Why shouldn't I buy an 840?
Discussion
Right. I'm after a proper two door GT for long European road trips, and would like it to be a bit left field. Budget is £35-40k. I have scoured current offerings from the usual suspects, and can find nothing that fits the bill - except maybe the current 8 series.
Any reason why I shouldn't? I couldn't find an 8 series thread here so there may be a catch (beyond the epic depreciation, which I would hope to avoid by buying a 3-4 year old car).
All views gratefully received. The only alternative right now seems to be a 1990s 8 series
Any reason why I shouldn't? I couldn't find an 8 series thread here so there may be a catch (beyond the epic depreciation, which I would hope to avoid by buying a 3-4 year old car).
All views gratefully received. The only alternative right now seems to be a 1990s 8 series
Edited by redrabbit on Saturday 17th January 21:07
Some recent chat about 840GC here > https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Appreciate you're after the 2 door. General opinion is that the coupe is quite small inside for such a large exterior.
They are a pleasant place to be
Appreciate you're after the 2 door. General opinion is that the coupe is quite small inside for such a large exterior.
They are a pleasant place to be
As said, if it's a keeper then go for it. Big 2 door coupes are definitely a niche market and that's still a fair chunk of cash albeit a hell of a car for the money.
An alternative if you want it for a specific trip is a Merc CL. Get a good mid-2010's model for £15k and the CL500 turbos are quick things. I own and older CL500 and it's an awesome thing.
An alternative if you want it for a specific trip is a Merc CL. Get a good mid-2010's model for £15k and the CL500 turbos are quick things. I own and older CL500 and it's an awesome thing.
I had an 840i and really liked it as a long distance tourer. The back seats are really just storage only, unless you have friends with no legs (or heads). The boot however is a really good size.
It was very smooth and comfortable, great seats, solid performance and surprisingly economical. Also, a little bit rare, so got a lot of attention. I actually miss it!
It was very smooth and comfortable, great seats, solid performance and surprisingly economical. Also, a little bit rare, so got a lot of attention. I actually miss it!
FlyingPanda said:
I had an 840i and really liked it as a long distance tourer. The back seats are really just storage only, unless you have friends with no legs (or heads). The boot however is a really good size.
It was very smooth and comfortable, great seats, solid performance and surprisingly economical. Also, a little bit rare, so got a lot of attention. I actually miss it!
You see, that would be just the ticket It was very smooth and comfortable, great seats, solid performance and surprisingly economical. Also, a little bit rare, so got a lot of attention. I actually miss it!
My thoughts are that I'd hold on to it for around five years, so depreciation not too worrisome so long as running costs aren't also ruinous (the latter being one reason I'd be wary of the Maserati). The Merc CL suggestion above is also a good one - food for thought!
The running costs and servicing etc were nothing excessive (broadly similar to the 530d I had before). The only weird thing was the extended warranty cost - they wanted about £2,500 a year for that which seemed massively out of step with other BMWs. Obviously you don’t have to have it though.
Overall I’d say it’s a great option for euro touring!
Overall I’d say it’s a great option for euro touring!
I like the 8 series and reckon they'd be a good buy second hand. They're pretty uncommon too, which is also nice.
If you're looking for alternatives, as well as the CL and Maserati, might you consider a Lexus LC? Might come in closer to 50 than 40 I guess, but a very good GT option if you can wait for a bit more depreciation.
If you're looking for alternatives, as well as the CL and Maserati, might you consider a Lexus LC? Might come in closer to 50 than 40 I guess, but a very good GT option if you can wait for a bit more depreciation.
Edited by Palmela on Sunday 18th January 18:18
I think they are are a great option, with the B58 being a fair bit more reliable than the 850i and M8 V8 options it seems.
It does depend on the other criteria I guess, such as wether you need rear seats or not. If you don't, then the F Type AWD has a good size boot and is in budget with good all year round traction, and a Mercedes SL would give you the roof down option (something I dismissed until I bought one).
The other alternative would be something like an Audi S7, which would be a little more practical with the extra doors, but is a nice V8 in budget.
It does depend on the other criteria I guess, such as wether you need rear seats or not. If you don't, then the F Type AWD has a good size boot and is in budget with good all year round traction, and a Mercedes SL would give you the roof down option (something I dismissed until I bought one).
The other alternative would be something like an Audi S7, which would be a little more practical with the extra doors, but is a nice V8 in budget.
doc261 said:
Did you look at 6 series?
I was going to post something similar. Certainly a better looking car but even a late 2017/2018 model would be behind the times tech wise. Great cars though.
As others have said, unless you go for the gran coupe, there is minimal passenger space inside.
When searching, ensure you look for cars with the additional option packs - some early cars /ex lease cars had minimal options. Tech/visibility/comfort packs are desirable.
840i engines are very tunable too - https://www.celtictuning.co.uk/services/performanc...
Merc CL - it's the only car a (main) dealer has ever warned me off buying- i went to see one in Portsmouth and the guy really didn't want me to buy it.
They are a nightmare from a reliability perspective. In the words of Monty Python- run away.
I-am-the-reverend said:
Now that's what I call depreciation. 
That's going to be like new. If you like this sort of thing (and I'm not adverse), that's a hell of a car for 30 grand.
You say that.... but that car was maybe £60K new in 2020 after discount, and its 6 years old.That's going to be like new. If you like this sort of thing (and I'm not adverse), that's a hell of a car for 30 grand.
A good, fresh looking car for the money though.
Deep Thought said:
You say that.... but that car was maybe £60K new in 2020 after discount, and its 6 years old.
A good, fresh looking car for the money though.
Yes, mine was a high spec one with the Tech Packs, upgraded interior leather and other stuff, and it had a 'list' price of £84,000. A good, fresh looking car for the money though.
I paid £67k.
I'd be pretty chuffed if it was still worth nearly 50% after 6 years!
I had one as a loan car and couldn’t really see the point. Not really fast or sporty , huge car and yet no real space inside (opposite tardis), not luxurious inside - sort of standard bmw. So it didn’t really excel anywhere , apart from I think they look good on the outside. But maybe others are better
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