Did BMW make any 8 Series with a manual box?
Discussion
MitchT said:
Okay... so I rule out the 8 on the grounds of its size maybe rendering it a tad awkward for my favourite roads... and rule it out further on the basis that I don't want an auto and manuals are too hard to find... and then I discover this baby... (Scroll down to the Estoril Blue 840Ci Sport). http://www.gtsbillingshurst.co.uk/8000.html
Now this is so utterly gorgeous I'd buy it anyway, despite it being an auto! My only concerns are that the distance of 202 miles from where I live would make arranging an inspection with an expert somewhat difficult, and they've omitted the mileage which is what dealers do when the mileage is so high that they they know it would put prospective buyers off if they included it in the ad.
there's a lovely red manual 840i in my last post....with an LPG conv as well!Now this is so utterly gorgeous I'd buy it anyway, despite it being an auto! My only concerns are that the distance of 202 miles from where I live would make arranging an inspection with an expert somewhat difficult, and they've omitted the mileage which is what dealers do when the mileage is so high that they they know it would put prospective buyers off if they included it in the ad.
Apache said:
there's a lovely red manual 840i in my last post...
There is, but I much prefer the one I've seen. If I did buy an 8 I'd want a Sport model, and I particularly love the black interior with contrasting cream leather in the one I've seen. The predominantly grey interior that most have wouldn't excite my wallet into opening.Apache said:
...with an LPG conv as well!
Personally I'd steer well clear of LPG. A friend of mine had an LPG car and it didn't save him any money. The fuel cost less - in the rare event that he actually found some for sale - but this was offset by lousy consumption and he lost a load of boot space because of the tank. LPG strikes me as a fad that was jerked into transient popularity by the subsidy that was given to people towards the installation cost... but now the subsidy has gone and LPG cars are starting to look like the Betamax video tapes of the automotive world.That Estoril is indeed lovely and is one of the colours that I was originally looking at. Just give him a ring and ask the mileage.
I can recommend one person to do the inspection but I'd really rather you didn't ask him until he's finished my car
As for LPG ... I have to say i wouldn't be interested at all. Just don't think there is enough benefit and you have complications taking it on Eurotunnel.
I think the massive torque of the V12 makes the auto box more viable, even more so when you chip it, as this was my concern. With the V8 needing more revs it may be a bit annoying, but then again, we are talking a 280bhp V8 so it still won't be that bad! ... and you can a) chip the box and b) change it to flappy paddle
I can recommend one person to do the inspection but I'd really rather you didn't ask him until he's finished my car
As for LPG ... I have to say i wouldn't be interested at all. Just don't think there is enough benefit and you have complications taking it on Eurotunnel.
I think the massive torque of the V12 makes the auto box more viable, even more so when you chip it, as this was my concern. With the V8 needing more revs it may be a bit annoying, but then again, we are talking a 280bhp V8 so it still won't be that bad! ... and you can a) chip the box and b) change it to flappy paddle
julian64 said:
The 840 auto is to the 8 series what the condom is to sex.
Perhaps you could quanitify what you mean. Coming from a 318is I suspect an 840 will be more than adequate for me.burriana said:
I can recommend one person to do the inspection but I'd really rather you didn't ask him until he's finished my car
Yes, I'm acquainted with Mr Talkwrench and would not hesitate in asking his assistance in checking out an 8... except this one's 202 miles away!MitchT said:
julian64 said:
The 840 auto is to the 8 series what the condom is to sex.
Perhaps you could quanitify what you mean. Coming from a 318is I suspect an 840 will be more than adequate for me.burriana said:
I can recommend one person to do the inspection but I'd really rather you didn't ask him until he's finished my car
Yes, I'm acquainted with Mr Talkwrench and would not hesitate in asking his assistance in checking out an 8... except this one's 202 miles away!Always take a pocket diagnostic system with you. The eights had a standard DS2 interface in the engine compartment, and its a pretty good engine diagnostic.
The eight was a heavy car with good performance. The suspension suffered quite considerably on poorly maintained cars. You really need to look under the car with a pit or a ramp. Beware the active suspension and steering cars.
The power steering also suffered from heavy car syndrome. Look for leaks, front right hand engine and listen for squealing left and right lock from cold. Wheel bearings were another favourite in spiritedly driven cars for the same reason.
The Air con is a must and was very very expensive. Trying to repair the rad behind the dashboard almost writes off the car its that difficult. But the air con is very very effective on the eight and is a quick and easy test for something that won't be working on many of the cars due to the expense of repairing it when it went wrong.
