2000 BMW 840Ci Sport (E31)

Highlights

• Gorgeous example in Orient Blue
• Substantial service history
• Long-term owner for almost a decade
• Recent Lanoguard rust protection
• 4.4-litre V8

Overview

Defining the BMW 8-Series isn’t easy. It’s a common misconception to think that it directly replaced the shark-nosed 6-Series as the start of production for the former coincided with the end for the latter, but the reality is that they’re hugely different beasts.

You see, while the 6-Series was an upmarket grand tourer and an undeniably handsome car, it ran out of cylinders before the 8-Series even began to count them. In PistonHeads terms, that’s big news.

Introduced in 1989, the new ‘8er’ was aimed at a more upmarket audience and provided a unique bridge between GT and supercar. A rival (albeit much more modern) to the V12-engined Jaguar XJS at the top of its market – in the form of the 5.0-litre V12 850Ci – and more of a Porsche 968 challenger in 4.4-litre V8 flavour, which is what we have here.

The 840Ci was the ‘baby’ of the 8-Series range, although everything is relative and, in this case, ‘baby’ refers to a car that was five metres long and came with a 282bhp 4.4-litre V8 under its bonnet, with pop-up headlamps (was there ever a car with these that wasn’t agonisingly cool) and a long, pillarless profile giving it looks to die for.

Today, it’s a rapidly appreciating modern classic, with just over 30,000 sold globally and only 650- or so known to still exist in the UK. Of those, this one has to be one of the very best, as it’s absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. First registered in 2000, it’s one of the last 8-Series registered in the UK, after production ceased the previous year.

In the care of the vendor for almost a decade, it comes with a substantial history pack including service invoices, old MOTs and it’s in absolutely stunning condition throughout. A proper collectors’ quality example of a classic 1990s icon.

History and documentation

• UK V5C in the name of the vendor
• MOT to September 2025
• Original handbook and service history book
• Two keys
• Genuine low mileage of sub-69k
• The seller is a long term (20 years) BMW car club member and enthusiast and has owned the car since 2014
• Service book stamped as follows: PDI (2000, Godfrey Hall BMW, Shrewsbury); 8,275 miles (2000, Prestons BMW, Burnley), 17,392 miles (2001, Prestons BMW, Burnley); 26,633 miles (2001, Oil service, no stamp); 30,185 miles (2003, Godfrey Hall BMW, Shrewsbury); 33,694 miles (2004, Prestons BMW, Burnley); 41,147 miles (2007, Prestons BMW, Burnley); 51,122 miles (2011, Sycamore BMW, Peterborough); 58,804 miles (2013, Swacks BMW & Mini Specialist); 65,878 miles (2015, Ocean BMW, Torbay); 68,658 miles (2024, JMW BMW specialists, Newton Abbot)
• Factory build sheet breakdown and data sheet
• Original sales brochure
• Spares include original steering wheel, belts, cabin air filter, spare headlamp glass, radiator trim panel and rocker cover gaskets

Interior

• Gorgeous Light Silver Grey leather
• Roof lining, A-pillar, C-pillar and sunroof materials were replaced with original BMW M material earlier this year
• Door trims and carpets are excellent and cabin presents superbly throughout
• Driver’s seat was stripped down and recoloured this year as seat bolster was showing signs of wear – now appears in almost as-new condition
• The steering wheel was replaced with a model-correct sports item (original steering wheel included)
• The rear electric blind mechanism was removed cleaned and oiled and now works perfectly
• Original factory telephone – still works but will require correct SIM
• All the dash works perfectly including often faulty dash pixels
• According to the vendor the only item that doesn't work is the light for the driver’s side sun visor as a result of a failed microswitch

Exterior

• Stunning Orient Blue paint
• Beautifully presented throughout
• Tiny paint bubbles on the nearside A-pillar and lower edge of wheelarch on nearside rear wing, otherwise spotless
• Appears superb underneath
• Original wheels in excellent order with some very tiny flaws
• Matched Falken tyres all-round in excellent order
• Pop-up headlights work perfectly
• Front bumper has previously been painted but there is no evidence of prior accident damage
• Sunroof seal and door seals recently replaced
• A truly superb looking car in wonderful condition

Mechanical

• 4.4-litre V8
• Five-speed sports auto transmission
• 282bhp
• Serviced most recently in September 2024
• According to the vendor the car drives superbly and presents no mechanical issues
• Slight leak from rocker cover gasket, replacements included
• Air conditioning compressor replaced this year with new belt and gas recharge
• Gearbox oil and Inspection 1 service in September 2024, including changing the diff oil
• Both rear silencers replaced
• Rear brake callipers recently professionally refurbished
• It was noted on the service last month that there was a small oil leak from the cam cover gaskets (replacement supplied), also rear coil springs and rear shockers showing signs of corrosion, rear control arm dust cover split, minor oil leak from the rear main oil seal area
• Starter motor replaced this year
• In all, there might be a few jobs to do but it’s mechanically just about as good as it looks

Summary

You only have to look at the photos to see how sensational this car is – it’s an absolute stunner, both inside and out, and the vendor has been very humble in his description because, truth be told, we’ve not seen an 8-Series this lovely in ages. We don’t think we’ll be seeing it for long, either, as one of you lucky lot will realise just how wonderful it is and snaffle it before we can admire it for much longer.

All we have to say on that subject is, ‘lucky you’. It’s gorgeous.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Devon.