BMW 7 series, E23 (USA)

Manual transmission fluid capacity & service interval

BMW 7 series, E23 (USA) manual transmission fluid capacity ranges from 1,1 to 1,6 liters. The data covers 4 configurations.

The configuration chart below lists fill volumes and service intervals for each engine and trim variant.

Type	Specifications
735i (1986-1987) Getrag	Use: Normal Capacity 1,6 liter Code: 265 5/1
735i (1984-1986) Getrag	Use: Normal Capacity 1,6 liter Code: 265 5/1
733i (1977-1984) Getrag	Use: Normal Capacity 1,1 liter Code: 262 4/1
733i (1977-1984) Getrag	Use: Normal Capacity 1,6 liter Code: 265 5/1

The BMW 7 Series E23 (USA) 733i lists two distinct manual Getrag transmission fluid capacities under normal use conditions: 1.1 liters and 1.6 liters, indicating that two different Getrag gearbox units were fitted to the 733i during the 1977-1984 production span.
The 1.1-liter capacity figure for the 733i represents a notably smaller fluid fill volume, consistent with a more compact Getrag transmission variant compared to the 1.6-liter unit also listed for the same model years.
The 1.6-liter capacity is shared across the 733i (1977-1984) and both 735i entries, covering the full 1984-1987 period, pointing to a common Getrag transmission platform used across multiple configurations in the E23 lineup.
The 735i specifications are split across two separate year ranges, 1984-1986 and 1986-1987, both carrying an identical 1.6-liter fluid capacity under normal use conditions, suggesting no change in transmission fluid volume between those production intervals.
All four rows carry a normal use condition designation, meaning none of the listed capacities are qualified by severe-duty or first-change-only distinctions within the E23 manual transmission specifications.
A 1.6-liter service fill is a relatively modest volume for a manual transmission, which is typical of inline-configuration Getrag units designed for rear-wheel-drive sedans of the late 1970s through mid-1980s era.