My 850CSi, Behold the Beast
Discussion
So, after 5 months of waiting, I finally found the right 850CSi. To be honest, in that time only four CSis of any description were for sale in the whole of the UK. Two were dubious and one sold on the first phone call. This one is 1994 Boston Green with black leather, 62K miles, full BMW service history. The previous owner bought it from Munich Legends about three years ago.
Its a much over-used term, but this car really is immaculate inside and out. It looks and drives like a three year old car.
I hadn’t quite appreciated the build quality of the 8 Series. Its often quite familiar BMW bits and pieces but the level of quality and engineering is really on a different level. The very first thing that hit me is the weight of the door and the quality of the shut. It has a strangely Bentley feel to it.
Its a bit of a beast to drive, serious clutch, agricultural gear box. The overwhelming sensation is one of limitless torque, once rolling it is a seriously quick, far too quick for UK roads sometimes. Ride os OK and handling surprisingly good. I have a slight concern over the brakes but I think a lot of that is coloured by the Porsche factor.
Collected it Thursday in Glasgow and arrived home (Hertfordshire) Saturday afternoon, it seemed right to take the very, very, very long way home. I’d like to regale you with tales of power sliding through the Highlands, the truth of it is I stalled it twice doing a three point turn in Selkirk, in front of an audience of charvers of course. I think I need to learn how to drive it.......
Thanks to all on PH who have helped me in the last few months, much appreciated.
I think I need a long chat with Mr. Talkwrench......
I love the 8 series and that colour is one of the best Job38 said:
I think I need a long chat with Mr. Talkwrench......
Oh no you don't ... not until his finished rebuilding mine at any rate 
I do like that centre section rear diffuser
MIIICHAAAAAAAEL!
Seriously, can't wait to see it in the flesh - we're starting quite a select little club here!
derestrictor said:
P.S. Al, any photos of yon beastie yet?
Apparently lots Simon ... but all in various stages of disarray!The last job before the "put-back-together" stage started was to replace the seals around the sumps ... by all accounts the bottom half of the engine is just as clean as the top half
I do however have a splendid (so i am led to believe) new brushed alluminium with carbon fibre inserts gear stick!
burriana said:
Seriously, can't wait to see it in the flesh - we're starting quite a select little club here!
I wish I could join that club... albeit in the '840 Junior League'... but alas it looks like the insurance companies and their nasty quotes are giving me a rude awakening from my 8 dream 
belleair302 said:
Interesting choice of car....who are you going to let look after your new toy?
That's a good question, I used Cooks Ferry Engineering with the E34.I don't really trust BMW main dealers, I doubt they've ever seen an 850CSi.
I'm thinking Munich Legends might be my best option.
Can anyone recommend a good specialist who actually 'knows' 850CSis?
Job38 said:
That surprises me, my insurance is substantially less than the 911, around £450 pa.
Try some 'future classic' options.....
(Could be one of the benefits of being an old git in my 40s though
)
Maybe. I'm 33 and the best quote I can get is £1,100 with a 5,000 mile per year limit. I'm really loving this, but as things stand it aint gonna happen.Try some 'future classic' options.....
(Could be one of the benefits of being an old git in my 40s though
)Job38 said:
Can anyone recommend a good specialist who actually 'knows' 850CSis?
'Talkwrench' should be along sooner or later to congratulate you and advise you as to the best course of care for your car.Pvapour said:
can someone tell me why the 4.0 was considered the better car 
surely the 5.0 has more power? which in my book answers the question
The impression I get is that people prefer the 850. Are you sure you didn't hear someone saying the 4.4 (later 840) was better, meaning it was better than the 4.0 (early 840) which suffered the Nikasil issue? surely the 5.0 has more power? which in my book answers the question I think the 850 (non CSi) version was played down because for all the extra cost of the V12 (in servicing, petrol, etc) you didn't get anything like the extra performance you'd expect. Fuel economy was better on the 840, they were 'cheaper' to run & maintain, and they were lighter.
Would still love an 850CSi - although I'd like a supercharged (or fettled NA) one
as 380bhp isn't enough from an engine that size.
Would still love an 850CSi - although I'd like a supercharged (or fettled NA) one
as 380bhp isn't enough from an engine that size.mmm-five said:
as 380bhp isn't enough from an engine that size.
That's the problem ... people forget that it has about 470lb'ft of torque to go with it though!The 840 was considered better because of fuel economy (er, and your point is!) slightly cheaper servicing, and a lighter engine ... they all fail to take into account my first point though.
The V12 has masses of torque with a very flat curve, practically all of it being on tap from 1000 revs through to 5000+.
840 faster than an 850? I don't think so.
And THEN you get the CSi
Superb! That looks like an excellent example and I'm not surprised to hear that you found the car awesome on your extended journey home. People just don't realise what a phenominal engine the CSi has and how well it suits the car with its Motorsport brakes, suspension and that clever active rear wheel steer.
Your comment on the brakes surprise me though. They are massive and should be very effective. They are also very tricky to bleed properly! I wonder if that may be your problem?
If you do wish me to give the car a thorough once over or a service, or even just want a 'long chat' about CSi's then of course I'd be delighted to help.
Email me and I'll pass on my details.
My main advice would be to enjoy it as much as possible and when the opportunity arises, take it by the scruff of the neck and be amazed at what it can do. Most people don't even get close to finding the limits of these awesome machines.
Your comment on the brakes surprise me though. They are massive and should be very effective. They are also very tricky to bleed properly! I wonder if that may be your problem?
If you do wish me to give the car a thorough once over or a service, or even just want a 'long chat' about CSi's then of course I'd be delighted to help.
Email me and I'll pass on my details.
My main advice would be to enjoy it as much as possible and when the opportunity arises, take it by the scruff of the neck and be amazed at what it can do. Most people don't even get close to finding the limits of these awesome machines.
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