The car is now quite old and so a ramp inspection is a must for how the cars antirust has been maintained, although pretty damn good from new, it would have needed regular addition as an old car.
Look on the bimmer board for the secret way into the dash to display the vin of the car and whether the mileage has been changed. Changing the mileage on these cars was very easy compared to the newer cars but a plastic tab on the back of the dash always got broken if it was done, and look for the bulb having been removed fro the warning light on the dash.
I'm sure there are more.
That is a gorgeous car. Superb colour and a very classy interior.
I'd be happy to check it out if you wish but you should find out a great deal more about the car first. Ask the dealer for the chassis number and get BMW to check it out. They should have a full BMW history available if the car has one and be able to tell you of any major incidents.....
I'd be happy to check it out if you wish but you should find out a great deal more about the car first. Ask the dealer for the chassis number and get BMW to check it out. They should have a full BMW history available if the car has one and be able to tell you of any major incidents.....
Got some info...
The mileage is 125,000 and only the last stamp in the service book is non Main Dealer, at 120,000m.
Chassis number is... xxx
The air conditioning condenser has just been replaced in order to rectify the non-operation of the air conditioning.
Not a lot of paperwork available, just the last 4 MOTs and a couple of service check sheets, as well as the V5 and the service book. The car is clear on HPi.
What do folks think about the mileage/price? Need to give BMW a call with the chassis number to establish any history they might have on file.
The mileage is 125,000 and only the last stamp in the service book is non Main Dealer, at 120,000m.
Chassis number is... xxx
The air conditioning condenser has just been replaced in order to rectify the non-operation of the air conditioning.
Not a lot of paperwork available, just the last 4 MOTs and a couple of service check sheets, as well as the V5 and the service book. The car is clear on HPi.
What do folks think about the mileage/price? Need to give BMW a call with the chassis number to establish any history they might have on file.
Edited by MitchT on Friday 28th September 13:22
Job38 said:
Lovely looking colour combination.
Yeah, awesome colour combo. I love the black interior with contrasting Lotus White Leather ('cause that's what it is, contrary to the description of 'saffron' on the web site). I love M3s with this interior colour combo too.Job38 said:
Don't expect the 'tiptronic' to be anything else than a torque convertor auto though with the ability to select/hold gears.
That's fine by me. I'd rather it wasn't something more elaborate as more elaborate = much more expensive to fix if it goes wrong.burriana said:
You can get it chipped though so that it becomes positively quite vicous ... so I'm led to believe ... not that I'd do anything like that of course 
I'm not really a chipping kind of guy. I like my cars just as the manufacturer made them. If it was meant to work harder it would have been made that way in the first place. Performance mods all conjur-up images of my bank account emptying quickly as things that are being over-worked wear out much faster or break because they're being made to do things they weren't designed for.
MitchT said:
as things that are being over-worked wear out much faster or break because they're being made to do things they weren't designed for.
You're joking aren't you? Well, certainly in the V12s case I think there is plenty of capacity for it to cope with a bit of tweaking 
I bloody hope so anyway or Mr Talkwrench may see a bit more of me than he'd ideally want
derin100 said:
According to my handbook:
Length = 4780 mm (188.2 in)
Width = 1855 mm (73.0 in)
Height (unladen) = 1340 (52.8 in)
Weight with automatic transmission: 840Ci = 1895kg (4178 lb) 850Ci = 1955kg (4310 lb)
ThanksLength = 4780 mm (188.2 in)
Width = 1855 mm (73.0 in)
Height (unladen) = 1340 (52.8 in)
Weight with automatic transmission: 840Ci = 1895kg (4178 lb) 850Ci = 1955kg (4310 lb)
First the tape measure then I will have to see how many used 20s I can lay me hands on
I like the estoril blue 840 down south... very niceEdited by BadRedWedge on Saturday 29th September 11:46
MitchT said:
Got some info...
The mileage is 125,000 and only the last stamp in the service book is non Main Dealer, at 120,000m.
Chassis number is... xxx
The air conditioning condenser has just been replaced in order to rectify the non-operation of the air conditioning.
Not a lot of paperwork available, just the last 4 MOTs and a couple of service check sheets, as well as the V5 and the service book. The car is clear on HPi.
What do folks think about the mileage/price? Need to give BMW a call with the chassis number to establish any history they might have on file.
