8 series, your thoughts.
Discussion
Watched an episode of Wheeler Dealers last night where they did up a 840Ci. Although an owner of a E36 323 for 12 years now, I have never really noticed many 8s on our roads but thanks to the program, I thought it a mighty fine motor.
Any owners out there and what are your thoughts on ownership, repair bills, mpg etc?
Looking at the classifieds, there are a lot of '99 models and at high prices unlike the one on Wheelers. An appreciating classic perhaps?
Any owners out there and what are your thoughts on ownership, repair bills, mpg etc?
Looking at the classifieds, there are a lot of '99 models and at high prices unlike the one on Wheelers. An appreciating classic perhaps?
hi there,
With any 8 series, the true cost will be the very high long term running costs. If you read up some of the back issues of BMW Car, you'll see some of the E31 8 Series reports and writeups and you'll see to correctly maintain it, you'll need deep pockets. It is indeed a 'classic' weather or not it'll appreciate over time, no one as yet knows. They've come down now for what is silly cheap money to buy though, so if it's a long term thing you are thinking of and willing to drop the money into keeping running well, then go for it !
They still do look fantastic with a set of 18/19 inch wheels and very subtle mods, perhaps a light smoke tint.
Seems the 840ci is the less pricier one to keep in good shape, and if you can find one, the 850CSi being the most sought after. If you can track down one of the Alpina's, even better, but running costs will be astronomical with these more sought after bigger variants.
Cheers, Dennis!
With any 8 series, the true cost will be the very high long term running costs. If you read up some of the back issues of BMW Car, you'll see some of the E31 8 Series reports and writeups and you'll see to correctly maintain it, you'll need deep pockets. It is indeed a 'classic' weather or not it'll appreciate over time, no one as yet knows. They've come down now for what is silly cheap money to buy though, so if it's a long term thing you are thinking of and willing to drop the money into keeping running well, then go for it !
They still do look fantastic with a set of 18/19 inch wheels and very subtle mods, perhaps a light smoke tint.
Seems the 840ci is the less pricier one to keep in good shape, and if you can find one, the 850CSi being the most sought after. If you can track down one of the Alpina's, even better, but running costs will be astronomical with these more sought after bigger variants.
Cheers, Dennis!
Quite a few threads on here already but just adding my few bobs worth. On my second 840 Sport. Stunning car but as mentioned you could get best by a few , perhaps slightly costly, niggles.
Model to go for would be a 98 or 99 4.4 Sport...Individual spec if possible. Check all electrical items are in good working order, A/C , shocks. Engine nigh on bullet proof. Dash display can have missing pixels.
Otherwise a grossly underated car but dont expect to keep up with others on the'twisties'!
Pic of mine...98 Sport in Avus Blue
Model to go for would be a 98 or 99 4.4 Sport...Individual spec if possible. Check all electrical items are in good working order, A/C , shocks. Engine nigh on bullet proof. Dash display can have missing pixels.
Otherwise a grossly underated car but dont expect to keep up with others on the'twisties'!
Pic of mine...98 Sport in Avus Blue
They are a great car - i have a 98 sport and it is decatted - 300bhp on a recent rolling road trip. I have the 18" split rim RS wheels which i think look great but the lacquer keeps going on the edge!
So far only problem is a misfire which I think is down to leaky valve cover gaskets ( common problem with the m62 engine) I plan to fix this myself soon.
Other than that I havent found it costly to run at all and I never tire of the looks or the fact that its rare.
So far only problem is a misfire which I think is down to leaky valve cover gaskets ( common problem with the m62 engine) I plan to fix this myself soon.
Other than that I havent found it costly to run at all and I never tire of the looks or the fact that its rare.
I've had various 8s over the last 7 years, I love em & they don't necessarily have to cost a fortune to own.
If yo buy at the bottom end £3k, factor in another £3k to bring it up to date on maintenance then you can have a wonderful car for the price of a Ford, bloody hell I sound like Mike Brewer
If yo buy at the bottom end £3k, factor in another £3k to bring it up to date on maintenance then you can have a wonderful car for the price of a Ford, bloody hell I sound like Mike Brewer
To be a damp squid and the voice of reason.....don't waste your money. They are not great cars, they do cost money to own once something goes wrong and you will lose less by buying something else.....
