BMW 8 Series, due its day yet ?

[J4CKO]

Sort of forgot about these but a mate reminded me of their existence and a quick scan reminded me what a handsome beast these things are, think they have aged well and lost a bit of the eighties brashness and mellowed nicely allowing the fantastic shape with shades of 3.0 CSL to show through, the later six series just isn't as good looking, sure its a lot better but its not looker in comparison.

They seem fairly cheap at the moment, not sure if they are ever going to go up but I forgot what a looker they are, cant remember the last time I saw one, at the time I was slightly put off by seeing some German fella at a local hotel with Peter Stringfellow hair and Bodybuilder attire (but no muscles) in one, just totally associated them for me with tragic looking middle aged men, but now I am one, its grown on me !

[slipstream 1985]

been covered on here a few times, top end executive car at the time with top end executive running costs. stunning in estoril (spelling) blue though

[Y282]

needed to be

[blearyeyedboy]

I agree. There are some truly shabby ones out there though. Most have fallen into the grasp of The Chav.

But find a good one... and it'd be Eightiestastic. Same with the similar era Merc SL.

[J4CKO]

Y282 said:

needed to be

Manuel

Geddit

Not seen it covered on here, or even mentioned.

Still deserves another airing I think.

[pixieporsche]

I've looked at a few 8 series and nearly bought one once.

They didn't come out until the early 90's IIRC?? If I'm honest I don't think they are due their day for around ten years or so, yet. Still, lovely cars.

[mrtwisty]

Some of the 850's were manuals no?

[pixieporsche]

mrtwisty said:

Some of the 850's were manuals no?

850 CSi's were, very rare though.

[J4CKO]

pixieporsche said:

I've looked at a few 8 series and nearly bought one once.

They didn't come out until the early 90's IIRC?? If I'm honest I don't think they are due their day for around ten years or so, yet. Still, lovely cars.

89, but it definitely an 80's car, it oozes 80's, practically has shoulder pads.

[pixieporsche]

J4CKO said:

pixieporsche said:

I've looked at a few 8 series and nearly bought one once.

They didn't come out until the early 90's IIRC?? If I'm honest I don't think they are due their day for around ten years or so, yet. Still, lovely cars.

89, but it definitely an 80's car, it oozes 80's, practically has shoulder pads.

haha, I agree it's a child of the late 80's with those looks as the square shaped SL is. Didn't realise it actually made it's debut in '89 though.

[J4CKO]

Hoddo said:

Enjoyed the 2010 Le Mans trip in an 840Ci, fantastic cross country vehicle. Engine feels very under stressed, not overly fast but powerful enough and ideal for big distance, cross country trips.

Shop around. Bills could be high an there are many high milage and neglected examples out there.

Not buying, just thought they deserve a mention, really "get them" now and had forgotten what an achingly good looking thing they are in the right colour with the right wheels.

[williamp]

worth thinking that bakc in 94, Performance car magazine tested an 850 against a 928 GTS and the (then brand new) DB7. It won.

I thought about an 840, but realised its the same engine as my 540, in a car of simmilar size but with less interior space and a smaller boot. The 850 is, of course the V12 and compleately different

Oh, youtube wheeler dealers- they restored an 8 series a while back.

[Gruber]

The big draw back is the potentially ruinous running costs. To my mind, that's what'll get in the way of them joining the ranks of the "modern classics". Too complicated for their own good, and as other have said, too many seem to have fallen into the wrong hands.

But then I guess the same could be said of the 928 and they seem to be on the up...

[Gizmo!]

I think these are fantastic. However, due to BMW loading them up with all the very latest electronic tech, they go wrong. A lot.

And that plastic front bumper section costs about the same as a trip to the Maldives.

[Jw Vw]

Fantastic cars, lovely looks and all the kit you could possibly want. One of the finest GT's money can buy. Can be had for relative peanuts. Big bills always a worry though.

[Gruber]

My test is: would I swap the 6er for it?

I'd be tempted by a nice 928. And I was almost persuaded by a ur-Quattro. But that's about it and sadly the 8er doesn't come close. Just doesn't quite do it for me.

[Jw Vw]

Best colour IMO.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2953111.htm

[Caruso]

Is an 840i really that much more expensive to maintain than an E34 540i?

[obscene]

They've been on the up for the past 2/3 years. Most were 3/4k and they now seem to be 5/6/7. I wouldn't mind one. So elegant.

[phib]

My farther had one when they were new until about 5 years old, all under warranty fortunately, it was the most expensive car he ever ran including a lister le mans 7 L, several ferraris, and other exotica

I distinctly remember it's third year service being over 7k, including two replacement cats at something liken £1800 a side !!!

Also had a nose cone at something like £4k ( fortunatly on someone else's insurance)

I seem to remember him working out that the running costs over 5 years were the same as the purchase price give or take a few k.

In the end he bought a another Ferrari as it was cheaper ton run !!!

Phib