840ci, is it a money pit waiting to bankrupt me?

[LikesBikes]

I've been hankering after a V8 for a while, saving up over the last 6 months umming and ahhing about a 540i, 645i or maybe even an E39 M5.

Suddenly I've been pointed toward an E31 which I've not considered before. It's doctor owner has more cars than space on his drive due to a new 6 series so is asking for £4k to get it gone. It's an R registered 4.4 sport, 160,000 miles on it but it comes with a full BMW history from new. I've not seen it yet (other than photos). As far as I can tell its very tidy apart from the drivers seat bolster which requires attention. Anyway what are these like to drive, what goes wrong and generally how potentially ruinous are they? I love the look of them but suspect they might be a bit too boat-like, or am I completely wrong?

Any help or comments greatly appreciated.

[LikesBikes]

MEC said:

Also note that the chap certainly isn't giving it away at £4K with that mileage. I've just sold our very nice Orient Blue 4.4 example with 91K miles and good history and it took me nearly 2 months to sell and I got £3750 for it in the end...

Actually since posting I've had a nose round Autotrader and I've started to wonder about that, I was thinking of going round with 3k and trying my luck and walking away otherwise. See how much he really wants rid of it?

I have driven one before, but it was a non-sport with a fruity exhaust and Bilstein suspension. Drove nicely enough but I'm not sure it didn't spoil the character of the car, either way it wasn't a standard sport. Anyway back to the car in question, are they a daily driver at this sort of mileage and age if you ignore the ridiculous fuel consumption? Also I'm not sure if my phobia of auto boxes (particularly at this mileage) is entirely justified.

Edited by LikesBikes on Saturday 30th August 23:25

[LikesBikes]

Yes, i guess it's the daily driver bit that has made me wary of this car and so Ive probably answered my own question. I simply don't have room on my drive for two so I'd probably do better with something newer or at least lower mileage.

I currently have an E39 528i with 157k on the clock, it's showing no sign of stopping but if something catastrophic went wrong its worth little enough to just throw away. This 8 series would leave me a modest lump of money should anything need attention but I suspect an E63 (for example) would be a safer bet and better to drive too.

But having said that I'm a man, so logic doesn't figure too much in this

[LikesBikes]

I've pretty much changed my mind on this car, mainly on practicality reasons. For one thing the boot is too small and the back seats don't appear to be much good for adults. The performance doesn't look all that sparkling either, on paper at least. Also I know that I'd still be hankering after an E63 (I'm weird in that I'm rather taken with the shape) or an E39 M5 so I might as well skip the E31 as I know it'll end up as a stepping stone.

A bit more saving I think.