8 series bmw talk to me
Discussion
before you say i have done a search but comes up with too many random topics.
i realise its an older car but would it be what im looking for?
planning on moving closer to work so mpg wont be the problem it is just now. it would be used for commuting 10 mile round trip and road trips. for balls out thrills i have a track car that would also cope in snowy weather (based in northern scotland) i love the idea of the 8 series mainly because even though it would be over 10 years old most wouldnt know and it would have a bit of speed as well as room for 4. any drawbacks to the car. an 850 is alot more expensive than an 840 should i go for the more expensive or will the lesser model scratch the itch? ta
i realise its an older car but would it be what im looking for?
planning on moving closer to work so mpg wont be the problem it is just now. it would be used for commuting 10 mile round trip and road trips. for balls out thrills i have a track car that would also cope in snowy weather (based in northern scotland) i love the idea of the 8 series mainly because even though it would be over 10 years old most wouldnt know and it would have a bit of speed as well as room for 4. any drawbacks to the car. an 850 is alot more expensive than an 840 should i go for the more expensive or will the lesser model scratch the itch? ta
The "lesser" model as you put it, is a better car.
850's are expensive when they go wrong, and they do go wrong, they are nose heavy, and for that extra couple of HP there really isn't much difference.
Drawbacks,
it won't seat 4 its a 2+2, it will seat 2 adults and 2 very small children happily, it will not seat 4 adults happily, it is designed to take 2 adults skiing somewhere, hence why it has a ski bag built it, boot isn't that big either.
Parts are expensive and rare, very few 8s get broken and when they do, bits are gone instantly and usually expensive
Big bills when something goes wrong, I would say bank on keeping at least £1000 aside for when it breaks.
Servicing, most garages will service them, but most garages have no idea what they are doing, make sure you get to a reputable specialist in your area and pay the prices, also most BMW garages will not have the tech or know how on 8s, they are an oddball car, don't ever skimp on an 8 series as you will just ruin it, the amount of s
t/ruined 8 series we have come across whilst looking for one is unbelievable, took 8 years to find the prefect example of what we wanted.
They are not a commuter car, you can use them as a commuter car but, they don't really like it, and it is criminal to just use one as a commuter car.
Make sure you get the 4.4V8 not the 4.0 as it may have the nikasil problem, should of been sorted on most by now.
Mileage neither here nor there really as the engines will go on forever
Check for any gearbox leaks, ours had a leak to get it fixed plus some preventative maintenance ie an engine rebuild due to one headgasket starting to weep came in just shy of 4k IIRC
Electrically, expect the center console check system not to function correctly, this is normal of most BMWs of the age.
Other than that, fantastic cars, ours has been ultra reliable, but we spend silly amounts of cash on it, but 8s need to be preserved, too many have fallen into the wrong hands and been trashed.
By sensibly, by with your head not your heart if some of the electrics are dodgy walk away especially if its a dark green 1997 840 with dicky seats, avoid that one like the plague.
Insurance can be expensive they are group 20 and costs st loads to repair, most get written off for little bumps, a new bumper comes in at £2700 iirc and a headlight is £1500.
Pros
Its an 8 series, they look tits, they make a superb noise, pillerless coupe, they really are superb, you just have to bear in mind they were a £70k car back in the early 90s, they may be around the £4000 mark now, but they still have £70k car running costs
22mpg regardless, unless you are booting it, then you can watch the fuel gauge drop.
I would have another one on the drive any day, love them, just have to keep on top of them and they will be near enough faultless, ours has never skipped a beat, apart from the TC seal leaking which to be fairs its 15 years old, it has done pretty well.
If you can warrant spending money on the maintenance and insurance, do it you probably wont regret it, even when you get big bills lol
850's are expensive when they go wrong, and they do go wrong, they are nose heavy, and for that extra couple of HP there really isn't much difference.
Drawbacks,
it won't seat 4 its a 2+2, it will seat 2 adults and 2 very small children happily, it will not seat 4 adults happily, it is designed to take 2 adults skiing somewhere, hence why it has a ski bag built it, boot isn't that big either.
Parts are expensive and rare, very few 8s get broken and when they do, bits are gone instantly and usually expensive
Big bills when something goes wrong, I would say bank on keeping at least £1000 aside for when it breaks.
Servicing, most garages will service them, but most garages have no idea what they are doing, make sure you get to a reputable specialist in your area and pay the prices, also most BMW garages will not have the tech or know how on 8s, they are an oddball car, don't ever skimp on an 8 series as you will just ruin it, the amount of s
t/ruined 8 series we have come across whilst looking for one is unbelievable, took 8 years to find the prefect example of what we wanted.They are not a commuter car, you can use them as a commuter car but, they don't really like it, and it is criminal to just use one as a commuter car.
Make sure you get the 4.4V8 not the 4.0 as it may have the nikasil problem, should of been sorted on most by now.
Mileage neither here nor there really as the engines will go on forever
Check for any gearbox leaks, ours had a leak to get it fixed plus some preventative maintenance ie an engine rebuild due to one headgasket starting to weep came in just shy of 4k IIRC
Electrically, expect the center console check system not to function correctly, this is normal of most BMWs of the age.
Other than that, fantastic cars, ours has been ultra reliable, but we spend silly amounts of cash on it, but 8s need to be preserved, too many have fallen into the wrong hands and been trashed.
By sensibly, by with your head not your heart if some of the electrics are dodgy walk away especially if its a dark green 1997 840 with dicky seats, avoid that one like the plague.
Insurance can be expensive they are group 20 and costs s
t loads to repair, most get written off for little bumps, a new bumper comes in at £2700 iirc and a headlight is £1500.Pros
Its an 8 series, they look tits, they make a superb noise, pillerless coupe, they really are superb, you just have to bear in mind they were a £70k car back in the early 90s, they may be around the £4000 mark now, but they still have £70k car running costs
22mpg regardless, unless you are booting it, then you can watch the fuel gauge drop.
I would have another one on the drive any day, love them, just have to keep on top of them and they will be near enough faultless, ours has never skipped a beat, apart from the TC seal leaking which to be fairs its 15 years old, it has done pretty well.
If you can warrant spending money on the maintenance and insurance, do it you probably wont regret it, even when you get big bills lol
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