BMW 850Ci - Hot wheels or Ford Probe lookalike?

[Ski_Banker]

Anyone had an 8 series bimmer on here? Not really a track car, but to me they are kindof NSX like (rare, classy, etc). Thoughts on these sexy beasts?

[DocL]

Had an 840csi. They are pretty quick, handle fairly well, and look great.

[Shumdit]

I always liked them. We used to show people how the windows would automatically raise at 100 MPH.

[jimmycinla]

I like the 8 series. Get the 840.
Stay away from the 850. Lots of problems with the 12 and a fortune to repair over the 8.

-j-

[Shumdit]

Originally Posted by jimmycinla

I like the 8 series. Get the 840.
Stay away from the 850. Lots of problems with the 12 and a fortune to repair over the 8.

-j-

I was going to say the same thing. The 840 had some engine problems (actually all the 3.0 and 4.0 V8's had them and BMW replaced thousands of motors), but hopefully yours would have alrady have the issue resolved by this point. The V12 did not have the same issues, but the oil leaks that can happen are mucho dinero and they eat Thottle potentiometers (and there are 2 on the V12) which cost big $$. At least it can limp home on 1 if the other craps out!

[Meeyatch1]

Originally Posted by DocL

Had an 840csi. They are pretty quick, handle fairly well, and look great.

I know there is an 850CSi and an 840ci, but I do not recall any high performance 840CSi.

[Shumdit]

This is correct, I think it was 840Ci, 850Ci and 850CSi only. That 850Csi is a sweet looking car.

[scorp965]

There is an 850i, 850Ci (slightly more power), 850CSi (basically an 'M8'), 840i, and 840Ci - the 840 was never made with a manual transmission, while the 850's can be found with a 6spd - I seriously considered, to the point of test driving and having purchase inspections carried out, a 1992 850i/6spd - it didn't pass the purchase inspection, so I bought a 740i instead.

The 8-series is a great car, very classy, and if you can find an 850CSi (approx $40-50k) it would certainly be a lot of fun to drive - the CSi is available only with a 6spd manual, and has more power than the Ci, by a significant margin.

The main complaint, V12 aside, has to do with electrical issues - this was BMW's flagship of the early 90's, and they packed a lot of untested items into it - these untested items are in disrepair 16-17 years later. LCD pixels on the OBC go out, the power steering wheel fails, etc. - lots of hassle is _possible_ if you make this mistake of buying the wrong E31.

The wheels on the regular 8-series are a bit questionable, one popular alternative is the MK motorsports setup:

[Shumdit]

I think the 850CSi looks great as, but I agree the whels on some of the others are dated.
I had forgot the designation change (the 840i was a 4.0 V8 (M60, the problem motor) and the 840CI was a 4.4 (M62, no sulfer motor issues), similarly the 850i was the old 5.0 V12 (M70) and the 850Ci was the 5.4 (?) if recall correctly (M72 or M73 engine designation). The 850Csi was I think a 5.6 V12 and was about 375-380 HP I think. I can not remember the engine designation for it.

[scorp965]

1992->1996 850CSi = 5.5L S70 B56 V12 engine, with 380hp/550Nm tq
1993->1994 850Ci = 5.0L M70 B50 V12 engine, with 300hp/450Nm tq
1994->1999 850Ci = 5.4L M73 B54 V12 engine, with 326hp/490Nm tq
1989->1992 850i = 5.0L M70 B50 V12 engine, with 300hp/450Nm tq
1996->1999 840Ci = 4.4L M62 B44 V8, with 286hp/420Nm tq
1993->1996 840Ci = 4.0L M60 B40 V8, with 286hp/400Nm tq

[Jin1976]

We have them a lot here and even one with the Koenig Special option (widebody).

[DocL]

Originally Posted by Meeyatch1

I know there is an 850CSi and an 840ci, but I do not recall any high performance 840CSi.

You are correct sir, I had an 840ci. I was in a rush to respond and a "s" slipped in there.