If properly maintained, the mileage is of no real concern. Many brake and suspension parts should be considered as consumables on the 8 series. With respect to the brakes, this car will have the later 4 pot calipers on the front which give slightly better feel. The front disks and pads take a real hammering and the rear disks include and integral drum for the handbrake which tends to rust and cause poor operation, particularly on an automatic where the handbrake is rarely used.The mileage is 125,000 and only the last stamp in the service book is non Main Dealer, at 120,000m.
Chassis number is... xxx
The air conditioning condenser has just been replaced in order to rectify the non-operation of the air conditioning.
Not a lot of paperwork available, just the last 4 MOTs and a couple of service check sheets, as well as the V5 and the service book. The car is clear on HPi.
What do folks think about the mileage/price? Need to give BMW a call with the chassis number to establish any history they might have on file.
Edited by MitchT on Friday 28th September 13:22
Front and rear disks and pads are cheap enough to replace (original Brembo are strongly recommended). The front disks warp over time and cause juddering and shimmying under hard braking from high speeds. I'd change front disks every second set of pads to maintain perfect braking.
The rear suspension is very complex and well made. The only bushes to keep a close eye on here are the big leading arm bushes bolted to the sill members. Around £120 to change both.
The front suspension has a tough time and the upper control arm bushes need changing every 30k miles Again, around £120 and I always fit the uprated M5 bushes. The lowers last a very long time (100-150k) but are more expensive as the arms are aluminium and the bushes should not be replaced. Springs weaken over time and occasionally break. £250 for a set of 4. The cars are usually fitted with EDC (electronic dampers). These are usually reliable but the front start to go soft at around 100-120k. I recommend removing the system when this happens as it was never that great and costs a good deal to have rebuilt. Replace them with Bilstein Sports rear shockers and front strut inserts and the car will feel transformed. Around £350 for a set of four.
The steering is always a little vague to make the car feel relaxed at 150mph. Replacing the idler arm and both track rods with ends keeps everything tight. Around £120 to do this. I'd also recommend negative camber top plates to give the steering better turn in response and more feel. We have more corners than autobahns in this country! Engines, gearboxes and diffs are bullet proof with regular maintenance and rarely come up with surprises - oh, except that the oil pump sometimes works its way loose and falls off into the sump but that is rare......!
Budget £1000-£1500 on top of a purchase price and an 8 series can really be transformed into a tight, responsive and superb high speed cruiser with enormous presence and a very special quality.
Hmmm, don't get me wrong, I am a devoted fan of the 8 series. Well the twelve cylinder models. Had both i and csi for quite some time before I finally got a newer car, mainly becuse the growing children couldn't fit in the back, otherwise I'd still have had one of them.
I agree with most of what talkwrench says, but for the sake of my own experience I do have to make the following comment. The 8 was not a chuckable car in the same way more modern cars are. It was a GT tourer with great presence yes. But you will find a regular stream of committed hatchbacks leaving you for dead on twisty roads, you will find a whole raft of normal looking saloon cars leaving you for dead in a straight line. To give you an example I have a current bog standard E39 BMW. It would leave pretty much any eight by some good margin on both twisties and the straights including the top of the range CSI.
I would still prefer to have the eight if I could but, all the talk on here about killing sports car like performance is a touch optimistic in my experience. I'm sure you can go aftermarket, and I'm sure all the tweaks mentioned before in this thread would help as suggested, but I'm afraid I don't believe it would dramatically transform the car to the point where you would be king of the road.
My advice is to go into the purchase with eyes open to the fact this is a stunning car but a classic rather than a F1 and you won't be dissapointed.
I agree with most of what talkwrench says, but for the sake of my own experience I do have to make the following comment. The 8 was not a chuckable car in the same way more modern cars are. It was a GT tourer with great presence yes. But you will find a regular stream of committed hatchbacks leaving you for dead on twisty roads, you will find a whole raft of normal looking saloon cars leaving you for dead in a straight line. To give you an example I have a current bog standard E39 BMW. It would leave pretty much any eight by some good margin on both twisties and the straights including the top of the range CSI.
I would still prefer to have the eight if I could but, all the talk on here about killing sports car like performance is a touch optimistic in my experience. I'm sure you can go aftermarket, and I'm sure all the tweaks mentioned before in this thread would help as suggested, but I'm afraid I don't believe it would dramatically transform the car to the point where you would be king of the road.
My advice is to go into the purchase with eyes open to the fact this is a stunning car but a classic rather than a F1 and you won't be dissapointed.
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