Yes they look interesting and were a technological masterpiece but in 2011 they are neither a future classic nor a great drivers car....
Speak to a few specialists about repairs, not ownes and begin to understand why so many of these cars are future junk yard dogs!!!
Yes they look interesting and were a technological masterpiece but in 2011 they are neither a future classic nor a great drivers car....
Speak to a few specialists about repairs, not ownes and begin to understand why so many of these cars are future junk yard dogs!!!
belleair302 said:
To be a damp squid and the voice of reason.....don't waste your money. They are not great cars, they do cost money to own once something goes wrong and you will lose less by buying something else.....
Yes they look interesting and were a technological masterpiece but in 2011 they are neither a future classic nor a great drivers car....
Speak to a few specialists about repairs, not ownes and begin to understand why so many of these cars are future junk yard dogs!!!
I think what you meant to add was, IMHO Yes they look interesting and were a technological masterpiece but in 2011 they are neither a future classic nor a great drivers car....
Speak to a few specialists about repairs, not ownes and begin to understand why so many of these cars are future junk yard dogs!!!
belleair302 said:
To be a damp squid and the voice of reason.....don't waste your money. They are not great cars, they do cost money to own once something goes wrong and you will lose less by buying something else.....
Yes they look interesting and were a technological masterpiece but in 2011 they are neither a future classic nor a great drivers car....
Speak to a few specialists about repairs, not ownes and begin to understand why so many of these cars are future junk yard dogs!!!
Richard,Yes they look interesting and were a technological masterpiece but in 2011 they are neither a future classic nor a great drivers car....
Speak to a few specialists about repairs, not ownes and begin to understand why so many of these cars are future junk yard dogs!!!
Reading that, I'm struggling to contain a smile given that you own(ed) an E34 M5...
Liquid Knight said:
850 is arguably better than the 840. A few have been Scumballed and I nearly bought one. If only it had a proper gear box. Then it would be brilliant instead of bloody good.
you can get both 840s and 850s in manual, for 850s, the UK population is 1/10th manual, but that still was only something like 250 out of 2500. (this isn't the CSi by the way, the regular V12)Very rare to turn up for sale though, i guess those with the manuals are more petrolheaddy and want to hold on to them.
Great Pretender said:
belleair302 said:
To be a damp squid and the voice of reason.....don't waste your money. They are not great cars, they do cost money to own once something goes wrong and you will lose less by buying something else.....
Yes they look interesting and were a technological masterpiece but in 2011 they are neither a future classic nor a great drivers car....
Speak to a few specialists about repairs, not ownes and begin to understand why so many of these cars are future junk yard dogs!!!
Richard,Yes they look interesting and were a technological masterpiece but in 2011 they are neither a future classic nor a great drivers car....
Speak to a few specialists about repairs, not ownes and begin to understand why so many of these cars are future junk yard dogs!!!
Reading that, I'm struggling to contain a smile given that you own(ed) an E34 M5...
Well here's one I would buy....
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1716585.htm
Oh! I already have one albeit a lowly auto that still does 0-60 sub 6 seconds and no it is not standard...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1716585.htm
Oh! I already have one albeit a lowly auto that still does 0-60 sub 6 seconds and no it is not standard...
For £1000 extra are you sure that you'd rather not have this
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1742710.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1742710.htm
alexmckie said:
Well here's one I would buy....
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1716585.htm
Oh! I already have one albeit a lowly auto that still does 0-60 sub 6 seconds and no it is not standard...
Overpriced?http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1716585.htm
Oh! I already have one albeit a lowly auto that still does 0-60 sub 6 seconds and no it is not standard...
ALittleEXcited said:
alexmckie said:
Well here's one I would buy....
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1716585.htm
Oh! I already have one albeit a lowly auto that still does 0-60 sub 6 seconds and no it is not standard...
Overpriced?http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1716585.htm
Oh! I already have one albeit a lowly auto that still does 0-60 sub 6 seconds and no it is not standard...
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