Not an M car....but have a look anyway!

[Palmball]

So, you've read my thread regarding my new order of an M6 Competition Pack, I'm now in the dilemma of needing to sort my chariot out for the next few weeks.

Basically, I have to trade-in my current M6 within the next couple of weeks which leaves me a good couple of months wait before the new one arrives Ironically with my history of changing cars, I'll probably find my stop-gap car being longer-lasting than many of my so-called permanent purchases!

These sort of dilemmas I like, because I get to buy another low-risk (ha ha...see below!) car and not have to justify too hard as to why it's so short term! I've thought of sensible options as well as some really crappy stuff - they would certainly make me appreciate the new car more when it finally arrives! I mean, imagine some of these to tide me over between M6's









Anyway, back to reality, I've also considered some more outrageous (inspired?) choices and as such have 'accidentally' found myself to be the high-bidder on this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271228026455?ssPageName=...




It looks in fantastic condition, the mileage is low and the history claims to be very comprehensive! Being an early one, only the advancing years count against it as far as I can see.

So, am I suicidal, crazy, inspired or....all of the above??

If (and it's a big if!), I decide to pursue this purchase by bidding further, can anyone who is better informed than me share any known watch-outs on these 8 series models? From what limited reading I've already done, both the V12 and gearbox are pretty bulletproof but am I missing something and is there some hidden secret lurking in these cars ready to bite me the minute I get one??

[Wills2]

That looks worth a punt I think the V12 can be full of bork (there was a thread about a v12 7 series in readers cars) but what a car/engine.

[Pugland53]

Nice choice! I had to put up with an old Ford Ka in the 2 months between selling my 1M and M5 arriving. It got too much in the end so I traded up to a Mondeo.

[Lignumopus]

I owned a '99 840Ci for 7 years. Fabulous car.

I have no idea what this seller is alluding to by stating "840CSi" in his ad...there was no such car....
However, this 850 looks particularly good.

During it's production, only 638 of this variant (850i and later 850Ci) were imported into UK, whereas 4,194 of this variant of the E31 went to USA.
Of those 638, BMW imported 340 into UK in 1991.

People say the 5 litre engine is bad on fuel, but you can easily get >20mpg

Weak areas
The DK motors that control the electronic throttles
Intake Manifold Gaskets can develop leaks
Top mount of rear shocks was one weak area - and that seems to have been attended to.
Cooling system has issues - massive engine/tight on space.....has no electric fan that runs after engine shutdown
Front thrust rod bushings can wear.
Despite what is written DO check for corrosion on leading edge corners of the sunroof AND at LOWER surface of the doors (they only have two drain-holes, poor design).
BMW gave me 2 new doors as mine had this corrosion.

Strong points
V12 is conservative design - SOHC, hydraulically adjusted valves/cylinder.
Throttle is electronically controlled (throttle-by-wire)
Engine Block alloy is ALUSIL...BMW had no probs with this, unlike the NIKASIL on the early 840's
Autobox is OK generally
Seats are Phenomenal....they were also used on the Rolls Royce Corniche (no BS). Note the seat belt is mounted ON THE SEAT...so they are massively strong
Wheels on this vehicle are Throwing Star design and far easier to keep in good nick than the BBS Basketweave ones.
Most of the ancillary equipment is pretty reliable
5 keys...!!!! It only ever came with 3....unless I'm very much mistaken
Cruise Control = good option to have
Electric Steering Wheel = good option

You probably know this...
With the last 7 characters of any BMW chassis number entered into BMW Russia:-
http://www.rubmw.ru/vincode/eng/
you can get the correct and full spec list..... ;-)

Resources here:-
http://www.8coupe.com/Resources/FAQKnowledgeBase.a...
http://www.wuffer.ca/index.php/links.html

Should you get get it...I can thoroughly recommend Gerry Speechley at Phoenix Motorsport in Camberley:-
http://phoenixmotorsport.co.uk
UK E31 'guru' - he lives and breathes the 8-Series and knows these cars intimately..

GOOD LUCK....hope you succeed....