Thanks for looking out for me.

[jimmycinla]

Originally Posted by Ski_Banker

BMW 850Ci - Hot wheels or Ford Probe lookalike??

I want to see this ^^^ posted on an 8 series forum.

The replies would pretty amusing, I'm sure.

-jim-

[W]

The styling of the 8 series is one of my favorites but the two engines welded together thing isn't.

[Da Hapa]

Beautiful car, IMO.

We see a really, really nice 850csi on our morning commute about once a week or so. It's black on black with those big beautiful wheels and it sounds amazing.

I'm super stoked every time I see it because I know the owner is out enjoying what I think is one of the coolest cars of the last 20-years.

[91 X]

I've always loved those cars...It's amazing what the right set of rims do for that car though(kinda like the 91-93 NSX)...I've seen some fugly bone stock ones and some sick ones with nice rims and lowered too

[Wheelman]

I agree, the 8 series is a beautiful piece of machinery and has always been one of my favorites growing up. I was really interested in acquiring one but thought of the potential for maintenance was a little out of my league compared to other cars out there.

[Meeyatch1]

Originally Posted by DocL

You are correct sir, I had an 840ci. I was in a rush to respond and a "s" slipped in there.

Thanks for looking out for me.

I do what I have to do for humanity. But since I know you have unique and modified cars, I figured you might have just made your own 840CSi.

[Bigglezworth]

Here's my ride from a while back.

[Hugh]

Originally Posted by Shumdit

BMW replaced thousands of motors

That was good for a late night chuckle. Thanks!

[Shumdit]

Funny for us, but it pissed off a bunch of owners!

[Hugh]

Such are the trials and tribulations of those that foolishly spend their money on Bavarian Manure Wagons.

Wasn't it recently discovered that the Z8's frame had severe defects?

Writer J.P. Vettraino who noted that, "designer Henrik Fisker's work honors the sports car's heritage without groveling in front of it, and underneath the beautiful skin is an aluminum space frame as advanced as the underpinnings of many contemporary race cars."

I wonder what hallucinegenic he's addicted to?

[Veleno]

So what's the verdict (aside from looks/performance), is the 8 series a good buy or not? Is it going to be a nitemare to maintain and use as an everyday driver?

I think I like the look of a slammed 8 series with the AC Schnitzer(sp?) body kit, in black of course

[scorp965]

It's a great freeway car, it has loads of torque, and is essentially a coupe version of the E38 7-series - if you buy a clean example, and have a purchase inspection done, there is no reason not to buy an 8-series, which 8-series you are after, how much time you're willing to devot to finding one, what kind of transmission and engine you would be after, etc. are all items for you to decide - a good resource for anything BMW are the forums at http://www.roadfly.org - there is one dedicated just to the E31 8-series.

The engine issue, described above, is being blown out of proportion as Hugh has a liking for the melodramatic, and enjoys referring to other marques in a derogatory fashion for reasons unknown; the issue mentioned only affects V8's, so any V12-powered E31 would be exempt, and it only effects early motors that were driven by old people, a brief summary: deposits in US gas would settle in these 'old person driver' cars, and eat through the alloy used in the engine block - many were goodwilled by BMW, and a number of motors never had an issue, my old BMW tech has an E34 540i that was well inside of the issue range and now has over 130k without having the engine replaced.

The only cause for concern is if you happen upon an 840Ci with the 4.0L, rather than the 4.4L, motor - this would also be the 'slowest' E31 available, and would limit you to an automatic transmission - were it me looking the two cars to buy would be either an 850CSi (~$50k) or an 850i/6spd (~$25k)

[ghost]

I own one. Its an 850i. Actually the v12 engine is pretty solid, unlike what the other poster mentioned. Mine is even more rare because its a manual. The car is very sexy. I get more looks in it, then my nsx or the RR silver spur i used to own.

Having said that, i would stay away from these cars. Every electrical problem you can think of, and so many other mechanical problems. It is a nice car to drive and look at, but not to own. Trust me !