Description

BMW 750iL 1987 Technical Manual – The Only Spec Source That Matters

If you are wrenching on a 750iL, the V12 is what separates the pros from the parts-changers. Aftermarket manuals skip the critical details – like how the hypereutectic crankcase requires specific honing procedures. That is why you need the BMW 750iL 1987 Technical Manual from the factory. This 17-page document is the exact publication BMW issued to its dealerships in December 1987. No guesswork, no reprints.

The manual is not a novel. It is a focused technical bulletin from BMW’s Technical Department in Montvale, NJ – Group 11, Engine section. Inside you get the M70 V12’s 5.0‑liter architecture: 295 hp at 450 Nm, 60° V configuration, 91 mm bore spacing, and the patented four‑bolt main bearing caps described on page 2. Every number is OEM-verified.

What the BMW 750iL 1987 Technical Manual Actually Covers

You get exactly what the title says: technical data for the M70 engine. Page 1 lays out the starter motor rating (2.2 kW gear reduction), self-adjusting valves, and the laminated sound barriers on the valve covers and oil pan. Page 2 dives into the crankcase – the hypereutectic aluminum alloy, the silicon surface honing, and the four‑bolt main cap torque pattern. No wiring diagrams, no body panel removal steps. This is pure engine data.

Need the official break‑in procedure? Page 1 mentions the “impressive visual appearance” but the real value is the torque specs and clearances. You will not find those in a Chilton manual.

Group 11 Engine – Specifications and Overhaul Data

The manual is labeled “GROUP 11 Engine” with sub‑code 11u202f01u202f87. That is BMW’s internal system. Group 11 covers the complete long block. The data includes crankshaft counterweight count (twelve), piston mass, and the 60° bank angle. For anyone planning a bottom‑end rebuild, this manual gives you the factory clearances – but you still need the full service manual for removal and reassembly steps. Pair it with the BMW 7 Series 1988-1994 Service Manual for a complete setup.

Starter Motor and Self-Adjusting Valves: Maintenance Notes

The M70 uses a 2.2u202fkW gear reduction starter – that is a heavy unit. Page 1 states it provides “easy starting at all temperatures.” If you are replacing it, the manual tells you the orientation (mounts on either side for left‑ or right‑hand drive markets). The self‑adjusting hydraulic valve lifters eliminate periodic adjustment, but they require proper oil pressure and grade. Specs are in the manual.

Never assume aftermarket starters match the factory amp draw. One wrong part and the flywheel ring gear gets chewed up.

Check the Main Bearing Torque Specs First

Page 2 shows the main bearing cap configuration: four bolts per cap – two vertical, two angled parallel to the cylinder axis. BMW patented this for bottom‑end stability. Torque values are listed in the manual (use the factory numbers, not a generic chart). If you are rebuilding the bottom end, mark the caps and follow the tightening sequence exactly. The crankcase is aluminum – you strip a thread and you are looking at a costly insert repair.

Cross‑reference with industry standards like the Automotive Industry Overview and Automotive Industry Overview to verify thread locking practices, but the torque numbers come from this BMW manual only.

17 Pages of Factory Engine Data

Seventeen pages is lean. Every page has high information density. The manual covers cylinder wall honing, silicon particle distribution, the “hypereutectique” casting process, and the 1.77u202flb/hp power‑to‑weight ratio. For 1987, the M70 was a technological showcase. This manual gives you the original engineering notes – not an aftermarket translation that rounds off metric values to sae in odd ways. You get Nm and psi, exactly as BMW specified.

If you need electrical diagnostics for the 750iL, grab the BMW 735i 735iL 750iL 1990 Electrical Troubleshooting Manual and the BMW 735i 735iL 750iL 1988 Troubleshooting Manual for earlier years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this manual include wiring diagrams?

No. This is a pure engine technical manual – no electrical schematics.

What years does this cover?

Specifically 1987 for the 750iL with the M70 V12 engine, printed December 1987.

Is this a reprint of an OEM manual?

Yes – it is the original factory document, 17 pages, from BMW’s Technical Department in Montvale, NJ, dated December 1987.

Can I use this for engine overhaul?

Yes, it contains critical specs for the M70 V12, including main bearing cap bolt torque patterns and crankshaft data. However, you will also need a full service manual for removal and reassembly steps – that is covered in the BMW 7 Series 1988-1994 Service Manual. The 17-page manual alone will not teach you how to pull the engine, but it will keep you from wrecking it during reassembly.

Stop wasting time on generic guides that guess at torque values. This 1987 BMW factory manual is the only source you can trust for the 750iL’s M70 V12. Access the Factory Manual and keep your V12 running like it left the assembly line.