David

Edited by Lignumopus on Thursday 27th June 14:23

[Palmball]

Awesome! Absolutely fantastic post....thank you

I'm not the current high bidder but lets see what the next few days brings. With 17 bids from 12 bidders and 5 days to go, theres clearly interest in the car....which is good news if I win it because that means, when my M6 arrives, I could probbly sell it 1) quickly and 2) for hopefully not a lot less than my winning bid.

Oh by the way, the seller probably mentions 840 CSI in the title so anyone searching for 840 or CSI also gets this car in their list.

[rassi]

I understand that money is not really an issue, but if you need a car to tide you over for a month or two, would it not be a lot less hassle to just rent one, rather than buying a car that may well have the potential for major bork (and thus not driveable). Not very PH, I know, but still

BTW: That 850i is lovely!

[Palmball]

rassi said:

I understand that money is not really an issue, but if you need a car to tide you over for a month or two, would it not be a lot less hassle to just rent one, rather than buying a car that may well have the potential for major bork (and thus not driveable). Not very PH, I know, but still

BTW: That 850i is lovely!

Oh without a doubt less hassle and sooo much more sensible. But oooh so.....dull!?

Anyway, lets face it, I've just bought a new M6 so I could hardly be considered as someone who makes sound decisions




In reality, the sensible side of me (yep, it's in there somewhere!) is of course considering renting a car for a couple of months. I hope that side of me doesn't win

Imagine all the ridicule when I come on here complaining how my recent 'bargain' 850i purchase has just shat it's engine out

[s38b36]

Lignumopus said:

5 keys...!!!! It only ever came with 3....unless I'm very much mistaken

I looked at an 850CSI last weekend and it also had 5 keys.

[Diderot]

Vulva vs 850 ... Really? .

[melvster]

Phowar, hope you win the big ol' 8 Series.


What happened to the SLS ?? thought you were smitten but your M6 looks

[Palmball]

melvster said:

Phowar, hope you win the big ol' 8 Series.


What happened to the SLS ?? thought you were smitten but your M6 looks

Hi Adam

Long story with the SLS but I was no longer able to use it for work so it had to go

Still, I'm not too disheartened as the M6, whilst less 'special', is probably more suited to what I need in a car. Compared to other cars I've owned, I seriously reckon it's highly underrated in the press (although Evo did buck the trend and place it first in their comparison test).


Anyway, back on the subject of the 850i - it's only got a day or so to go and I'm still in two minds on what to do.

One part of me wants to go for it as it's a car I always wanted back in the days before I could drive and is something that, under normal circumstances (i.e. when I have my main car), I'd never likely buy - I'm just not the type to have more than one car at a time. With this in mind, I do want to be able to offload it relatively easily when the new M6 arrives but I also don't want a car thats going to feel really dated or blow itself up in the couple of months that I have it - I need something that'll be reliable and pleasant to drive.

So, for those who have driven an 8 series, how does it compare with a 'modern' car - does it feel dated, does it have relatively poor NVH or, will I find it perfectly acceptable? Obviously not in comparison to a new M6 as I do have reasonable expectations but, lets say an e39 (which I'm familiar of and perfectly comfortable with).


My other options are to rent a mid-sized car (Focus...or similar) for about £800-900 (2 months rental) or, talking of the e39, potentially buy this 540i for considerably less money than the 850i http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b... Again, it looks like a great example and as I said, I've got experience of and am comfortable with an e39.

Either car could be less reliable than what I'm used to (or need). So, the rental is the safe option (but the thought of that just bores me) and lets face it, I could stand to lose less on either the 850i or e39 than it'd cost me to rent a Golf and have more fun in the process!

What to do eh! The choice between any of these....

Option 1









Option 2








Option 3

[Wills2]

Not sure if you'll like these but they look lovely to me even with the light wood in the e39.


http://www.gmscars.co.uk/bmw_750i_sport_51_-_detai...

http://www.gmscars.co.uk/bmw_530i_sport_champagne_...

[Lignumopus]

Palmball said:

..............it's a car I always wanted back in the days before I could drive and is something that, under normal circumstances (i.e. when I have my main car), I'd never likely buy - I'm just not the type to have more than one car at a time. With this in mind, I do want to be able to offload it relatively easily when the new M6 arrives but I also don't want a car thats going to feel really dated or blow itself up in the couple of months that I have it - I need something that'll be reliable and pleasant to drive.

