733i last?
A well-maintained BMW 733i typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your BMW 733i’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this 733i’s VIN free →All BMW 733i model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the BMW 733i — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 733i | 1 recall | — | |
| 1983 733i | 0 | — | |
| 1982 733i | 0 | — | |
| 1981 733i | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the 733i?
By owner-complaint volume, 1984, 1983, 1982 drew the most reports. 1981, 1982, 1983 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the 733i have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1984. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all BMW recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the 733i get?
Up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a 733i last?
A well-maintained 733i typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the 733i reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the 733i is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the BMW 733i warranty?
New BMW models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a BMW dealer.
Where is the BMW 733i made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your 733i's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; BMW may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the 733i have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.