So, for those who have driven an 8 series, how does it compare with a 'modern' car - does it feel dated, does it have relatively poor NVH or, will I find it perfectly acceptable? .........

Well, you said it......."a car you've always wanted"

It's got a lot going for it..........

Hardly any on the UK roads, so no-one knows what it is.
"Moses Effect" on motorways (for same reason).
A fabulous cruiser.
A beautiful car.
The first car EVER to have frameless windows that dropped 1cm on open/close to form a good seal
It DOES hold up well against a modern car as it was way ahead of it's time when built.
The design was so good, that during it's whole 10 year history BMW made very few changes to the vehicle.

Try this with any other car...!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxYh2tmfT_o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcuxcZxl2BM

Clarkson having a laugh (not same model - but you'll get the drift)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS4YN73w8FE

Finally, more info than you'll ever need.......
http://www.e31.net/models.html

Cheers,

David

[ady702]

Good links there, lol @ Clarkson!

I want one now but only if it was a manual 850

[Palmball]

Wills2 said:

Not sure if you'll like these but they look lovely to me even with the light wood in the e39.


http://www.gmscars.co.uk/bmw_750i_sport_51_-_detai...

http://www.gmscars.co.uk/bmw_530i_sport_champagne_...

Some very nice cars on that site....not widely advertised though so you've sort of got to know they exist! Both lovely examples but expensive for what they are. Money no object - yes. To buy knowing I'll want rid in a few months - probably not!

[Palmball]

Ahhhh sh!te....what have I done ladies and gentlemen??

I'm the lucky winning bidder of the white 850i

There was a hive of activity on this car throughout the week and, as expected, this evening right at the end of the auction. I only hope most of it was genuine interest as this indicates it should be easy to move on when the new M6 arrives. In fact, with 10 seconds to go I was outbid but I got back just in time to win it for £5,999. I guess I'll only find out if thats a good price or overpriced when I come to sell it again. One things for sure, those with 850i's advertised at considerably more money (like another 50% again and with more miles) must be dreaming!

Hopefully the condition and history are as advertised and it proves to be reliable and reasonably pleasant (by modern standards) to drive. If not, it'll prove right all those sensible people who suggested I should hire a car....and we wouldn't want common sense to prevail now would we

[Wills2]

Nice one! Hopefully the car will be a good as it looks in the pics.

Full update and pics on delivery required!

[melvster]

Result, hope it is a painless experience, collecting it from Rochdale eh, hhhhmmmm you could always pop by and let me have a nosey

[Lignumopus]

Palmball said:

Ahhhh sh!te....what have I done ladies and gentlemen??

I'm the lucky winning bidder of the white 850i
...............we wouldn't want common sense to prevail now would we

COMMON SENSE?
PAH....!

CONGRATULATIONS...

Get ready for the questions when you park up.....
"What car is THAT?"

Top "anorak" tip.......
It has THE very best intermittent wipe EVER invented for a car.....infinitely variable timing.
Forget worrying about what amount of time to set it on, and just do it this way.

1) Switch wipers on (to first setting) and then immediately off again. Wipers will not go all the way to the rest position, but will stay slightly higher on the windshield; that way you know the variable intermittent speed is waiting to be set.

2) Just when your windshield is too dotted with rain to see though comfortably, switch wipers on to first setting again.

Bingo! You have now set the variable speed setting in accordance with the ambient rainfall. Assuming the rain is coming down at a relatively steady state, the wipers will sweep your windshield just as it is getting hard to see. If the rain starts falling more/less heavily, well, then you just have to change it. That's life.

You also (should) have a separate windscreen wash bottle for INTENSIVE SCREEN CLEANER (this goes in it....BMW Part No 83 12 04 10 744)

Anyway, you won't have time to ingest half the the owners manual, before your F12 will be ready....lucky beggar.........

[ady702]

Must be good timing as BMW put this out yesterday lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hpDHN4bVqA